PFAS_Content Page_Marinette Summary of Past Actions

PFAS Summary of Past Actions in the Marinette and Peshtigo Area

The items below represent activities that took place as part of the ongoing PFAS contamination in Marinette, Peshtigo and surrounding communities during the period of 2019-2023.

Activities from 2023-2024 are available for review on the primary Marinette/Peshtigo page.
 

2023

DateAction And Details
2023
November 2023The DNR reviewed the site investigation work plan for the FTC site. Additional testing of groundwater and surface water are recommended to determine the extent of contamination.
August 2023JCI/Tyco provides an update on monitoring of the deep bedrock aquifer.
August 2023JCI/Tyco submits a work plan for additional site investigation to address data gaps for the FTC site.
July 2023The DNR received the report documenting construction and initial testing results for the new high school irrigation well.
June 2023The DNR provides a Technical Review and Recommendations to Close Data Gaps in response to JCI/Tyco Site Investigation Status Report.
June 2023The DNR requests new downstream sample locations to monitor effectiveness of the Ditch A and Ditch B treatment systems.
May 2023JCI/Tyco submits the Operations Plan and later the Construction Documentation Report for the GETS.
April 2023The DNR sends a Notification of Noncompliance after learning that JCI/Tyco will delay its investigation of the biosolids study area. 
March 2023Reporting during startup shows the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS) is working as planned and meeting discharge limits. As of the end of January 2023, the GETS had treated approximately 10.5 million gallons of groundwater and removed approximately 0.9 pounds of PFOA and 0.07 pounds of PFOS from the environment.
February 2023JCI/Tyco submits the 2022 Surface Water Foam Characterization Report.
January 2023JCI/Tyco responds to the DNR's Nov. 2022 comments on Deep Wells.

2022

DateAction And Details
2022
December 2022JCI/Tyco’s Biosolids Project Update receives a Technical Review from the DNR
November 2022JCI/Tyco begins operating the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS) on Nov. 14, 2022.
October 2022JCI/Tyco’s submits report documenting evaluation of high school irrigation well. 
October 2022DNR updates the FAQ webpage to address recent questions, including those related to long-term water solutions.
September 2022JCI/Tyco offers certain residents in its potable well sampling area (PWSA) the option to have a new deep drinking water well installed. The DNR requests Technical Information and Clarification on Timeline, and JCI/Tyco submits a Plan for Deep Wells and Deep Aquifer Monitoring Plan for the PWSA. 
August 2022The DNR provides a Technical Review of JCI/Tyco’s GETS Pre-Startup Data Package (now with Addendum). These will be the baseline data used to evaluate the effects the GETS has on Ditch B and the nearby groundwater.
August 2022JCI/Tyco provides update on the design and location of the PFAS Surface Water Advisory Signs.  
July 2022JCI/Tyco’s Potable Wells Sampling Plan – version 5 receives a Technical Review from the DNR. 
June 2022The DNR issues Response Letter to JCI/Tyco's Ditch A Treatment Progress Report #6. The DNR issues Response and Recommendations to JCI/Tyco's Ditch B Treatment Progress Report #5; the DNR recommends a method to report surface water quality downstream of treatment in Ditch B.
May 2022For the Stanton Site, the DNR issues a Response Letter to JCI/Tyco's March 2022 groundwater summary report and a site investigation workplan for additional monitoring to be done in 2022.
April 2022The DNR approves and provides recommendations to JCI/Tyco's site investigation workplan for the FTC site, which calls for more permanent monitoring wells and surface water monitoring in summer 2022.
March 2022The DNR approves JCI/Tyco's surface water foam 2021 summary and 2022 monitoring plan for ditches near the FTC site. Collection of surface water foam in Ditch B began on March 18.
February 2022The DNR comments on JCI/Tyco's Preliminary Assessment Plan for the biosolids landspreading fields that were submitted on Dec. 23, 2021.
January 2022New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued for Bay of Green Bay and Associated Tributaries.

