289.09(1)
(1)
Records. Except as provided under
sub. (2), any records or other information furnished to or obtained by the department in the administration of this chapter and
ss. 287.27 and
299.15 are public records subject to
s. 19.21.
289.09(2)(a)1.1. An owner or operator of a solid waste facility may seek confidential treatment of any records or other information furnished to or obtained by the department in the administration of this chapter and
s. 299.15.
289.09(2)(a)3.
3. An owner or operator of a materials recovery facility, as defined in
s. 287.27 (1), may seek confidential treatment of information submitted under
s. 287.27 (3).
289.09(2)(b)
(b)
Standards for granting confidential status. Except as provided under
par. (c), the department shall grant confidential status for any records or information received by the department and certified by the owner or operator of the solid waste facility or materials recovery facility or by the licensed hauler as relating to production or sales figures or to processes or production unique to the owner or operator of the solid waste facility or materials recovery facility or which would tend to adversely affect the competitive position of the owner or operator if made public.
289.09(2)(c)
(c)
Emission data; analyses and summaries. The department may not grant confidential status for emission data. Nothing in this subsection prevents the department from using records and other information in compiling or publishing analyses or summaries relating to the general condition of the environment if the analyses or summaries do not identify a specific owner or operator or the analyses or summaries do not reveal records or other information granted confidential status.
289.09(2)(d)
(d)
Use of confidential records. Except as provided under
par. (c) and this paragraph, the department or the department of justice may use records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection only in the administration and enforcement of this chapter,
ch. 287 or
s. 299.15. The department or the department of justice may release for general distribution records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the owner or operator expressly agrees to the release. The department of natural resources or the department of justice may release on a limited basis records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the department of natural resources or the department of justice is directed to take this action by a judge or hearing examiner under an order which protects the confidentiality of the records or other information. The department of natural resources or the department of justice may release to the U.S. environmental protection agency, or its authorized representative, records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the department of natural resources or the department of justice includes in each release of records or other information a request to the U.S. environmental protection agency, or its authorized representative, to protect the confidentiality of the records or other information.
289.10
289.10
County solid waste management plans. 289.10(1)(1) Each county board individually or jointly with another county board may prepare and adopt a county solid waste management plan consistent with state criteria.
289.10(2)
(2) All county plans shall be submitted to the department for review. Within 90 days after submittal, the department shall approve or disapprove the plans. During its review, the department shall consult with the appropriate regional planning commission or other planning agency to determine whether any facility use and operation is in conflict with any plans adopted by such agency.
289.10(3)
(3) The department shall by rule adopt county solid waste management criteria for the development of the plans permitted under this section.
289.11
289.11
Federal aid. Subdivisions of this state and interlocal agencies may make application for, receive, administer and expend any federal aid for the development and administration of programs related to solid waste facilities if first submitted to and approved by the department. The department shall approve any such application if it is consistent with the purposes of this chapter and any other applicable requirements of law.
289.11 History
History: 1979 c. 34;
1981 c. 374 s.
148;
1995 a. 227 s.
527; Stats. 1995 s. 289.11.
289.12
289.12
Landfill official liability. 289.12(1)
(1)
Definition. As used in this section, "landfill official" means any officer, official, agent or employee of the state, a political corporation, governmental subdivision or public agency engaged in the planning, management, operation or approval of a solid or hazardous waste disposal facility.
289.12(2)
(2) Exemption from liability. A landfill official is immune from civil prosecution for good faith actions taken within the scope of his or her official duties under this chapter or
ch. 291 or
292.
289.12 History
History: 1983 a. 410; Stats. 1983 s. 144.795;
1983 a. 538 s.
158; Stats. 1983 s. 144.446;
1995 a. 227 s.
627; Stats. 1995 s. 289.12.
FACILITIES; SITING
289.21
289.21
Initial site report. 289.21(1)(1)
Initial site report required. Prior to constructing a landfill, the person who seeks to construct the facility shall submit to the department an initial site report. The department shall specify by rule the minimum contents of an initial site report.
289.21(2)
(2) Determination if initial site report is complete. Within 30 days after an initial site report is submitted, the department shall either determine that the initial site report is complete or notify the applicant in writing that the initial site report is not complete and specify the information which is required to be submitted before the initial site report is complete. The department shall notify the applicant in writing when the initial site report is complete.
