AB1-ASA1,46,10 9(6) Renewals. (a) An explorer wishing to renew an exploration license shall
10file with the department a renewal application that includes all of the following:
AB1-ASA1,46,1111 1. A renewal fee of $150.
AB1-ASA1,46,1212 2. A bond that satisfies sub. (3) (a).
AB1-ASA1,46,1313 3. A certificate of insurance that satisfies sub. (2) (e).
AB1-ASA1,46,1714 4. A copy of the applicant's most recent annual report to the federal securities
15and exchange commission on form 10-K, or, if this is not available, a report of the
16applicant's current assets and liabilities or other data necessary to establish that the
17applicant is competent to conduct exploration in this state.
AB1-ASA1,46,2018 5. Either a statement that no changes are being proposed to the exploration
19plan and reclamation plan previously approved by the department or a new
20exploration plan or reclamation plan if the applicant proposes to make changes.
AB1-ASA1,46,2421 (b) Except as provided in par. (d), within 10 business days of receiving an
22administratively complete application for renewal of an exploration license, the
23department shall renew the exploration license or provide the notice, required under
24par. (g), of intent not to renew the exploration license.
AB1-ASA1,47,15
1(c) An application for renewal of an exploration license is considered to be
2administratively complete on the day that it is submitted, unless, before the 10th
3business day after receiving the application, the department provides the explorer
4with written notification that the application is not administratively complete. The
5department may determine that an application is not administratively complete only
6if the application does not include a renewal fee; a bond; a certificate of insurance;
7a copy of the applicant's most recent annual report to the federal securities and
8exchange commission on form 10-K, or, if this is not available, a report of the
9applicant's current assets and liabilities or other data necessary to establish that the
10applicant is competent to conduct exploration in this state; or either a statement that
11no changes are being proposed to the exploration plan and reclamation plan
12previously approved by the department or a new exploration plan or reclamation
13plan if the applicant proposes to make changes. The department may not consider
14the quality of any information provided. In a notice provided under this paragraph,
15the department shall identify what is missing from the application.
AB1-ASA1,47,1916 (d) If the department provides notification, in compliance with par. (c), that an
17application is not administratively complete, the department shall renew the
18exploration license or provide the notice, required under par. (g), of intent not to
19renew the exploration license within 7 business days of receipt of the missing item.
AB1-ASA1,47,2120 (e) If the department does not comply with par. (b) or (d), the application for
21renewal is automatically approved.
AB1-ASA1,48,222 (f) Subject to par. (g), the department shall deny an application for renewal of
23an exploration license only if the applicant has filed a new exploration plan or
24reclamation plan and the department finds that the exploration, after the activities
25in the new exploration plan and the new reclamation plan have been completed, will

1have a substantial and irreparable adverse impact on the environment or present a
2substantial risk of injury to public health and welfare.
AB1-ASA1,48,143 (g) Before denying an application, the department shall provide the person who
4submitted the application with written notification of its intent not to renew the
5exploration license, setting forth all of the reasons for its intent not to renew the
6exploration license, including reference to competent evidence supporting its
7position. The department shall provide the person with an opportunity to correct any
8deficiencies in the exploration plan or restoration plan within 10 business days. If
9the person amends the exploration plan or reclamation plan and corrects the
10deficiencies, the department shall renew the exploration license within 10 business
11days of receipt of the amended exploration plan or reclamation plan. If the
12department determines that the deficiencies have not been corrected, it shall deny
13the application, in writing, setting forth all of the reasons for it's determination,
14including reference to competent evidence supporting the determination.
AB1-ASA1,48,1615 (h) The renewal of an exploration license takes effect on the date of issuance
16and expires on the following June 30.
AB1-ASA1,48,19 17(7) Revocation or suspension of exploration license. After a hearing, the
18department may revoke or suspend an exploration license if it determines that any
19of the following apply:
AB1-ASA1,48,2120 (a) The explorer has not complied with a statute, a rule promulgated by the
21department, or a condition in the exploration license.
