SB488: Bill Text

SB488,65,9 (b) Except as provided in par. (d), within 10 business days of receiving an administratively complete application for renewal of an exploration license, the department shall renew the exploration license or provide the notice, required under par. (g), of intent not to renew the exploration license.

SB488,65,24 (c) An application for renewal of an exploration license is considered to be administratively complete on the day that it is submitted, unless, before the 10th business day after receiving the application, the department provides the explorer with written notification that the application is not administratively complete. The department may determine that an application is not administratively complete only if the application does not include a renewal fee; a bond; a certificate of insurance; a copy of the applicant's most recent annual report to the federal securities and exchange commission on form 10-K, or, if this is not available, a report of the applicant's current assets and liabilities or other data necessary to establish that the applicant is competent to conduct exploration in this state; or either a statement that no changes are being proposed to the exploration plan and reclamation plan previously approved by the department or a new exploration plan or reclamation plan if the applicant proposes to make changes. The department may not consider the quality of any information provided. In a notice provided under this paragraph, the department shall identify what is missing from the application.

SB488,66,4 (d) If the department provides notification, in compliance with par. (c), that an application is not administratively complete, the department shall renew the exploration license or provide the notice, required under par. (g), of intent not to renew the exploration license within 7 business days of receipt of the missing item.

SB488,66,6 (e) If the department does not comply with par. (b) or (d), the application for renewal is automatically approved.

SB488,66,12 (f) Subject to par. (g), the department shall deny an application for renewal of an exploration license only if the applicant has filed a new exploration plan or reclamation plan and the department finds that the exploration, after completion of the new exploration plan and the new reclamation plan, will have a substantial and irreparable adverse impact on the environment or present a substantial risk of injury to public health and welfare.

SB488,66,24 (g) Before denying an application, the department shall provide the person who submitted the application with written notification of its intent not to renew the exploration license, setting forth all of the reasons for its intent not to renew the exploration license, including reference to competent evidence supporting its position. The department shall provide the person with an opportunity to correct any deficiencies in the exploration plan or restoration plan within 10 business days. If the person amends the exploration plan or reclamation plan and corrects the deficiencies, the department shall renew the exploration license within 10 business days of receipt of the amended exploration plan or reclamation plan. If the department determines that the deficiencies have not been corrected, it shall deny the application, in writing, setting forth all of the reasons for it's determination, including reference to competent evidence supporting the determination.

SB488,67,2 (h) The renewal of an exploration license takes effect on the date of issuance and expires on the following June 30.

SB488,67,5 (7) Revocation or suspension of exploration license. After a hearing, the department may revoke or suspend an exploration license if it determines that any of the following apply:

SB488,67,7 (a) The explorer has not complied with a statute, a rule promulgated by the department, or a condition in the exploration license.

SB488,67,9 (b) The explorer has failed to increase bond amounts to adequate levels as provided under sub (3) (d).

SB488,67,16 (8) Notice procedure. (a) An explorer shall notify the department of the explorer's intent to drill on a parcel by registered mail at least 5 days prior to the beginning of drilling. Notice is considered to be given on the date that the department receives the notice. In the notice, the explorer shall specify which drillholes identified in the exploration plan the explorer intends to drill. The explorer shall send the notice to the subunit of the department with authority over mine reclamation.

SB488,67,20 (b) A notice of intent to drill provided under par. (a) remains in effect for one year beginning on the date that the department receives the notice. If the explorer wishes to continue drilling on the parcel after the notice is no longer in effect, the explorer shall resubmit a notice of intent to drill on the parcel.

SB488,68,2 (9) Reports. (a) Within 10 days after completing the temporary or permanent abandonment of a drillhole, an explorer shall file with the department an abandonment report that describes the means and method used in the abandonment and is signed by an authorized representative of the explorer attesting to the accuracy of the information contained in the report. The explorer shall submit the abandonment report to the department's district office for the district in which the drilling site is located.

SB488,68,7 (b) After permanent abandonment of a drillhole and regrading and revegetation of the drilling site, an explorer shall notify the department of completion of termination of the drilling site. The explorer shall submit the notice, in writing, to the department's district office for the district in which the drilling site is located.

