Environmental Loans October 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.
Priority Evaluation And Ranking Formula Reevaluation Requests For Clean Water Fund Program
Oct. 30, 2026, is the deadline to submit a Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP) priority evaluation and ranking formula (PERF) revaluation request for state fiscal year 2027 CWFP projects that submitted an application by the Sept. 30, 2026 deadline. A PERF reevaluation request could be considered for several reasons, including:
- An event occurred since the original notice of intent to apply (ITA) submittal that would result in additional PERF points, such as a bypass or overflow.
- A new Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit was issued since the original ITA submittal, resulting in different points for permit limits.
- If a project is being constructed for the purpose of meeting a final phosphorus limit that is not effective in the current WPDES permit term but will be effective during the next permit term, a reevaluation can be requested in order to incorporate the points applicable to that final limit.
- The PERF was originally submitted under the incorrect project category and the correct PERF needs to be completed to score the project. In this case, the project would be in “Undetermined” status on the project priority list.
There is not a form for a PERF reevaluation request; simply email the request to the CWFP coordinator, Lisa Bushby, at Lisa.Bushby@wisconsin.gov, and the DNR construction management engineer for the county in which the project is located. Include the following information in the email:
- CWFP project number
- Reason for the request
- Additional points that you believe the project should receive
- Any relevant documentation
SFY 2028 ITA/PERF Deadline Is Jan. 15, 2027
The state fiscal year (SFY) 2028 notice of intent to apply (ITA) and priority evaluation and ranking formula (PERF) submittal deadline is Jan. 15, 2027.
- Municipalities should submit ITAs only for projects that will be moving forward with a loan application in SFY 2028. Submitting ITAs that are unlikely to turn into applications is unnecessary and will delay the availability of the project priority list.
The application deadlines remain unchanged for SFY 2028:
- June 30, 2027 for Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP)
- Sept. 30, 2027 for Clean Water Fund Program (CWFP)
For more information, read Attention: Environmental Loans Process Improvements Postponed To SFY 2029.
The implementation of the Environmental Loans Program Process Improvements Proposal will be delayed until the SFY 2029 funding cycle. The DNR will publish a final version of this policy, including any revisions made as a result of feedback received during the public comment period.
Environmental Loans Process Improvements Postponed
Based on feedback received during the public comment period, the implementation of the Environmental Loans Program Process Improvements Proposal will be postponed until the state fiscal year (SFY) 2029 funding cycle instead of SFY 2028.
For more information, read:
State Fiscal Year 2028 Principal Forgiveness Policy Finalized
The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2028 Principal Forgiveness (PF) Policy Paper was finalized in October 2026 and posted to the Principal Forgiveness webpage.
These principal forgiveness policies will also be included in the state fiscal year 2028 Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program intended use plans that will be available on the Project Lists and Intended Use Plans webpage.
The draft SFY 2028 PF Policy Paper was posted for public comment from July 16 – Aug. 14, 2026. Read Responses to Public Comments on SFY 2028 PF Draft Policy Paper.
On Aug. 6, 2026, the Wisconsin DNR held a webinar about the Proposed PF Policy Changes for SFY 2028. View the slide show handout and closed captions transcript.
About
Starting in state fiscal year 2028, principal forgiveness dollars will be significantly lower due to the end of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, funding. The SFY 2028 PF Policy Paper outlines the changes to principal forgiveness with the goal of directing the limited amount of PF to municipalities where it makes the most difference, primarily smaller and more disadvantaged municipalities. The changes described in the policy are intended to reflect that goal, while focusing on Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program projects in those communities that improve water quality and protect public health.
Federal Equivalency Changes For SFY 2028
To add to the list of changes for state fiscal year (SFY) 2028, we will be proposing changes to how federal equivalency projects are designated. Our goal is to only designate as many federal equivalency projects as necessary, and with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, funding ending, the equivalency obligation will be reduced in SFY 2028.
What’s changing?
- Federal equivalency is currently designated on any project in municipalities with a population of 20,000 or greater. For SFY 2028 projects, we will be proposing to increase that population threshold for the Clean Water Fund Program and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to 70,000. If any Emerging Contaminants or Lead Service Line funding from the BIL funding remains available and is allocated to a project, that project will be designated federal equivalency regardless of population size.
- For projects in municipalities with a population of 70,000 or greater, only certain project types will be designated federal equivalency. Namely, collection system projects for the Clean Water Fund Program and distribution/transmission projects for the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. The project type is selected on the notice of intent to apply.
Assigning equivalency just to collection system and distribution projects will relieve treatment plant projects of Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements. Due to the specialized products that may be necessary for treatment plant projects, this should result in fewer delays and significant cost savings.
For more details about federal equivalency, refer to our Federal Equivalency webpage.
DNR Environmental Loans Staff Relocated To Hill Farms Building
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced on Sept. 9, 2026, that the DNR downtown Madison service center will close Sept. 30.
On Oct. 6, 2026, the Madison-based DNR Environmental Loans Section staff relocated to the Hill Farms State Office Building, which is a DNR field office. While a field office is not regularly open to the public, customers can schedule an appointment with local staff. Refer to the DNR’s Environmental Loans Staff Directory webpage.
