$10 Million Released To Tackle PFAS In Marinette, Peshtigo Wells

Marinette City Council member Doug Oitzinger stands over a ditch flowing into Green Bay where water samples have shown PFOS levels as high as 2,000 parts per trillion before it’s treated. Danielle Kaeding/WPR

Residents who have been struggling with PFAS contamination in northeastern Wisconsin are one step closer to securing safe water after lawmakers voted to release $10 million from the state’s PFAS trust fund.

On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Finance unanimously approved releasing money from a June settlement in the state’s case against Tyco Fire Products, which was required to invest $10 million into the fund. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul previously said it’s the largest settlement on a case handled exclusively by the state.

Four years ago, the state sued Johnson Controls International and its subsidiary Tyco for failing to immediately notify regulators of PFAS contamination around its fire training facility in the city of Marinette and town of Peshtigo.

Gov. Tony Evers and the DNR submitted a written request to lawmakers on Aug. 20, seeking quick distribution of the funds. In a statement, Evers said releasing the money is a step in the right direction.

“The DNR will continue to collaborate with local leaders and communities to ensure we get these funds out the door and to the impacted communities to address their most urgent needs in a timely fashion,” Evers said.

While Tyco has been replacing some wells, Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Gillett, said some people still need help.

“You got to get people the wells for the clean water. That’s all right on point, and they’re doing a good job there,” said Wimberger, who sits on the finance committee.

The bulk of the $10 million is set to go toward installation of deep wells, private well testing and in-home treatment systems. In a statement, DNR Secretary Karen Hyun thanked the committee for “fast bipartisan action” on releasing the money.

“The DNR plans to use these funds in line with priorities identified by the community during public input opportunities,” Hyun said.

The Legislature is not in session, and Marinette resident Doug Oitzinger said there is no guarantee lawmakers would meet before the election.

“We think that was very fast, and we’re appreciative of everybody that was involved in making it go forward,” said Oitzinger, who is also president of the nonprofit group Save Our Water.

Even so, Oitzinger remains unsatisfied with the amount and terms of the state’s settlement. He said it was too low and didn’t require Tyco to help residents with contaminated wells in an expanded area around its facility.

“Those folks in the expanded site investigation area definitely needed some additional support and resources, so fortunately … we’ll be able to go to help those people,” said Peshtigo resident Cindy Boyle.

Money for long-term maintenance and operation of wells and treatment systems in that area has yet to be determined, and Boyle feared those costs may fall on homeowners unless future funding  becomes available. But she’s pleased the plan includes up to $50,000 for blood serum testing to help people determine whether they face elevated risk of serious health issues linked to the chemicals. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said it’s budgeting for around 200 tests.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been linked to fertility issues, thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancers. The chemicals don’t break down easily in the environment.

While the bulk of the money will address PFAS, Wimberger, noted around $500,000 to $750,000 would be spent on contracting with a local liaison to provide the staff and resources to conduct testing and assist homeowners.

“We need to work on stopping the introduction of PFAS. Spending some money on helping fill out forms for 500 people (or less), I think the DNR probably has enough staff to handle anybody who’s confused about it,” Wimberger said.

A DNR spokesperson said the agency is ready to secure a liaison to assist the community, and the agency’s goal is to have a contractor in place within six months.

Under the last two-year state budget, Evers and lawmakers created the PFAS trust fund, setting aside $125 million. The account had since grown to $133 million due to interest accrued on those funds. In April, the governor signed a pair of bills passed by the Legislature that set the framework for spending that money.

The state still has other cases pending against chemical companies and manufacturers of firefighting foam, including Tyco.

The state has sued JCI/Tyco and other companies to recover costs from cleaning up PFAS contamination. The case has been moved to U.S. District Court in South Carolina as part of multidistrict litigation involving thousands of cases over PFAS contamination from firefighting foam.

Marinette, Peshtigo residents closer to aid after lawmakers release $10M to address PFAS was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.