SB488,68,14 (c) 1. After receipt of a notice under par. (b), the department shall notify the explorer in writing whether the termination is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If the termination is unsatisfactory, the department shall inform the explorer of the necessary corrective measures. Following the completion of corrective measures, the explorer shall file written notice with the department's district office for the district in which the drilling site is located specifying the means and method used and stating that termination is complete.

SB488,68,17 2. If an explorer fails to comply with corrective measures identified under subd. 1., the department may suspend the explorer's exploration license in accordance with sub. (7).

SB488,68,20 3. Upon satisfactory completion of termination of a drilling site, the department shall issue a certificate of completion. The department may not issue a certificate of completion for a drilling site that has only been temporarily abandoned.

SB488,69,2 (10) Drilling fees. Upon the submission of a report under sub. (9) (a) of temporary abandonment of a drillhole, if the drillhole is temporarily abandoned, or upon submission of a report under sub. (9) (a) of permanent abandonment of a drillhole, if the drillhole is not temporarily abandoned, the explorer shall pay a fee to the department. The fee is $100 per drillhole for the first 20 drillholes for which a report is filed in a license year and $50 for each subsequent drillhole for which a report is filed in that license year.

SB488,69,8 (11) Inspections. (a) Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the department may enter and inspect any property, premises, or place on or at which exploration is being performed at any reasonable time for the purpose of ascertaining the state of compliance with this section. No explorer may refuse entry or access to any authorized representative of the department who requests entry for the purposes of inspection and who presents appropriate credentials.

SB488,69,10 (b) No person may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with any inspection authorized in par. (a).

SB488,69,11 (c) No inspector may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with exploration activities.

SB488,69,15 (12) Exemption. This section does not apply to an operator with a mining permit who is engaged in exploration activities on lands included in a mining plan and reclamation plan, if the mining plan or reclamation plan contains provisions relating to termination of the exploration activities.

SB488,69,18 (13) Environmental analysis not required. The department is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment for an application for an exploration license.

SB488,69,22 295.443 Local impact committee; local agreement. (1) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government likely to be substantially affected by potential or proposed mining may designate an existing committee, or establish a committee, for purposes of:

SB488,69,23 (a) Facilitating communications between operators and itself.

SB488,69,24 (b) Analyzing implications of mining.

SB488,69,25 (c) Reviewing and commenting on reclamation plans.

SB488,70,1 (d) Developing solutions to mining-induced growth problems.

SB488,70,2 (e) Recommending priorities for local action.

SB488,70,5 (f) Formulating recommendations to the investment and local impact fund board regarding distribution of funds under s. 70.395 (2) (g) related to mining for ferrous minerals.

SB488,70,6 (g) Negotiating a local agreement under sub. (1m).

SB488,70,13 (1m) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government that requires an operator to obtain an approval or permit under a zoning or land use ordinance and a county, town, village, or city in which any portion of a proposed mining site is located may, individually or in conjunction with other counties, towns, villages, cities, or tribal governments, enter into one or more agreements with an operator for the development of a mining operation. The local agreement may include any of the following:

SB488,70,15 (a) A legal description of the land subject to the agreement and the names of its legal and equitable owners.

SB488,70,16 (b) The duration of the agreement.

SB488,70,17 (c) The uses permitted on the land.

SB488,70,20 (d) A description of any conditions, terms, restrictions, or other requirements determined to be necessary by the county, town, village, city, or tribal government for the public health, safety, or welfare of its residents.

SB488,70,22 (e) A description of any obligation undertaken by the county, town, village, city, or tribal government to enable the development to proceed.

SB488,70,24 (f) The applicability or nonapplicability of county, town, village, city, or tribal ordinances, approvals, or resolutions.

SB488,70,25 (g) A provision for the amendment of the agreement.

SB488,71,2 (h) Other provisions determined to be reasonable and necessary by the parties to the agreement.

SB488,71,9 (2) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government affected in common with another county, town, village, city, or tribal government by a proposed or existing mine may cooperatively designate or establish a joint committee, but may also maintain a separate committee under sub. (1). Committees under this section may include representatives of affected units of government, business, and industry, manpower, health, protective or service agencies, school districts, or environmental and other interest groups or other interested parties.