289.21 History
History: 1995 a. 227 s.
543.
289.22(1m)
(1m) Application for local approvals required. Prior to constructing a solid waste disposal facility or hazardous waste facility, the applicant shall submit a written request for the specification of all applicable local approvals to each affected municipality. Within 15 days after the receipt of a written request from the applicant, a municipality shall specify all local approvals for which applications are required or issue a statement that there are no applicable local approvals. Prior to constructing a solid waste disposal facility or a hazardous waste facility, the applicant shall apply for each local approval required to construct the waste handling portion of the facility.
289.22(2)
(2) Standard notice. The waste facility siting board shall develop and print a standard notice designed to inform an affected municipality of the time limits and requirements for participation in the negotiation and arbitration process under
s. 289.33. An applicant shall submit a copy of this standard notice, if it has been printed, with any written request submitted under
sub. (1m).
289.22(3)
(3) Attempts to obtain local approvals required. Following applications for local approvals under
sub. (1m) and prior to submitting a feasibility report, any applicant subject to
s. 289.33 shall undertake all reasonable procedural steps necessary to obtain each local approval required to construct the waste handling portion of the facility except that the applicant is not required to seek judicial review of decisions of the local unit of government.
289.22(4)
(4) Waiver of local approvals. If a local approval precludes or inhibits the ability of the applicant to obtain data required to be submitted under 289.21 (1) or in a feasibility report or environmental impact report, the applicant may petition the department to waive the applicability of the local approval to the applicant. If a petition is received, the department shall promptly schedule a hearing on the matter and notify the local government of the hearing. If the department determines at the hearing that the local approval is unreasonable, the department shall waive the applicability of the local approval to the applicant.
289.22(5)
(5) Compliance required. Except as provided under
sub. (4), no person may construct a solid waste disposal facility or a hazardous waste facility unless the person complies with the requirements of
subs. (1m) and
(3).
289.22 History
History: 1995 a. 227 s.
545.
289.22 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
WFSB 3, Wis. adm. code.
289.23
289.23
Feasibility report required; distribution; public notice. 289.23(1)(1)
Feasibility report required. Prior to constructing a solid waste disposal facility or a hazardous waste facility the person who seeks to construct the facility shall submit to the department a feasibility report.
289.23(2)
(2) Local approval application prerequisite. No person subject to
s. 289.33 may submit a feasibility report until the latest of the following periods:
289.23(2)(a)
(a) At least 120 days after the person submits applications for all applicable local approvals specified as required by the municipality under
s. 289.22 (1m).
289.23(2)(b)
(b) At least 120 days after the receipt by the applicant of a statement by the municipality that there are no applicable local approvals.
289.23(2)(c)
(c) At least 120 days after the deadline for the municipal response under
s. 289.22 (1m) if the municipality does not respond within that time limit.
289.23(3)
(3) Compliance required. No person may construct a solid waste disposal facility or a hazardous waste facility unless the person complies with the requirements of
ss. 289.23 to
289.29.
289.23(4)
(4) Distribution of feasibility report. At the same time an applicant submits a feasibility report to the department, the applicant shall submit a copy of that feasibility report to each participating municipality under
s. 289.33 (6) (b).
289.23(5)
(5) Notification of proposed facility. Immediately upon receipt of a feasibility report the department shall send a notice to the persons specified under
s. 289.32 containing a brief description of the proposed facility and a statement that the applicant is required to send a copy of the feasibility report after it is determined to be complete by the department.
289.23 History
History: 1995 a. 227 s.
547,
549,
551.
289.24
289.24
Feasibility report contents; completeness; distribution. 289.24(1)(1)
Contents of feasibility reports; preparation. The department shall specify by rule the minimum contents of a feasibility report and no report is complete unless the specified information is provided by the applicant. In addition to the requirements specified under
sub. (2), the rules may specify special requirements for a feasibility report relating to any hazardous waste facility. The department may require a feasibility report to be prepared by a registered professional engineer. A feasibility report shall include:
289.24(1)(a)
(a) A general summary of the site characteristics as well as any specific data the department requires by rule regarding the site's topography, soils, geology, groundwaters and surface waters and other features of the site and surrounding area.
289.24(1)(b)
(b) Preliminary engineering design concepts including the proposed design capacity of the facility and an indication of the quantities and characteristics of the wastes to be treated, stored or disposed.
