SB1-SSA2,118,17 13(5) Review of amounts. If an operator disagrees with the amount of the bonds
14or other security that the department requires under this section, the operator may
15seek review under s. 295.77 (3) of the amount required. The operator may post a bond
16or other security in the amount required by the department and begin mining
17without forfeiting its right to seek review.
SB1-SSA2,118,18 18295.60 Impacts to wetlands. (1) Definitions. In this section:
SB1-SSA2,118,2119 (a) "Artificial wetland" means a landscape feature where hydrophytic
20vegetation may be present as a result of human modifications to the landscape or
21hydrology and for which there is no prior wetland or stream history.
SB1-SSA2,118,2422 (b) "Ceded territory" means the territory in Wisconsin ceded by the Chippewa
23Indians to the United States in the treaty of 1837, 7 Stat. 536, and the treaty of 1842,
247 Stat. 591.
SB1-SSA2,119,2
1(c) "Federal wetland" means a wetland that is subject to federal jurisdiction
2under 33 USC 1344.
SB1-SSA2,119,43 (d) "Fill material" has the meaning given in 33 CFR 323.2 (e), as the meaning
4exists on July 1, 2012.
SB1-SSA2,119,65 (e) "Mitigation" means the restoration, enhancement, creation, or preservation
6of wetlands to compensate for adverse impacts to other wetlands.
SB1-SSA2,119,107 (f) "Mitigation bank" means a system of accounting for wetland loss and
8compensation that includes one or more sites where wetlands are restored,
9enhanced, created, or preserved to provide credits to be subsequently applied or
10purchased in order to compensate for adverse impacts to other wetlands.
SB1-SSA2,119,1211 (g) "On-site location" means a location that is on a mining site or within
12one-half mile of an outer boundary of a mining site.
SB1-SSA2,119,1613 (h) "Practicable" means reasonably available and capable of being
14implemented after taking into consideration cost, site availability, available
15technology, logistics, and proximity to the proposed project site, in light of the overall
16purpose and scope of the project.
SB1-SSA2,119,1817 (i) "Water basin" means the Lake Michigan basin, the Lake Superior basin, or
18the Mississippi River basin or other water basin established by the department.
SB1-SSA2,119,2019 (j) "Water management unit" means a subdivision of a water basin that is
20established on a hydrological basis by the department.
SB1-SSA2,119,2221 (k) "Water quality standard" means a wetland water quality standard specified
22under sub. (5) or any other water quality standard set by rule under s. 281.15.
SB1-SSA2,119,2323 (L) "Wetland impact evaluation" means an evaluation of impacts to a wetland.
SB1-SSA2,120,2 24(1m) Applicability. Subsections (2) to (11) do not apply to a wetland individual
25permit or other approval that requires a wetland impact evaluation if the operator

1files the application for the wetland individual permit or other approval after the
2department issues the mining permit for the mining operation.
SB1-SSA2,120,16 3(2) Wetland determinations and delineations. For purposes of this section,
4wetland determinations and wetland boundary delineations shall be consistent with
5the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and any final
6regional supplement to the manual. Any owner or lessee of land, or a holder of an
7easement in land, may request that the department provide a wetland determination
8or wetland boundary delineation for an application for a wetland individual permit
9under this section or for another approval for which a wetland impact evaluation is
10required. The department may rely on wetland determinations and wetland
11boundary delineations made by other agencies and consultants. If the applicant has
12provided information to the department that is identified in the manual or any final
13regional supplement as being sufficient to make a wetland determination or a
14delineation of boundaries, the department may visit a mining site to conduct surveys
15or gather additional site-specific quantitative data provided that the department
16does not discontinue the processing of the application to do so.
SB1-SSA2,120,19 17(3) Scope; discharges; other impacts. (a) Scope. Except as otherwise provided
18under this section, this section applies to wetland individual permits and any other
19approvals for which wetland impact evaluations are required.
SB1-SSA2,121,520 (b) Discharges of dredged or fill material. No person may discharge dredged
21material or fill material associated with a mining operation or bulk sampling unless
22the discharge is authorized under a wetland individual permit issued under this
23section or under a wetland general permit issued under s. 281.36 (3g). The
24department may not issue a wetland individual permit unless it makes a finding
25under sub. (6) (a) that the discharge will comply with all applicable water quality

1standards. Section 281.36 (3g) and (11), and the rules promulgated under s. 281.36
2(3g) and (11), apply to authorizations to proceed under general permits.