2021

DateAction And Details
2021
December 2021JCI/Tyco submits a site investigation workplan for the biosolids study area. JCI/Tyco will select six fields to sample soil and groundwater in 2022. JCI/Tyco will offer bottled water to certain residents during the investigation but will not test private wells.
December 2021JCI/Tyco states they will not test private wells nor provide drinking water in the Expanded Site Investigation Area in the town of Peshtigo.
December 2021The DNR accepts JCI/Tyco's new deadline to update the surface water advisory signs by April 30, 2022, to allow time for stakeholder input and local government approval.
December 2021The DNR issues a letter to JCI/Tyco to test certain drinking water wells in the biosolids study area for PFAS.
October 2021The DNR outlines data gaps in the FTC site investigation and directs JCI/Tyco to investigate and provide alternative drinking water in the expanded site investigation area.
October 2021The DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco outlining the required site investigation actions for the Fire Technology Center site. The letter directs JCI/Tyco to submit a site investigation work plan, a plan for long-term monitoring of potable wells, to take over testing of all potable wells and to take over provisions of alternative drinking water in the expanded site investigation area.
September 2021The DNR issued a notice of noncompliance for the land-spreading fields associated with PFAS-contaminated biosolids and response to JCI/Tyco's Drinking Water Well Sampling Summary Report – Land Applied Biosolids Area.
September 2021The DNR issued a letter regarding updates to surface water advisory signs and public notification methods to JCI/Tyco.
August 2021JCI/Tyco submitted the results of the latest collection of surface water foam from waterways in the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo. Read the entire message.
July 2021

The DNR posted the draft air pollution control permit for ChemDesign Products, Inc. at 2 Stanton Street in Marinette. Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 4, 2021. Air Permit Tracking page for permit #438008340-F30

June 2021JCI/Tyco's testing confirms the presence of PFAS in surface water foam collected from waterways in the city of Marinette. Read the full message.
June 2021The DNR issued a review and required actions in response to JCI/Tyco's Soil Interim Action Plan to excavate and dispose of highly contaminated soil from the FTC site.
June 2021The DNR-led sampling of private drinking water wells for PFAS in the town of Peshtigo concludes after June 30, 2021. Read the entire message.
June 2021The DNR issued high-capacity well conditional approval to three properties (JCI/Tyco Property, Lake Farm Trails Property, City Property) where JCI/Tyco plans to operate nine extraction wells for the groundwater extraction treatment system (GETS).
May 2021The DNR issued a conditional approval letter regarding JCI/Tyco's groundwater extraction treatment system (GETS) design report to address areas of highly contaminated groundwater near the FTC site.
May 2021The DNR provides information regarding a memo from the Department of Health Services (DHS) updating its recommendation that sources of water with PFAS below DHS-recommended health-based groundwater standards can be used for fruit and vegetable gardening. Read the full recommendations.
April 2021JCI/Tyco submitted a Site Investigation Work Plan to evaluate the air migration pathway from the FTC site.
April 2021JCI/Tyco submitted a Foam Response Work Plan summarizing monitoring and removal activities of foam in waterways in the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo.
April 2021The DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to the Groundwater Flow and Solute Transport Model report for the FTC.
March 2021The DNR adopts DHS's recommendation to use the Hazard Index (HI) approach to assess the cumulative risk of certain PFAS due to ingestion in drinking water. Read the DHS Hazard Index letter.
March 2021

The DNR posted the draft air operation permit renewal for Tyco Fire Products at 1 Stanton Street in Marinette. Public comments will be accepted through April 21, 2021.

March 2021DNR Cannot Intervene in the Tyco Class Action Lawsuit
March 2021

The DNR sends information packets and letters to potable well owners in the Expanded Site Investigation Area who remain eligible for well testing but have not yet been sampled, and to those whose well may be retested as part of confirmation sampling.

March 5, 2021The DNR issues a notification to JCI/Tyco regarding the DNR's lab certification adjustments for testing of PFAS compounds; JCI/Tyco is still required to sample for 36 analytes as a part of its site investigation activities.
February 2021JCI/Tyco submitted a remedial action plan for a Groundwater Extraction Treatment System (GETS). The GETS is designed to extract and treat PFAS-contaminated groundwater near the FTC.
February 2021The DNR issues a discussion summary to JCI/Tyco regarding wetlands permitting requirements for proposed wetland impacts near the FTC associated with the Groundwater Extraction Treatment System (GETS).
February 2021The DNR issues a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to its Aerial Deposition Evaluation for the FTC.
February 2021JCI/Tyco submitted a Foam Response Work Plan summarizing monitoring and removal activities of foam in waterways in the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo.
February 2021The DNR issues a response to JCI/Tyco regarding its plan to evaluate potable well sample results compared to the Cycle 11 DHS Recommended Groundwater Standards. DNR informed JCI/Tyco that all wells that had not yet been sampled for 36 PFAS compounds must be re-sampled.
January 2021The DNR issues a letter requesting JCI/Tyco submit foam response work plan after reviewing findings from response actions taken to address foam on waterways in the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo in 2020.

