Utility permit procedure
Under current law, with certain exceptions, a public utility may not begin
construction on a utility project, and no person, including a public utility, may
construct a large electric generating facility or a high-voltage transmission line,
unless the Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a certificate for the project.
A public utility is a company or municipality that produces or delivers heat, light,
water, or power to or for the public.
Generally, under current law, a person must submit an application to DNR for
each required permit, including an individual permit to conduct an activity in a
navigable water or a discharge in a wetland. If the applicant is a utility that is
required to obtain a certificate from the PSC, however, the utility must submit a
single application to DNR requesting all of the DNR permits that the utility is
required to obtain for a given project affecting navigable waters and wetlands and

must follow a different procedure for obtaining these DNR permits (utility
application procedure).
This substitute amendment removes the exemption in current law that
provides that the permit application procedures that would normally apply to an
application for an individual permit do not apply to an application for an individual
permit submitted under the utility application procedure. This substitute
amendment also removes the exemption in current law that provides that the
procedures that would normally apply to administrative and judicial review of a
DNR decision on an individual permit do not apply to decisions on an individual
permit submitted under the utility application procedure. Instead, the substitute
amendment specifies that the utility permit procedures are exclusive and apply in
lieu of any other procedures that would otherwise apply to permits applied for under
the utility permit procedure.
Also under this substitute amendment, there is no opportunity to object to, and
request a stay of, a DNR decision related to a wetland individual permit applied for
under the utility application procedure.
Nonpoint water pollution
This substitute amendment provides that, if a covered municipality has
obtained all permits required for the construction of a stormwater management pond
in an artificial water body, whether navigable or nonnavigable, DNR may not
prohibit the construction of the stormwater management pond as a method by which
the covered municipality may achieve compliance with DNR's prescribed
performance standards for sources of nonpoint water pollution, which is water
pollution from diffuse sources, or with an approved total maximum daily load
(TMDL) requirement. A covered municipality is a municipality that has been issued
an individual municipal separate storm sewer permit or that is covered by a general
municipal separate storm sewer permit. A TMDL is the maximum amount of a
pollutant that a body of water can receive and still meet water quality standards.
DNR's current rules provide that, for the purpose of determining compliance
with performance standards, DNR may give credit for the use of practices, measures,
or techniques (best management practices) that minimize pollutants carried in
runoff. The rules prohibit DNR from giving credit for a best management practice
that is located in a navigable water. The substitute amendment provides that DNR
must give credit for any pollutant reduction achieved by a pond constructed by a
covered municipality in determining compliance with performance standards
specified in a stormwater discharge permit or with an approved TMDL requirement.
The substitute amendment also provides that, if a covered municipality applies
for an individual permit for the construction of a stormwater management pond in
an artificial water body, whether navigable or nonnavigable, for the purpose of
achieving compliance with performance standards specified in a stormwater
discharge permit or with an approved TMDL requirement, in making its
determination DNR is required to take into consideration the sediment control in

and water quality improvements to the watershed as a whole that result from the
stormwater management pond.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB600-ASA1,1 1Section 1. 23.24 (4) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,8,32 23.24 (4) (b) 4. A person who engages in an activity listed under sub. (3) (a) in
3the course of performing shoreline maintenance as authorized under s. 30.125.
AB600-ASA1,2 4Section 2. 30.01 (1am) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,8,65 30.01 (1am) (a) A Subject to s. 30.106, a state natural area designated or
6dedicated under ss. 23.27 to 23.29.
AB600-ASA1,3 7Section 3. 30.01 (1am) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,8,98 30.01 (1am) (b) A Subject to s. 30.106, a surface water identified as a trout
9stream by the department.
AB600-ASA1,4 10Section 4. 30.01 (1am) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
AB600-ASA1,5 11Section 5. 30.01 (1am) (d), (e), (f) and (g) of the statutes are created to read:
AB600-ASA1,8,1412 30.01 (1am) (d) A body of water designated as a wild rice water under a written
13agreement between the department and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife
14Commission.
