1995 Wisconsin Act 227

293.01 (23) “Reclamation" means the process by which an area physically or environmentally affected by prospecting or mining is rehabilitated to either its original state or, if this is shown to be physically or economically impracticable or environmentally or socially undesirable, to a state that provides long-term environmental stability. Reclamation shall provide the greatest feasible protection to the environment and shall include, but is not limited to, the criteria for reclamation set forth in s. 144.83 293.13 (2) (c).

227,739 Section 739 . 144.81 (16) of the statutes is renumbered 293.01 (24) and amended to read:

293.01 (24) “Reclamation plan" means the proposal for the reclamation of the prospecting or mining site which must be approved by the department under s. 144.84 293.45 or 144.85 293.49 prior to the issuance of the prospecting or mining permit.

227,740 Section 740 . 144.81 (17) of the statutes is renumbered 293.01 (25).

227,741 Section 741 . 144.81 (17m) of the statutes is renumbered 293.01 (26).

227,742 Section 742 . 144.81 (18) of the statutes is renumbered 293.01 (28).

227,743 Section 743 . 144.815 of the statutes is renumbered 293.61, and 293.61 (2) (b), as renumbered, is amended to read:

293.61 (2) (b) If the cessation of mining does not continue beyond the time period specified by the department. The time limit specified by the department may not exceed 5 years for a mining operation for which a permit is issued under s. 144.85 293.49 on or after May 19, 1984. The time limit specified by the department may not exceed 10 years for a mining operation for which a permit is issued under s. 144.85 293.49 before May 19, 1984;

227,744 Section 744 . 144.82 of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, is renumbered 293.11.

227,745 Section 745 . 144.83 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

227,746 Section 746 . 144.83 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 293.13 (1), and 293.13 (1) (a) and (b), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.13 (1) (a) Adopt rules, including rules for prehearing discovery, implementing and consistent with ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter.

(b) Establish by rule after consulting with the metallic mining council minimum qualifications for applicants for prospecting and mining permits. Such minimum qualifications shall ensure that each operator in the state is competent to conduct mining and reclamation and each prospector in the state is competent to conduct prospecting in a fashion consistent with the purposes of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter. The department shall also consider such other relevant factors bearing upon minimum qualifications, including but not limited to, any past forfeitures of bonds posted pursuant to mining activities in any state.

227,747 Section 747 . 144.83 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 293.13 (2), and 293.13 (2) (a), (b) 11. and 12., (c) (intro.) and 1. and (d) 3. (intro.) and 4., as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.13 (2) (a) The department by rule after consulting with the metallic mining council shall adopt minimum standards for exploration, prospecting, mining and reclamation to ensure that such activities in this state will be conducted in a manner consistent with the purposes and intent of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter. The minimum standards may classify exploration, prospecting and mining activities according to type of minerals involved and stage of progression in the operation.

(b) 11. Identification and prevention of pollution as defined in s. 144.01 (10) 281.01 (10) resulting from leaching of waste materials.

12. Identification and prevention of significant environmental pollution as defined in s. 144.01 (3).

(c) (intro.) Minimum standards for reclamation of exploration sites, where appropriate, and for prospecting and mining sites shall conform to s. 144.81 (15) 293.01 (23) and include provision for the following:

1. Disposal of all toxic and hazardous wastes, refuse, tailings and other solid waste in solid or hazardous waste disposal facilities licensed under this chapter ch. 289 or 291 or otherwise in an environmentally sound manner.

(d) 3. (intro.) Hazards resulting in irreparable damage to any of the following, which cannot be prevented under the requirements of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter, avoided to the extent applicable by removal from the area of hazard or mitigated by purchase or by obtaining the consent of the owner:

4. Irreparable environmental damage to lake or stream bodies despite adherence to the requirements of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter. This subdivision does not apply to an activity which the department has authorized pursuant to statute, except that the destruction or filling in of a lake bed shall not be authorized notwithstanding any other provision of law.

227,748 Section 748 . 144.83 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 293.15, and 293.15 (1), (3), (4), (8), (9) and (11), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.15 (1) Hold hearings relating to any aspect of the administration of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter and, in connection therewith, compel the attendance of witnesses and production of evidence.

(3) Issue orders directing particular prospectors or operators to comply with the provisions and purposes of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter.

(4) Supervise and provide for such educational programs as appear necessary to carry out the purposes of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter.