289.24(1)(c)
(c) A description of how the proposed facility relates to any applicable county solid waste management plan approved under
s. 289.10.
289.24(1)(d)
(d) A description of the advisory process undertaken by the applicant prior to submittal of the feasibility report to provide information to the public and affected municipalities and to solicit public opinion on the proposed facility.
289.24(1)(e)
(e) The proposed date of closure for the facility.
289.24(1)(f)
(f) Sufficient information to make the determination of need for the facility under
s. 289.28 unless the facility is exempt under
s. 289.28 (2).
289.24(1)(g)
(g) An analysis of alternatives to the land disposal of waste including waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and energy recovery.
289.24(1)(h)
(h) A description of any waste reduction incentives and recycling services to be instituted or provided with the proposed facility.
289.24(2)
(2) Certain hazardous waste facilities; additional requirements. A feasibility report for a hazardous waste disposal facility or surface impoundment, as defined in
s. 291.37 (1) (d), shall include a list of all persons living within 0.5 mile of the facility and information reasonably ascertainable by the applicant on the potential for public exposure to hazardous waste or hazardous constituents through releases from the facility including, but not limited to, the following:
289.24(2)(a)
(a) A description of any releases that may be expected to result from normal operations or accidents at the facility, including releases associated with transportation to or from the facility.
289.24(2)(b)
(b) A description of the possible ways that humans may be exposed to hazardous waste or hazardous constituents as a result of a release from the facility, including the potential for groundwater or surface water contamination, air emissions or food chain contamination.
289.24(2)(c)
(c) The potential extent and nature of human exposure to hazardous waste or hazardous constituents that may result from a release.
289.24(3)
(3) Determination if a feasibility report is complete. Within 60 days after a feasibility report is submitted, the department either shall determine that the feasibility report is complete or shall notify the applicant in writing that the feasibility report is not complete and specify the information which is required to be submitted before the feasibility report is complete.
289.24(4)
(4) Distribution. Immediately after the applicant receives notification of the department's determination that the feasibility report is complete, the applicant shall distribute copies of the feasibility report to the persons specified under
s. 289.32.
289.24 History
History: 1995 a. 227 s.
550,
991;
1997 a. 35.
289.25
289.25
Environmental review. 289.25(1)
(1)
Preliminary determination if environmental impact statement is required. Immediately after the department determines that the feasibility report is complete, the department shall issue a preliminary determination on whether an environmental impact statement is required under
s. 1.11 prior to the determination of feasibility. If the department determines after review of the feasibility report that a determination of feasibility cannot be made without an environmental impact statement or if the department intends to require an environmental impact report under
s. 23.11 (5), the department shall notify the applicant in writing within the 60-day period of these decisions and shall commence the process required under
s. 1.11 or
23.11 (5).
289.25(2)
(2) Environmental impact statement process. If an environmental impact statement is required, the department shall conduct the hearing required under
s. 1.11 (2) (d) in an appropriate place it designates in a county, city, village or town which would be substantially affected by the operation of the proposed facility. The hearing on the environmental impact statement is not a contested case. The department shall issue its determination of the adequacy of the environmental impact statement within 30 days after the close of the hearing. Except as provided under
s. 293.43, the department shall complete any environmental impact statement process required under
s. 1.11 before proceeding with the feasibility report review process under
sub. (3) and
ss. 289.26 and
289.27.
289.25(3)
(3) Notification on feasibility report and preliminary environmental impact statement decisions. Immediately after the department issues a preliminary determination that an environmental impact statement is not required or, if it is required, immediately after the department issues the environmental impact statement, the department shall publish a class 1 notice under
ch. 985 in the official newspaper designated under
s. 985.04 or
985.05 or, if none exists, in a newspaper likely to give notice in the area of the proposed facility, and shall publish the notice on its Internet Web site. The notice shall include a statement that the feasibility report and the environmental impact statement process are complete. The notice shall invite the submission of written comments by any person within 30 days after the notice for a solid waste disposal facility or within 45 days after the notice for a hazardous waste facility is published. The notice shall describe the methods by which a hearing may be requested under
ss. 289.26 (1) and
289.27 (1). The department shall distribute copies of the notice to the persons specified under
s. 289.32. For the purpose of determining the date on which notice is published under this subsection, the date on which the department first publishes the notice on its Internet Web site shall be considered the date of notice.