AB1-ASA1,48,2322 (b) The explorer has failed to increase bond amounts to adequate levels as
23provided under sub (3) (d).
AB1-ASA1,49,5 24(8) Notice procedure. (a) An explorer shall notify the department of the
25explorer's intent to drill on a parcel by registered mail at least 5 days prior to the

1beginning of drilling. Notice is considered to be given on the date that the
2department receives the notice. In the notice, the explorer shall specify which
3drillholes identified in the exploration plan the explorer intends to drill. The
4explorer shall send the notice to the subunit of the department with authority over
5mine reclamation.
AB1-ASA1,49,96 (b) A notice of intent to drill provided under par. (a) remains in effect for one
7year beginning on the date that the department receives the notice. If the explorer
8wishes to continue drilling on the parcel after the notice is no longer in effect, the
9explorer shall resubmit a notice of intent to drill on the parcel.
AB1-ASA1,49,16 10(9) Reports. (a) Within 10 days after completing the temporary or permanent
11abandonment of a drillhole, an explorer shall file with the department an
12abandonment report that describes the means and method used in the abandonment
13and is signed by an authorized representative of the explorer attesting to the
14accuracy of the information contained in the report. The explorer shall submit the
15abandonment report to the department's district office for the district in which the
16drilling site is located.
AB1-ASA1,49,2117 (b) After permanent abandonment of a drillhole and regrading and
18revegetation of the drilling site, an explorer shall notify the department of
19completion of termination of the drilling site. The explorer shall submit the notice,
20in writing, to the department's district office for the district in which the drilling site
21is located.
AB1-ASA1,50,322 (c) 1. After receipt of a notice under par. (b), the department shall notify the
23explorer in writing whether the termination is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If the
24termination is unsatisfactory, the department shall inform the explorer of the
25necessary corrective measures. Following the completion of corrective measures, the

1explorer shall file written notice with the department's district office for the district
2in which the drilling site is located specifying the means and method used and
3stating that termination is complete.
AB1-ASA1,50,64 2. If an explorer fails to comply with corrective measures identified under subd.
51., the department may suspend the explorer's exploration license in accordance with
6sub. (7).
AB1-ASA1,50,97 3. Upon satisfactory completion of termination of a drilling site, the
8department shall issue a certificate of completion. The department may not issue a
9certificate of completion for a drilling site that has only been temporarily abandoned.
AB1-ASA1,50,16 10(10) Drilling fees. Upon the submission of a report under sub. (9) (a) of
11temporary abandonment of a drillhole, if the drillhole is temporarily abandoned, or
12upon submission of a report under sub. (9) (a) of permanent abandonment of a
13drillhole, if the drillhole is not temporarily abandoned, the explorer shall pay a fee
14to the department. The fee is $100 per drillhole for the first 20 drillholes for which
15a report is filed in a license year and $50 for each subsequent drillhole for which a
16report is filed in that license year.
AB1-ASA1,50,22 17(11) Inspections. (a) Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative
18of the department may enter and inspect any property, premises, or place on or at
19which exploration is being performed at any reasonable time for the purpose of
20ascertaining the state of compliance with this section. No explorer may refuse entry
21or access to any authorized representative of the department who requests entry for
22the purposes of inspection and who presents appropriate credentials.
AB1-ASA1,50,2423 (b) No person may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with any inspection
24authorized in par. (a).
AB1-ASA1,50,2525 (c) No inspector may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with exploration activities.
AB1-ASA1,51,4
1(12) Exemption. This section does not apply to an operator with a mining
2permit who is engaged in exploration activities on lands included in a mining plan
3and reclamation plan, if the mining plan or reclamation plan contains provisions
4relating to termination of the exploration activities.
AB1-ASA1,51,7 5(13) Environmental analysis not required. The department is not required
6to prepare an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment for
7an application for an exploration license.