2020

DateAction And Details
2020
December 2020DNR Issues Wastewater Discharge Permit for JCI/Tyco Facility in Marinette
November 2020The DHS issues new recommendations to DNR for Wisconsin groundwater standards. Read more.
October 2020The Remediation and Redevelopment Program added new faces to and centralized all oversight and project management of remediation cases associated with the area-wide PFAS contamination in Marinette, Peshtigo and surrounding communities. Read more.
October 2020The DNR receives analytical sample results from JCI/Tyco for fish tissue; results for many of the samples are inconclusive. Read more.
October 2020JCI/Tyco submitted fish tissue data from three private ponds in the town of Peshtigo. The results are inconclusive; the remaining fish tissue was sent to an alternate lab for further analysis.
September 2020

The DNR sends packets of information to potable well owners in Expanded Site Investigation Area regarding DNR's well sampling plans.

September 2020The DNR and DHS issued a Do Not Eat Advisory for Liver of White-tailed Deer in the Marinette area. The advisory was based on the results of PFAS sampling conducted of deer tissue in the Marinette area. More details are available in the "Health" tab.
News release
August 2020News release: Elevated PFAS Levels Found In Ditch Downstream Of JCI/Tyco
August 2020The DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco requesting that they modify sample results notification letters issued to private potable well owners following sampling events. The requested modifications follow protocols laid out in a memo from the Department of Health Services.
August 2020News release: DNR Public Notices Wastewater Discharge Permit for JCI/Tyco Facility in Marinette
July 2020JCI/Tyco issued a letter declining to conduct additional potable well sampling in an area defined by DNR as the expanded site investigation area.
July 2020JCI/Tyco submitted a Foam Monitoring Immediate Actions Report, documenting foam observation and collection efforts.
July 2020JCI/Tyco submitted a draft Site Investigation Workplan for the collection of surface water samples downstream of Ditch A and Ditch B treatment systems.
July 2020DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco requesting a definitive response to sample potable wells in the expanded site investigation area; the letter was also a notice of intent for the DNR to incur expenses for potable well sampling efforts if JCI/Tyco declined to conduct this sampling as required by state law.
June 2020JCI/Tyco submitted a draft Aerial Deposition Evaluation report for the FTC site.
June 2020JCI/Tyco submitted a draft Interim Site Investigation for the FTC site.
June 2020JCI/Tyco submitted a draft conceptual site model (CSM) for the FTC site.
June 2020JCI/Tyco issued a response letter to DNR, commenting on immediate actions required to address foam on waterways in a letter issued by DNR to JCI/Tyco on May 27, 2020.
June 2020JCI/Tyco issued a response letter to DNR, commenting on actions required by DNR in a notice of noncompliance issued to JCI/Tyco on May 27, 2020.
May 2020The DNR issued a letter addressing JCI/Tyco's report for sampling conducted in the area identified by JCI/Tyco as the Southern Area. DNR concluded in their review of JCI/Tyco's report that JCI/Tyco must conduct additional work to adequately determine the degree and extent of PFAS contamination from the Fire Technology Center.
May 2020The DNR issued a notice of noncompliance to JCI/Tyco for failure to address site investigation requirements at the Fire Technology Center, including sampling potable wells in an expanded site investigation area.
May 2020The DNR issued a letter directing JCI/Tyco to take immediate actions to address foam on surface waters in drainages and waterways in Marinette and Peshtigo.
April 2020News release: DNR Directs JCI/Tyco To Provide Emergency Drinking Water for Three Homeowners On Private Wells Near JCI/Tyco Biosolid Applied Fields Investigation Area After Sampling Results Show High Levels of PFAS Contamination
April 2020The DNR received the JCI/Tyco site investigation workplan describing sampling plans for the private drinking water wells identified within 1,200 feet of the 61 fields where biosolids were landspread.
April 2020The DNR received the JCI/Tyco site investigation report for the 'Southern Area Groundwater Evaluation' area (also known as the Heath Lane Area) associated with the Fire Technology Center. The report provides an evaluation of groundwater samples collected in 2019.
April 2020The DNR approves JCI/Tyco fish sampling plan for private ponds associated with the Fire Technology Center in Marinette.
April 2020The DNR directed JCI/Tyco to immediately provide bottled water for three homes near the biosolid fields where combined PFOA/PFOS results showed elevated levels above 20 ppt.
March 2020The DNR in collaboration with USDA successfully collected deer tissue samples from the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center. Deer samples have been sent to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene; sample results are anticipated in summer 2020, which may or may not result in consumption advisories or further collection and sampling.
March 2020JCI began collecting water samples for PFAS analysis from drinking water wells around the 61 fields where biosolids have been landspread.
February 2020The DNR issued a letter to JCI/Tyco for the Fire Technology Center requiring that the study area be expanded to include additional areas in the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo.
Map showing expanded study area
February 2020The DNR issued a response to JCI/Tyco for the site investigation associated with landspreading of PFAS contaminated biosolids from the city of Marinette Waste Water Treatment Plant. JCI/Tyco will focus attention during the remaining winter months on sampling private potable wells within a 1,200-ft buffer surrounding the 61 fields.
February 2020The DNR executed an access agreement with JCI/Tyco that will allow the USDA to cull deer from the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center property to evaluate potential PFAS contaminant levels in deer.
February 2020The DNR received a data report from JCI/Tyco for the Stanton St. facility. The report shows that there are PFAS in groundwater outside of the barrier wall located on the Stanton St. property.
January 2020The DNR hosted a meeting with JCI/Tyco to discuss the status of all JCI/Tyco investigations for PFAS contamination.
January 2020News release: DNR Providing Emergency Drinking Water to Homeowner with PFAS Contamination Near JCI Investigation Area

