EM Insight 2025 Quarter 1: January - March
Quarterly News and Highlights From the Environmental Management (EM) Division
The EM Insight is a quarterly report from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Environmental Management (EM) Division that profiles some of the great results that our staff, teams and partnerships have achieved. The division is pleased to present the following highlights of our work from January - March 2025.
In This Edition
Headline News
Ozone Nonattainment Area Reclassification Permitting Impacts
On Dec. 17, 2024 (effective Jan. 16, 2025), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reclassified several areas in Wisconsin to “Serious” nonattainment for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The areas affected by the reclassification are Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties and parts of Washington, Waukesha, Racine, Sheboygan and Kenosha counties. As a result of this action, facilities located in these areas will be subject to more stringent permit requirements for nitrogen oxide (NOx) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
The DNR discussed the changes with the Air Management Advisory Group and reached out to regulated facilities proactively via email to alert them of potential permit impacts and required actions.
Visit the Permitting Requirements for Nonattainment Areas in Wisconsin webpage for details of this reclassification and responses to some of the most frequently asked questions.
DNR Releases Its 2023 Water Withdrawal Report
The DNR's Drinking Water and Groundwater program recently released its 2023 Water Withdrawal Report. The report provides an overview of water use trends over the last decade in Wisconsin, with particular attention to the impacts of the 2023 drought on water withdrawals.
Read the full 2023 Water Withdrawal Report and visit the A Decade of Wisconsin Water Withdrawals StoryMap to learn more about the state's water use reporting and trends.
Final 2024 Remedial Action Plan For St. Louis River Area Of Concern Now Available
The St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) 2024 Remedial Action Plan has been finalized and is available on the DNR's St. Louis River AOC webpage. The updated plan summarizes the status of all listed management actions, including pollution cleanup and habitat restoration progress over the last year.
Nine environmental problems (called Beneficial Use Impairments) were identified for the St. Louis River AOC, along with management actions to address each problem. Four impairments have been removed thus far. After the remaining five impairments are removed, the St. Louis River AOC can be removed from the list of most polluted sites on the Great Lakes.
In 1987, the St. Louis River AOC was listed as one of 43 sites on the Great Lakes with significant environmental damage by the United States and Canada. Federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding, first launched in 2010, helps communities clean up pollution and restore waterways.
DNR Working On Updated Surface Water Assessment Guidance
Every two years, the DNR updates the Wisconsin Consolidated Listing and Assessment Methodology (WisCALM). This guidance document details how the DNR uses available data and professional judgement to assess surface waters across the state. For example, WisCALM details what time of year total phosphorus samples should be collected, how many samples are needed to complete a waterbody assessment, how to summarize the available total phosphorus results and which total phosphorus standard should be applied to the waterbody in question.
Most recently, the DNR invited the public to comment on the draft 2026 WisCALM guidance document. Over the coming weeks, the DNR will respond to comments, make changes and finalize the document so that the DNR can begin assessing waters using the updated methodology. Under the Clean Water Act, states are required to monitor and assess their waters to determine if they meet water quality standards and support the designated uses they are intended to provide. WisCALM ensures that the process for adding or removing waters from the impaired waters (303(d)) list is consistent and transparent.
The draft 2026 WisCALM guidance document and pending public comments can be found on the DNR WisCALM webpage.
Funding Assistance
DNR Awards $6 Million In Grant Funds To Protect Surface Water
The DNR Surface Water Grant Program recently announced approximately $6 million in grant funding to lake organizations, nonprofit organizations and municipal and county governments throughout Wisconsin. Funding will help to restore and protect our state's surface water resources in 2025 and beyond.
This year, the program received 418 applications from eligible applicants requesting nearly $8 million in funding. The selected projects are incredibly diverse, including education and outreach activities, management planning, habitat restoration, runoff management, water quality improvement projects and aquatic invasive species prevention and management.
For more information about the Surface Water Grant awards and to view the Priority Funding List, please visit the DNR's Surface Water webpage.
Social Media Spotlight
Recycling facilities, landfills, garbage trucks and other parts of the waste and recycling industry in Wisconsin are experiencing frequent and sometimes devastating fires.
- 119,562 impressions on Facebook
How do you connect with and value our Great Waters? Share your inspirational writings and photos of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior or the Mississippi River in the 2025 Wisconsin's Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project. The submission deadline is April 1, 2025.
Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, costing consumers millions of dollars. By fixing household leaks promptly, consumers can save water and money and prevent damage to their floors, furniture and possessions.
- 46,720 impressions on Nextdoor
- 15,696 impressions on Facebook