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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) updated the Air Reporting System (ARS), a web-based program used by facilities to submit Emissions Inventory (EI) and EI Certification or an Under-Thresholds-Notification (UTN). The updates aim to improve the user experience and provide an opportunity for DNR to offer more user-friendly tools to their customers. All updates are available for the 2023 reporting season, for reporting calendar year 2022 data.
The DNR will host a webinar on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 10–11 a.m. to walk through the system, highlight the updates and answer questions from attendees. This is an opportunity for ARS users to view the system updates prior to reporting season and ask any questions they may have.
To register for the webinar, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtde2przMqGdZOWcQThlLrsZ1bW8W0h-7O.
The 2023 reporting season ARS updates include:
- new deviation and stack test questions on the Update Facility Page
- a UTN link immediately after Update Facility Info and Update Contacts so users eligible to submit a UTN have everything they need up front
- mandatory PM2.5 reporting for high temperature and combustion sources and prohibited PM2.5 reporting for sources that are neither high temperature nor combustion [per AM-528]
- calculation of PM-FIL, PM-CON, PM10-FIL and PM2.5-FIL in the emissions rollup
- the ability to complete EI Certification immediately after EI submittal
- a new Estimated Fees tab which explains air fees and provides the previous year and estimated current year fees for review prior to certification and billing
- the ability to submit Extension Requests directly in ARS
Recent, rule-related EI updates to be aware of include:
- 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) was added to the hazardous air pollutants listed under section 112(b) of the Clean Air Act, effective Feb. 4, 2022
- All facilities must comply with the updated ch. NR 438, Wis. Adm. Code starting with the 2023 air emissions inventory reporting for calendar year 2022 emissions
For more information, visit the DNR’s Air Emissions Inventory Tutorials and Fundamentals webpage or contact DNRAMEmissionsInventory@Wisconsin.gov.
The DNR is now accepting applications for projects that reduce diesel emissions and improve Wisconsin’s air quality and human health. Approximately $360,000 of funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is available for projects designed to reduce emissions from eligible diesel engines across the state.
The Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) program has helped improve the state’s air quality by reducing emissions that contribute to fine particulate, ozone and carbon monoxide levels. These engines are also a source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, an important greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
The equipment and vehicles eligible for funding include school and transit buses as well as nonroad engines, equipment and vehicles used in construction, cargo handling, agriculture, mining and energy production. Eligible recipients include private, nonprofit, and public entities that own or operate diesel fleets and equipment in Wisconsin. This grant is administered by the DNR with funding provided by the EPA.
Details and grant application materials can be found on the DNR’s website. Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2022.
Questions regarding this funding opportunity can be directed to DNRCleanDiesel@wisconsin.gov.
The DNR has a new interactive tool with information about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) throughout Wisconsin. The PFAS Interactive Data Viewer combines publicly available information from multiple sources across the DNR’s website into one tool to allow users to more easily explore what is known about PFAS in Wisconsin.
Available information in the PFAS Interactive Data Viewer includes locations with known contamination, PFAS-related fish and game consumption advisories and waterbodies throughout Wisconsin sampled during targeted or routine monitoring. There is a tutorial for the PFAS Interactive Data Viewer.
Data from the DNR’s recent voluntary municipal drinking water system sampling program is also included. Through this program, almost 150 municipal water systems worked with the DNR to determine if PFAS is present in their drinking water. These systems provide water to more than 1.7 million people. Under drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS that went into effect in August, all drinking water systems will now be required to sample and monitor for PFAS beginning as early as next month. Data from the required sampling will be incorporated into this tool as it becomes available.
With easier access to information about the presence of PFAS, communities, policymakers and other stakeholders can make informed decisions to minimize exposure, develop plans for mitigation, and access necessary resources. Wisconsin communities will benefit from hundreds of millions of dollars in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to help local governments and utilities build and upgrade their infrastructure to best address PFAS.
