DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting two listening sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to share updates and seek public input on PFAS contamination in the city of Marinette, the town of Peshtigo and surrounding communities. These listening sessions are the 18th in a series of public input opportunities hosted by the DNR for area residents.

The Oct. 26 listening sessions will be conducted in-person at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Marinette. Pre-registration is not required.

The listening sessions will include routine updates from the DNR and the Department of Health Services (DHS) regarding the status of the PFAS investigations in the community.

The public is strongly encouraged to submit questions in advance through email at DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov or by telephone at 1-888-626-3244.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam.

These contaminants have made their way into the environment through spills of PFAS-containing chemicals, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.

Addressing PFAS contamination in the environment is part of Gov. Tony Evers‘ statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water. In 2019, the governor signed Executive Order #40 to address the issue of PFAS across the state.

Additional information on PFAS is available on the Wisconsin DHS website and the Wisconsin DNR website.

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EVENT DETAILS

WHAT:

Listening Sessions On PFAS Contamination In Marinette & Peshtigo

WHO:

Christine Haag – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program Director
Alyssa Sellwood – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Project Manager
Jodie Peotter – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Brownfields, Outreach and Policy Section Chief
Kyle Burton – DNR Drinking and Groundwater Field Operations Director
Patrick Gorski – DNR Water Quality Program Research Scientist
Nathan Kloczko – DHS Site Evaluation Program Coordinator

WHEN:

Listening Session 18, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, Noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

1601 University Drive, Marinette, WI 54143

Room MN101/102  (Enter at Door #21 – door closest to Green Gable Road from Parking Lot A).

Join via Zoom here.

Join by phone: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 822 9180 9472

Submit questions in advance by email at DNRJCIPFAS@wisconsin.gov or by phone at 1-888-626-3244.

The Zoom meeting link and an agenda for these listening sessions will be posted on the DNR’s Marinette and Peshtigo PFAS webpage.