Mailing Address
Please note that mail delivery may have been interrupted during the move. We continue to encourage you to submit your complete requests for disbursement via email, however, you may submit them via mail.
Please also note that any response to mail may be slow because most staff are teleworking a couple of days during the week. Additional information about shipping packages may be communicated once all DNR staff at GEF2 have moved to Hill Farms.
For United States Postal Service (USPS):
Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
ATTN Environmental Loans Section CF
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
For all other carriers:
Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources
ATTN Environmental Loans Section CF
2421 Darwin Rd
Madison, WI 53704
Consider reviewing the United States Postal Service’s Publication 28 - Postal Addressing Standards.
Welcome New Loan Project Manager, Kelvin Castro
We are pleased to share the news that a new project manager has joined the Environmental Loans Section. Please give a warm welcome to Kelvin Castro! He started his position on Aug. 24, 2026, and can be contacted at Kelvin.Castro@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7884.
The following is a short bio to help you get to know him better.
Greetings! I'm thrilled to be joining the Environmental Loans Section. I've been with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources since February 2025, where I started as a grant program manager for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Well Compensation and Well Abandonment grant programs.
Before coming to the DNR, I worked as a project manager for three years at the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority located in Atlanta, where I managed projects funded by the Clean Water or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, with a focus on Lead Service Line Replacement grant projects.
I originally moved to Madison to escape the big-city environment and live closer to my family in Chicago. I currently live with my girlfriend and our two cats, Poppy and Peaches. When I'm not lounging with them, I enjoy going for runs, watching movies at the cinema, and playing city-builder games.
Photo: Kelvin Castro outdoors at the UW Madison Arboretum on Oct. 10, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Cindy Nguyen.
|
Staff Change: Dave Andruczyk Retired
After 14 years of working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Dave Andruczyk retired on Sept. 30, 2026.
Dave shared with us he’s retiring early so he can still be active. He plans on traveling, spending more time bird hunting with his dogs, and building another cabin northeast of Mississippi. We all wish Dave the best in his next chapter of life.
Since April 2018, he served as the Northern Region construction management engineer (CME) for the DNR Environmental Loans Section. Dave served in the DNR Bureau of Facilities and Lands before joining our section. He also spent 20 years working for consulting firms. Dave has a BS in Civil Engineering from UW-Milwaukee and a MS in Civil Engineering-Wastewater and Water Treatment from Marquette University.
Congratulations, Dave, on your achievements that benefit the people of Wisconsin by inspecting and managing construction projects that protect public health, protect valuable aquatic resources and meet environmental standards.
Photo: Dave’s dogs, Rusty and Oro, playing. / Photo Credit: Dave Andruczyk.
|
New Construction Management Engineer, Chad Blumenschein
We are pleased to announce that Chad Blumenschein is the new construction management engineer for the Northern Region in the Environmental Loans Section. He fills the position held by Dave Andruczyk, who recently retired. On Oct. 5, 2026, Chad started his new position out of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Service Center in Rhinelander, WI. Contact Chad at Chad.Blumenschein1@wisconsin.gov or 534-244-1776.
Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Chad on his new position!
The following is a short bio to help you get to know him better.
Hey everyone! My name is Chad Blumenschein and I'm the new construction management engineer for the Northern Region.
Little bit about myself: I grew up in the tiny town of Wilson, in da U.P. of Michigan. After graduating from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Municipal Engineering, I moved to Rhinelander for an Environmental Controls internship with the local paper mill.
I then started my public service journey in 2014 as a Project Development Engineer for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), based out of the Rhinelander office. I've had multiple roles within WisDOT over the last 13-ish years, including Materials Engineer, Assistant Stormwater & Erosion Control Engineer, and Tribal Liaison.
Outside of work, I enjoy running for fitness, camping and watching the Green Bay Packers in my Packer Cave. I currently live in Rhinelander with my partner, Natasha, and spirited 5-year-old daughters, Luna and Freya.
I am excited to begin this new chapter in my career; working with municipalities and everyone in the Environmental Loans program!
Photo: Chad Blumenschein with his partner, Natasha, and twin daughters in Merrill, Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Paige Blumenschein
|
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.
-
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).
-
Attention — Oct. 31, 2026: The notice of intent to apply (ITA) and priority evaluation and ranking formula (PERF) deadline for the state fiscal year 2028 Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program funding cycles is now Jan. 15, 2027, instead of Oct. 31, 2026. For details, read Attention: Environmental Loans Process Improvements Postponed To SFY 2029.
-
November 2026: The DNR intends to publish the state fiscal year 2027 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program draft funding list.
-
December 2026: The DNR intends to publish the state fiscal year 2027 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program final funding list.
-
December 2026: The DNR intends to publish the state fiscal year 2027 Clean Water Fund Program funding list.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Jan. 15, 2027: The notice of intent to apply (ITA) and priority evaluation and ranking formula (PERF) deadline for the state fiscal year 2028 Clean Water Fund Program and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program funding cycles.
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.
|
