AB614: Bill Text

AB614,75 Section 75. Chapter 293 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,20,7 CHAPTER 293

AB614,20,8 NONFERROUS METALLIC MINING

AB614,76 Section 76. 293.01 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,20,16 293.01 (5) “Mineral exploration" or “exploration", unless the context requires otherwise, means the on-site geologic examination from the surface of an area by core, rotary, percussion or other drilling, where the diameter of the hole does not exceed 18 inches, for the purpose of searching for nonferrous metallic minerals or establishing the nature of a known nonferrous metallic mineral deposit, and includes associated activities such as clearing and preparing sites or constructing roads for drilling.

AB614,77 Section 77. 293.01 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,21,2 293.01 (7) “Merchantable by-product" means all waste soil, rock, mineral, liquid, vegetation and other material directly resulting from or displaced by the mining, cleaning or preparation of nonferrous metallic minerals during mining operations which are determined by the department to be marketable upon a showing of marketability made by the operator, accompanied by a verified statement by the operator of his or her intent to sell such material within 3 years from the time it results from or is displaced by mining. If after 3 years from the time merchantable by-product results from or is displaced by mining such material has not been transported off the mining site, it shall be considered and regulated as refuse unless removal is continuing at a rate of more than 12,000 cubic yards per year.

AB614,78 Section 78. 293.01 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

AB614,21,5 293.01 (8) “Minerals" mean unbeneficiated metallic ore but does not include mineral aggregates such as stone, sand, and gravel.

AB614,79 Section 79. 293.01 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,21,10 293.01 (9) “Mining" or “mining operation" means all or part of the process involved in the mining of nonferrous metallic minerals, other than for exploration or prospecting, including commercial extraction, agglomeration, beneficiation, construction of roads, removal of overburden and the production of refuse.

AB614,80 Section 80. 293.01 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,21,17 293.01 (12) “Mining site" means the surface area disturbed by a mining operation, including the surface area from which the nonferrous metallic minerals or refuse or both have been removed, the surface area covered by refuse, all lands disturbed by the construction or improvement of haulageways, and any surface areas in which structures, equipment, materials and any other things used in the mining operation are situated.

AB614,81 Section 81. 293.01 (12m) of the statutes is repealed.

AB614,82 Section 82. 293.01 (18) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,22,7 293.01 (18) “Prospecting" means engaging in the examination of an area for the purpose of determining the quality and quantity of nonferrous metallic minerals, other than for exploration but including the obtaining of a nonferrous metallic mineral an ore sample, by such physical means as excavating, trenching, construction of shafts, ramps and tunnels and other means, other than for exploration, which the department, by rule, identifies, and the production of prospecting refuse and other associated activities. “Prospecting" shall not include such activities when the activities are, by themselves, intended for and capable of commercial exploitation of the underlying nonferrous ore body. However, the fact that prospecting activities and construction may have use ultimately in mining, if approved, shall not mean that prospecting activities and construction constitute mining within the meaning of sub. (9), provided such activities and construction are reasonably related to prospecting requirements.

AB614,83 Section 83. 293.01 (25) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,22,14 293.01 (25) “Refuse" means all waste soil, rock, mineral, liquid, vegetation and other material, except merchantable by-products, directly resulting from or displaced by the prospecting or mining and from the cleaning or preparation of nonferrous metallic minerals during prospecting or mining operations, and shall include all waste materials deposited on or in the prospecting or mining site from other sources.

AB614,84 Section 84. 293.21 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,22,17 293.21 (1) (a) “Driller" means a person who performs core, rotary, percussion or other drilling involved in exploration for nonferrous metallic minerals.

AB614,85 Section 85. 293.25 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,23,2 293.25 (2) (a) Applicability. Except as provided under par. (b), ss. 293.21 and 293.81 and rules promulgated under those sections apply to radioactive waste site exploration, to activities related to radioactive waste site exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in radioactive waste site exploration or related activities in the same manner as those sections and rules are applicable to nonferrous metallic mineral exploration, to activities related to nonferrous metallic mineral exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in nonferrous metallic mineral exploration or related activities.

