Contact: Jodie Peotter, DNR outreach and policy section chief
Jodie.Peotter@wisconsin.gov or 608-259-6557
DNR's Brownfield Program Launches Interactive Map To Highlight Statewide Cleanup And Redevelopment Successes
After a successful cleanup of the Wausau Energy Bulk Plant, the property was eventually sold to the Bull Falls Brewery, which describes itself as Wausau's first distributing microbrewery.
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) now has a GIS-based map available that offers a statewide look at many of the state's successful brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects since the passage of the Land Recycling Act in 1995. The new, interactive map allows viewers to see the locations and a summary of statewide brownfield success stories and is available on the DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) program website.
"The DNR's brownfield program builds successful partnerships with Wisconsin communities," said RR program brownfields, outreach and policy section chief Jodie Peotter. "We offer a variety of financial and technical assistance resources to help cities, towns, counties and villages take control of rundown and underused properties and prepare them for a new, better use."
The DNR has over two decades of experience helping local governments and private parties in communities throughout the state effectively investigate and remediate soil, groundwater and sediment pollution. The DNR also works to help individuals and public entities repurpose brownfields for beneficial, innovative uses.
"The new map showcases a few of the projects that the DNR has worked on over the years," Peotter added. "Many of these properties received DNR grants and loans, along with other technical and redevelopment assistance to help them succeed. We want people to know that cleanup and redevelopment is definitely possible, and it often provides a boost to the local economy and the community's quality of life."
Utilizing state and federal funds, the RR program has successfully managed many grant programs, including Ready for Reuse grants and loans and the Wisconsin Assessment Monies program. The DNR can also help communities and private parties with liability clarification, Voluntary Party Liability Exemption and Local Government Unit Exemption issues.
Since 1995, DNR staff in the RR program have assisted, evaluated and approved environmental cleanup activities in Wisconsin, bringing closure to more than 15,000 sites.
The DNR can also help communities and private parties better understand environmental liability issues and cleanup responsibilities. For more information about financial and technical assistance resources available for brownfield properties, visit the DNR's website.
