Running a small business requires you to wear many hats — chief executive officer, accountant, environmental manager and more.
As a Wisconsin business owner, you may be feeling overwhelmed when trying to understand what rules and regulations — consumer, environmental, financial, etc. — apply to your facility.
To make things easier regarding environmental regulations, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources created Enviro-Nav, the new Environmental Responsibility Navigator.
This interactive and easy-to-use online tool is a “one-stop shop” to help small business owners like you understand and manage your environmental requirements.
The tool is accessible online at: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/SmallBusiness/Enviro-Nav
How Enviro-Nav works
Enviro-Nav is a convenient tool that will prompt you through a series of questions about your business operations.
Based on your responses, it provides:
1. A customized summary of potential environmental regulations that may apply to your operations;
2. Links to helpful guidance documents; and
3. Contact information for additional support.
This tool is available at no cost to users. It is completely anonymous, your answers are not saved long term, and the DNR does not have access to any of your data.
Who should use Enviro-Nav?
All Wisconsin businesses can benefit from Enviro-Nav’s valuable insights. In addition, the tool offers customized guidance for a variety of industry sectors.
If your business falls within one of the following categories, you’ll receive tailored information after answering some initial questions:
• Asphalt plant
• Auto body repair shop
• CAFO/Non-CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) farm
• CBD oil extraction operation
• Commercial building with heat
• Crusher/sand gravel plant
• Demolition-asbestos removal
• Digester
• Dry cleaner
• Emergency generator engine
• Fiberglass reinforced plastics
• Gasoline dispensing
• Grain handling
• Metal fabrication
• Printing
• Salvage yard
• Solar farm
• Wood products
Whether you’re just starting out or want to make sure your existing operations are compliant, Enviro-Nav is here to help you stay informed, confident and in compliance.
Karen Hyun is secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She previously served as the chief of staff for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
To share your thoughts on a current business topic in a future Open Mic column, email Katie Dean at katie.dean@ibmadison.com for consideration.
