DNR Makes It Easier For Public To Weigh In On Air Quality Issues

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making it easier for the public to get involved in decisions that affect the air they breathe by rolling out a new webpage to engage in the air permit process. The new webpage helps people find recent air permit actions and air permit input opportunities.

The federal Clean Air Act and Wisconsin laws call for public participation and input on air permit actions. The DNR is committed to making this process more accessible to the public.

The new webpage makes it easier for people to communicate with DNR staff and other stakeholders. The DNR’s Meetings & Hearings Calendar, DNR staff contacts and links to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Title V petition process are also available.

“It’s important to include as many communication options as we can for the public to have adequate avenues to reach out to for questions,” said Acting DNR Air Program Director Kristin Hart. “The DNR’s Air Permit process is not simple. Our goal is to make the process as accessible and understandable as possible. We want the public to know how and when to get involved in air permits, and these updates and new resources aim to do just that.”

The webpage is designed to improve readability on both desktops and mobile devices. It contains the critical information the public needs to know about air permit applications through final permit decisions and includes additional background information and resources. When users visit the webpage, they can review any of the resources posted on the page, including the different steps of the permit process:

• Air permit applications
• Air permit actions out for public comment
• Final air permit actions

Other features include:

• A list of tips and videos on searching the tables and finding permit action documents.
• A link to an Air Management Program permit engineer’s email for comments and questions for each permit, permit application or final permit decision.
• A direct link to the DNR’s Air Permit Search Tool web application.

Visit the new DNR Public Involvement webpage for links to more resources and information.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.