SB488,71,15 (3) Persons applying for an exploration license under s. 295.44 shall thereafter appoint a liaison person to any committee established under sub. (1) or (2), and shall provide such reasonable information as is requested by the committee. Operators and persons applying for an exploration license under s. 295.44 shall thereafter make reasonable efforts to design and operate mining operations in harmony with community development objectives.

SB488,72,3 (4) Committees established under sub. (1) or (2) may be funded by their appointing authority, and may, through their appointing authority, submit a request for operating funds to the investment and local impact fund board under s. 70.395. Committees established under sub. (1) shall be eligible for funds only if the county, town, village or city is also a participant in a joint committee, if any, established under sub. (2). The investment and local impact fund board may not grant funds for the use of more than one committee established under sub. (1) in relation to a particular mining proposal unless a joint committee has been established under sub. (2). The investment and local impact fund board shall grant operating funds to any committee that submits a request and is eligible under this subsection and s. 70.395 (2) (fm). Committees may hire staff, enter into contracts with private firms or consultants or contract with a regional planning commission or other agency for staff services for mining-related purposes or the purposes under s. 70.395 (2) (fm).

SB488,72,10 295.45 Bulk sampling plan. (1) A person who intends to engage in bulk sampling may file a bulk sampling plan with the department. The collection of data under a bulk sampling plan may include sampling and analysis related to geophysical, geochemical, groundwater, and surface water conditions, as well as any other data or studies necessary to prepare an application for a mining permit, including the mining plan, reclamation plan, mining waste site feasibility study and plan of operation, or any other approval required for the proposed mining.

SB488,72,11 (2) A person shall include all of the following in a bulk sampling plan:

SB488,72,15 (a) A description and map of the bulk sampling site, including the number of acres in the site, the number of acres of land that will be disturbed, if any, associated with each bulk sampling location, and the locations and types of sampling or studies to be conducted at each bulk sampling location.

SB488,72,16 (b) A description of the methods to be used for the bulk sampling.

SB488,72,19 (c) A site-specific plan for controlling surface erosion that conforms to requirements under ss. 281.33 (3) and 283.33 and that identifies how impacts to plant and wildlife habitats will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

SB488,72,24 (d) A revegetation plan for each area where bulk sampling will be performed that describes how adverse impacts to the environment will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable and how the site will be revegetated and stabilized and that identifies how adverse impacts to plant and wildlife habitats will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

SB488,73,2 (e) The estimated time for completing the bulk sampling and revegetation of the bulk sampling locations.

SB488,73,5 (f) A description of any known adverse environmental impacts that are likely to be caused by the bulk sampling and how those impacts will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

SB488,73,11 (g) A description of any adverse effects, as defined in s. 44.31 (1), that the bulk sampling might have on any historic property, as defined in s. 44.31 (3), that is a listed property, as defined in s. 44.31 (4), that is on the Wisconsin inventory of historic places, as defined in s. 44.31 (12), or that is on the list of locally designated historic places under s. 44.45; or any scenic or recreational areas; and plans to avoid or minimize those adverse effects to the extent practicable.

SB488,73,19 (2m) The department shall protect as confidential any information, other than effluent data, contained in a bulk sampling plan and in any application for an approval that is required before the bulk sampling may be implemented, upon a showing that the information is entitled to protection as a trade secret, as defined in s. 134.90 (1) (c), and any information relating to the location, quality, or quantity of a ferrous mineral deposit, to production or sales figures, or to processes or production unique to the applicant or that would tend to adversely affect the competitive position of the applicant if made public.

SB488,74,2 (3) Within 14 days of receipt of a bulk sampling plan, the department shall identify for the applicant, in writing, all approvals that are required before the bulk sampling may be implemented, any waivers, exemptions, or exceptions to those approvals that are potentially available, and any information that the department needs to issue the approvals or to issue a decision on any waiver, exemption, or exception. If no approvals are required, the department shall notify the applicant that no approvals are required and that the applicant may proceed with the bulk sampling.

SB488,74,6 (3e) If a storm water discharge permit under s. 283.33 (1) (a) or a water quality certification under rules promulgated under subch. II of ch. 281 to implement 33 USC 1341 (a) is required before bulk sampling may be implemented, the person filing the bulk sampling plan may apply for and be issued the permit or certification.

SB488,74,10 (3m) The department shall act on any required construction site erosion control and storm water management approval, notwithstanding any authorization by the department of a local program to administer construction site erosion control and storm water management requirements.