At present, the viewer pulls data from the Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS), Bureau for Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) on the Web (BOTW), the DNR’s fish consumption resources and Drinking Water System Portal. The data presented in the viewer capture sampling results but do not necessarily reflect current levels of contamination or risk.
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 chemicals, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.
Development of the PFAS Interactive Data Viewer was recommended by the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC) in the PFAS Action Plan. Visit the website for more information about PFAS.
The DNR updated Technical Standard 1056 Perimeter Sediment Control and Slope Interruption, which represents the consolidation and updating of two former technical standards (1056 Silt Fence and 1071 Manufactured Perimeter Control and Slope Interruption Products). These technical standards were consolidated because the purpose and conditions where practices apply are the same. Updates include emphasis on the contributing drainage area limitations of these practices and several new figures. The updated Technical Standard 1056 Perimeter Sediment Control and Slope Interruption is now available on the DNR’s Storm Water Construction Technical Standards webpage.
Technical standard revisions included input from previous public review and was updated using the Standards Oversight Council Modified Process.
The DNR maintains, implements and develops storm water construction and post-construction technical standards to assist with the compliance of Chapter NR 151, Wisconsin Administrative Code. The process established by the Wisconsin Standards Oversight Council is followed by the DNR to develop or revise technical standards pursuant to Subchapter V of NR 151. The DNR is a member of the Wisconsin Standards Oversight Council along with several other federal and state agencies and conservation organizations to ensure that technical standards used for soil and water conservation in Wisconsin are science-based and involve collaboration with other impacted agencies.
Water Quality Guidance Open For Comment
One new Water Quality document, "Water Quality Review Procedures for Additives," is currently available for public review on the DNR website. Public input will be accepted via email through the end of the day on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022.
To review and provide comments on this document:
- Visit the Water Quality Program Policy and Guidance page and find the document in the table at the bottom of the page.
- Feedback related to the document should be emailed to the staff member listed in the table row.
DNR staff will review comments that are submitted and make revisions, as needed, to improve the quality of the document.
NR 811 Rule Revision Public Hearing
As part of the next step in the NR 811 rule revision process, the DNR will be holding a public hearing on Dec. 7, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. for comment on the proposed rules affecting the operation and design of community water systems. Materials for review may be found on the DNR’s Proposed Permanent Administrative Rules webpage under NRB Order Number DG-22-20. The materials also contain the instructions and link to joining the public hearing. Comments will be accepted until Dec. 14, 2022.
Please direct any comments or questions on the rules to DNRDGNR811CodeRewrite@wisconsin.gov
Register For The Upcoming Battery Collection And Recycling Webinar Series
The DNR has partnered with other state agencies and nonprofits to create a webinar series focusing on the safe collection and recycling of batteries and battery-containing devices. Several webinars feature speakers with connections to Wisconsin.
All webinars will run from 1-2:30 p.m. CT.
Nov. 16: How to Safely Collect Batteries and Battery-Containing Devices Household hazardous waste collection sites, retailers, electronics collection sites and other public drop-off sites are receiving an increasing number of lithium batteries and battery-containing devices. This webinar will cover what collection sites need to know when deciding to collect and manage batteries and battery-containing devices, including how to educate residents and customers.
Nov. 30: Battery Regulations, Chemistry and Recycling Learn more about federal regulations related to batteries, differences between battery chemistries and recent advancements in battery recycling technology and infrastructure.
Dec. 13: Electronics Recyclers and Battery-Containing Device Management Electronics recyclers receive batteries in all kinds of ways—embedded in products, loose and mixed in with other electronics, and potentially damaged. How can they manage their inbound and outbound streams for safety and commodity recovery?
Jan. 24: State of Practice of EV Batteries We are on the cusp of a tidal wave of electric vehicles of all types, what is going on in the waste industry to manage the batteries that will make it happen? This webinar will cover the global and local management of EV batteries.
For detailed information and registration, visit the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association website.
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