Wisconsin’s Initiative for Sustainable Cleanups (WISC)

Sustainabe cleanups, or "greener" cleanups, are fast becoming a hot topic in the world of environmental contamination remediation. This page describes the new Wisconsin’s Initiative for Sustainable Cleanups (WISC) at the Wisconsin DNR.

• Background
• WISC Goals
• Additional Resources

Background

The DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment Program has embarked on a new initiative called Wisconsin’s Initiative for Sustainable Cleanups (WISC). WISC continues the RR Program’s history and spirit for applying innovation to a strong foundation of environmental protection and economic benefit. WISC will add another dimension to the remediation of contaminated properties. This new dimension will emphasize the applicability of sustainable technologies in site remediation. Saving energy, reducing greenhouse gases and minimizing waste through reuse and recycling are all aspects of WISC.

By applying WISC concepts to the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties, Wisconsin's citizens will be rewarded with remedies that are protective of public health, safety and the environment, and are also economically sound and more sustainable to meet long-term needs and protect valuable state resources. The WISC initiative will ensure our commitment to sustainable technologies and will help Wisconsin contribute solutions to global climate change concerns.

In August, 2008, the RR Program's State Funded Response staff selected a consultant to develop a Sustainable Remediation Reference Guide. This guide will assist DNR staff who conduct baseline sustainability reviews for proposed remediation systems and provide a framework for comparing outcomes from various sustainable elements on individual remedial projects. Earth Tech AECOM will also be evaluating seven existing state-funded response and Federal Superfund projects around the state to determine if more sustainable practices could be employed at those projects.

Back to Top

WISC Goals

RR Program staff have the following goals in mind related to WISC:

• Maximize use of shrinking state Environmental Fund (EF) & Bonding Money;
• Reduce green-house gases & long term global impacts;
• Reduce energy usage;
• Reduce and recycle materials, use “Green” construction;
• Make sustainability a standard component of state funded projects;
• Encourage public/private partnerships;
• Reinvent approach to state funded projects and the RR program in general;
• Effectively manage DNR staff workload with existing resources;
• Expand WISC;
• Involve Green Tier Charter/Environmental Management System;

Back to Top

Additional Resources

• US EPA's Green Remediation Web Page [exit DNR]
• Illinois EPA's Greener Cleanups Web Page [exit DNR]

For more information on this specific page, contact:

Bob Strous
608.266.2699