3Notwithstanding s. 281.36 (3g) (h) 2., a person receiving authorization to proceed
4under a wetland general permit for a mining activity other than bulk sampling may
5not proceed until a mining permit is issued.
SB1-SSA2,121,96 (c) Other impacts. For an approval which requires a wetland impact evaluation
7for an activity other than a discharge of dredged material or fill material, the
8approval may not be issued unless the department determines that the activity will
9comply with all applicable water quality standards.
SB1-SSA2,121,15 10(4) Review by department. (a) Avoidance or minimization of impacts. When
11applying for a wetland individual permit or for another approval for which a wetland
12impact evaluation is required, an applicant shall include in the application an
13analysis of the practicable alternatives that will avoid and minimize the adverse
14impacts on wetland functional values and that will not result in any other significant
15adverse environmental consequences.
SB1-SSA2,121,2116 (b) Practicable alternatives. The department shall review the analysis of
17practicable alternatives included in the application under par. (a). The department
18shall limit its review to those practicable alternatives that are located at the site of
19the discharge or other activity and that are located adjacent to that site if the
20applicant has demonstrated that the proposed project causing the discharge or other
21activity will result in a demonstrable economic public benefit.
SB1-SSA2,121,2422 (c) Assessing impacts. In its review under this subsection, the department shall
23consider all of the following factors when it assesses the impacts to wetland
24functional values;
SB1-SSA2,122,2
11. The direct impacts of the proposed discharge or other activity to wetland
2functional values.
SB1-SSA2,122,63 2. The cumulative impacts attributable to the proposed discharge or other
4activity that may occur to wetland functional values based on past impacts or
5reasonably anticipated impacts caused by similar discharges or activities in the area
6affected by the discharge or activity.
SB1-SSA2,122,87 3. Potential secondary impacts of the proposed discharge or other activity to
8wetland functional values.
SB1-SSA2,122,109 4. The impact on functional values resulting from the mitigation program
10under sub. (8)
SB1-SSA2,122,1111 5. The net positive or negative environmental impact of the mining operation.
SB1-SSA2,122,1512 (d) Assessing impacts; geographical scope. In its review under this subsection,
13the department shall evaluate whether the discharge or other activity will result in
14a significant adverse impact to wetland functional values by doing all of the
15following:
SB1-SSA2,122,1916 1. Comparing the functional values of the wetland with other wetlands located
17within the boundaries of the mining site or within the same water management unit
18as the mining site and with other waters of the state that are located in the same
19water management unit.
SB1-SSA2,122,2120 2. Taking into consideration the floristic province in which the mining site is
21located.
SB1-SSA2,123,222 (e) Method for assessing impacts. In issuing a wetland individual permit under
23this section or in conducting a wetland impact evaluation, the department shall
24determine the impact of a proposed discharge or other activity upon the wetland
25functional values by using wetland ecological evaluation methods that are jointly

1accepted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the department and that are
2appropriate to the affected wetland.
SB1-SSA2,123,43 (f) General permits. Paragraphs (a) to (e) do not apply to authorizations to
4proceed under a general permit issued under s. 281.36 (3g).
SB1-SSA2,123,7 5(5) Wetland water quality standards. The following wetland water quality
6standards apply to any wetland individual permit issued under this section or to any
7wetland impact evaluation:
SB1-SSA2,123,128 (a) Adverse impacts to the functional values and water quality of wetlands and
9adverse impacts to other waters of the state that are influenced by wetlands shall be
10minimized, and any significant adverse impacts remaining after minimization shall
11be subject to a mitigation program under sub. (8). For purposes of this section,
12functional values consist of all of the following:
SB1-SSA2,123,1413 1. Storm and flood water storage and retention and the moderation of water
14level fluctuation extremes.
SB1-SSA2,123,1715 2. Hydrologic functions including the maintenance of dry season streamflow,
16the discharge of groundwater to a wetland, the recharge of groundwater from a
17wetland to another area, and the flow of groundwater through a wetland.