SB488,74,11 (3s) An applicant shall submit all of the following at the same time:

SB488,74,12 (a) Applications for individual approvals identified under sub. (3).

SB488,74,14 (b) Applications for coverage under general permits or registration permits identified under sub. (3).

SB488,74,16 (c) Applications for waivers, exemptions, or exceptions identified under sub. (3).

SB488,74,17 (d) A bond, as provided in sub. (5).

SB488,75,2 (4) (a) Notwithstanding any provision in ch. 23, 29, 30, 169, 281, 283, 285, 289, or 291 or in a rule promulgated under those chapters that is applicable to an approval identified under sub. (3), the application for any approval, for a waiver, exemption, or exception to an approval, or for a determination that the proposed bulk sampling activity is below the threshold that requires an approval, is considered to be complete on the 30th day after the department receives the application, unless, before that day, the department provides the applicant with written notification that the application is not complete, stating the reason for the determination and describing the specific information necessary to make the application complete.

SB488,75,5 (b) If the department provides a notice under par. (a), the applicant shall supplement the application by providing the specified information. The application is complete when the applicant provides the information.

SB488,75,10 (c) If the department determines that the issuance of an approval is contingent upon the issuance of a permit under s. 29.604 (6m), and if the application for the permit under s. 29.604 (6m) is filed with the approval application, the department may not determine that the approval application is incomplete on the basis that the department has not yet issued the permit under s. 29.604 (6m).

SB488,75,16 (5) (a) A person who intends to engage in bulk sampling shall submit with the bulk sampling plan a bond in the amount of $5,000 that is conditioned on faithful performance of the requirements of this section, that is issued by a surety company licensed to do business in this state, and that provides that the bond may not be canceled by the surety, except after not less than 90 days' notice to the department in writing by registered or certified mail.

SB488,75,21 (b) If the surety for a bond submitted under par. (a) issues a cancellation notice, the person who filed the bulk sampling plan shall deliver a replacement bond at least 30 days before the expiration of the 90-day notice period. If the person fails to submit a replacement bond, the person may not engage in bulk sampling until the person submits a replacement bond.

SB488,76,2 (c) If the license of the surety company for a bond submitted under par. (a) is revoked or suspended, the person who filed the bulk sampling plan, within 30 days after receiving written notice from the department, shall deliver a replacement bond. If the person fails to submit a replacement bond, the person may not engage in bulk sampling until the person submits a replacement bond.

SB488,76,6 (d) The department may require that the amount of the bond submitted under this subsection be increased at any time, if the department determines that it is unlikely that the bond would be adequate to fund the cost to this state of completing the revegetation plan.

SB488,76,10 (e) The department shall release a bond submitted under this subsection one year after the time for completing the bulk sampling and the revegetation set forth in the bulk sampling plan if the department determines that the person who engaged in bulk sampling has complied with this section.

SB488,76,18 (6) (a) If the department determines that proposed bulk sampling will have an adverse effect, as defined in s. 44.31 (1), on a historic property, as defined in s. 44.31 (3), that is a listed property, as defined in s. 44.31 (4), that is on the Wisconsin inventory of historic places, as defined in s. 44.31 (12), or that is on the list of locally designated historic places under s. 44.45, but that the applicant is taking measures to minimize that adverse effect, no notice to the state historic preservation officer under s. 44.40 (1) or negotiations between the department and state historic preservation officer under s. 44.40 (3) are required.

SB488,76,23 (b) If an adverse effect described in par. (a) cannot practicably be minimized, any negotiations between the department and state historic preservation officer shall be concluded no later than 60 days after the date on which the application for the approval that authorizes the bulk sampling activity that will have an adverse effect is considered to be complete under sub. (4).

SB488,77,3 (7) Notwithstanding any provision in ch. 23, 29, 30, 169, 281, 283, 285, 289, or 291 or a rule promulgated under those chapters applicable to an approval identified under sub. (3), all of the following apply:

SB488,77,8 (a) When considering an application for an approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall recognize the fixed location of the metallic mineral deposits, the water needs inherent in mining, and the need for mining waste sites and processing facilities, including wastewater and sludge storage or treatment lagoons, to be contiguous to the location of the ferrous mineral deposits.

