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The DNR is accepting nominations for the 2021 Recycling Excellence Awards now through Sept. 17.
Communities, organizations, schools and businesses are encouraged to apply for recognition of outstanding recycling or waste minimization initiatives. The DNR offers the Recycling Excellence Awards to recognize efforts and share innovative ideas with a broad audience to improve waste management practices.
NEW THIS YEAR: One of the goals identified in A Blueprint for DNR Climate Action 2021-2025 is to reduce per-capita food waste disposed of in Wisconsin landfills by half by 2030 (from 2020 levels). Please note that food waste recovery or diversion programs are eligible for Recycling Excellence Awards.
Awards are offered in four categories: Overall program, projects and initiatives, innovation and special events. Entities of any size may nominate themselves or submit an application on behalf of another program. Applicants are encouraged to submit supporting materials such as outreach samples, data/graphs and high-resolution photos.
Visit this DNR website for more information about the categories, past awards and a nomination form.
The DNR has updated several forms used by facilities with industrial storm water discharge permits. The following forms have been updated and are available for use:
- Quarterly Visual Inspection – Field Sheet (3400-176A),
- Annual Facility Site Compliance Inspection Report (3400-176), and
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Summary (3400-167)
Facilities can confirm their industrial storm water permit coverage by using the permitted facility search function on the DNR webpage here.
The EPA recently added 36 chemicals to the Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL). The SCIL is a living list of chemicals, by functional-use class, that meet EPA’s Safer Choice program criteria. Chemicals on the SCIL are among the safest for their functional use.
EPA is committed to updating the SCIL with safer chemicals on a regular basis to enable further innovation in safer chemistry, promote environmental justice, bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change, and improve water quality.
This SCIL is a critical resource that can help.
- Product manufacturers make high-functioning products that contain safer ingredients,
- Chemical manufacturers promote the safer chemicals they manufacture,
- Retailers shape their sustainability programs, and
- Environmental and health advocates encourage the use of the safest possible chemistry.
EPA’s Safer Choice program certifies products containing ingredients that have met the program’s human health and environmental safety criteria and allows companies to use its label on products that meet the Safer Choice Standard. EPA’s website contains a complete list of Safer Choice-certified products. In the coming year, EPA hopes to expand the Safer Choice program to make products containing safer chemicals increasingly available to underserved communities, including communities of color and low-income communities.
Learn more about EPA's Safer Chemical Ingredients List
Learn more about EPA’s Safer Choice program
Notice of Draft WPDES “Construction Site Storm Water Runoff General Permit” Storm Water Associated With Land Disturbing Construction Activity, Permit No. WI-S067831-6
The DNR intends to reissue the “Construction Site Storm Water Runoff General Permit” Storm Water Associated With Land Disturbing Construction Activity, Permit No. WI-S067831-6 to replace the Storm Water Associated With Land Disturbing Construction Activity, Permit No. WI-S067831-5.
The draft general permit applies to construction that disturbs one acre or more of land. The documents (Public Notice of Intent, draft permit, and fact sheets) are available here.
The DNR will accept written comments on the proposed permit action until August 23, 2021. Comments may be submitted electronically to DNRSWPermits@wisconsin.gov or mailed to:
Melissa Yarrington
DNR Storm Water Program Coordinator, Wisconsin DNR
225051 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
Share Your Input on Chapter NR 439 Wis. Adm. Code:
Chapter NR 439 Wis. Adm. Code covers reporting, recordkeeping, testing, inspection, and compliance requirements for air pollution sources. As DNR begins the process of updating the rule, you are invited to attend any one of three listening sessions:
Prior to the session, please:
- Pre-register through Zoom by clicking the link for the date you would like to attend
- Review chapter NR 439 Wis. Adm. Code and prepare your comments by section
At each session DNR will provide an overview of the rule development process, a summary of chapter NR 439 Wis. Adm. Code, an opportunity for attendees to provide input on each section of the rule, and then a final summary and next steps.
Questions? Contact Maria Hill, DNR Air Management Program Compliance and Emissions Inventory Section Chief, at Maria.Hill@wisconsin.gov or 608-216-3179.
TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
The EPA is extending the public comment period for proposed proposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to September 27, 2021. The proposal would require persons that manufacture (including import) or have manufactured PFAS in any year since January 1, 2011 to electronically report information regarding their uses, production volumes, disposal, exposures, and hazards. EPA requests public comment on all aspects of this proposed rule and has identified items of particular interest for public input in the federal register notice. In addition to fulfilling statutory obligations under TSCA, this proposed rule will enable EPA to better characterize the sources and quantities of manufactured PFAS in the United States.
Comments can be submitted to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0549. EPA will use feedback received during the public comment period to inform the final rule. View EPA’s announcement of the proposed rule here and view the docket here.
WI Salt Wise Webinars and Trainings
Catch the latest in Salt Wise happenings via YouTube-livestreamed conversations over the noon hour with private contractors, facility managers, and more. Tune in live to ask questions over the chat. Register in advance to receive a reminder email with a direct link the morning of the program.
Wednesday, Sept. 1: Mayo Clinic says, “Hold the Salt”
From financial savings on salt, to reduced damage to infrastructure, and everything in-between, learn from Matt Donovan, Facilities Manager, how Mayo Clinic’s Rochester campus 50% drop in salt use has been a win-win-win with no impact to their level of service.
Wednesday, Oct. 6: Brine 101
Looking for a primer on how to incorporate salt brine into your winter maintenance toolbelt? Matt Wittum, Town of Linn Highway Superintendent, is your man. Matt helped design and lead the smart salting training program in northern Illinois before jumping across the border. He has published several articles on brine use and is eager to assist others in any way that he can.
See WI Salt Wise’s web page for more events, from summer and fall Equipment Open House Series, Salt Wise Paddles for citizen science fun on water, and other fun Smart Salting workshops! To get more information or suggest a topic for future webinars, please email wisaltwise@gmail.com.
EnergyStar Training
ENERGY STAR is offering a variety of webinar trainings to help small businesses track their energy and water use using a free national standard tool for comparing baseline energy and water use, and for tracking savings and pollution prevention.
To view and register for the webinar trainings go here.
For more information, visit www.energystar.gov/buildings/resources_audience/small_biz.
Weekly Online WisCon Webinar
Every Monday, at 1:00 p.m., a weekly webinar is presented by WisCon Safety Consultation staff. Program information, COVID assistance, and other training and promotional presentations will be included. Join each program at this ZOOM link: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99797590129
Upcoming Programs:
- August 23 – Yard Safety Tips
- August 30 – Welding Fumes
Previous recordings can be found on their training webpage: http://www.slh.wisc.edu/occupational/wiscon/weekly-webinars/.
There will not be a webinar on 6 Sep due to the holiday. To learn the topics for coming webinars, sign up for weekly reminder emails HERE.
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