SB1-SSA2,123,1918 3. Filtration or storage of sediments, nutrients, or toxic substances that would
19otherwise adversely impact the quality of waters of the state.
SB1-SSA2,123,2120 4. Shoreline protection against erosion through the dissipation of wave energy
21and water velocity and anchoring of sediments.
SB1-SSA2,123,2522 5. Habitat for aquatic organisms in the food web including fish, crustaceans,
23mollusks, insects, annelids, and planktonic organisms and the plants and animals
24upon which these aquatic organisms feed and depend upon for their needs in all life
25stages.
SB1-SSA2,124,3
16. Habitat for resident and transient wildlife species, including mammals,
2birds, reptiles, and amphibians, for breeding, resting, nesting, escape cover, travel
3corridors, and food.
SB1-SSA2,124,54 7. Recreational, cultural, educational, scientific, and natural scenic beauty
5values and uses.
SB1-SSA2,124,96 (b) All of the following shall be minimized in order to avoid significant adverse
7impacts for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the wetland functional values
8identified under par. (a), and any minimization of the following must be taken into
9account in the department's evaluation of significant adverse impacts:
SB1-SSA2,124,1010 1. The use of liquids, fill, or other solids or gases.
SB1-SSA2,124,1111 2. The presence of floating or submerged debris, oil, or other material.
SB1-SSA2,124,1212 3. The use of materials producing color, odor, taste, or unsightliness.
SB1-SSA2,124,1413 4. The presence of concentrations or combinations of substances that are toxic
14or harmful to human, animal, or plant life.
SB1-SSA2,124,1715 5. Adverse effects on hydrological conditions necessary to support the biological
16and physical characteristics that are naturally present in wetlands. For purposes
17of this subdivision, the hydrological conditions include all of the following:
SB1-SSA2,124,1818 a. Water currents and erosion and sedimentation patterns.
SB1-SSA2,124,1919 b. Water temperature variations.
SB1-SSA2,124,2020 c. The chemical, nutrient, and dissolved oxygen regime of the wetland.
SB1-SSA2,124,2121 d. The movement of aquatic fauna.
SB1-SSA2,124,2222 e. The pH of the wetland.
SB1-SSA2,124,2323 f. Water levels or elevations.
SB1-SSA2,124,2524 6. Adverse effects on existing habitat and populations of animals and
25vegetation found in wetlands.
SB1-SSA2,125,4
1(6) Decision by department. (a) The department shall make a finding that a
2a discharge of dredged material or fill material is in compliance with all applicable
3water quality standards and shall issue a wetland individual permit if the
4department determines that all of the following apply:
SB1-SSA2,125,75 1. The proposed project of which the discharge is a part represents the least
6environmentally damaging practicable alternative taking into consideration
7practicable alternatives that avoid wetland impacts.
SB1-SSA2,125,98 2. All practicable measures to minimize the adverse impacts to wetland
9functional values will be taken.
SB1-SSA2,125,1210 3. The proposed discharge will not result in significant adverse impact to
11wetland functional values, subject to par. (b); in significant adverse impact to water
12quality; or in other significant adverse environmental consequences.
SB1-SSA2,125,1713 (b) Notwithstanding par. (a) 3., if significant adverse impacts to wetland
14functional values will remain after the adverse impacts have been avoided and
15minimized to the extent practicable, the department shall issue the permit if the
16department determines that the remaining impacts will be compensated for under
17a mitigation program under sub. (8).
SB1-SSA2,125,2118 (c) The department may not deny an approval for an activity for which a
19wetland impact evaluation is required, other than a discharge of dredged material
20or fill material, on the basis of the impacts from the activity on wetlands if the
21department determines that all of the following apply:
SB1-SSA2,125,2422 1. The proposed project of which the activity is a part represents the least
23environmentally damaging practicable alternative taking into consideration
24practicable alternatives that avoid wetland impacts.
SB1-SSA2,126,2
12. All practicable measures to minimize the adverse impacts to wetland
2functional values will be taken.
SB1-SSA2,126,53 3. The proposed activity will not result in significant adverse impact to wetland
4functional values, subject to par. (d); in significant adverse impact to water quality;
5or in other significant adverse environmental consequences.