(8) Promulgate rules regulating the production, storage and disposal of radioactive waste from exploration, prospecting or mining after seeking comments from the department of health and family services. At a minimum, rules promulgated under this paragraph subsection shall achieve the margin of safety provided in applicable federal statutes and regulations. If the department promulgates rules under this paragraph subsection, the department shall investigate the need for standards more restrictive than the applicable federal statutes and regulations.

(9) Promulgate rules by which the department may grant an exemption, modification or variance, either making a requirement more or less restrictive, from any rule promulgated under subch. IV chs. 289 to 292 and this subchapter chapter, if the exemption, modification or variance does not result in the violation of any federal or state environmental law or endanger public health, safety or welfare or the environment.

(11) Notwithstanding ss. 144.43 to 144.47 and 144.60 to 144.74 chs. 289 and 291, promulgate rules establishing groundwater quality standards or groundwater quantity standards, or both, for any prospecting or mining activity, including standards for any mining waste site.

Note: Some portions of new ch. 292, remedial action, are taken from current ss. 144.43 to 144.47 and 144.60 to 144.74. However, ch. 292 is not included in the cross-reference in new s. 293.15 (11) because the remedial action statutes are not the source of statutory authority for groundwater quality and quantity standards, and because new ch. 292 includes additional material that is not taken from current ss. 144.43 to 144.47 and 144.60 to 144.74.

227,749 Section 749 . 144.83 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 293.15 (12) and amended to read:

293.15 (12) The department may require Require all persons under its jurisdiction to submit such informational reports as the department deems necessary for performing its duties under ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter.

227,750 Section 750 . 144.83 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 293.85, and 293.85 (1) and (2), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.85 (1) The prospecting permit for a prospecting site that is the site of a violation of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter.

(2) The mining permit for a mining site that is the site of a violation of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter.

227,751 Section 751 . 144.831 (title) of the statutes is renumbered 293.31 (title) and amended to read:

293.31 (title) Data collection ; monitoring.

227,752 Section 752 . 144.831 (1) to (6) of the statutes are renumbered 293.31 (1) to (6), and 293.31 (2), as renumbered, is amended to read:

293.31 (2) Upon receipt of notification under sub. (1), the department shall give public notice of the notification in the same manner as provided under s. 144.836 293.43 (3) (b).

227,753 Section 753 . 144.831 (7) of the statutes is renumbered 293.45 (3) and amended to read:

293.45 (3) The department, in granting a permit under s. 144.84 or 144.85 this section, shall require the permit holder to perform adequate monitoring of environmental changes during the course of the permitted activity and for such additional period of time as is necessary to satisfactorily complete reclamation and completely release the permit holder from any bonds required.

Note: Current s. 144.831 (7), which applies to both prospecting and mining permits, is renumbered and amended to apply only to prospecting permits. An identical provision is created in s. 293.49 (7) for mining permits.

227,754 Section 754 . 144.831 (8) of the statutes is renumbered 293.15 (13) and amended to read:

293.15 (13) The department may monitor Monitor environmental changes concurrently with the permit holder under sub. (7) s. 293.45 (3) or 293.49 (7), and for such additional period of time after the full bond is released under s. 144.90 293.63 (3) as is necessary for the site to return to a state of environmental stability. The department may conduct independent studies to monitor environmental changes.

227,755 Section 755 . 144.832 of the statutes is renumbered 293.21.

227,756 Section 756 . 144.833 of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, is renumbered 293.25, and 293.25 (1) (intro.), (2) (a) and (b), (3), (4) and (5), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.25 (1) Definitions. (intro.) As used in In this section and for the purposes of determining the applicability of ss. 144.83, 144.832, 144.88 and 144.93 to 144.94 293.13, 293.15 (1) to (12), 293.21, 293.81, 293.87, 293.89, 293.93 and 293.95:

(2) (a) Applicability. Except as provided under par. (b), ss. 144.832 293.21 and 144.88 293.81 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 mineral exploration, to activities related to mineral exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in mineral exploration or related activities.

(b) Exception. Notwithstanding par. (a) and s. 144.832 293.21 (3), the department may waive the bond requirement for a person who is authorized to engage in radioactive waste site exploration by a federal agency if the federal agency provides sufficient guarantees that the person or the federal agency will comply with the requirements of the department relating to termination. Notwithstanding par. (a) and s. 144.832 293.21 (3), the department may require a bond in an amount in excess of the amount specified under s. 144.832 293.21 (3) (a) to ensure that sufficient funds are available to comply with termination requirements or to abate or remedy any environmental pollution or danger to public health, safety or welfare resulting from radioactive waste site exploration.