2019

DateAction And Details
2019
December 2019JCI/Tyco submitted an Operation and Maintenance report for treatment system located in Ditch A. The report was promised in July 2019 and contains PFAS sample data from ditch A from January to June 2019. The DNR is evaluating sample results showing increased PFAS levels at the ditch from January 2019 to June 2019.
December 2019The DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to the October 2019 Draft Remedial Action Options Report for the Fire Technology Center (FTC)
December 2019The DNR mailed an informational postcard with details of the Dec. 18 Listening Session to be attended by Attorney General Josh Kaul. Postcards went out to 11,500 households.
November 2019The DNR mailed listening session informational postcards to 11,500 households.
October 2019The DNR received results for foam and water samples collected in Marinette and Peshtigo area.
October 2019The DNR issued a Notice of Noncompliance (NON) for failure to begin an investigation of biosolid-applied fields, including potable well sampling within 1200 feet of the fields.
October 2019The DNR shared water chemistry data for surface water bodies sampled around the state.
September 2019The DNR provided a letter to the mayors of the cities of Peshtigo and Marinette and the chairperson for the town of Peshtigo regarding upcoming public meetings and clarification on trust fund availability.
September 2019Wisconsin Department of Health Services provided a letter to DNR describing health effects associated with exposure to PFAS via floodwaters entering homes in areas where PFAS have been detected in groundwater.
August 2019The DNR hired an environmental contractor to assist with sampling foam for PFAS.
Summer 2019DNR conducted water quality sampling of fish and surface water
July 2019The DNR held a public meeting regarding past, current and upcoming actions on PFAS in the Marinette and Peshtigo area. The meeting presentation is available.
July 2019The DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco responding to the May 2019 Remedial Action Options Report for the Fire Technology Center (FTC)
July 2019The DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco requiring by Sept. 3, 2019, the site investigation work plan for the fields on which Marinette biosolids were spread.
July 2019The DNR issued Responsible Party letter requiring investigation of biosolid-applied fields and potable well sampling.
July 2019The DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco requesting disclosure of historic disposal locations and service providers of wastewater and solid waste generated by JCI/Tyco; requests field data of past PFAS sampling events.
July 2019The DNR issued a Responsible Party letter to Chem Design Products, Inc.
July 2019The DNR issued a Potentially Responsible Party letter to JCI regarding a leased property on Woleske Road, Marinette.
July 2019The DNR sent a letter to JCI/Tyco requiring signage along ditches
June 2019The DNR issued a notice to well drillers requesting they contact DNR prior to drilling new water supply wells in the affected area.
May 2019DNR referred JCI/Tyco to the Wisconsin Department of Justice