Current Issues
PFAS Testing Should Be Part of Safer-at-Home Response
Of the more than 11,000 public drinking water systems tested in Wisconsin, only 90 have been tested for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly toxic chemicals – found in certain firefighting foams and a wide range of consumer products – are...
Louisiana Challenges Toxic Burning, EPA Supports Alternatives
NATIONAL -- Louisiana is expected to deny renewing a permit for a commercial facility to continue open-burn/open detonation (OB/OD) of hazardous waste, including military munitions, as EPA has recently been supporting shifting away from open-air burning of waste...
Air Pollution Could Worsen Virus Severity
BY SARA SNEATH | Staff writer, New Orleans Advocate LOUISIANA - Data released by the state Department of Health shows that pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease are playing a major role in the death rate of coronavirus in Louisiana. But a growing...
CSWAB Organizes National Call to END Toxic Burns in Louisiana
Today, 51 organizations from around the country voiced their collective support for Louisiana’s announced intent to deny an operating permit renewal for open air burning of hazardous waste at the Clean Harbors facility in Colfax. The 700-acre facility is one of the...
Tribal Resolution Recognizes Rights of Menominee River
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has passed a resolution recognizing the inherent rights of the Menominee River to naturally exist and flourish -- including the rights to natural groundwater and surface water recharge, the right to carry out its natural...
Statewide Coalition of 30 Groups Call for Federal Listing of Toxic PFAS Chemicals
WISCONSIN - In response to a request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for public comment on proposed federal rulemaking, 30 organizations from around Wisconsin submitted a formal joint statement today supporting the addition of PFAS to the list of...
Badger Army Groundwater Study Criticized
CSWAB Comments on the November 2019 Draft Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for Site-Wide Groundwater Contamination at the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant January 21, 2020 BACKGROUND The Army’s preferred alternative or remedy for groundwater...
WI Senator Calls for Free PFAS Blood Testing
WISCONSIN - State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) is asking the state Department of Health Services to provide free blood tests for those people who live in or near the contaminated areas; and to conduct a cancer cluster assessment of residents and their children,...
Congress Orders Navy to Utilize Alternatives to Open Air Detonation
We are happy to report a victory for environmental justice! A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will require the Secretary of the Navy to purchase and operate a closed detonation chamber – ending decades of polluting open air detonations on...
Army Update on Groundwater and PFAS Investigations
THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the December 5 public meeting on possible remedies for the groundwater contamination at Badger Army Ammunition Plant. Army officials reiterated that a new municipal water system was not an option but presented information...
Army Study Underestimates Risk to Groundwater and Public Health
The Army has released its long-anticipated groundwater study for Badger Army Ammunition Plant, comparing possible cleanup remedies based on risk to public health. An initial review of the draft 717-page document by CSWAB quickly reveals that the study design...
Marinette County Calls for State Regulation of PFAS Chemicals
In a 28 to 1 vote, the Marinette County Board overwhelmingly supported a November 12 resolution backing bi-partisan efforts led by Wisconsin State Senator Dave Hansen and Representative John Nygren to reach passage of pending bills (SB 302/AB 321 and SB 310/AB 323)....