Brownfields_Content Page_Wisconsin Assessment Monies WAM

Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM)

The Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) program provides funding to address specific brownfields sites where potential or known contamination is acting as an impediment to economic redevelopment. The DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program administers funds through WAM contractor services awards and community managed subgrants.

Overview

Overview

Since 2010, the U.S. EPA has awarded the DNR and its partners $5.3 million in brownfield assessment grant funding. The RR Program uses the funding to aid local governments and others in investigating brownfield properties throughout the state.

Contractor services awards

Contractor services awards may include Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, site investigations and remedial action planning at selected properties. Properties in this program are generally less than 10 acres and have petroleum or hazardous substance contamination.

For contractor services awards, the DNR will assign one of its contractors to perform assessment activities. The contractors were selected through a competitive procurement process completed in 2022 and are currently Bay West, GEI, Ramboll and TRC.

Community-managed services awards

WAM community-managed awards are subgrants to local government or tribal entities. The subgrantee selects a qualified environmental professional and oversees the work. Applicants must ensure a signed site access agreement is in place authorizing the subgrantee and its contractors access to the property to perform the assessment activities.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply for WAM:

  • general purpose units of local government
  • tribe, or other eligible tribal entity under 40 CFR 31.3
  • private entities (contractor services awards only)

Contact Gena Larson for an eligibility determination.

Eligible Properties

Properties must meet the federal definition of a brownfield:

"A brownfield is a real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."

Factors that may be considered in project selection include

  • Rural or disadvantaged communities
  • Community involvement and support
  • Sites that are impediments to large-scale redevelopment projects
  • Positive community outcomes (e.g., economic, health, livability
  • Financial need
  • Projects with redevelopment plans consistent with local redevelopment objectives
Ineligible Sites
  • Properties where the applicant has caused the contamination.
  • Properties listed (or proposed for listing) on the National Priorities List (NPL).
  • Properties subject to unilateral administrative orders, court orders, administrative orders on consent or judicial consent decree issued to or entered into by parties under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
  • Properties subject to the jurisdiction, custody or control of the United States government.
    • NOTE: Land held in trust by the United States government for an Indian tribe is eligible for brownfield funding.
  • Work at the property is eligible for funding under other programs such as the Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Fund (DERF) or the Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program (ACCP).
Properties needing a property-specific determination for eligibility 
  • Properties where a viable potential responsible party exists, but where there is no documented contamination.
  • Properties subject to planned or ongoing CERCLA removal actions.
  • Properties subject to unilateral administrative orders, court orders, administrative orders on consent or judicial consent decree or to which a permit has been issued by the United States or an authorized state under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), or the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
  • Properties subject to corrective action orders under RCRA (sections 3004(u) or 3008(h)) and to which a corrective action permit or order has been issued or modified to require the implementation of corrective measures.
  • Properties classified as a land disposal unit that has filed a closure notification under subtitle C of RCRA and to which closure requirements have been specified in a closure plan or permit.
  • There has been a release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) subject to remediation under TSCA at the property.
  • Portions of properties for which funding for remediation has been obtained from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund.

Petroleum Contaminated Properties

Properties with petroleum contamination may be this program if the following criteria apply:

  • If petroleum contamination is discovered or confirmed, the site would be of "relatively low risk." Specifically, LUST trust fund monies have not been applied to this site and the state is not aware of any outstanding requirements under the federal Oil Pollution Act.
  • If petroleum contamination is discovered or confirmed, there would be no viable responsible parties.
  • This property is not subject to a corrective action order under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Sec. 9003 (h).

Activities requested cannot be eligible for reimbursement by other state programs.

For information on obtaining site-specific petroleum eligibility determinations, please visit our Federal Brownfield Grants page.

Application

Application Process

  1. Familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements for this funding.
  2. Contact Gena Larson to discuss your project.
  3. Document eligibility as (1) an eligible applicant, and (2) as having an eligible property.
  4. If you are a local government or redevelopment authority, prepare a signed municipal resolution (see "Model Documents" below).
  5. Sign an agreement allowing the DNR and contractors to access the site (for contractor services applications only).
  6. Complete the application form.
  7. Submit application materials via email to Gena Larson. To provide large files, contact Gena Larson for FTP instructions.

Application Form and Materials

Please note: When downloading application materials, Chrome or Edge internet browsers may work best for Word documents. Edge internet browser works best for downloading PDFs. Visit the PDF Help webpage for recommendations downloading PDF forms and files.

Model Documents
If you receive an award

If you are awarded contractor services or a community managed subgrant, the DNR will work closely with you throughout the assessment project.

Terms and conditions for these funds are established by the U.S. EPA. To learn more, read the EPA Terms and Conditions [PDF].

Materials for Contractors

Materials for Contractors

Invoices must be complete in order to be processed.

For more information, contact