AB1-ASA1,51,11 8295.443 Local impact committee; local agreement. (1) A county, town,
9village, city, or tribal government likely to be substantially affected by potential or
10proposed mining may designate an existing committee, or establish a committee, for
11purposes of:
AB1-ASA1,51,1212 (a) Facilitating communications between operators and itself.
AB1-ASA1,51,1313 (b) Analyzing implications of mining.
AB1-ASA1,51,1414 (c) Reviewing and commenting on reclamation plans.
AB1-ASA1,51,1515 (d) Developing solutions to mining-induced growth problems.
AB1-ASA1,51,1616 (e) Recommending priorities for local action.
AB1-ASA1,51,1917 (f) Formulating recommendations to the investment and local impact fund
18board regarding distribution of funds under s. 70.395 (2) (g) related to mining for
19ferrous minerals.
AB1-ASA1,51,2020 (g) Negotiating a local agreement under sub. (1m).
AB1-ASA1,52,2 21(1m) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government that requires an
22operator to obtain an approval or permit under a zoning or land use ordinance and
23a county, town, village, or city in which any portion of a proposed mining site is
24located may, individually or in conjunction with other counties, towns, villages,
25cities, or tribal governments, enter into one or more agreements with an operator for

1the development of a mining operation. The local agreement may include any of the
2following:
AB1-ASA1,52,43 (a) A legal description of the land subject to the agreement and the names of
4its legal and equitable owners.
AB1-ASA1,52,55 (b) The duration of the agreement.
AB1-ASA1,52,66 (c) The uses permitted on the land.
AB1-ASA1,52,97 (d) A description of any conditions, terms, restrictions, or other requirements
8determined to be necessary by the county, town, village, city, or tribal government for
9the public health, safety, or welfare of its residents.
AB1-ASA1,52,1110 (e) A description of any obligation undertaken by the county, town, village, city,
11or tribal government to enable the development to proceed.
AB1-ASA1,52,1312 (f) The applicability or nonapplicability of county, town, village, city, or tribal
13ordinances, approvals, or resolutions.
AB1-ASA1,52,1414 (g) A provision for the amendment of the agreement.
AB1-ASA1,52,1615 (h) Other provisions determined to be reasonable and necessary by the parties
16to the agreement.
AB1-ASA1,52,23 17(2) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government affected in common with
18another county, town, village, city, or tribal government by a proposed or existing
19mine may cooperatively designate or establish a joint committee, but may also
20maintain a separate committee under sub. (1). Committees under this section may
21include representatives of affected units of government, business, and industry,
22manpower, health, protective or service agencies, school districts, or environmental
23and other interest groups or other interested parties.
AB1-ASA1,53,4 24(3) Persons applying for an exploration license under s. 295.44 shall thereafter
25appoint a liaison person to any committee established under sub. (1) or (2), and shall

1provide such reasonable information as is requested by the committee. Operators
2and persons applying for an exploration license under s. 295.44 shall thereafter
3make reasonable efforts to design and operate mining operations in harmony with
4community development objectives.
AB1-ASA1,53,17 5(4) Committees established under sub. (1) or (2) may be funded by their
6appointing authority, and may, through their appointing authority, submit a request
7for operating funds to the investment and local impact fund board under s. 70.395.
8Committees established under sub. (1) shall be eligible for funds only if the county,
9town, village or city is also a participant in a joint committee, if any, established
10under sub. (2). The investment and local impact fund board may not grant funds for
11the use of more than one committee established under sub. (1) in relation to a
12particular mining proposal unless a joint committee has been established under sub.
13(2). The investment and local impact fund board shall grant operating funds to any
14committee that submits a request and is eligible under this subsection and s. 70.395
15(2) (fm). Committees may hire staff, enter into contracts with private firms or
16consultants or contract with a regional planning commission or other agency for staff
17services for mining-related purposes or the purposes under s. 70.395 (2) (fm).