289.25 History
History: 1995 a. 227 ss.
552,
991;
2011 a. 167.
289.26
289.26
Informational hearing. 289.26(1)
(1)
Request for an informational hearing. Within 30 days after the notice under
s. 289.25 (3) is published for a solid waste disposal facility, or within 45 days after the notice under
s. 289.25 (3) is published for a hazardous waste facility, any county, city, village or town, the applicant or any 6 or more persons may file a written request for an informational hearing on the matter with the department. The request shall indicate the interests of the municipality or persons who file the request and state the reasons why the hearing is requested.
289.26(2)
(2) Applicability. This section applies if no request for the treatment of the hearing as a contested case is granted and if:
289.26(2)(a)
(a) An informational hearing is requested under
sub. (1) within the 30-day or 45-day period; or
289.26(2)(b)
(b) No hearing is requested under
sub. (1) within the 30-day or 45-day period but the department determines that there is substantial public interest in holding a hearing.
289.26(3)
(3) Nonapplicability; hearing conducted as a part of certain mining hearings. Notwithstanding
sub. (2) this section does not apply if a hearing on the feasibility report is conducted as a part of a hearing under
s. 293.43 and the time limits, notice and hearing provisions in that section supersede the time limits, notice and hearing provisions under
s. 289.25 (2) and
(3) and this section.
289.26(4)
(4) Informational hearing. The department shall conduct the informational hearing within 60 days after the expiration of the 30-day or 45-day period under
sub. (1). The department shall conduct the informational hearing in an appropriate place designated by the department in a county, city, village or town which would be substantially affected by the operation of the proposed facility.
289.26(5)
(5) Issuance of final determination of feasibility. Except as provided under
s. 289.29 (5), the department shall issue a final determination of feasibility within 60 days after the informational hearing under this section is adjourned.
289.26 History
History: 1995 a. 227 ss.
553,
563,
991.
289.27
289.27
Contested case hearing. 289.27(1)
(1)
Request for treatment as a contested case. Within 30 days after the notice under
s. 289.25 (3) is published for a solid waste disposal facility, or within 45 days after the notice under
s. 289.25 (3) is published for a hazardous waste facility, any county, city, village or town, the applicant or any 6 or more persons may file a written request that the hearing under
s. 289.26 (1) be treated as a contested case, as provided under
s. 227.42. A county, city, village or town, the applicant or any 6 or more persons have a right to have the hearing treated as a contested case only if:
289.27(1)(a)
(a) A substantial interest of the person requesting the treatment of the hearing as a contested case is injured in fact or threatened with injury by the department's action or inaction on the matter;
289.27(1)(b)
(b) The injury to the person requesting the treatment of the hearing as a contested case is different in kind or degree from injury to the general public caused by the department's action or inaction on the matter; and
289.27(2)
(2) Applicability. This section applies only if a person requests the treatment of the hearing as a contested case under
sub. (1) within the 30-day or 45-day period and has a right to a hearing under that subsection. Any denial of a request for the treatment of the hearing as a contested case received within the 30-day or 45-day period under
sub. (1) shall be in writing, shall state the reasons for denial and is an order reviewable under
ch. 227. If the department does not enter an order granting or denying the request for the treatment of the hearing as a contested case within 20 days after the written request is filed, the request is deemed denied.
289.27(3)
(3) Nonapplicability. Notwithstanding
sub. (2), this section does not apply if a hearing on the feasibility report is conducted as a part of a hearing under
s. 293.43 and the time limits, notice and hearing provisions under that section supersede the time limits, notice and hearing provisions under
s. 289.25 (2) and
(3) and this section.
289.27(4)(a)
(a) The division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration shall schedule the hearing to be held within 120 days after the expiration of the 30-day or 45-day period under
sub. (1).
289.27(4)(b)
(b) The final determination of feasibility shall be issued within 90 days after the hearing is adjourned.
289.27(5)
(5) Determination of need; decision by hearing examiner. If a contested case hearing is conducted under this section, the secretary shall issue any decision concerning determination of need, notwithstanding
s. 227.46 (2) to
(4). The secretary shall direct the hearing examiner to certify the record of the contested case hearing to him or her without an intervening proposed decision. The secretary may assign responsibility for reviewing this record and making recommendations concerning the decision to any employee of the department.
289.27 History
History: 1995 a. 227 s.
554,
565,
991.
