Wisconsin DNR Awards $3.5M Brownfield Grant for Bayfield Soil Cleanup

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Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded a $3.5 million Brownfield Grant to Bayfield County. The funds will support the environmental assessment of a former gas station and grocery store site, investigating potential soil contamination from petroleum. This initiative aims to facilitate the property's redevelopment.

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What changed

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the award of a Brownfield Grant totaling $3.5 million to Bayfield County. This grant, provided through the Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, will fund the environmental assessment of a nearly 1-acre property formerly occupied by a gas station and grocery store. The assessment will investigate soil contamination from petroleum, identified in 1998, to determine necessary cleanup steps before the county-owned property can be sold for redevelopment.

This action is part of the DNR's ongoing efforts to support the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield properties across Wisconsin. While this is a grant award announcement and not a direct compliance mandate for regulated entities, it highlights the availability of state resources for environmental assessment and cleanup. Bayfield County will undertake the assessment, with the goal of preparing the site for productive reuse. Interested parties can submit applications for similar assistance to the DNR at any time.

Source document (simplified)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2026-03-24 Contact: Jodie Thistle, DNR Brownfields, Outreach and Policy Section Manager
Jodie.Thistle@wisconsin.gov or 608-259-6557

DNR Awards Brownfield Grant To Bayfield County

Funds Will Support Environmental Assessment

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the award of a Brownfield Grant to Bayfield County to assist with the investigation of environmental contamination at the site of a former gas station and grocery store.

The award is from the DNR's Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, which provides contractor services for the environmental assessment of eligible brownfield properties. A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use.

The nearly 1-acre property is currently under county ownership through tax foreclosure. Soil contamination from petroleum was found at the site in 1998 when two underground storage tanks were removed from the property. This award will help the county identify if additional steps are necessary to clean up the property before it can be sold for redevelopment.

"The Wisconsin DNR applauds Bayfield County’s interest in cleaning up the property to eliminate potential contamination at the site," said Jodie Thistle, Wisconsin DNR brownfields, outreach and policy section manager. "These proactive steps will lead to the redevelopment of the property and allow for productive reuse."

Since 2009, the DNR's Wisconsin Assessment Monies program has provided over $3.5 million to over 70 communities across Wisconsin, partnering to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties that detract from a community's potential. Applications for assistance may be submitted to the DNR at any time.

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup. DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings.

More information about the DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s brownfields webpage.

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