AB426,136,13 11(9) Mining permit. Any water quality certification issued by the department,
12including all of the conditions imposed as part of the certification, shall be included
13in the mining permit.
AB426,136,23 14(10) Conservation easements. (a) A person who is the holder of a water quality
15certification that authorizes mitigation to be implemented by the holder of the
16certification at an on-site location shall grant a conservation easement under s.
17700.40 to the department to ensure that the wetland that is subject to the mitigation
18will not be destroyed or substantially degraded by any subsequent proprietor of or
19holder of interest in the property on which the wetland is located. The department
20shall suspend the mining permit if the holder of the permit fails to grant the
21easement within the time limit set forth in the mining permit. If the holder
22subsequently grants the conservation easement to the department, the department
23shall reinstate the mining permit.
AB426,136,2524 (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), the department shall modify or release a
25conservation easement granted under par. (a) if all of the following apply:
AB426,137,2
11. The department determines that part or all of the wetland subject to the
2mitigation ceases to be a wetland.
AB426,137,43 2. The person who is required to grant the conservation easement did not
4contribute to the loss of the wetland as specified in subd. 1.
AB426,137,75 3. Any subsequent proprietor of or holder of interest in the property on which
6the wetland specified in subd. 1. is located did not contribute to the loss of the
7wetland.
AB426,137,11 8(11) Exemptions. (a) Artificial wetlands. All of the following artificial wetlands
9that are associated with a mining operation are exempt from the water quality
10certification provisions and compensation and mitigation provisions under this
11section and under any other statute or rule relating to impacts on wetlands:
AB426,137,1412 1. An artificial wetland that is a sedimentation or stormwater detention basin
13or associated conveyance feature operated and maintained only for sediment
14detention and flood storage purposes.
AB426,137,1615 2. An artificial wetland that is an active sewage lagoon, cooling pond, waste
16disposal pit, fish rearing pond, or landscape pond.
AB426,137,1817 3. An artificial wetland that is actively maintained farm drainage and roadside
18ditches.
AB426,137,1919 4. An artificial wetland as part of an active mining operation.
AB426,137,2420 (c) Other exempted activities. For nonfederal wetlands, all of the following
21activities that are associated with a mining operation or bulk sampling are exempt
22from the water quality provisions and compensation and mitigation provisions under
23this section and any other law relating to impact on wetlands if the applicant
24minimizes any adverse effect on the environment as a result of the activities:
AB426,138,2
11. Maintenance, emergency repair, or reconstruction of damaged parts of
2structures that are in use in a wetland.
AB426,138,33 2. Construction or maintenance of irrigation or drainage ditches.
AB426,138,64 3. Construction or maintenance of farm roads, forest roads, or temporary
5mining roads that is performed in accordance with best management practices, as
6determined by the department.
AB426,138,8 7(12) Relationship to other laws. None of the following apply to a mining
8operation or bulk sampling:
AB426,138,109 (a) Sections 281.36 and 281.37, except as otherwise specifically provided in this
10section.
AB426,138,1311 (b) Any rule promulgated by the department relating to wetlands that conflicts
12with this section, except that no rule promulgated by the department under s. 281.36
13or 281.37 applies to a mining operation or bulk sampling.
AB426,138,16 14295.605 Impacts to navigable waters. (1) Definition. In this section,
15"navigable water activity" means an activity for which a permit or contract is
16required under s. 30.12, 30.123, 30.19, 30.195, or 30.20.
AB426,138,19 17(2) Permit or contract required. No person may engage in any navigable
18water activity associated with bulk sampling or mining unless the person has been
19issued a permit or entered into a contract as provided under sub. (4).
AB426,138,22 20(3) Application; riparian status. (a) Any person who intends to engage in a
21navigable water activity associated with bulk sampling or mining need not be a
22riparian owner to do any of the following:
AB426,138,2423 1. Apply for and be issued an individual permit for a navigable water activity
24under s. 30.12, 30.123, 30.19, or 30.195.
AB426,138,2525 1m. Enter into a contract under s. 30.20.
