EPA Relaxes Ozone Regulations for Southeastern Wisconsin

In its final designations under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has narrowed the areas of Wisconsin designated as “nonattainment,” or not meeting the national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards. EPA’s original designations in late 2017 included large portions of eastern Wisconsin, despite Wisconsin’s recommendation that […]

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EPA Designates Much of Southeastern Wisconsin as Nonattainment for 2015 Ozone Standards

In November 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated most of the country as either attainment/nonattainment under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. Nonattainment areas are those that do not meet (or contribute to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient […]

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Stepp Promoted to Head of Midwest EPA

Former Wisconsin state senator and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp was promoted last month by the Trump administration to head the Midwest regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Chicago. As head of Region 5, Stepp will oversee Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio, including most of the Great Lakes. […]

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Walker Appoints New DNR Secretary

Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday that former Republican state Rep. Dan Meyer is taking over as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Meyer represented the 34th District (Rhinelander) in the Assembly from 2001-2013. Prior to serving in the legislature, Meyer was mayor of Eagle River and executive director of Eagle River Chamber of […]

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DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp Moves to EPA

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Cathy Stepp is resigning from her position to move to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Stepp will serve as deputy administrator for EPA, covering the region including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations. Stepp was appointed as DNR Secretary by Gov. Scott Walker in 2011. Previously, […]

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DNR Announces Realignment

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Wednesday plans to reorganize its staff and resources to provide better oversight of the department. According to the press release, the realignment will not reduce environmental standards or the number of jobs at the DNR, but will change job descriptions, reporting structure and division assignments for […]

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DNR Requests Budget Decrease but Adds CAFO Staff

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) formally submitted their agency budget request to Governor Walker on September 15, 2016. Overall, DNR’s all funds budget for the 2017-19 biennium is 2.1 percent less than the 2016-17 fiscal year base doubled. This amounts to about $23.4 million less funding over the biennium. DNR’s all funds budget […]

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EPA will Inspect Wisconsin DNR records

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will send federal regulators to Madison to inspect Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) records in October. EPA personnel will investigate DNR files in response to an October 2015 petition by Midwest Environmental Advocates and a group of Wisconsin citizens. The petition claims that DNR officials have not adequately implemented […]

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AG Opinion Drives DNR to Act on High Capacity Well Permit Applications

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced that when reviewing high capacity well permit applications it will limit its review to the criteria set forth in the statutes. DNR cites Attorney General Brad Schimel’s May 10, 2016, formal opinion finding that DNR lacks authority to require cumulative impact analysis as a condition to granting a well […]

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AG Opinion Validates Act 21 Limits on Agency Authority

On May 10, 2016, Attorney General Brad Schimel issued a formal opinion finding that 2011 WI Act 21 requires explicit delegation of authorities to agencies, making it clear that regulatory mandates may no longer arise from implied authority. Whether enacting rules, imposing permit conditions, or exercising public trust authority, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) […]

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