SB1-SSA2,126,116 (d) Notwithstanding par. (c) 3., if significant adverse impacts to wetland
7functional values will remain after the adverse impacts have been avoided and
8minimized to the extent practicable, the department may not deny the permit on the
9basis of the impacts from the activity on wetlands if the department determines that
10the remaining impacts will be compensated for under a mitigation program under
11sub. (8).
SB1-SSA2,126,1312 (e) Paragraphs (a) to (d) do not apply to authorizations to proceed under a
13general permit issued under s. 281.36 (3g).
SB1-SSA2,127,11 14(7) Federal wetlands. (a) For a wetland individual permit under this section
15which involves a federal wetland or for any other approval for which a wetland
16impact evaluation for a federal wetland is required, any mitigation program
17submitted by the applicant under sub. (8) shall include all the federal mitigation
18measures proposed by the applicant. The department shall review the federal
19mitigation measures and shall determine whether it has reasonable assurance that
20these will compensate for any significant adverse impacts to wetland functional
21values, any significant adverse impacts to water quality, and any other significant
22adverse environmental consequences. The department shall recognize all federal
23compensatory mitigation measures as being eligible for the purpose of making this
24determination. If the department determines that reasonable assurance exists, the
25department may not impose any additional conditions on the permit or other

1approval. If the department determines that reasonable assurance does not exist,
2it may impose conditions on the permit or other approval that are in addition to
3required federal compensatory mitigation measures, but such conditions shall be
4limited to those that are necessary to compensate for any significant adverse impacts
5to wetland functional values, any significant adverse impacts to water quality, and
6any other significant adverse environmental consequences that will remain after
7completion of the federal mitigation measures. Any conditions imposed by the
8department may be satisfied through a mitigation program as provided in sub. (8).
9In imposing any conditions under this paragraph, the department may not require
10that the number of acres to be mitigated be greater than the number that is required
11under federal law.
SB1-SSA2,127,1712 (b) A wetland individual permit issued under this section that authorizes a
13discharge of dredged or fill material in a federal wetland constitutes water quality
14certification as required by 33 USC 1341 (a). Any other approval issued by the
15department for which a wetland impact evaluation is required for a federal wetland
16constitutes water quality certification under 33 USC 1341 (a) with respect to the
17discharges or activities affecting the federal wetland.
SB1-SSA2,127,20 18(8) Mitigation program. (a) Definition. Notwithstanding s. 295.60 (1) (i), in
19this section "water basin" means the Lake Michigan basin, the Lake Superior basin,
20or the Mississippi River basin.
SB1-SSA2,128,221 (am) Contents. A mitigation program to compensate for adverse impacts to
22functional values of wetlands shall contain proposed projects for mitigation and a
23schedule for implementing the projects. The department may not consider
24mitigation in determining whether to grant authorization to proceed under a general

1permit under s. 281.36 (3g). These projects may be performed by a person other than
2the applicant, subject to the department's approval of the projects and schedule.
SB1-SSA2,128,73 (b) Option of applicant. An applicant submitting a program under par. (am)
4may submit options for mitigation. These options may include any combination of
5the types of mitigation specified in par. (dm). In preparing the program, the
6applicant shall identify and consider mitigation that could be conducted within the
7same watershed in which the mining site is located.
SB1-SSA2,128,118 (c) Ratios for mitigation. The amount of mitigation required may not exceed
91.5 acres of mitigation for each acre of adversely impacted wetland. For purpose of
10credits in a mitigation bank, each acre that is subject to mitigation shall count as at
11least one credit.
SB1-SSA2,128,2112 (d) Sequence of mitigation. If it is not practicable or ecologically preferable to
13conduct mitigation at an on-site location or if there is no on-site location that will
14provide sufficient wetland acreage, the department shall require that the applicant
15conduct mitigation within the same watershed in which the wetland to be affected
16is located, unless mitigation in the same watershed is not practicable or ecologically
17preferable. If mitigation within the same watershed is not practicable or ecologically
18preferable, the department shall require that the applicant conduct mitigation
19within the same water basin in which the wetland to be affected is located. If
20mitigation in the same water basin is not practicable or ecologically preferable, the
21applicant may conduct mitigation at a site elsewhere in the state.