AB600-ASA1,8,1715 (e) Subject to s. 30.106, a body of water in a wetland along Lake Michigan or
16Lake Superior that the department has identified as an ecologically significant
17coastal wetland.
AB600-ASA1,8,1918 (f) A river that is included in the national wild and scenic rivers system or
19designated as a wild river under s. 30.26.
AB600-ASA1,8,2120 (g) Subject to s. 30.106, the portion of a body of water that contains a public
21rights feature in a sensitive area of a lake.
AB600-ASA1,6
1Section 6. 30.01 (1d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,9,52 30.01 (1d) "Boathouse" means a structure with one or more walls or sides that
3has been
used for one or more years for the storage of watercraft and associated
4materials which has one or more walls or sides , regardless of the current use of the
5structure
.
AB600-ASA1,7 6Section 7. 30.01 (5p) of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,9,107 30.01 (5p) "Public rights feature" means a location in a body of water identified
8by the department as in need of special protection under ss. 30.12 (1p) (a) 3. and (2m),
930.123 (6m) and (6s), 30.20 (1k) (a) 2. and (1m), 30.206 (1) (ag), (3) and (3r) to assure
10that the public's rights and interests under the public trust doctrine are protected.
AB600-ASA1,8 11Section 8. 30.01 (6b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,9,1512 30.01 (6b) "Sensitive area" means an area of aquatic vegetation identified by
13the department as offering critical or unique fish and wildlife habitat, including
14seasonal or lifestage requirements, or offering water quality or erosion control
15benefits to the body of water.
AB600-ASA1,9 16Section 9. 30.025 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,9,2017 30.025 (5) Exemption from certain Exclusive procedures. Sections 30.208
18and 30.209 do not apply to an application for any permit
The procedures provided
19under this section are exclusive and apply in lieu of any other procedures that would
20otherwise apply to permits applied for under this section
.
AB600-ASA1,10 21Section 10. 30.053 of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,9,24 2230.053 Applicability of chapter to artificial water bodies. Except as
23specifically provided otherwise in this chapter, nothing in this chapter applies to an
24artificial water body, as defined in s. 30.19 (1b) (a), that is not hydrologically

1connected to a natural navigable waterway and that does not discharge into a
2natural navigable waterway except as a result of storm events.
AB600-ASA1,11 3Section 11. 30.106 of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,10,9 430.106 Approval of certain areas of special natural resource interest.
5Beginning on the effective date of this section .... [LRB inserts date], the department
6may not identify an area described under s. 30.01 (1am) (a), (b), (e), or (g) as an area
7of special natural resource interest unless it first notifies the joint committee for
8review of administrative rules in writing of the proposal and obtains the approval of
9the committee.
AB600-ASA1,12 10Section 12. 30.115 of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,10,11 1130.115 Ownership of certain filled navigable waters. (1) In this section:
AB600-ASA1,10,1312 (a) "Line of navigation" means the depth of a navigable water that is the greater
13of the following:
AB600-ASA1,10,1414 1. Three feet.
AB600-ASA1,10,1715 2. The depth required to operate a boat on the navigable water based on normal
16summertime low levels on the navigable water or summer minimum levels if
17summer minimum levels are established by the department.
AB600-ASA1,10,2118 (b) "Riparian zone" means the area that extends from riparian land waterward
19to the line of navigation as determined by a method that establishes riparian zone
20lines between adjacent riparian owners in a manner that equitably apportions access
21to the line of navigation.
AB600-ASA1,11,2 22(2) Subject to any public easement under sub. (2m), if a person placed fill on
23the bed of a navigable water before January 1, 1975, the filled area above the
24ordinary high-water mark is owned by the riparian owner in whose riparian zone
25the fill is located on the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], if the

1filled area has continuously remained above the ordinary high-water mark since
2January 1, 1975.
AB600-ASA1,11,6 3(2m) If by January 1, 2016, there has been public use of the filled area described
4under sub. (2) that is visible, open, and notorious and of which a reasonable riparian
5owner would be aware, then the riparian owner's ownership of the filled area under
6sub. (2) is subject to a public easement for that public use.