AB426,139,2
12. Engage in an activity that is exempt under s. 30.12, 30.123, 30.19, 30.195,
2or 30.20.
AB426,139,43 3. Seek authorization under a general permit issued under s. 30.12, 30.123,
430.19, or 30.20.
AB426,139,85 (b) If a person is applying for more than one permit or contract for a navigable
6water activity associated with bulk sampling or mining, the person may file a single
7application. The application shall include any information requested by the
8department under s. 295.45 (3).
AB426,139,11 9(4) Requirements. (a) Generally. The department shall issue a permit, or enter
10into a contract, for a navigable water activity if the navigable water activity meets
11all of the following requirements:
AB426,139,1312 1. The navigable water activity will not significantly impair public rights and
13interests in a navigable water.
AB426,139,1514 2. The navigable water activity will not significantly reduce the effective flood
15flow capacity of a stream.
AB426,139,1716 3. The navigable water activity will not significantly affect the rights of
17riparian owners or the applicant obtains the consent of the riparian owners.
AB426,139,1818 4. The navigable water activity will not significantly degrade water quality.
AB426,139,2219 (b) Measures. The person applying for the permit or contract shall submit a
20plan to the department containing proposed measures to to meet the requirements
21under par. (a) and a proposed schedule for implementing the measures. The plan
22shall include one or more of the following measures:
AB426,139,2523 1. Measures to offset significant impacts to navigable waters by providing
24public access to, restoring, or enlarging up to 1.5 acres of navigable waters in
25exchange for each acre of navigable waters that is significantly impacted.
AB426,140,1
12. Measures to improve public rights or interests in navigable waters.
AB426,140,22 3. Measures to offset significant impacts to water quality or quantity.
AB426,140,33 4. Measures to enhance flood storage.
AB426,140,44 5. Compensation or mitigation as provided under s. 295.60.
AB426,140,55 6. Conservation measures as provided in s. 295.61.
AB426,140,126 (bn) Plan review; finding. In reviewing the plan, the department may require
7that measures that are in addition to, or in conjunction with, one or more of the
8measures specified in par. (b) 1. to 6. be included in the plan. After reviewing the plan
9and application, if the department finds that the requirements under par. (a) will be
10met by implementing some or all of the measures contained in the plan, the
11department shall determine which measures shall be required, shall approve a
12schedule for implementation, and shall issue the permit or enter into the contract.
AB426,140,1813 (c) Applicability of requirements. The requirements that are specified in par.
14(a) 1. to 4. are in lieu of any requirements required for permits under ss. 30.12 (3m)
15(c), 30.123 (8) (c), 30.19 (4) (c), and 30.195 (2) (c) and are in lieu of any requirements
16for contracts under s. 30.20 that relate to the state's or public's interests and shall
17be used, in conjunction with the measures required under par. (b), in any evaluation
18by the department pursuant to 33 USC 1341.
AB426,140,21 19(5) Permit conditions. The department may impose conditions in a permit for
20a navigable water activity that it determines to be necessary to ensure that the
21navigable water activities subject to the permit meet the requirements under par. (a).
AB426,140,24 22(6) Relationship to other laws. (a) Chapter 30 and any rules promulgated
23under that chapter apply to any navigable water activity subject to this section to the
24extent that they do not conflict with this section, except as provided in par. (b).
AB426,141,3
1(b) Sections 30.208, 30.209, and 30.2095 and any rules promulgated under
2those sections, do not apply to any navigable water activity that is subject to this
3section.
AB426,141,4 4295.607 Shoreland and floodplain zoning. (a) In this section:
AB426,141,65 1. "Development or construction activity" means a waste site, structure,
6building, fill, or other development or construction activity.
AB426,141,97 2. "Shoreland or floodplain zoning ordinance" means a shoreland or floodplain
8zoning ordinance or regulation adopted under s. 59.692, 61.351, 62.231, 87.30, or
9281.31.
AB426,141,1410 (b) The department may not prohibit a development or construction activity to
11be located in an area that would otherwise be prohibited under a shoreland or
12floodplain zoning ordinance if the development or construction activity is authorized
13by the department as part of a mining operation covered by a mining permit under
14s. 295.58.