(3) Approval required prior to drilling. No person may engage in radioactive waste site exploration by drilling on a parcel unless notice is provided as required under sub. (2) and s. 144.832 293.21 (4) (a) and unless the department issues a written approval authorizing drilling on that parcel. If the person seeking this approval is the federal department of energy or an agent or employe of the federal department of energy, the department may not issue the approval unless the public service commission certifies that the federal department of energy and its agents or employes have complied with any requirement imposed by the public service commission under s. 196.497 or any agreement entered into under that section.

(4) Regulation of exploration and related provisions. Sections 144.83, 144.93 and 144.935 293.13, 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 mineral exploration, to activities related to mineral exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in mineral exploration or related activities.

(5) Groundwater regulations. A person engaging in radioactive waste site exploration shall comply with any restrictions or prohibitions concerning the pollution or contamination of groundwater under ss. 144.025 or 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter, subch. II of ch. 281 or ch. 147 283 or any rule or order promulgated under those sections chapters or that chapter subchapter.

227,757 Section 757 . 144.834 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

227,758 Section 758 . 144.834 (1) and (2) of the statutes are renumbered 293.35 (2) and (3) and amended to read:

293.35 (2) A reclamation plan shall accompany all applications for prospecting or mining permits. If it is physically or economically impracticable or environmentally or socially undesirable for the reclamation process to return the affected area to its original state, the plan shall set forth the reasons therefor and shall discuss alternative conditions and uses to which the affected area can be put.

(3) The reclamation plan shall specify how the applicant intends to accomplish, to the fullest extent possible, compliance with the minimum standards under s. 144.83 293.13 (2) (c).

Note: Current s. 144.834 (1) and (2), which apply to both prospecting and mining permits, are renumbered and amended to apply only to prospecting permits. An identical provision is created in s. 293.37 (3) for mining permits.

227,759 Section 759 . 144.836 (title) of the statutes is renumbered 293.43 (title).

227,760 Section 760 . 144.836 (intro.), (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the statutes are renumbered 293.43 (1), (1m), (2), (3) and (5), and 293.43 (1m) (b), (3) (a) and (b) (intro.) and 3. and (5) (e), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.43 (1m) (b) Except as provided in this paragraph, for all department issued approvals, licenses and permits relating to prospecting or mining including solid waste feasibility report approvals and permits related to air and water, to be issued after April 30, 1980, the notice, hearing and comment provisions, if any, and the time for issuance of decisions, shall be controlled by this section and ss. 144.84 293.45 and 144.85 293.49. If an applicant fails to make application for an approval, license or permit for an activity incidental to prospecting or mining in time for notice under this section to be provided, the notice and comment requirements, if any, shall be controlled by the specific statutory provisions with respect to that application. If notice under those specific statutory notice requirements can be given for consideration of the approval, license or permit at the hearing under this section, the application shall be considered at that hearing; otherwise, the specific statutory hearing provisions, if any, with respect to that application shall control. The substantive requirements for the issuance of any approval, permit or license incidental to prospecting or mining are not affected by the fact that a hearing on the approval, permit or license is conducted as part of a hearing under this section.

(3) (a) If it is determined that a statement under s. 1.11 is not required, the hearing shall be scheduled for a date not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days after the announcement of that determination, and the scheduling and providing of notice shall be completed not later than 10 days following the announcement. Notice of the hearing shall be given by mailing a copy of the notice to any known state agency required to issue a permit for the proposed operation, to the regional planning commission for the affected area, to the county, city, village and town within which any part of the affected area lies, to all persons who have requested this notification and, if applicable, to all persons specified under par. (b) 3. and s. 144.026 281.35 (5) (b) and (6) (f). Written comments may be submitted to the department within 30 days of the date of notice.

