SB622: Bill Text

SB622, s. 348 Section 348. 107.15 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,118,20 107.15 (2) (a) "Exploration" has the meaning designated in s. 144.81 (2) 293.01 (5).

SB622, s. 349 Section 349. 107.15 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,119,2 107.15 (2) (b) "Licensee" means any person licensed to conduct exploration activities by the department of natural resources under s. 144.832 293.21. If the person is a corporation or limited liability company, "licensee" includes the parent and any subsidiary or affiliates of the corporation or limited liability company engaged in mining or activities related to mining in this state.

SB622, s. 350 Section 350. 107.15 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,119,5 107.15 (2) (d) "Mining" or "mining operation" has the meaning designated in s. 144.81 (5) 293.01 (9).

SB622, s. 351 Section 351. 107.15 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,119,8 107.15 (2) (e) "Prospecting" has the meaning designated in s. 144.81 (12) 293.01 (18).

SB622, s. 352 Section 352. 107.20 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,119,21 107.20 (1) Any provision of an exploration mining lease entered into after April 25, 1978, granting an option or right to determine the presence, location, quality or quantity of metalliferous minerals shall be limited to a term not exceeding 10 years from the date on which the exploration mining lease is recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county where the property is located, except that any provision of an exploration mining lease entered into after April 25, 1978, granting an option or right to determine the quality and quantity of metalliferous minerals under a prospecting permit shall be limited to a term not exceeding 10 years from the date that the lessee applies for a prospecting permit under s. 144.84 293.35, if the lessee applies for the prospecting permit within 10 years from the date on which the exploration mining lease is recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county where the property is located.

SB622, s. 353 Section 353. 107.25 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,120,6 107.25 (1) (c) The lessor may cancel an exploration mining lease if 10 years have elapsed from the date on which the lease was recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county where the property is located and the lessee has not formally applied, under s. 293.35 or 293.37, for either a permit to prospect under s. 144.84 or a permit to mine under s. 144.85. In the event that the lessee formally applies for a prospecting permit under s. 144.84 293.35 or a mining permit under s. 144.85 293.37 within the 10-year period, but does not receive a mining permit under s. 144.85 293.49 within the 10-year period following the date of application for the prospecting permit or mining permit, the lessor's right to cancel is revived.

SB622, s. 354 Section 354. 107.30 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,120,9 107.30 (8) "Mining" or "mining operation" has the meaning set forth in s. 144.81 (5) 293.01 (9).

SB622, s. 355 Section 355. 107.30 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,120,12 107.30 (15) "Prospecting" has the meaning set forth in s. 144.81 (12) 293.01 (18).

SB622, s. 356 Section 356. 107.30 (16) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,120,15 107.30 (16) "Prospecting site" has the meaning set forth in s. 144.81 (13n) 293.01 (21).

SB622, s. 357 Section 357. 109.09 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,121,11 109.09 (2) The department, under its authority under sub. (1) to maintain actions for the benefit of employes, or an employe who brings an action under s. 109.03 (5) shall have a lien upon all property of the employer, real or personal, located in this state for the full amount of any wage claim or wage deficiency. A lien under this subsection takes effect when the department or employe files a verified petition claiming the lien with the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the services or some part of the services were performed pays the fee specified in s. 814.61 (5) to that clerk of circuit court and serves a copy of that petition on the employer by personal service in the same manner as a summons is served under s. 801.11 or by certified mail with a return receipt requested. The department or employe must file the petition within 2 years after the date that the wages were due. The petition shall specify the nature of the claim and the amount claimed, describe the property upon which the claim is made and state that the petitioner claims a lien on that property. The lien shall take precedence over all other debts, judgments, decrees, liens or mortgages against the employer, except a lien under s. 144.442 (9) 292.31 (8) (i), 144.76 (13) or 144.77 292.41 (6) (d) or 292.81, and may be enforced in the manner provided in ss. 779.09 to 779.12, 779.20 and 779.21, insofar as such provisions are applicable. The lien ceases to exist if the department or the employe does not bring an action to enforce the lien within the period prescribed in s. 893.44 for the underlying wage claim.