AB426,141,2015 (c) A development or construction activity located in an area that would
16otherwise be prohibited under a shoreland or floodplain zoning ordinance does not
17violate the applicable ordinance if the development or construction activity is
18authorized by the department as part of a mining operation covered by a mining
19permit under s. 295.58. No shoreland or floodplain zoning variance is required for
20a development or construction activity located as provided under this paragraph.
AB426,141,22 21295.61 Withdrawals of surface waters and groundwater. (1)
22Definitions. In this section:
AB426,141,2423 (a) "Authorized base level of water loss" has the meaning given in s. 281.35 (1)
24(b).
AB426,142,2
1(b) "Environmentally sound and economically feasible water conservation
2measures" has the meaning given in s. 281.346 (1) (i).
AB426,142,33 (c) "Great Lakes basin" has the meaning given in s. 281.35 (1) (d).
AB426,142,44 (d) "High capacity well" has the meaning given in s. 281.34 (1) (b).
AB426,142,55 (e) "Interbasin diversion" has the meaning given in s. 281.35 (1) (g).
AB426,142,66 (f) "Upper Mississippi River basin" has the meaning given in s. 281.35 (1) (j).
AB426,142,77 (g) Unless the context otherwise requires, "use" includes dewatering.
AB426,142,88 (h) "Water loss" has the meaning given in s. 281.35 (1) (L).
AB426,142,99 (i) "Withdrawal" has the meaning given in s. 281.35 (1) (m).
AB426,142,16 10(2) Permit required. No person may engage in any withdrawal or use of surface
11water as part of a mining operation or bulk sampling unless the person has been
12issued a water withdrawal permit under this section. No person may engage in any
13withdrawal or use of groundwater as part of a mining operation or bulk sampling if
14the capacity and rate of withdrawal of all wells involved in the withdrawal of
15groundwater or the dewatering of mines exceeds 100,000 gallons each day unless the
16person has been issued a water withdrawal permit under this section.
AB426,142,21 17(3) Permit application. (a) Application. Any person applying for a water
18withdrawal permit is required to submit only one application. A person applying for
19such a permit need not be a riparian owner. An application for a water withdrawal
20permit shall include any information requested by the department under s. 295.45
21(3).
AB426,143,1022 (b) Siting analysis. If withdrawal of water at a mining operation or for bulk
23sampling will involve one or more high capacity wells, the department shall require
24an applicant for a water withdrawal permit to submit a siting analysis for the
25purpose of determining the location of the high capacity wells. The analysis shall

1include alternate proposed locations for each high capacity well. In evaluating a
2submitted analysis, the department shall recognize there is a need for mining waste
3sites, processing facilities, including wastewater and sludge storage or treatment
4lagoons, to be contiguous to the location of the ferrous mineral deposit, and shall
5allow any high capacity well to be located so that need will be met. The department
6shall determine which location for each high capacity well has the fewest overall
7adverse environmental impacts to the extent practicable. In determining what is
8practicable, the department shall take into consideration the ability to implement
9any conservation measures that may be required under sub. (4) (b). Section 281.346
10(5) (b) 5. does not apply to determining a location under this paragraph.
AB426,143,1611 (c) Entry to land. After an application for a water withdrawal permit has been
12submitted under this section, the applicant may enter any land from which the
13applicant proposes to withdraw water or use water for the purpose of making any
14surveys required for the mining operation or bulk sampling, but no work may be
15commenced necessary for the mining operation or the bulk sampling until the
16department issues the permit under this section.
AB426,143,19 17(4) Permit issuance. (a) General requirements. The department shall issue
18a water withdrawal permit if the withdrawal or use of the surface water or
19groundwater meets all of the following requirements:
AB426,143,2220 1. The proposed withdrawal and uses of the water are substantially consistent
21with the protection of public health, safety, and welfare and will not be significantly
22detrimental to the public interest.
AB426,143,2523 2. The proposed withdrawal and uses of the water will not have a significant
24adverse impact on the environment and ecosystem of the Great Lakes basin or the
25Upper Mississippi River basin.
