AB123: Bill Text

LRB-2208/1

RCT:kmg:jf

1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE

1997 Assembly BILL 123

February 18, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Reynolds, Seratti, Bock, La Fave, R. Young, Baumgart, Notestein, Dueholm, Hasenohrl, Robson, L. Young, Huber, Black, Vander Loop, Ryba, Riley, Baldwin, Murat, Carpenter, Cullen, R. Potter and Springer, cosponsored by Senators Decker, Clausing, Cowles, Plache and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Environment.

AB123,1,2 An Act to repeal 160.19 (12); and to amend 293.15 (11) of the statutes; relating to: groundwater standards for mining activities and mining waste facilities.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, under the groundwater law, the department of natural resources (DNR) establishes numerical standards, called enforcement standards, for the concentration in groundwater of substances that may have an adverse effect on human health or the environment. Enforcement standards for substances that may have an adverse effect on human health are based on recommendations by the department of health and social services. Generally, the groundwater law requires a state agency to take actions necessary to ensure that the activities, practices and facilities that are regulated by the state agency do not cause the enforcement standards to be exceeded. Mining activities and facilities, including mining waste sites, are not subject to the groundwater enforcement standards under the groundwater law. Current law separately authorizes DNR to establish groundwater quality standards for mining activities, including mining waste sites.

This bill eliminates the exemption of mining activities and facilities, including mining waste sites, from the groundwater enforcement standards under the groundwater law. The bill also eliminates the separate provision authorizing DNR to establish groundwater quality standards for mining activities.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB123, s. 1 Section 1. 160.19 (12) of the statutes is repealed.

AB123, s. 2 Section 2. 293.15 (11) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB123,2,6 293.15 (11) Notwithstanding chs. 289 and 291, promulgate Promulgate rules establishing groundwater quality standards or groundwater quantity standards, or both, for any prospecting or mining activity, including standards for any mining waste site.

AB123,2,7 (End)