SB622, s. 358 Section 358. 110.07 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,121,16 110.07 (1) (a) 1. Enforce and assist in the administration of this chapter and chs. 166, 194, 218, 341 to 349 and 351, and ss. 23.33, 125.07 (4) (b), 125.085 (3) (b), 159.81 and 167.31 (2) (b) to (d) and 287.81 and ch. 350 where applicable to highways, or orders or rules issued pursuant thereto.

SB622, s. 359 Section 359. 110.07 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,121,22 110.07 (1) (a) 3. Have authority to enter any place where vehicles subject to this chapter, ss. 159.81 and 167.31 (2) (b) to (d) and 287.81 and chs. 194, 218 and 341 to 350 are stored or parked at any time to examine such vehicles, or to stop such vehicles while en route at any time upon the public highways to examine the same and make arrests for all violations thereof.

SB622, s. 360 Section 360. 110.07 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,122,3 110.07 (1) (b) All municipal judges, judges, district attorneys and law enforcement officers shall assist in enforcing this chapter, ss. 159.81 and 167.31 (2) (b) to (d) and 287.81 and chs. 194, 218 and 341 to 351, and orders or rules issued pursuant thereto and shall report to the department the disposition of every uniform traffic citation issued for cases involving those chapters.

SB622, s. 361 Section 361. 110.20 (1) (ac) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,122,6 110.20 (1) (ac) "Air pollution control equipment" has the meaning given in s. 144.42 285.30 (6) (a) 1.

SB622, s. 362 Section 362. 110.20 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,122,11 110.20 (1) (b) "Nonexempt vehicle" means any motor vehicle as defined under s. 340.01 (35) which is owned by the United States or which is required to be registered in this state and to which one or more emission limitations adopted under s. 144.42 285.30 (2) applies.

SB622, s. 363 Section 363. 110.20 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,122,15 110.20 (3) (a) The inspection and maintenance program shall be designed to determine compliance with the emission limitations promulgated under s. 144.42 285.30 (2) and compliance with s. 144.42 285.30 (6).

SB622, s. 364 Section 364. 110.20 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,122,19 110.20 (5) (a) Any county identified in a certification under s. 144.42 285.30 (3). The department shall terminate the program in the county at the end of the contractual period in effect when the county is withdrawn under s. 144.42 285.30 (4).

SB622, s. 365 Section 365. 110.20 (6) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1993 Wisconsin Act 288, is amended to read:

SB622,123,2 110.20 (6) (b) The program shall require an air pollution control equipment inspection to determine compliance with s. 144.42 285.30 (6) of any nonexempt vehicle customarily kept in a county identified in sub. (5) whenever a nontransient emissions inspection is performed or at the time of application for a waiver under sub. (13).

SB622, s. 366 Section 366. 110.20 (13) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB622,123,6 110.20 (13) (c) 2. Costs necessary to repair or replace any emissions control system or mechanism which has been removed, dismantled or rendered inoperative in violation of s. 144.42 285.30 (6) or rules promulgated under that section.

SB622, s. 367 Section 367. Chapter 144 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB622, s. 368 Section 368. Subchapter I (title) of chapter 144 [precedes 144.01] of the statutes is repealed.

SB622, s. 369 Section 369. 144.01 of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, is repealed.

SB622, s. 370 Section 370. Subchapter II (title) of chapter 144 [precedes 144.02] of the statutes is repealed.

SB622, s. 371 Section 371. 144.02 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB622, s. 372 Section 372. 144.02 of the statutes is renumbered 281.13 (1), and 281.13 (1) (b), as renumbered, is amended to read:

SB622,123,19 281.13 (1) (b) The department is hereby empowered and instructed to make the necessary rules and regulations, in conjunction with the U.S. geological department, to carry this section subsection into effect.