AB614,86 Section 86. 293.25 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,23,12 293.25 (4) Regulation of exploration and related provisions. Sections 293.13, 293.15 (1) to (12), 293.85, 293.87 and 293.89 and rules promulgated under those sections apply to radioactive waste site exploration, to activities related to radioactive waste site exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in radioactive waste site exploration or related activities in the same manner as those sections and rules are applicable to nonferrous metallic mineral exploration, to activities related to nonferrous metallic mineral exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in nonferrous metallic mineral exploration or related activities.

AB614,87 Section 87. 293.37 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,23,24 293.37 (4) (b) If the department finds that the anticipated life and total area of a nonferrous metallic mineral deposit are of sufficient magnitude that reclamation of the mining site consistent with this chapter requires a comprehensive plan for the entire affected area, it shall require an operator to submit with the application for a mining permit, amended mining site or change in mining or reclamation plan, a comprehensive long-term plan showing, in detail satisfactory to the department, the manner, location and time for reclamation of the entire area of contiguous land which will be affected by mining and which is owned, leased or under option for purchase or lease by the operator at the time of application. Where a nonferrous metallic mineral deposit lies on or under the lands of more than one operator, the department shall require the operators to submit mutually consistent comprehensive plans.

AB614,88 Section 88. 293.47 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,24,5 293.47 (1) (b) “Geologic information" means information concerning descriptions of a nonferrous an ore body, descriptions of reserves, tonnages and grades of nonferrous ore, descriptions of a drill core or bulk sample including analysis, descriptions of drill hole depths, distances and similar information related to the nonferrous ore body.

AB614,89 Section 89. 293.50 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,24,8 293.50 (1) (b) “Sulfide ore body" means a mineral deposit in which nonferrous metals are mixed with sulfide minerals.

AB614,90 Section 90. 293.50 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,24,15 293.50 (2) (a) The department determines, based on information provided by an applicant for a permit under s. 293.49 and verified by the department, that a mining operation has operated in a sulfide ore body which, together with the host nonferrous rock, has a net acid generating potential in the United States or Canada for at least 10 years without the pollution of groundwater or surface water from acid drainage at the tailings site or at the mine site or from the release of heavy metals.

AB614,91 Section 91. 293.50 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,24,23 293.50 (2) (b) The department determines, based on information provided by an applicant for a permit under s. 293.49 and verified by the department, that a mining operation that operated in a sulfide ore body which, together with the host nonferrous rock, has a net acid generating potential in the United States or Canada has been closed for at least 10 years without the pollution of groundwater or surface water from acid drainage at the tailings site or at the mine site or from the release of heavy metals.

AB614,92 Section 92. 293.51 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,25,16 293.51 (1) Upon notification that an application for a prospecting or mining permit has been approved by the department but prior to commencing prospecting or mining, the operator shall file with the department a bond conditioned on faithful performance of all of the requirements of this chapter and all rules adopted by the department under this chapter. The bond shall be furnished by a surety company licensed to do business in this state. In lieu of a bond, the operator may deposit cash, certificates of deposit or government securities with the department. Interest received on certificates of deposit and government securities shall be paid to the operator. The amount of the bond or other security required shall be equal to the estimated cost to the state of fulfilling the reclamation plan, in relation to that portion of the site that will be disturbed by the end of the following year. The estimated cost of reclamation of each prospecting or mining site shall be determined by the department on the basis of relevant factors including, but not limited to, expected changes in the price index, topography of the site, methods being employed, depth and composition of overburden and depth of nonferrous metallic mineral deposit being mined.

AB614,93 Section 93. 293.65 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,25,22 293.65 (3) (a) An approval under s. 281.34 is required to withdraw groundwater for prospecting or mining or to dewater mines if the capacity and rate of withdrawal of all wells involved in the withdrawal of groundwater or the dewatering of mines exceeds 100,000 gallons each day. A permit under s. 283.31 is required to discharge pollutants resulting from the dewatering of mines.