AB1-ASA1,53,24 18295.45 Bulk sampling plan. (1) A person who intends to engage in bulk
19sampling may file a bulk sampling plan with the department. The collection of data
20under a bulk sampling plan may include sampling and analysis related to
21geophysical, geochemical, groundwater, and surface water conditions, as well as any
22other data or studies necessary to prepare an application for a mining permit,
23including the mining plan, reclamation plan, mining waste site feasibility study and
24plan of operation, or any other approval required for the proposed mining.
AB1-ASA1,53,25 25(2) A person shall include all of the following in a bulk sampling plan:
AB1-ASA1,54,4
1(a) A description and map of the bulk sampling site, including the number of
2acres in the site, the number of acres of land that will be disturbed, if any, associated
3with each bulk sampling location, and the locations and types of sampling or studies
4to be conducted at each bulk sampling location.
AB1-ASA1,54,55 (b) A description of the methods to be used for the bulk sampling.
AB1-ASA1,54,86 (c) A site-specific plan for controlling surface erosion that conforms to
7requirements under ss. 281.33 (3) and 283.33 and that identifies how impacts to
8plant and wildlife habitats will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.
AB1-ASA1,54,139 (d) A revegetation plan for each area where bulk sampling will be performed
10that describes how adverse impacts to the environment will be avoided or minimized
11to the extent practicable and how the site will be revegetated and stabilized and that
12identifies how adverse impacts to plant and wildlife habitats will be avoided or
13minimized to the extent practicable.
AB1-ASA1,54,1514 (e) The estimated time for completing the bulk sampling and revegetation of
15the bulk sampling locations.
AB1-ASA1,54,1816 (f) A description of any known adverse environmental impacts that are likely
17to be caused by the bulk sampling and how those impacts will be avoided or
18minimized to the extent practicable.
AB1-ASA1,54,2419 (g) A description of any adverse effects, as defined in s. 44.31 (1), that the bulk
20sampling might have on any historic property, as defined in s. 44.31 (3), that is a
21listed property, as defined in s. 44.31 (4), that is on the Wisconsin inventory of historic
22places, as defined in s. 44.31 (12), or that is on the list of locally designated historic
23places under s. 44.45; or any scenic or recreational areas; and plans to avoid or
24minimize those adverse effects to the extent practicable.
AB1-ASA1,55,8
1(2m) The department shall protect as confidential any information, other than
2effluent data, contained in a bulk sampling plan and in any application for an
3approval that is required before the bulk sampling may be implemented, upon a
4showing that the information is entitled to protection as a trade secret, as defined in
5s. 134.90 (1) (c), and any information relating to the location, quality, or quantity of
6a ferrous mineral deposit, to production or sales figures, or to processes or production
7unique to the applicant or that would tend to adversely affect the competitive
8position of the applicant if made public.
AB1-ASA1,55,16 9(3) Within 14 days of receipt of a bulk sampling plan, the department shall
10identify for the applicant, in writing, all approvals that are required before the bulk
11sampling may be implemented, any waivers, exemptions, or exceptions to those
12approvals that are potentially available, and any information that the department
13needs to issue the approvals or to issue a decision on any waiver, exemption, or
14exception. If no approvals are required, the department shall notify the applicant
15that no approvals are required and that the applicant may proceed with the bulk
16sampling.
AB1-ASA1,55,20 17(3e) If a storm water discharge permit under s. 283.33 (1) (a) or a water quality
18certification under rules promulgated under subch. II of ch. 281 to implement 33
19USC 1341
(a) is required before bulk sampling may be implemented, the person filing
20the bulk sampling plan may apply for and be issued the permit or certification.
AB1-ASA1,55,24 21(3m) The department shall act on any required construction site erosion
22control and storm water management approval, notwithstanding any authorization
23by the department of a local program to administer construction site erosion control
24and storm water management requirements.
AB1-ASA1,55,25 25(3s) An applicant shall submit all of the following at the same time:
AB1-ASA1,56,1
1(a) Applications for individual approvals identified under sub. (3).
AB1-ASA1,56,32 (b) Applications for coverage under general permits or registration permits
3identified under sub. (3).