AB426,144,2
13. The proposed withdrawal and use of the water will not be significantly
2detrimental to the quantity and quality of the waters of the state.
AB426,144,53 4. The proposed withdrawal and use of the water will not significantly impair
4the rights of riparian owners or the applicant obtains the consent of the riparian
5owners.
AB426,144,76 5. The proposed withdrawal and use of the water will not result in significant
7injury to public rights in navigable waters.
AB426,144,98 6. If the withdrawal or the use of the water will result in an interbasin
9diversion, the requirements of s. 281.35 (5) (d) 7. are met.
AB426,144,1110 7. The proposed withdrawal or use of the water will comply with any
11requirements imposed by the department under par. (cm).
AB426,144,1512 (b) Conservation measures. The person applying for the permit shall submit
13a plan to the department containing proposed conservation measures to meet the
14requirements under par. (a) and a proposed schedule for implementing the
15measures. The plan shall include one or more of the following measures:
AB426,144,1716 1. Environmentally sound and economically feasible water conservation
17measures.
AB426,144,2018 2. Restoration of hydrologic conditions and functions of the source watershed,
19or if the withdrawal is from a stream tributary to one of the Great Lakes, restoration
20of the hydrologic conditions and functions of that stream.
AB426,144,2121 3. Protection of important upland groundwater recharge areas.
AB426,144,2222 4. Stabilization of shorelands.
AB426,144,2423 5. Restoration or enhancement of the natural beneficial uses and values of a
24stream or river.
AB426,145,2
16. Implementation of any feasible methods to offset impacts to water quality
2or quantity.
AB426,145,43 7. Supplementation of additional water to water bodies to offset lower water
4levels.
AB426,145,65 8. Taking steps to improve public rights or interests in navigable waters, if
6navigable waters are subject to the permit.
AB426,145,77 9. Mitigation or compensation as provided in s. 295.60.
AB426,145,108 10. Measures to offset significant impacts to navigable waters by providing
9public access to, restoring, or enlarging up to 1.5 acres of navigable waters in
10exchange for each acre of natural navigable waters that is significantly impacted.
AB426,145,1111 11. A riparian restoration project, as defined in s. 295.60 (1) (n).
AB426,145,1212 12. Measures as provided in s. 295.605.
AB426,145,2013 (bn) Plan review; finding. In reviewing the plan, the department may require
14that conservation measures that are in addition to, or in conjunction with, one or
15more of the conservation measures specified in par. (b) 1. to 12. be included in the
16plan. After reviewing the plan and application, if the department finds that the
17requirements under par. (a) will be met by implementing some or all of the
18conservation measures contained in the plan, the department shall determine which
19measures shall be required, shall approve a schedule for implementation, and shall
20issue the permit.
AB426,146,221 (cm) Impacts to water supplies. If the department determines that a proposed
22withdrawal or use of water will result in a significant impact to a public or private
23water supply, the department shall require the applicant to offset that impact in a
24manner approved by the department, which may include a requirement that the

1applicant provide a replacement water supply of similar quality or provide an
2increased amount of water to the water supply.
AB426,146,113 (d) Public benefits. If the department finds under par. (bn) that the applicant
4cannot meet all of the applicable requirements under par. (a), the department shall
5nevertheless issue the water withdrawal permit if the department determines that
6the public benefits resulting from the mining operation exceed any injury to public
7rights and interests in a body of water that is affected by the mining operation or bulk
8sampling. In making this determination, the department shall recognize that the
9withdrawal and use of the waters of the state in connection with mining is in the
10public's interest and welfare and fulfills a public purpose and shall consider all of the
11following factors:
AB426,146,1412 1. The extent to which the public rights in a navigable body of water, and its
13related environment, may be substantially and irreparably injured by the proposed
14withdrawal or use.
AB426,146,1615 2. Public benefits that may be provided by increased employment, economic
16activity, and tax revenues from the mining operation.
AB426,146,1817 3. The direct and indirect social benefits and costs that will result from the
18proposed mining operation.
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