AB614,94 Section 94. 293.65 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,26,5 293.65 (3) (b) The department may not issue an approval under s. 281.34 if the withdrawal of groundwater for prospecting or mining purposes or the dewatering of mines will result in the unreasonable detriment of public or private water supplies or the unreasonable detriment of public rights in the waters of the state. No withdrawal of groundwater for prospecting or mining purposes or the dewatering of mines may be made to the unreasonable detriment of public or private water supplies or the unreasonable detriment of public rights in the waters of the state.

AB614,95 Section 95. 293.86 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,26,18 293.86 Visitorial powers of department. Any duly authorized officer, employee or representative of the department may enter and inspect any property, premises or place on or at which any prospecting or metallic mining operation or facility is located or is being constructed or installed at any reasonable time for the purpose of ascertaining the state of compliance with this chapter and chs. 281, 285, 289 to 292, 295, and 299, subchs. I and II of ch. 295, and rules adopted pursuant thereto. No person may refuse entry or access to any such authorized representative of the department who requests entry for purposes of inspection, and who presents appropriate credentials, nor may any person obstruct, hamper or interfere with any such inspection. The department shall furnish to the prospector or operator, as indicated in the prospecting or mining permit, a written report setting forth all observations, relevant information and data which relate to compliance status.

AB614,96 Section 96. Chapter 295 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,26,20 CHAPTER 295

AB614,26,22 NONMETALLIC MINING RECLAMATION; OIL AND GAS; FERROUS METALLIC MINING

AB614,97 Section 97. 295.16 (4) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,26,25 295.16 (4) (f) Any mining operation, the reclamation of which is required in a permit obtained under ch. 293 or subch. III of ch. 295.

AB614,98 Section 98. Subchapter III of chapter 295 [precedes 295.40] of the statutes is repealed.

AB614,99 Section 99. 299.85 (7) (a) 2. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:

AB614,27,17 299.85 (7) (a) 2. Notwithstanding minimum or maximum forfeitures specified in ss. 29.314 (7), 29.334 (2), 29.604 (5) (a), 29.611 (11), 29.889 (10) (c) 2., 29.969, 29.971 (1) (a), (1m) (a), (3), (3m), (11g) (b), (11m) (b), and (11r) (b), 30.298 (1), (2), and (3), 30.49 (1) (a) and (c), 31.23 (2), 281.75 (19), 281.98 (1), 281.99 (2) (a) 1., 283.91 (2), 285.41 (7), 285.57 (5), 285.59 (8), 285.87 (1), 287.95 (1), (2) (b), and (3) (b), 287.97, 289.96 (2) and (3) (a), 291.97 (1), 292.99 (1) and (1m), 293.81, 293.87 (3) and (4) (a), 295.19 (3) (a) and (b) 1., 295.37 (2), 295.79 (2) and (4), 299.15 (4), 299.51 (5), 299.53 (4) (c) 1., 299.62 (3) (a) and (c), and 299.97 (1), if a regulated entity that qualifies under sub. (2) for participation in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program corrects violations that it discloses in a report that meets the requirements of sub. (3) within 90 days after the department receives the report that meets the requirements of sub. (3), the regulated entity may not be required to forfeit more than $500 for each violation, regardless of the number of days during which the violation continues.

AB614,28,3 4. Notwithstanding minimum or maximum forfeitures specified in ss. 29.314 (7), 29.334 (2), 29.604 (5) (a), 29.611 (11), 29.889 (10) (c) 2., 29.969, 29.971 (1) (a), (1m) (a), (3), (3m), (11g) (b), (11m) (b), and (11r) (b), 30.298 (1), (2), and (3), 30.49 (1) (a) and (c), 31.23 (2), 281.75 (19), 281.98 (1), 281.99 (2) (a) 1., 283.91 (2), 285.41 (7), 285.57 (5), 285.59 (8), 285.87 (1), 287.95 (1), (2) (b), and (3) (b), 287.97, 289.96 (2) and (3) (a), 291.97 (1), 292.99 (1) and (1m), 293.81, 293.87 (3) and (4) (a), 295.19 (3) (a) and (b) 1., 295.37 (2), 295.79 (2) and (4), 299.15 (4), 299.51 (5), 299.53 (4) (c) 1., 299.62 (3) (a) and (c), and 299.97 (1), if the department approves a compliance schedule under sub. (6) and the regulated entity corrects the violations according to the compliance schedule, the regulated entity may not be required to forfeit more than $500 for each violation, regardless of the number of days during which the violation continues.

