The Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), sec. 1.11, Wisconsin Statutes, was created by Chapter 274, Laws of 1971 and became effective on April 29, 1972. It is closely patterned after the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which was effective January 1, 1970. WEPA requires that all state agencies prepare environmental impact statements (EIS), which is a full disclosure document that provides an assessment of significant environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives considered in connection with the proposed action.
In addition, WEPA requires state agencies to study, develop and describe alternatives when a particular course of action involves unresolved conflicts in the use of available resources. In accordance with WEPA and the regulations of the Federal Council on Environmental Quality, the UW System has developed an Action Type List to assist in determining the need for an environmental impact statement. The three classifications
- WEPA Type I: Actions which require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
- WEPA Type II: Actions which may or may not require an EIS but must be evaluated by completing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- WEPA Type III: Actions which do not require an EIS or EIA.
Campus WEPA Coordination & Project Documents
UW-Madison’s WEPA Coordinator responsibilities include:
- In consultation with the UW System Environmental Affairs Officer, identify the type of WEPA action required.
- Draft the request for Type I or Type II consultant services.
- For Type I and Type II actions, manage the university responsibilities including:
- Point of contact for consultants
- Attending kick-off meeting
- Mailing list identification
- Attend scheduled public hearings
- Review the scope, draft, and final documents
- Respond to comments
- Make a Record of Decision
- For Type II actions, completing the Evaluation of Environmental Significance form.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is the UW-Madison WEPA coordinator?
The WEPA coordinator for UW-Madison is Aaron Williams.
Contact Aaron Williams, Senior Campus Planner
aaron.williams@wisc.edu
Is there a WEPA distribution list for proposed projects? How do I sign up?
Yes, contact Aaron Williams, UW-Madison WEPA Coordinator.
aaron.williams@wisc.edu
What does a typical A/E EIA Scope of Services Request include?
Consultants typically lead the EIA process with support from CPLA and provide the following services.
- Complete a thorough environmental analysis and data collection.
- Develop a distribution list of legislators, state agencies, municipalities, neighborhood associations, nearby residents, interest groups, student groups, faculty and staff representatives, and individuals who should receive scoping and other WEPA documentation.
- Complete the HIST-A form that should be submitted to the UW System Historic Preservation Officer or designee to review and determine whether a SHPO 44 40 form and Wisconsin Historical Society review will be necessary.
- Draft the Type II Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Evaluate impacts—adverse and positive.
- Distribute the draft EIA in electronic format to the EIA Team for input and comment.
- Provide input to the EIA Team to determine whether the EIA is adequate or if impacts are significant enough to warrant an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- If an EIS is not required…
- Distribute draft EIA with a copy available at the local public library and university library and an electronic version on a website.
- Publish availability of draft EIA for public comment in local media, including state and local newspapers, student/faculty/staff newspaper(s), and electronic newsletters/messages, noting the required 15-day public review period.
- Publish a 15-day legal notice and hold a public meeting.
- Provide EIA Team a draft of the PowerPoint presentation for review and comment one week prior to the public meeting.
- Collect, evaluate, distribute, and respond to public comments with prior input from the EIA Team.
- With input from the EIA Team, determine if the public meeting/comment period produced significant impacts or controversial issues to warrant an EIS.
- if not…
- Finalize EIA to include an Executive Summary, recommendation, comments, responses, affidavits/copies of published legal notice(s), required signatures, etc.
- Distribute 3 hard copies of the final EIA to UW System contact, DSF Project Manager, and Campus WEPA Coordinator and distribute copies to other interested/involved parties.