Dive Brief:

• The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced it is giving final approval to a plan to convert a former landfill site into a sports complex. 
• The DNR said the site cleanup, which occurred during the past 20 years (since the landfill's closure), is complete and the site is now free of contaminates. Marathon County will be alleviated of its responsibility for previously released hazardous materials at the site.
• The property will be converted into an outdoor sports complex, and will include fields, lighting, a playground and a concession stand. 

Dive Insight:

The state government is expected to take over ownership of the complex; no local governments wanted the liability of the landfill. Local leaders convinced the state Legislature to allow the state to take environmental liability for licensed landfills, which up until now generally covered only unlicensed landfills. According to the agency, this marks the first time the DNR has provided a Certificate of Completion for a licensed municipal landfill.