AB600-ASA1,11,9 7(3) The department may not require the riparian owner of a filled area
8described under sub. (2) to remove the fill, whether above or below the ordinary
9high-water mark, from that area.
AB600-ASA1,11,11 10(4) Upon request, the department shall furnish a quitclaim deed to the riparian
11owner described under sub. (2).
AB600-ASA1,11,13 12(5) This section does not apply to a lake bed area conveyed by the legislature
13as provided under s. 13.097.
AB600-ASA1,13 14Section 13. 30.12 (1g) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,11,1615 30.12 (1g) (am) A deposit of sand, gravel, or stone that is necessary to perform
16an activity authorized under s. 30.125 (2) (a).
AB600-ASA1,14 17Section 14. 30.12 (1k) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,11,2318 30.12 (1k) (f) A decision of If the department against determines that the
19owner of a structure for which is not entitled to an exemption is claimed under this
20subsection is subject to a trial de novo, the owner may bring an action for declaratory
21judgment under s. 806.04 in the circuit court for the county in which the riparian
22property is located. The owner is not entitled to a contested case hearing or judicial
23review under ch. 227
.
AB600-ASA1,15 24Section 15. 30.12 (3) (a) 3c. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,12,6
130.12 (3) (a) 3c. Place riprap in order to replace or repair existing riprap, other
2than riprap that is exempt under sub. (1g) (i) or (j). Under the permit, the
3department shall allow riprap to extend to the top of the bank of the navigable water
4or 4 feet above the ordinary high-water mark, whichever is lower. In issuing the
5permit, the department may not impose conditions that prohibit the replacement or
6repair of riprap located in an area of special natural resource interest.
AB600-ASA1,16 7Section 16. 30.12 (3) (a) 3g. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,12,128 30.12 (3) (a) 3g. Place riprap on the bed or bank of a navigable water adjacent
9to an owner's property in an amount up to and including 100 continuous feet in an
10inland lake of 300 acres or more. Under the permit the department shall allow riprap
11to extend to the top of the bank of the navigable water or 4 feet above the ordinary
12high-water mark, whichever is lower.
AB600-ASA1,17 13Section 17. 30.12 (3) (a) 3r. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,12,1814 30.12 (3) (a) 3r. Place riprap on the bed or bank of a navigable water adjacent
15to an owner's property in an amount up to and including 300 continuous feet in a
16Great Lakes water body. Under the permit the department shall allow riprap to
17extend to the top of the bank of the navigable water or 4 feet above the ordinary
18high-water mark, whichever is lower.
AB600-ASA1,18 19Section 18. 30.12 (3) (a) 6. (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 30.12 (3) (a)
206. and amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,12,2421 30.12 (3) (a) 6. Place a permanent boat shelter adjacent to the owner's property
22for the purpose of storing or protecting watercraft and associated materials, except
23that no general or individual permit may be issued for a permanent boat shelter that
24is constructed after May 3, 1988, if any of the following apply:
.
AB600-ASA1,19 25Section 19. 30.12 (3) (a) 6. a., b. and c. of the statutes are repealed.
AB600-ASA1,20
1Section 20. 30.12 (3) (a) 13. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,13,82 30.12 (3) (a) 13. Place a seawall to replace an existing seawall for which a
3permit has been issued or an exemption granted under this chapter, or for which no
4permit was required at the time the seawall was built
. The replacement may not
5exceed 100 continuous feet in an inland lake of 300 or more acres and may not exceed
6300 continuous feet in a Great Lakes water body. In issuing the permit, the
7department may not impose conditions that prohibit the replacement of a seawall
8located in an area of special natural resource interest.
AB600-ASA1,21 9Section 21. 30.12 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,13,1910 30.12 (3) (c) The department may impose conditions on general permits issued
11under par. (a) 6. to govern the architectural features of boat shelters and the number
12of boat shelters that may be constructed adjacent to a parcel of land. The conditions
13may not govern the aesthetic features or color of boat shelters or the distance at
14which a boat shelter may extend from the shore and may not be based on the degree
15to which adjacent land is developed
. The conditions shall be designed to ensure the
16structural soundness and durability of boat shelters. A municipality may enact
17ordinances that are consistent with this paragraph and with any conditions imposed
18on general permits issued to regulate the architectural features of boat shelters that
19are under the jurisdiction of the municipality.
