Wisconsin PFAS Action Council Releases PFAS Action Plan

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today announced the release of a statewide PFAS Action Plan created to address growing public health and environmental concerns regarding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Wisconsin.   

The PFAS Action Plan was developed by the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC), a group of nearly 20 state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System. As part of the statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water, Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #40 in August 2019 to address the issue of PFAS across the state.

Executive Order #40 also directed the DNR to lead a group of state agencies to build an action plan to serve as a blueprint for how Wisconsin can address the use of and contamination from these forever chemicals.

“The DNR is proud to lead the effort toward addressing environmental contamination by PFAS in Wisconsin,” said DNR Secretary Preston D. Cole. “We look forward to continuing to work with other state agencies, the university system and Wisconsin communities to put forth and implement solutions that will protect the public and support our businesses.”

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. These contaminants have made their way into the environment through spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.

PFAS do not break down in the environment and have been discovered at concentrations of concern in groundwater, surface water and drinking water. They are also known to bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife tissues and accumulate in the human body, posing several risks to human health. At present, Wisconsin monitors nearly 50 sites across the state for PFAS contamination.

“A number of PFAS compounds are known to pose a risk to human health,” said Mark Werner, director of the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Department of Health Services. “We are proud to partner with the other WisPAC agencies in taking concrete steps toward reducing PFAS exposure in our communities and protecting the people of Wisconsin.”

The PFAS Action Plan was designed as a blueprint to guide the state in its efforts to address PFAS contamination. The plan includes priority action items identified through input from state agencies, a citizen and a local government advisory group, and the public. Each item contains an overview of what would be required to bring it to fruition, including budgetary, legislative and staffing needs. Action items are categorized into eight themes: standard setting, sampling, pollution prevention, education and communication, research and knowledge, phase-out, future investments and historic discharges.

“PFAS contamination puts people’s health at risk. We must effectively address this hazard. The issuance of the PFAS Action Plan is a significant step as we continue working to provide stronger protection for Wisconsinites against forever chemicals,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul.

In total, there are 25 action items laid out in the plan. Some highlights include recommendations to:

• Establish science-based PFAS standards for environmental media such as soil and groundwater.
• Develop PFAS risk communication infrastructure including the construction of a website, improved public engagement, partnerships within the community and inter-agency collaboration.
• Streamline processes associated with the delivery of safe drinking water supplies to communities impacted by PFAS contamination.
• Support veterans, their families and those who live near military sites who may have a higher risk of exposure to PFAS.

The council first convened in January 2020, and met a total of seven times, adapting from an in-person to a virtual format in June due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Interspersed were two advisory group meetings and three public listening sessions through which the public and local government representatives were able to offer recommendations.

“PFAS contamination is of particular concern to Wisconsin’s veterans, whose risk of long-term PFAS exposure may be heightened due to their time in the military,” said Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Mary Kolar. “Going forward, we are committed to ensure that Wisconsin takes the measures necessary to protect and support our veterans from PFAS.”

“Research is integral to obtaining an understanding of the full extent of PFAS contamination and the risks associated,” said David Webb, Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene Assistant Director. “Appropriate levels of resources of both funding and time will enable Wisconsin researchers to generate the data needed to inform environmental and health standards and remedial measures in the years to come.”

WisPAC is grateful for the active participation and crucial input received from individuals, organizations, businesses, and others throughout 2020. The council sought to foster transparency by keeping all meetings open and accessible to the public, and by soliciting input in writing, through an on-line survey and at meetings. Going forward, the council means to continue providing an avenue for dialogue between the state and local governments, businesses and communities on the issue of PFAS in Wisconsin.

"The Action Plan is a great step forward. GLIFWC member tribes are disproportionately affected by PFAS through high rates of fish consumption. We are hopeful these issues will be directly addressed to further strengthen the plan," said Sara Moses, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) environmental biologist.

The DNR has stood at the helm of WisPAC’s mission to partner with Wisconsin’s local governments, businesses and communities in composing the PFAS Action Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for state agencies as Wisconsin moves forward in addressing PFAS contamination. To learn more about the work of the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council and read the complete action plan, please visit here.