The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking Marinette, Peshtigo and surrounding area residents to help shape how PFAS settlement money should be spent in the community.

The DNR will host a series of public listening sessions focused on the recent agreement between the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Tyco Fire Products. Under that settlement, Tyco will pay 10 million dollars into the state’s PFAS Trust Fund to address contamination issues in the Marinette area.

Before the money can be distributed, legislative approval is required. State officials say community input will help guide future decisions on how those funds could be used.

The first opportunity for residents to participate will be Monday, June 22nd at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Marinette. A drop-in session with DNR staff will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., followed by a public presentation and listening session from 4 until 6 p.m.

A second meeting is scheduled for July 13th, when the DNR will present the results of community feedback and discuss next steps.

Representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services will also be available to answer questions about ongoing PFAS investigation and cleanup efforts connected to the Tyco Fire Technology Center.

Residents may also submit comments or questions by email or by calling the DNR’s PFAS information line.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in products ranging from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam and have been linked to environmental contamination in the Marinette and Peshtigo areas.