Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM)

Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) The Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) program provides funding to address specific brownfields sites where potential or known contamination is acting as an impediment to economic redevelopment. The DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program administers funds through WAM contractor services awards and community managed subgrants. Wisconsin Assessment Monies fact sheet (RR-863) Current list of WAM awards Overview Overview Since 2010, the EPA has awarded the DNR and its partners $5.3 million in brownfield assessment grant funding. The RR Program uses the funding to aid local governments and others in investigating brownfield properties throughout the state. Contractor services awards Contractor services awards may include Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, site investigations and remedial action planning at selected properties. Properties in this program are generally less than 10 acres and have petroleum or hazardous substance contamination. For contractor services awards, the DNR will assign one of its contractors to perform assessment activities. The contractors were selected through a competitive procurement process completed in 2022 and are currently Bay and TRC. Community-managed services awards WAM community-managed awards are subgrants to local government or tribal entities. The subgrantee selects a qualified environmental professional and oversees the work. Applicants must ensure a signed site access agreement is in place authorizing the subgrantee and its contractors access to the property to perform the assessment activities. Eligibility Eligible Applicants The following entities are eligible to apply for WAM: general purpose units of local government tribe, or other eligible tribal entity under 40 CFR 31.3 private entities (contractor services awards only) Contact Tom Coogan for an eligibility determination. Eligible Properties Properties must meet the federal definition of a brownfield: "A brownfield is a real property, the reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous contaminant." Factors that may be considered in project selection include Rural or disadvantaged communities Community involvement and support Sites that are impediments to large-scale redevelopment projects Positive community outcomes ( Financial need Projects with redevelopment plans consistent with local redevelopment objectives Ineligible Sites Properties where the applicant has caused the contamination. Properties listed (or proposed for listing) on the National Priorities List (NPL). Properties subject to unilateral administrative orders, court orders, administrative orders on consent or judicial consent decree issued to or entered into by parties under Comprehensive Environmental Liability Act (CERCLA). Properties subject to the jurisdiction, custody or control of the United States government. NOTE: Land held in trust by the United States government for an Indian tribe is eligible for brownfield funding. Work at the property is eligible for funding under other programs such as the Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Fund (DERF) or the Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program (ACCP). Properties needing a property-specific determination for eligibility Properties where a viable potential responsible party exists, but where there is no documented contamination. Properties subject to planned or ongoing CERCLA removal actions.