AB600-ASA1,22 20Section 22. 30.12 (3m) (cr) of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,13,2421 30.12 (3m) (cr) In determining whether to issue an individual permit to the
22owner of a proposed permanent boat shelter, the department may not deny the
23permit on the basis of the distance at which the shelter will extend from the shore
24or the degree to which adjacent land is developed.
AB600-ASA1,23 25Section 23. 30.121 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,14,3
130.121 (1) Definition. In this section, the terms "maintain" and "repair"
2include replacing structural elements, including roofs, doors, walls, windows,
3beams, porches, and floors, and foundations.
AB600-ASA1,24 4Section 24. 30.121 (3b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,14,115 30.121 (3b) Expansion of historic boathouses. The riparian owner of any
6boathouse or fixed houseboat extending beyond the ordinary high-water mark of any
7navigable waterway may expand the boathouse without a permit under s. 30.12 if
8the boathouse is listed in the national register of historic places in Wisconsin or the
9state register of historic places, the boathouse is not expanded beyond its listed
10historical boundaries, and the expansion does not involve the placement of any new
11structure on the bed of a navigable water.
AB600-ASA1,25 12Section 25. 30.121 (3c) of the statutes is renumbered 30.121 (3c) (intro.) and
13amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,14,1714 30.121 (3c) Exception; certain boathouses. (intro.) Subsection (3) does not
15apply to repairing or maintaining a boathouse if the boathouse was in existence on
16December 16, 1979, and if all of the following apply to the repairing or maintaining
17repair or maintenance:
AB600-ASA1,14,18 18(a) It does not affect the size, or location, or configuration of the boathouse and.
AB600-ASA1,14,19 19(b) It does not result in the boathouse being converted into living quarters.
AB600-ASA1,26 20Section 26. 30.121 (3c) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,14,2221 30.121 (3c) (c) It does not involve the placement of a floor over a wet bay in the
22boathouse on or after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date].
AB600-ASA1,27 23Section 27. 30.121 (3w) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 30.121 (3w) (c) (intro.)
24and amended to read:
AB600-ASA1,15,2
130.121 (3w) (c) (intro.) The boathouse is located within in any of the following
2locations:
AB600-ASA1,15,4 31. Within a harbor that is being operated as a commercial enterprise or is
4located on
.
AB600-ASA1,15,5 52. On a river that is a tributary of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.
AB600-ASA1,28 6Section 28. 30.121 (3w) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,15,87 30.121 (3w) (c) 3. On an outlying water and the work is limited to the
8expansion, repair, or maintenance of an existing boathouse.
AB600-ASA1,29 9Section 29. 30.125 of the statutes is created to read:
AB600-ASA1,15,10 1030.125 Shoreline maintenance in outlying waters. (1) In this section:
AB600-ASA1,15,1111 (a) "Outlying waters" has the meaning given in s. 29.001 (63).
AB600-ASA1,15,1312 (b) "Shoreline area" means the area that is located between the ordinary
13high-water mark and water's edge.
AB600-ASA1,15,17 14(2) If the conditions under sub. (3) are met, the permitting requirements under
15ss. 23.24 (3) and 30.12 and the contract and permitting requirements under s. 30.20
16do not apply to any of the following maintenance activities conducted in a shoreline
17area of an outlying water:
AB600-ASA1,15,2118 (a) The leveling of sand or the grooming of soil if the leveling or grooming will
19occur in an area of unconsolidated material predominately composed of sand, rock,
20and pebble that is authorized by the owner of the riparian land that abuts the
21shoreline area.
AB600-ASA1,15,2322 (b) The removal of debris or the mowing of vegetation that is authorized by the
23owner of the riparian land that abuts the shoreline area.
AB600-ASA1,15,25 24(3) All of the following conditions apply to the activities described under sub.
25(2):
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