AB614,100 Section 100. 299.95 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,28,21 299.95 Enforcement; duty of department of justice; expenses. The attorney general shall enforce chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 and this chapter, except ss. 285.57, 285.59, and 299.64, and all rules, special orders, licenses, plan approvals, permits, and water quality certifications of the department, except those promulgated or issued under ss. 285.57, 285.59, and 299.64 and except as provided in ss. 281.36 (14) (f), 285.86 and 299.85 (7) (am). Except as provided in s. 295.79 (1), the The circuit court for Dane county or for any other county where a violation occurred in whole or in part has jurisdiction to enforce chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 or this chapter or the rule, special order, license, plan approval, permit, or certification by injunctional and other relief appropriate for enforcement. For purposes of this proceeding where chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 or this chapter or the rule, special order, license, plan approval, permit or certification prohibits in whole or in part any pollution, a violation is considered a public nuisance. The department of natural resources may enter into agreements with the department of justice to assist with the administration of chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 and this chapter. Any funds paid to the department of justice under these agreements shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.455 (1) (k).

AB614,101 Section 101. 323.60 (1) (gm) of the statutes is repealed.

AB614,102 Section 102. 323.60 (5) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,29,8 323.60 (5) (d) 3. All facilities with 10 or more employees in major group classifications 10 to 13 in the standard industrial classification manual, 1987 edition, published by the U.S. office of management and budget, at which a toxic chemical is used at or above an applicable threshold quantity, except that compliance with the toxic chemical release form requirements under this subdivision is not required for the placement of a toxic chemical in a storage or disposal site or facility that is located at a facility with a permit under ch. 293 or a mining permit under subch. III of ch. 295 if the toxic chemical consists of or is contained in merchantable by-products, as defined in s. 293.01 (7) or 295.41 (25), minerals, as defined in s. 293.01 (8), or refuse, as defined in s. 293.01 (25) or 295.41 (41).

AB614,103 Section 103. 706.01 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,29,11 706.01 (9) “Mining company" means any person or agent of a person who has a prospecting permit under s. 293.45 or a mining permit under s. 293.49 or 295.58.

AB614,104 Section 104. 710.02 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB614,29,14 710.02 (2) (d) An exploration mining lease as defined in s. 107.001 (1) and land used for mining and associated activities under chs. 293 and 295.

AB614,105 Section 105. 2013 Wisconsin Act 1, section 103 is repealed.

AB614,106 Section 106. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB614,29,19 (1) If the department of natural resources has promulgated rules under 2013 Wisconsin Act 1, section 103, on or before the effective date of this subsection, the department of natural resources shall promulgate rules that do all of the following:

AB614,29,21 (a) Revise the rules promulgated under 2013 Wisconsin Act 1, section 103 (1) (a) so that those rules apply to ferrous metallic mining.

AB614,29,24 (b) Revise the rules promulgated under 2013 Wisconsin Act 1, section 103 (1) (b) so that those rules are consistent with the repeal by this act of subchapter III of chapter 295 of the statutes.

AB614,30,3 (c) Revise the rules promulgated under 2013 Wisconsin Act 1, section 103 (1) (c) so that the exemptions specified in those rules do not apply to ferrous mining and associated activities.

AB614,30,10 (2) The department of natural resources shall present the statement of scope of the rules required under subsection (1 ) to the governor for approval under section 227.135 (2) of the statutes no later than the 30th day after the effective date of this subsection. The department of natural resources shall submit in proposed form the rules required under subsection (1 ) to the legislative council staff under section 227.15 (1) of the statutes no later than the first day of the 5th month beginning after the governor approves the statement of scope of the rules.

AB614,30,11 (End)