Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC) Developing PFAS Action Plan For State
Public Input Opportunities Available
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC) is developing a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Action Plan to identify priority actions in response to growing concerns about PFAS.
In August, Governor Evers signed Executive Order #40 directing the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish WisPAC to coordinate a state multi-agency effort to address PFAS. A specific requirement of this work is the development a PFAS Action Plan for the State of Wisconsin. The plan is to be completed by June 30, 2020.
PFAS can persist in the environment and the human body for long periods of time. Recent scientific findings indicate that exposure to certain PFAS may have harmful health effects in people. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to some PFAS substances above certain levels may increase the risk of adverse health effects, such as thyroid disease, low birthweights and cancer.
The first phase of plan development will focus on collecting input from a broad audience to identify priorities in the response to PFAS. This information will be collected in the following ways:
- Input from state agencies will be collected directly from WisPAC members;
- An online survey has been created to collect public input. Submissions will be collected through midnight Feb. 21, 2020. (Note: Please contact the DNR for a hard copy version);
- Two advisory groups have been established to facilitate in-person and online opportunities to engage in the planning process, with a focus on either citizen/public policy or local government matters. The following meetings are scheduled:
Date | Location | Information |
February 12th, 2020
9:00am – 12:00pm |
Madison, WI | Citizen/Public Policy Advisory Group Meeting |
February 12th, 2020
1:00pm – 4:00pm |
Local Government Advisory Group Meeting |
|
March 5th, 2020
9:00am – 12:00pm |
Fitchburg, WI | Citizen/Public Policy Advisory Group Meeting |
March 5th, 2020
1:00pm – 4:00pm |
Local Government Advisory Group Meeting | |
April 2nd
Time TBD |
Madison, WI | Joint Advisory Group Meeting |
- A general public meeting on the PFAS Action Plan is also scheduled:
Date | Location | Information |
February 18th, 2020
11:00pm – 1:00pm |
Oshkosh, WI | General Public Meeting: PFAS, WisPAC and the PFAS Action Plan |
The information gathered through this process will inform WisPAC’s decision making process as they formulate the PFAS Action Plan. A second round of public input will occur when a draft PFAS Action Plan has been developed. This comment period is expected to occur in late April and into May.
The DNR’s WisPAC webpage includes more detail on the public input opportunities. Updates will be posted as the PFAS Action Plan planning process unfolds.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the PFAS Problem
- The State of Politics: Voters Worried About PFAS in Water - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2024
- EPA Slaps Two PFAS Chemicals With Superfund Law Designation - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 19th, 2024
- DNR Responds To EPA’s Designation Of PFOA And PFOS As Hazardous Substances - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 19th, 2024
- Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 16th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Vetoes PFAS Bill, Calls Special Meeting of Budget Committee - Baylor Spears - Apr 10th, 2024
- DNR, DHS Respond To EPA’s Announcement Of Maximum Contaminant Levels For PFAS In Drinking Water - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 10th, 2024
- GOP Leaders Urge Gov. Evers to Sign Divisive PFAS Bill - Baylor Spears - Apr 2nd, 2024
- UW-Madison to Open PFAS Center - Robert D'Andrea - Apr 1st, 2024
- Gov. Evers Slams Republicans for Continued Delays Releasing Critical Funds to Fight PFAS Statewide, Stabilize Healthcare Industry in Western Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - Mar 11th, 2024
- Wisconsin DNR Update On WMC And Leather Rich, Inc V. DNR - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Mar 8th, 2024
Read more about PFAS Problem here