(b) (intro.) If it is determined that a statement under s. 1.11 is required, or if an environmental impact statement is required under s. 144.852 293.39, the department shall hold at least one informational meeting regarding the preliminary environmental report within 60 days of its issuance. The meeting shall be held not sooner than 30 days nor later than 60 days after the issuance of the report. The scheduling and providing of notice of the meeting shall be completed not later than 10 days following the issuance of the preliminary environmental report. A hearing referred to under sub. (1) (1m) shall be scheduled for a date not less than 120 days nor more than 180 days after the issuance of the environmental impact statement. The scheduling and providing of notice of the hearing shall be completed within 30 days from the date of issuance of the environmental impact statement. The providing of notice shall be accomplished by:

3. Mailing a copy of the notice to the U.S. environmental protection agency, U.S. army corps of engineers and other states potentially affected by the proposed discharge if a water discharge permit under ch. 147 283 is to be considered at the hearing under this section and to the U.S. environmental protection agency and appropriate agencies in other states which may be affected if an air pollution control permit under ss. 144.30 to 144.426 ch. 285 is to be considered at the hearing under this section.

(5) (e) If evidence of conformance with applicable zoning ordinances as required by s. 144.85 (5) (a) 1. f. 293.49 (1) (a) 6. is not presented by the time testimony is completed, the department shall close the record and continue the hearing. The duration of the continuance of the hearing shall be specified by the department at the time the continuance begins, after first requesting the applicant to state the anticipated time at which the evidence will be provided. The continuance may be extended by the department prior to its expiration upon notice to all parties if good cause is shown.

227,761 Section 761 . 144.838 (title) and (1) to (4) of the statutes are renumbered 293.33 (title) and (1) to (4), and 293.33 (1) (g) and (3), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.33 (1) (g) Negotiating a local agreement under s. 144.839 293.41 (3).

(3) Persons giving notice under s. 144.831 293.31 (1) 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 giving notice under s. 144.831 293.31 shall thereafter make reasonable efforts to design and operate mining operations in harmony with community development objectives.

227,762 Section 762 . 144.838 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 293.43 (4) and amended to read:

293.43 (4) (title) Participation by local governments. Any county, town, village or city receiving notice of the filing of an application in the manner provided under s. 144.836 sub. (3) (a) or (b) shall refer the application and reclamation plan to a committee established under sub. s. 293.33 (1) or (2), if any, for review and comment. Such counties, towns, villages or cities may participate as a party in the hearing on the application and may make recommendations on the reclamation plan and future use of the project site.

227,763 Section 763 . 144.839 of the statutes is renumbered 293.41, and 293.41 (3), as renumbered, is amended to read:

293.41 (3) A county, town, village, city or tribal government may authorize the local impact committee appointed under s. 144.838 293.33 to negotiate an agreement under this section, but the agreement may not take effect until approved by the county, town, village, city or tribal government in accordance with sub. (4).

227,764 Section 764 . 144.84 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

227,765 Section 765 . 144.84 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 293.35 (1) and amended to read:

293.35 (1) No person may engage in prospecting without securing a prospecting permit issued under this section s. 293.45. Application for prospecting permits shall be made in writing to the department upon forms prepared and furnished by the department. An application must be made, and a prospecting permit obtained for each separate prospecting site. Applications shall be submitted in reproducible form in such multiples as required by rules of the department. As a part of each application for a prospecting permit, the applicant shall furnish a description of the proposed prospecting site, the number of acres in the proposed prospecting site, a prospecting plan, a reclamation plan meeting the requirements of s. 144.834 subs. (2) and (3) and a timetable for reclamation, information relating to whether the area may be unsuitable for prospecting or surface mining, unless the applicant conclusively certifies that he or she will not subsequently make application for a permit to conduct surface mining at the site and such other relevant information as the department may require, including information as to whether the applicant, its parent corporation, any of its principal shareholders or members, or any of the applicant's subsidiaries or affiliates in which the applicant owns more than a 40% interest, has forfeited any mining bonds in other states within the last 20 years, and the dates and locations, if any.

(4) An application shall be accompanied by such fee as is required by the department by rule which shall cover the estimated cost of evaluating the prospecting permit application. After completing its evaluation, the department shall revise the fee to reflect the actual cost of evaluation. The fee may be revised for persons to reflect the payment of fees for the same services to meet other requirements.

