How to apply to become a Green Tier participant

Tier 2 participants represent the exceptional companies that are going above and beyond with their environmental performance. Tier 2 supports those with an environmental management system (EMS) that has demonstrated a track record of environmental achievements. Participation in Tier 2 has many benefits, including:

• A DNR webpage where your Green Tier documents are shared. These documents include your participation contract, annual reports, metrics, and success stories.
• A dedicated a staff member from the DNR who will help you work more efficiently with the department and support your efforts to improve your environmental footprint.
• The ability to use the Green Tier logo in your branding and marketing campaigns.
• Deferred civil enforcement for those who proactively identify and correct any violations.
• The lowest allowable inspection frequency of the facilities covered by your EMS.
• Regulatory flexibilities and incentives proportional to the environmental goals and objectives met as outlined in your participation contract with the DNR.

Click below to learn about the eligibility requirements and application process!

Tier 2 Eligibility

The DNR is excited to work with those that want to actively manage and improve their environmental footprint. The Green Tier law requires Tier 2 applicants to identify if they have any convictions or criminal violations from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. As you are considering applying for Green Tier, please know that if any of the following apply to you, we may not be able to bring you into the program at this time.

Please consider if any of the following enforcement criteria apply to any managing operator of the applicant, or any person with a 25% or more ownership interest in the applicant:

• Within 120 months before the application date no judgement of conviction was entered for criminal violations involving a covered facility or activity that resulted in substantial harm to public health or the environment or that presented an imminent threat to public health or the environment.
• Within 60 months before the date of application no civil judgement was entered for a violation involving a covered facility or activity that resulted in substantial harm to public health or the environment.
• Within 24 months before the date of application the department of justice has not filed a suit to enforce an environmental requirement, and the department of natural resources has not issued a citation to enforce an environmental requirement because of a violation involving a covered facility or activity.

Unsure if you are eligible? Please check under the "Tier 2" tab on the Green Tier Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Not eligible at this time? Maybe you are looking for a way to better understand your compliance status? We have a program for you! Although not a requirement of Green Tier participation, Enviro-Check helps businesses proactively verify they are meeting environmental requirements, while limiting liability for those working in good faith to investigate and correct violations. Participants voluntarily bring in a third-party to conduct an assessment, share the findings with the DNR and promptly work to correct any problems that might be identified.

Tier 2 Application Process

Tier 2 participants are committed to achieving superior environmental performance by meeting environmental goals and objectives described in a participation contract with the DNR. The contract offers opportunities for additional flexibilities and incentives that are proportional to their environmental achievements. If you feel that you would make a good Tier 2 participant, please continue below for more information on the application process.

• Review the Application Instructions - Use these application instructions to learn how to complete the required submittals.
• Submit a Letter of Intent - To apply for Tier 2 participation, you submit a letter of intent to the Department in addition to all of the necessary application documents. The requirements for the letter of intent can be found in the application instructions.
• Fill out the Application Form – The Green Tier Application is easy to complete and includes templates for the required attachments. To complete the fillable PDF, you first need to download and save the Green Tier application form to your computer. Some web browsers do not open PDF files on their own. For assistance, see the DNR's PDF help webpage.
• Include the Application Attachments – Complete the attachments that are required to be submitted with the base application form.
  • Green Tier Application Form (4800-022)
  • Attachment A (4800-022A)
  • Attachment B (4800-022B)
  • Attachment C - Please include the documents requested in 'Attachment C' with your application email.
  • Attachment D (4800-022D)
• Submit the Application – send the completed documents to GreenTier@Wisconsin.gov.
• First Waiting Period - The DNR announces a 30-day public comment period for the public to give input on your application.
• Draft the Participation Contract – If the application is accepted, we will work with you to draft the participation contract. This is where you can leverage regulatory flexibilities or utilize special permitting, like the ROP-G.
• Second Waiting Period - When the contract is ready, the contract will be released for another 30-day public comment period. During this time, public informational meetings may take place and any comments received from the public are considered in the acceptance decision.

If accepted into the program, you will work with the DNR to decide how you would like to celebrate joining Green Tier. Participants often host an event at their facility celebrating their entrance into the program and commitment to continual environmental improvement!

Did you know that Green Tier offers a way for you to work collaboratively with the Department to address environmental issues? It is called a Green Tier Charter and it may be a good fit for you and your goals!

Charters provide a framework for groups with similar interests, businesses, supply chain members, industry sector representatives, public sector entities or others to work collaboratively with the Department to address shared environmental issues and opportunities and further environmental goals.

Click below to learn about how you can join a Charter!

Existing Charters

There are currently several Green Tier Charters. We encourage you to look over the following list and see if any of the existing charters might be a good fit for you!

• Are you a municipality or county? Green Tier Legacy Communities Charter exists to help municipalities and counties go further and faster towards their sustainability goals.
• Are you a building contractor? Clear Waters Charter assists contractors in achieving best management practices with runoff and erosion control in Dane County.
• Are you in the wood products or forestry industries? There are several forestry and wood products charters that may interest you. Check out the Wisconsin Urban Wood, Wisconsin Consulting Foresters and Wisconsin Master Logger Charters.
• Are you in the printing sector? The Printing Industry Charter helps printers minimize their environmental footprint and maximize their green bottom line.
• Are you interested in helping make your community more climate resilient? The Green Tier Charter for Climate Action brings together climate leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and collaborate on local resiliency projects.

Note: not all existing Charters are currently adding members.

If you do not see yourself fitting into any of these existing collaborations, perhaps forming a new Green Tier Charter is the path for you.

New Charters

Groups of organizations looking to formalize their efforts around an environmental issue or opportunity can form a new Green Tier Charter. If you'd like to talk to someone about the possibility of developing a new charter to advance your goals, please send an email to GreenTier@wisconsin.gov.