SB622, s. 373 Section 373. 144.025 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB622, s. 374 Section 374. 144.025 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 281.11 and amended to read:

SB622,124,19 281.11 Statement of policy and purpose. The department of natural resources shall serve as the central unit of state government to protect, maintain and improve the quality and management of the waters of the state, ground and surface, public and private. Continued pollution of the waters of the state has aroused widespread public concern. It endangers public health and threatens the general welfare. A comprehensive action program directed at all present and potential sources of water pollution whether home, farm, recreational, municipal, industrial or commercial is needed to protect human life and health, fish and aquatic life, scenic and ecological values and domestic, municipal, recreational, industrial, agricultural and other uses of water. The purpose of this section subchapter is to grant necessary powers and to organize a comprehensive program under a single state agency for the enhancement of the quality management and protection of all waters of the state, ground and surface, public and private. To the end that these vital purposes may be accomplished, this section subchapter and all rules and orders promulgated under this section subchapter shall be liberally construed in favor of the policy objectives set forth in this section subchapter. In order to achieve the policy objectives of this section subchapter, it is the express policy of the state to mobilize governmental effort and resources at all levels, state, federal and local, allocating such effort and resources to accomplish the greatest result for the people of the state as a whole. Because of the importance of Lakes Superior and Michigan and Green Bay as vast water resource reservoirs, water quality standards for those rivers emptying into Lakes Superior and Michigan and Green Bay shall be as high as is practicable.

Note: In the current statutes, this statement of policy and purpose applies to s. 144.025. Current s. 144.025 contains a variety of water quality-related powers and duties of the DNR. This bill makes s. 144.025 a separate subchapter of the statutes and reorganizes it so that similar powers and duties of the DNR are grouped together.

This bill also includes in the new water quality subchapter several sections of the statutes that are not a part of current s. 144.025. These are s. 144.02, sanitary survey [renumbered s. 281.13 (1)], s. 144.14, nondegradable detergents prohibited [renumbered s. 281.17 (6)] and s. 144.15, mercury discharge [renumbered s. 281.17 (7)]. The special committee recognizes that one effect of including these 3 provisions is to expand the scope of any references to new subch. II of ch. 281. However, these 3 provisions are so similar in subject matter to the provisions in current s. 144.025 that the reorganization will cause no substantive change in the effect of most references to new subch. II of ch. 281.

In one instance [see s. 144.03, as renumbered and amended], the cross-reference establishes duties of industrial establishment owners based on regulation under current s. 144.025 (2). The new cross-reference excludes the provisions related to nondegradable detergents and mercury discharge, because including those facilities would clearly expand the scope of the cross-reference.

SB622, s. 375 Section 375. 144.025 (2) (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB622, s. 376 Section 376. 144.025 (2) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 281.12 (1).

SB622, s. 377 Section 377. 144.025 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 281.15, and 281.15 (2) (e) and (3) to (5), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB622,125,10 281.15 (2) (e) Develop a technical support document which identifies the scientific data utilized, the margin of safety applied and any facts and interpretations of those data applied in deriving the water quality criteria, including the persistence, degradability and nature and effects of each substance on the designated uses, and which provides a summary of the information considered under this paragraph section.

SB622,125,13 (3) Subdivision 2. Subsection (2) does not apply to rules promulgated under this paragraph section by the department for any substance before November 10, 1987.

SB622,125,17 (4) By April 1, 1989, the department shall review, in accordance with subd. 2. sub. (2), and as necessary revise all water quality criteria, except those for dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and ammonia, adopted under this paragraph section before November 10, 1987.

SB622,125,19 (5) The department shall comply with this paragraph section with respect to all water quality criteria adopted or revised after November 10, 1987.

SB622, s. 378 Section 378. 144.025 (2) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (1).

SB622, s. 379 Section 379. 144.025 (2) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (2) and amended to read:

SB622,126,11 281.19 (2) (a) The department may issue special orders directing particular owners to secure such operating results toward the control of pollution of the waters of the state as the department prescribes, within a specified time. Pending efforts to comply with any order, the department may permit continuance of operations on such conditions as it prescribes. If any owner cannot comply with an order within the time specified, the owner may, before the date set in the order, petition the department to modify the order. The department may modify the order, specifying in writing the reasons therefor. If any order is not complied with within the time period specified, the department shall immediately notify the attorney general of this fact. Within 30 days thereafter, the attorney general shall forthwith commence an action under s. 144.98 299.95.