227,766 Section 766 . 144.84 (2) and (3) of the statutes are renumbered 293.45 (1) and (2) and amended to read:

293.45 (1) The department shall issue a prospecting permit under this section to an applicant within 60 days following the date of the completion of the hearing record if, on the basis of the application, the department's investigation and hearing and any written comments, it finds that the site is not unsuitable for prospecting or, absent a certification under sub. (1), surface mining, the department has approved the prospecting plan and the reclamation plan complies with ss. 144.83 293.13 (2) and 144.834 293.35 (2) and (3) and rules promulgated under ss. 144.83 293.13 (2) and 144.834 293.35 (2) and (3). The department may modify any part of the application or reclamation plan and approve it as modified. Except as otherwise provided in ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter, prospecting permits shall be valid for the life of the project, unless canceled under s. 144.83 (6) or 144.91 293.83 (1) or (3) or 293.85 or revoked under s. 144.93 293.87 (2) or (3).

Note: The requirement for the DNR to approve the prospecting plan before issuing the prospecting permit is moved here from its current location in the definition of “prospecting plan". See s. 144.81 (13m), renumbered as s. 293.01 (20).

(2) The department shall deny a prospecting permit within 60 days following the date of the completion of the hearing record if it finds that the site is unsuitable for prospecting or, absent certification under sub. s. 293.35 (1), surface mining, or the reclamation plan, including the bond, does not comply with ss. 144.83 293.13 (2) and 144.834 293.35 (2) and (3) and rules promulgated under ss. 144.83 293.13 (2) and 144.834 293.35 (2) and (3) or that the applicant is in violation of ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter or any rules adopted under ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter. If the applicant has previously failed and continues to fail to comply with ss. 144.80 to 144.94 this chapter, or if the applicant has within the previous 20 years forfeited any bond posted in accordance with prospecting or mining activities in this state, unless by mutual agreement with the state, the department may not issue a prospecting permit. The department may not issue a prospecting permit if it finds that any officer, director or manager of the applicant has, while employed by the applicant, the applicant's parent corporation, any of the applicant's principal shareholders or members, or any of the applicant's subsidiaries or affiliates, in which the applicant owns more than a 40% interest, within the previous 20 years forfeited any bond posted in accordance with prospecting or mining activities in this state unless by mutual agreement with the state. In this paragraph subsection, “forfeited any bond" means the forfeiture of any performance security occasioned by noncompliance with any prospecting or mining laws or implementing rules. If an application for a prospecting permit is denied, the department, within 30 days from the date of application denial, shall furnish to the applicant in writing the reasons for the denial.

227,767 Section 767 . 144.84 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 293.53 (1).

227,768 Section 768 . 144.84 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 293.35 (5).

227,769 Section 769 . 144.85 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

227,770 Section 770 . 144.85 (1) (a) and (b) of the statutes are renumbered 293.37 (1) (a) and (b), and 293.37 (1) (a), as renumbered, is amended to read:

293.37 (1) (a) No operator may engage in mining or reclamation at any mining site that is not covered by a mining permit and by written authorization to mine under s. 144.86 293.51 (3). Applications for mining permits shall be made in writing and in reproducible form to the department upon forms prepared and furnished by it and in such multiples as required by rule of the department. An application shall be made, and a mining permit obtained for each separate mining site. No application for surface mining at a site may be entertained by the department if within the previous 5 years the applicant, or a different person who had received a prospecting permit for the site had certified under s. 144.84 293.35 (1) that he or she would not subsequently make application for a permit to conduct surface mining at the site.

227,771 Section 771 . 144.85 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 293.49 (8).

227,772 Section 772 . 144.85 (2) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 293.37 (5).

227,773 Section 773 . 144.85 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 293.49 (6) and amended to read:

293.49 (6) Except as otherwise provided in ss. 144.87 to 144.91 293.53 (2), 293.55 to 293.59, 293.63, 293.81 and 293.83, mining permits shall be valid for the life of the project unless canceled under s. 144.83 (6) or 144.91 293.83 (1) or (3) or 293.85 or revoked under s. 144.93 293.87 (2) or (3).

227,774 Section 774 . 144.85 (3) (intro.), (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of the statutes are renumbered 293.37 (2) (intro.), (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (h), and 293.37 (2) (b), (d) and (f), as renumbered, are amended to read:

293.37 (2) (b) In addition to the information and maps otherwise required by this subsection, a detailed reclamation plan showing the manner, location and time for reclamation, including ongoing reclamation during mining, of the proposed mining site. The reclamation plan shall be accompanied by a map subject to the requirements in par. (a) which shall show the specific reclamation proposal for each area of the site. The reclamation plan shall conform to any applicable comprehensive plan created under sub. (4) (b), and to any applicable minimum standard created under ss. 144.83 293.13 (2) and 144.834 293.35 (2) and (3).