SB1-SSA2,128,2322 (dm) Types of mitigation. Mitigation under a program under par. (am) may be
23accomplished through any of the following types:
SB1-SSA2,128,2524 1. Implementation of a project for mitigation by an applicant or other person
25approved by the department.
SB1-SSA2,129,2
12. Purchase of mitigation credits from a mitigation bank for a site in a
2mitigation bank that is located anywhere in the state, subject to par. (e).
SB1-SSA2,129,63 3. Purchase of mitigation credits from a mitigation bank established prior to
4February 1, 2002, if the department determines that the bank sponsor is in
5compliance with any applicable memorandum of understanding between the bank
6sponsor and the department.
SB1-SSA2,129,87 4. Participation in the in lieu fee subprogram, if such a subprogram is
8established under s. 281.36 (3r) (e).
SB1-SSA2,129,179 (e) Ceded territory. If a mining operation is located in whole or in part within
10the ceded territory, any mitigation, including mitigation accomplished through the
11purchase of mitigation bank credits and the in lieu fee subprogram that is authorized
12or required by the department, that will be required to compensate for adverse
13impacts to wetlands located in the ceded territory shall occur within the ceded
14territory. If the department determines under par. (d) that mitigation will occur
15within a certain watershed or water basin and if the watershed or water basin is not
16located totally in the ceded territory, the mitigation shall occur within that part of
17the watershed or water basin that is located in the ceded territory.
SB1-SSA2,130,4 18(9) Subsequent protection for wetlands. (a) If a wetland individual permit
19issued under this section, or other approval that required a wetland impact
20evaluation, authorizes a mitigation project, the person who is the holder of the permit
21or approval shall grant a conservation easement under s. 700.40 to the department
22or shall execute a comparable legal instrument to ensure that a wetland that is being
23restored, enhanced, created, or preserved will not be destroyed or substantially
24degraded by any subsequent proprietor of or holder of interest in the property on
25which the wetland is located. The department shall suspend the mining permit if the

1holder of the permit fails to grant the easement or execute this instrument within
2the time limit set forth in the mining permit. If the holder subsequently grants the
3conservation easement or executes the instrument, the department shall reinstate
4the mining permit.
SB1-SSA2,130,75 (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), the department shall modify or release a
6conservation easement granted under par. (a) or shall void a comparable legal
7instrument executed under par. (a) if all of the following apply:
SB1-SSA2,130,98 1. The department determines that part or all of a wetland subject to the
9mitigation project ceases to be a wetland.
SB1-SSA2,130,1210 2. The person who is required to grant the conservation easement or execute
11the legal instrument did not contribute to the loss of the wetland specified in subd.
121.
SB1-SSA2,130,1513 3. Any subsequent proprietor of or holder of interest in the property on which
14the wetland specified in subd. 1. is located did not contribute to the loss of the
15wetland.
SB1-SSA2,130,21 16(10) Exemptions. (a) Artificial wetlands. All of the following artificial
17wetlands that are associated with a mining operation or bulk sampling are exempt
18from the wetland individual permit and mitigation requirements under this section,
19from the general permit requirements under s. 281.36 (3g), and from any
20requirement for any other approval for which a wetland impact evaluation is
21required:
SB1-SSA2,130,2422 1. An artificial wetland that is a sedimentation or stormwater detention basin
23or associated conveyance feature operated and maintained only for sediment
24detention and flood storage purposes.
SB1-SSA2,131,2
12. An artificial wetland that is an active sewage lagoon, cooling pond, waste
2disposal pit, fish rearing pond, or landscape pond.
SB1-SSA2,131,43 3. An artificial wetland that is an actively maintained farm drainage or
4roadside ditch.
SB1-SSA2,131,55 4. An artificial wetland as part of an active mining operation.
SB1-SSA2,131,116 (b) Other exempted activities. All of the following activities that are associated
7with a mining operation or bulk sampling are exempt from the wetland individual
8permit and mitigation requirements under this section, from the general permit
9requirements under s. 281.36 (3g), and from any requirement for any other approval
10for which a wetland impact evaluation is required if the applicant minimizes any
11adverse effect on the environment as a result of any of these activities:
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