SB622,126,17 (b) The department may issue temporary emergency orders without prior hearing when the department determines that the protection of the public health necessitates such immediate action. Such emergency orders shall take effect at such time as the department determines. As soon as is practicable, the department shall hold a public hearing after which it may modify or rescind the temporary emergency order or issue a special order under subd. 1 par. (a).

SB622, s. 380 Section 380. 144.025 (2) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 281.17 (1) and amended to read:

SB622,127,13 281.17 (1) No wells shall be constructed, installed or operated to withdraw water from underground sources for any purpose where the capacity and rate of withdrawal of all wells on one property is in excess of 100,000 gallons a day without first obtaining the approval of the department. If s. 144.026 281.35 applies to the proposed construction, the application shall comply with s. 144.026 281.35 (5) (a). If the department finds that the proposed withdrawal will adversely affect or reduce the availability of water to any public utility in furnishing water to or for the public or does not meet the grounds for approval specified under s. 144.026 281.35 (5) (d), if applicable, it shall either withhold its approval or grant a limited approval under which it imposes such conditions as to location, depth, pumping capacity, rate of flow and ultimate use so that the water supply of any public utility engaged in furnishing water to or for the public will not be impaired and the withdrawal will conform to the requirements of s. 144.026 281.35, if applicable. The department shall require each person issued an approval under this paragraph subsection to report that person's volume and rate of withdrawal, as defined under s. 144.026 281.35 (1) (m), and that person's volume and rate of water loss, as defined under s. 144.026 281.35 (1) (L), if any, in the form and at the times specified by the department. The department may issue general or special orders it considers necessary to ensure prompt and effective administration of this paragraph subsection.

SB622, s. 381 Section 381. 144.025 (2) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (3).

SB622, s. 382 Section 382. 144.025 (2) (g) of the statutes is renumbered 281.13 (3).

SB622, s. 383 Section 383. 144.025 (2) (h) of the statutes is renumbered 281.12 (3).

SB622, s. 384 Section 384. 144.025 (2) (i) of the statutes is renumbered 281.17 (2).

SB622, s. 385 Section 385. 144.025 (2) (j) of the statutes is renumbered 281.12 (5).

SB622, s. 386 Section 386. 144.025 (2) (k) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (4).

SB622, s. 387 Section 387. 144.025 (2) (L) of the statutes is renumbered 281.17 (3) and amended to read:

SB622,128,17 281.17 (3) The department shall promulgate rules establishing an examining program for the certification of operators of waterworks, wastewater treatment plants and septage servicing vehicles operated under a license issued under s. 146.20 281.48 (3), setting such standards as the department finds necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter and chs. 285 and 289 to 299, including requirements for continuing education. The department may charge applicants a fee for certification. All moneys collected under this paragraph subsection for the certification of operators of waterworks, wastewater treatment plants and septage servicing vehicles shall be credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (2) (bL). No person may operate a waterworks, wastewater treatment plant or septage servicing vehicle without a valid certificate issued under this paragraph subsection. The department may suspend or revoke a certificate issued under this paragraph subsection for a violation of any statute or rule relating to the operation of a waterworks or wastewater treatment plant or to septage servicing, for failure to fulfill the continuing education requirements or as provided under s. 145.245 (3). The owner of any wastewater treatment plant shall be, or shall employ, an operator certified under this paragraph subsection who shall be responsible for plant operations, unless the department by rule provides otherwise. In this paragraph subsection, "wastewater treatment plant" means a system or plant used to treat industrial wastewater, domestic wastewater or any combination of industrial wastewater and domestic wastewater.

SB622, s. 388 Section 388. 144.025 (2) (m) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (6).

SB622, s. 389 Section 389. 144.025 (2) (q) of the statutes is renumbered 281.17 (5).

SB622, s. 390 Section 390. 144.025 (2) (r) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (5) and amended to read:

SB622,129,7 281.19 (5) If the department finds that a system or plant tends to create a nuisance or menace to health or comfort, it shall order the owner or the person in charge to secure such operating results as the department prescribes, within a specified time. If the order is not complied with, the department may order designated changes in operation, and if necessary, alterations or extension to the system or plant, or a new system or plant. If the department finds that the absence of a municipal system or plant tends to create a nuisance or menace to health or comfort, it may order the city, village, town or town sanitary district embracing the area where such conditions exist to prepare and file complete plans of a corrective system as provided by s. 144.04 281.41, and to construct such system within a specified time.