SB488,77,11 (b) When issuing an approval, the department shall require the bulk sampling activity for which the approval is issued to be conducted at locations that result in the fewest overall adverse environmental impacts, to the extent practicable.

SB488,77,16 (8) In determining whether to approve or deny an application for an approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall consider the site-specific erosion control plan, the revegetation plan, and any compensation or mitigation under s. 295.60, any measures under s. 295.605, or any conservation measures under s. 295.61 that the applicant proposes to take.

SB488,77,21 (9) Notwithstanding any inconsistent period in ch. 23, 29, 30, 169, 281, 283, 285, 289, or 291 or in a rule promulgated under those chapters that is applicable to an approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall approve or deny the application within 30 days after the day on which the application is considered to be complete under sub. (4) if any of the following apply:

SB488,77,24 (a) The application is for a waiver, exemption, or exception to an approval for a bulk sampling activity or for a determination that the proposed bulk sampling activity is below the threshold that requires an approval.

SB488,78,2 (b) The application is for a determination of eligibility for coverage under a general permit or a registration permit.

SB488,78,10 (10) (a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent period in ch. 23, 29, 30, 169, 281, 283, 285, 289, or 291 or in a rule promulgated under those chapters that is applicable to an approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall approve or deny any application for an approval identified under sub. (3) to which sub. (9) does not apply within 60 days after the date on which the application is considered to be complete under sub. (4), unless the application is for an individual permit for which federal law requires the opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public hearing prior to issuance of the approval.

SB488,78,18 (b) The department shall publish a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, that describes the availability of information concerning the activity for which an approval described in par. (a) is required, its proposed decision, its draft approval, information or summaries related to the approval, the department's analyses and preliminary determinations relating to the approval, the preapplication description under s. 295.46, any additional information that a law concerning the approval requires to be made available, and the opportunity to submit written comments within 30 days after the notice is published.

SB488,78,23 (c) In the notice under par. (b), the department shall also specify the date, time, and location of the public informational hearing. The department shall send the notice to any person to whom the department is required to give notice of any proposed determination, application, or hearing concerning an approval described in par. (a) under the laws relating to the issuance of the approval.

SB488,79,5 (d) If there is more than one approval described in par. (a), the department shall issue one notice and coordinate the public comment period for all of the approvals. If possible, the department shall coordinate the notice and the public comment period for an approval that is an individual permit for which federal law requires the opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public hearing prior to issuance of the approval with notice and the public comment period for the approvals described in par. (a).

SB488,79,16 (e) The department shall hold a public informational hearing within 30 days after publishing the notice under par. (b). The department shall hold the public informational hearing in the county where the majority of the proposed bulk sampling site is located. If there is more than one approval described in par. (a), the department shall hold a single public informational hearing covering all of the approvals and the preapplication description under s. 295.46. If possible, the department shall include consideration of an approval that is an individual permit for which federal law requires the opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public hearing prior to issuance of the approval in the public informational hearing under this paragraph. The public informational hearing under this paragraph is not a contested case hearing under ch. 227.

SB488,79,23 (10g) (a) If it is not possible to coordinate the public comment period and public informational hearing for an approval that is an individual permit for which federal law requires the opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public hearing prior to issuance of the approval with the public comment period and public informational hearing under sub. (10), the department shall issue a separate public notice and hold a separate public informational hearing for the approval in accordance with the law governing the approval.

SB488,80,3 (b) The department shall approve or deny the application for an approval to which par. (a) applies within 180 days after the date on which the application is considered to be complete under sub. (4).

SB488,80,5 (10r) An approval identified under sub. (3) is issued upon mailing and is final and effective upon issuance.

SB488,80,8 (11) The department is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment for an approval required for bulk sampling.

SB488,80,16 295.46 Preapplication description. (1) A person who files a bulk sampling plan under s. 295.45 with regard to a proposed mining project shall file, together with the bulk sampling plan, a general description of the proposed mining project. A person who proposes to engage in a mining project, but who does not file a bulk sampling plan, shall file a general description of the proposed mining project with the department at the time that the person provides the notice of intent to file an application for a mining permit under s. 295.465. The general description shall include all of the following:

SB488,80,17 (a) A description of the proposed mining site.