AB1-ASA1,56,54 (c) Applications for waivers, exemptions, or exceptions identified under sub.
5(3).
AB1-ASA1,56,66 (d) A bond, as provided in sub. (5).
AB1-ASA1,56,15 7(4) (a) Notwithstanding any provision in ch. 23, 29, 30, 31, 169, 281, 283, 285,
8289, or 291 or in a rule promulgated under those chapters that is applicable to an
9approval identified under sub. (3), the application for any approval, for a waiver,
10exemption, or exception to an approval, or for a determination that the proposed bulk
11sampling activity is below the threshold that requires an approval, is considered to
12be complete on the 30th day after the department receives the application, unless,
13before that day, the department provides the applicant with written notification that
14the application is not complete, stating the reason for the determination and
15describing the specific information necessary to make the application complete.
AB1-ASA1,56,1816 (b) If the department provides a notice under par. (a), the applicant shall
17supplement the application by providing the specified information. The application
18is complete when the applicant provides the information.
AB1-ASA1,56,2319 (c) If the department determines that the issuance of an approval is contingent
20upon the issuance of a permit under s. 29.604 (6m), and if the application for the
21permit under s. 29.604 (6m) is filed with the approval application, the department
22may not determine that the approval application is incomplete on the basis that the
23department has not yet issued the permit under s. 29.604 (6m).
AB1-ASA1,57,4 24(5) (a) A person who intends to engage in bulk sampling shall submit with the
25bulk sampling plan a bond in the amount of $5,000 that is conditioned on faithful

1performance of the requirements of this section, that is issued by a surety company
2licensed to do business in this state, and that provides that the bond may not be
3canceled by the surety, except after not less than 90 days' notice to the department
4in writing by registered or certified mail.
AB1-ASA1,57,95 (b) If the surety for a bond submitted under par. (a) issues a cancellation notice,
6the person who filed the bulk sampling plan shall deliver a replacement bond at least
730 days before the expiration of the 90-day notice period. If the person fails to submit
8a replacement bond, the person may not engage in bulk sampling until the person
9submits a replacement bond.
AB1-ASA1,57,1410 (c) If the license of the surety company for a bond submitted under par. (a) is
11revoked or suspended, the person who filed the bulk sampling plan, within 30 days
12after receiving written notice from the department, shall deliver a replacement bond.
13If the person fails to submit a replacement bond, the person may not engage in bulk
14sampling until the person submits a replacement bond.
AB1-ASA1,57,1815 (d) The department may require that the amount of the bond submitted under
16this subsection be increased at any time, if the department determines that it is
17unlikely that the bond would be adequate to fund the cost to this state of completing
18the revegetation plan.
AB1-ASA1,57,2219 (e) The department shall release a bond submitted under this subsection one
20year after the time for completing the bulk sampling and the revegetation set forth
21in the bulk sampling plan if the department determines that the person who engaged
22in bulk sampling has complied with this section.
AB1-ASA1,58,2 23(7) Notwithstanding any provision in ch. 23, 29, 30, 31, 169, 281, 283, 285, 289,
24or 291 or a rule promulgated under those chapters applicable to an approval
25identified under sub. (3), the department shall require the bulk sampling activity for

1which the approval is issued to be conducted at locations that result in the fewest
2overall adverse environmental impacts.
AB1-ASA1,58,7 3(8) (a) In determining whether to approve or deny an application for an
4approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall consider the site-specific
5erosion control plan, the revegetation plan, and any mitigation program under s.
6295.60 (8), any measures under s. 295.605, or any conservation measures under s.
7295.61 that the applicant proposes to take.
AB1-ASA1,58,108 (b) The department may modify the application for an approval identified
9under sub. (3) in order to meet the requirements applicable to the approval, and, as
10modified, approve the application.