SB622, s. 391 Section 391. 144.025 (2) (s) of the statutes is renumbered 281.19 (7) and amended to read:

SB622,129,16 281.19 (7) In cases of noncompliance with any order issued under par. (d), (r) sub. (2) or (5) or (u) s. 281.20 (1), the department may take the action directed by the order, and collect the costs thereof from the owner to whom the order was directed. The department shall have all the necessary powers needed to carry out this paragraph subsection including powers granted municipalities under ss. 66.076 and 66.20 to 66.26. It shall also be eligible for financial assistance under ss. 144.21, 144.24, 144.241 281.55, 281.57, 281.58 and 144.2415 281.59.

SB622, s. 392 Section 392. 144.025 (2) (t) of the statutes is renumbered 281.17 (8).

SB622, s. 393 Section 393. 144.025 (2) (u) of the statutes is renumbered 281.20 (1) and amended to read:

SB622,129,21 281.20 (1) Under the procedure specified in par. (v) sub. (3), the department may do any of the following:

SB622,130,9 (a) Order or cause the abatement of pollution which the department, in consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection if the source is agricultural, has determined to be significant and caused by a nonpoint source, as defined in s. 144.25 281.65 (2) (b), including pollution which causes the violation of a water quality standard, pollution which significantly impairs aquatic habitat or organisms, pollution which restricts navigation due to sedimentation, pollution which is deleterious to human health or pollution which otherwise significantly impairs water quality, except that under this subdivision paragraph the department may not order or cause the abatement of any pollution caused primarily by animal waste or of pollution from an agricultural source that is located in a priority watershed or priority lake area unless the source is designated as a critical site in a priority watershed or priority lake plan under s. 144.25 281.65 (5m) or a modification to such a plan under s. 144.25 281.65 (5s).

SB622,130,14 (b) If it provided notice under s. 144.25 281.65 (5w), order the owner or operator of a source that is designated as a critical site in a priority watershed or priority lake plan under s. 144.25 281.65 (5m) or in a modification to such a plan under s. 144.25 281.65 (5s) to implement best management practices, but not with respect to any pollution caused primarily by animal waste.

SB622, s. 394 Section 394. 144.025 (2) (v) of the statutes is renumbered 281.20 (3), and 281.20 (3) (a) to (c) and (d) (intro.) and 4., as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB622,130,21 281.20 (3) (a) 1. If the department determines that it is authorized to issue an order under par. (u) 1. sub. (1) (a) to abate pollution caused by a nonpoint source, the department shall send a written notice of intent to issue the order to abate the pollution to the person whom the department determines to be responsible for the nonpoint source.

SB622,131,2 2. If the department determines under par. (u) 2. sub. (1) (b) that an owner or operator is required to implement best management practices in a priority watershed or priority lake area, the department shall send a written notice of intent to issue an order to implement the designated best management practices to the owner or operator.

SB622,131,11 3. The notice of intent to issue an order shall describe the department's findings and intent, and shall include a date by which that person is required to abate the pollution or implement the best management practices. That date shall be at least one year after the date of the notice unless the department determines that the pollution is causing or will cause severe water quality degradation that could be mitigated or prevented by abatement action taken in less than one year. In its determination under this paragraph subsection, the department shall consider the nature of the actual or potential damage caused by the pollution and the feasibility of measures to abate that pollution.

SB622,131,17 (b) If the nonpoint source that is the subject of a notice under subd. 1. par. (a) is agricultural, the department shall send the notice to the land conservation committee created under s. 92.06 of any county in which the source is located. If the notice is issued under subd. 1. b. par. (a) 2., the land conservation committee may disapprove issuance of an order within 60 days after the department issues the notice of intent to issue the order.

SB622,131,21 (c) If the nonpoint source which is the subject of a notice under subd. 1. par. (a) is agricultural, the department shall send the notice to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall do all of the following: