Environmental Loans August 2026 Newsletter
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Environmental Loans programs provide affordable financial assistance to Wisconsin communities for water infrastructure projects that protect and improve public health and water quality for current and future generations.
Aug. 6 Webinar For Proposed Principal Forgiveness Policy
You are invited to join our webinar on Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. to discuss the draft State Fiscal Year 2028 Principal Forgiveness Policy. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the DNR’s Principal Forgiveness webpage for those unable to attend on Aug. 6.
For additional information, read the “State Fiscal Year 2028 Principal Forgiveness Policy Available For Public Comment” article in the Environmental Loans July 2026 Newsletter.
Submit your comments on the draft State Fiscal Year 2028 Principal Forgiveness Policy paper via email to Suzy Hasheider at Suzan.Hasheider@wisconsin.gov by Aug. 14, 2026.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Updates
More Directories Available
Recently the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and neighboring states published their recertified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) directories. Our Accepted Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Directories webpage now lists each of those directories.
Although the number of firms is less than was previously available before the recertification process, customers may immediately begin using these directories to satisfy Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program DBE solicitation requirements. We discourage users from downloading an offline copy of the directories given that updates to the directories will be regular.
Updated Contract Packet Published
An updated version of the Contract Packet for Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Compliance (PUB-CF-029) is now available. Please use the updated version when bidding projects that require DBE solicitation.
Changes include:
- Screen reader accessibility improvements
- Simplifying and reorganizing information to highlight the key points
- Removing contract conditions that are no longer required
Minor Changes to Forms
In our publications and forms, we are using the inclusive term DBE and no longer distinguishing between minority-owned businesses (MBE) and women-owned businesses (WBE). The DBE Direct Solicitation Worksheet (Form 8700-294a) and the Contract Utilization of DBEs Form (8700-257) no longer ask users to indicate whether a firm is an MBE or WBE.
In addition, we clarified on Form 8700-294a that at least two DBEs must be contacted.
Forms and additional information are available on the Disadvantaged Business Requirements webpage.
Katherine Burk Transitions To New Role Within DNR
Katherine Burk, an Environmental Loans Section project manager for one year, has accepted a new position within the DNR Bureau of Community Financial Assistance as a PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) grant project manager in the Conservation Grants section. Katherine’s last day with the Environmental Loans Section was July 24, 2026, and her active projects have been reassigned to other loan project managers, who will be reaching out to their newly assigned communities.
While we will miss having Katherine on the Environmental Loans Section team, we’re fortunate she will remain in the Bureau. We wish Katherine continued success in her new role and look forward to continuing to work with her within the Bureau. Please join us in congratulating Katherine on her new position! Contact her at 608-228-9403 or Katherine.Burk@wisconsin.gov.
Resources
Upcoming Deadlines And Events
The deadlines for the notice of intent to apply submittal, financial assistance application submittal and loan closing are set in the corresponding program's annual intended use plan that is available on the DNR’s Project Lists and Intended Use Plans webpage.
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Aug. 6, 2026: At 3 p.m., the DNR will host a webinar to discuss the draft State Fiscal Year 2028 Principal Forgiveness Policy paper and respond to questions from attendees.
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Aug. 14, 2026: The last date to submit written comments on the draft State Fiscal Year 2028 Principal Forgiveness Policy paper to Suzan.Hasheider@wisconsin.gov.
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Aug. 27, 2026: Requests for disbursements are due to the DNR at noon on Thursday, Aug. 27 to be paid on the disbursement date of Wednesday, Sept. 9 (schedule adjusted for Labor Day).
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Sept. 23, 2026: Final loan closing date for the state fiscal year 2026 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program projects.
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Sept. 30, 2026: Application deadline if competing for principal forgiveness for the state fiscal year 2027 Clean Water Fund Program funding cycle. The DNR recommends that all applicants (even those not competing for principal forgiveness) submit an application by the Sept. 30 deadline due to potential limitations on loan capacity. Information on this application process is available on the DNR’s Online Systems webpage.
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Sept. 30, 2026: Last recommended date for submitting Application to Increase Water Rates to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for the state fiscal year 2027 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program projects.
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October 2026: The DNR intends to publish the state fiscal year 2027 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program draft funding list.
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Oct. 29, 2026: Requests for disbursements are due to the DNR at noon on Thursday, Oct. 29 to be paid on the disbursement date of Tuesday, Nov. 10 (schedule adjusted for Veterans Day).
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Attention — Oct. 31, 2026: The notice of intent to apply (ITA) submittal requirements are expected to change and the Oct. 31 deadline is planned to be moved back — date to be determined — for the state fiscal year 2028 Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program funding cycles.
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Sign up for the newsletter to get updates about changes to the ITA requirements and deadline as additional information becomes available.
- Information on this pre-application process will be updated and made available on the DNR’s Intent to Apply webpage.
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November 2026: The DNR intends to publish the state fiscal year 2027 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program final funding list.
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December 2026: The DNR intends to publish the state fiscal year 2027 Clean Water Fund Program funding list.
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Dec. 11, 2026: Requests for disbursements are due to the DNR at noon on Friday, Dec. 11 to be paid on the disbursement date of Wednesday, Dec. 23. Note: No loan closings will occur on Dec. 23.
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Dec. 23, 2026: Disbursements will occur for those who submitted complete requests for disbursement by noon on Friday, Dec. 11. Note: No loan closings will occur on Dec. 23.
Newsletter Subscription
For timely delivery of future newsletters and bulletins, please send an email request with your contact information to Kay Christensen, DNR Environmental Loans Section outreach coordinator, at Kay.Christensen@wisconsin.gov. She will add you to the email list. If you want, she can also remove you from this list.
The DNR Environmental Loans Section tries to publish a newsletter every 1-2 months. Previous newsletters and bulletins are available on our News webpage.
Note: You can also sign up to receive updates from the Wisconsin DNR on diverse topics.
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