AB1-ASA1,58,15 11(9) Notwithstanding any inconsistent period in ch. 23, 29, 30, 31, 169, 281, 283,
12285, 289, or 291 or in a rule promulgated under those chapters that is applicable to
13an approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall approve or deny an
14application within 30 days after the day on which the application is considered to be
15complete under sub. (4) if any of the following apply:
AB1-ASA1,58,1816 (a) The application is for a waiver, exemption, or exception to an approval for
17a bulk sampling activity or for a determination that the proposed bulk sampling
18activity is below the threshold that requires an approval.
AB1-ASA1,58,2019 (b) The application is for a determination of eligibility for coverage or
20authorization to proceed under a general permit or a registration permit.
AB1-ASA1,59,3 21(10) (a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent period in ch. 23, 29, 30, 31, 169, 281,
22283, 285, 289, or 291 or in a rule promulgated under those chapters that is applicable
23to an approval identified under sub. (3), the department shall approve or deny any
24application for an approval identified under sub. (3) to which sub. (9) does not apply
25within 60 days after the date on which the application is considered to be complete

1under sub. (4), unless the application is for an individual permit for which federal law
2requires the opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public hearing
3prior to issuance of the approval.
AB1-ASA1,59,144 (b) The department shall publish a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, and shall
5publish notice on the department's Internet site, that describes the availability of
6information concerning the activity for which an approval described in par. (a) is
7required, its proposed decision, its draft approval, information or summaries related
8to the approval, the department's analyses and preliminary determinations relating
9to the approval, the preapplication description under s. 295.46, any additional
10information that a law concerning the approval requires to be made available, and
11the opportunity to submit written comments within 30 days after the date of the
12publication of the notice. The date on which the department first publishes the notice
13on its Internet site shall be considered the date of the publication of the notice
14required to be published under this paragraph.
AB1-ASA1,59,2215 (c) In the notice under par. (b), the department shall also specify the date, time,
16and location of the public informational hearing under par. (e). The department shall
17send the notice to any person to whom the department is required to give notice of
18any proposed determination, application, or hearing concerning an approval
19described in par. (a) under the laws relating to the issuance of the approval and to
20any person who has requested notice. The department's notice to interested persons
21under this paragraph may be given through an electronic notification system
22established by the department.
AB1-ASA1,60,423 (d) If there is more than one approval described in par. (a), the department shall
24issue one notice and coordinate the public comment period for all of the approvals.
25If possible, the department shall coordinate the notice and the public comment

1period for an approval that is an individual permit for which federal law requires the
2opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public hearing prior to
3issuance of the approval with notice and the public comment period for the approvals
4described in par. (a).
AB1-ASA1,60,155 (e) The department shall hold a public informational hearing within 30 days
6after the date of the publication of the notice under par. (b). The department shall
7hold the public informational hearing in the county where the majority of the
8proposed bulk sampling site is located. If there is more than one approval described
9in par. (a), the department shall hold a single public informational hearing covering
10all of the approvals and the preapplication description under s. 295.46. If possible,
11the department shall include consideration of an approval that is an individual
12permit for which federal law requires the opportunity for public comment or the
13ability to request a public hearing prior to issuance of the approval in the public
14informational hearing under this paragraph. The public informational hearing
15under this paragraph is not a contested case hearing under ch. 227.
AB1-ASA1,60,22 16(10g) (a) If it is not possible to coordinate the public comment period and public
17informational hearing for an approval that is an individual permit for which federal
18law requires the opportunity for public comment or the ability to request a public
19hearing prior to issuance of the approval with the public comment period and public
20informational hearing under sub. (10), the department shall issue a separate public
21notice and hold a separate public informational hearing for the approval in
22accordance with the law governing the approval.
AB1-ASA1,61,223 (b) The department shall approve or deny the application for an approval that
24is an individual permit for which federal law requires the opportunity for public
25comment or the ability to request a public hearing prior to issuance of the approval

1within 180 days after the date on which the application is considered to be complete
2under sub. (4).
AB1-ASA1,61,4 3(10r) An approval identified under sub. (3) is issued upon mailing and is final
4and effective upon issuance.
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