Environmental Services
The Northwest Regional Planning Commission Department of Environmental Services consists of a number of ongoing programs that address environmental issues and programming needs in the Planning Commissions service area.
The Recycling Control Commission of Burnett and Washburn Counties consists of appointed representatives from the two counties and is responsible for the development and implementation of drop-off and curbside recycling programs. It also assists in yard waste management projects and enforcement activities required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) has provided staffing and support for this program since 1991.
Northwest Cleansweep is a program developed by NWRPC in 1995 to provide for the collection of hazardous wastes throughout the ten-county service area. The program provides these services to households, farms, farm-related businesses, schools, municipalities, and businesses through a mixture of multiple single day collection events during the summer months and a mobile collection of hazardous wastes in the spring and fall of each year. Details on the program can be found by clicking on the link above or by accessing it on the main menu. Northwest Cleansweep has collected in excess of 1.5 million pounds of hazardous wastes since its inception.
CURRENT AND NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMING
The Environmental Services Department also offers programming in other areas. Currently the Commission operates programs in the following areas:
Environmental Department staff is presently providing solid and hazardous waste audits to the nine hospitals located in the ten-county region. The program has been made possible by a grant from USEPA’s Region V Pollution Prevention Program. The program provides insights and advice to the hospitals regarding waste reduction, recycling and proper hazardous waste management. Hospitals are introduced to the national Hospitals for a Healthy Environment program and website, which provides a vast array of information and practical tips for becoming more environmentally friendly. The grant also provides education to hospitals on formulating environmental management plans that allow hospitals to examine all of the environmental impacts they may produce as a result of their day-to-day activities. For more information, click above.
Sustainable Development Classes
Sustainable Development has been defined in one way as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A grant from USEPA’s Region V Environmental Education program will provide funding for informational classes on the fundamental principles of sustainable development for residents of Burnett and Washburn counties. The program will be based on the Natural Step philosophy developed in Sweden by Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert and others. The same program has successfully been implemented in the Chequamegon Bay area of Lake Superior. Participants will learn through study groups, readings and speakers how sustainable development can be achieved and how its principles can be applied to local government activities. The program is expected to begin in late 2007-early 2008. Please click here for a schedule of happenings for both county study-groups.
Lead Paint Hazards Testing Programs
Northwest Regional Planning Commission also provides programming to help educate its citizenry on the dangerous effects of lead paint exposure to children and expectant mothers. A grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation currently provides for free lead inspections in households occupied by children and expectant mothers in the Bremer Bank community areas of Burnett and Bayfield counties. Environmental Department staff also provide routine lead clearance testing for homes that have received rehabilitation work through other Planning Commission housing programs. Please contact Rick Schneider for further information and educational materials.
Unused/Unwanted Prescription Medications Collection - 2008
Through a grant provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, unwanted or unused prescription medications will be collected at NWRPC Saturday hazardous waste collection events in 2008. The project will provide education on proper management of such wastes and why it is imperative that such medications not be flushed down the toilet into our wastewater systems. The program will begin in May of 2008 .