Chapter NR 756

NR 756.03(4) (4) “Proof period” means the amount of time for which proof of responsibility requirements are applicable.

NR 756.03(5) (5) “Proof method” means a mechanism for providing proof of financial responsibility under s. NR 756.06.

NR 756.03(6) (6) “Third-party action” means activities that may affect the completion of the goals established in a plan and compliance schedule or that have a deleterious effect on the protectiveness of the contaminated sediment remedy that are taken by persons other than the person required to submit a plan and compliance schedule or proof of responsibility under this chapter.

NR 756.03 History History: EmR2032: emerg. cr., eff. 9-8-20; CR 20-038: cr. Register September 2021 No. 789, eff. 10-1-21; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2021 No. 789.

NR 756.04 NR 756.04 Plan and compliance schedule; financial responsibility; fees.

NR 756.04(1) (1) General. As a condition of approving an interim action, a remedial action, or of granting case closure, the department may require a person who is required to take action under ch. 292, Stats., with respect to contaminated sediment, and who takes action that includes the use of a contaminated sediment engineering control, to do any of the following:

NR 756.04(1)(a) (a) Maintain any contaminated sediment engineering controls on the site or facility.

NR 756.04(1)(b) (b) Investigate the extent of residual contamination and perform any necessary remedial action if a structural impediment is removed that had prevented a complete investigation or remedial action at the site.

NR 756.04(1)(c) (c) Submit a plan and compliance schedule for satisfying the requirements under pars. (a) and (b) to the department for approval.

NR 756.04(1)(d) (d) Submit proof of financial responsibility sufficient to pay the costs of complying with the plan and compliance schedule under par. (c) to the department for approval.

NR 756.04(2) (2) Plan and compliance schedule and proof of financial responsibility.

NR 756.04(2)(a) (a) Requirements; plan and compliance schedule. The responsible party shall provide to the department a design report meeting the requirements under s. NR 724.09, along with a plan and compliance schedule that identifies the scheduled actions that will lead to the completion of any applicable requirements under sub. (1) (a) and (b) for the purposes of meeting the requirements under ch. 292, Stats. Unless otherwise directed by the department, a person required to submit a plan and compliance schedule shall include all of the following in the plan and compliance schedule:

NR 756.04(2)(a)1. 1. Scheduled actions that will be taken to attain the goals established under sub. (1) (a) and (b), and dates for completion of these actions. These actions may include items required under ss. NR 724.13, 724.15, and 724.17, as applicable, and any other actions directed by the department in writing. Verification of sufficient legal access to conduct all scheduled actions shall be included.

NR 756.04(2)(a)2. 2. An engineering analysis certified by a licensed professional engineer, as defined under s. NR 712.03. The analysis shall include the duration and ongoing efficacy of any engineering controls or structural impediments and assessment of the vulnerability of any engineering controls or structural impediments to any events or third-party actions that may occur and affect completion of the goals established in the plan and compliance schedule.

NR 756.04(2)(a)3. 3. Inspection and reporting criteria that include an inspection schedule. The inspection schedule shall require an inspection and a report at least every 5 years. The inspection report shall provide an engineering analysis of the current conditions of the engineering control or structural impediment with respect to ongoing efficacy, vulnerabilities, events or actions identified under subd. 2. The inspection report shall be certified by a licensed professional engineer, as defined under s. NR 712.03. Report conclusions shall include identification of issues, recommendations and follow-up actions, and a determination of whether the remedy is protective of human health and the environment.

NR 756.04(2)(a)4. 4. Any access agreements needed to secure legal access for the department to the enter property to determine compliance with this chapter and any plan and compliance schedule required under this chapter.

NR 756.04(2)(b) (b) Requirements; financial responsibility. Unless otherwise directed by the department, a person required to submit proof, as required under this chapter, shall submit proof for all of the following:

NR 756.04(2)(b)1. 1. The costs of planned engineering control monitoring, maintenance, inspections, and repair for each year of the proof period.

NR 756.04(2)(b)2. 2. The costs of any additional engineering control monitoring, maintenance, inspections, and repair that may be needed following any events or third-party actions that may occur during the proof period, including investigation and remediation following a failed engineering control.

NR 756.04(2)(b)3. 3. The costs of inspection, investigation of the extent of residual contamination, and the performance of any necessary response actions following the removal of a structural impediment that had prevented a complete investigation or remedial action at the site at the time of the approval of the plan.

NR 756.04(2)(b)4. 4. The costs of any additional investigation and remediation necessary if the building or other structural impediment is removed pursuant to any events or third-party actions that may occur during the proof period.

NR 756.04(3) (3) Length of requirements.

NR 756.04(3)(a) (a) Proof period. Except as otherwise approved by the department, a person required to submit proof shall maintain proof of financial responsibility for the proof period for each applicable financial responsibility requirement under sub. (2) (b).

NR 756.04(3)(b) (b) Establishing the initial proof period. A person that is required to submit a plan and compliance schedule and proof of financial responsibility under this chapter shall submit to the department, as part of the plan and compliance schedule, a proposed initial proof period for each applicable financial responsibility requirement under sub. (2) (b). The proposed initial proof period is subject to approval by the department as part of the plan and compliance schedule and is subject to extension under par. (c).

NR 756.04(3)(c) (c) Extension of plan and compliance schedule and proof period. The department may, in writing, extend the plan and compliance schedule and the proof period for any applicable financial responsibility requirement until the department determines that the actions under sub. (1) (a) and (b) are no longer applicable and necessary to protect human health and the environment.

NR 756.04 Note Note: The actions under s. NR 756.04 (1) (a) and (b) are no longer applicable and necessary if the engineering control is no longer needed and the structural impediment is removed, and any remaining contamination is investigated and remediated.

NR 756.04 Note Note: Under s. NR 756.07 (2), a person that is required to maintain proof of financial responsibility is required to seek review of the length of the proof period from the department prior to submitting an adjustment to the cost estimate. Under s. NR 756.12 (3), a person that is required to maintain proof of financial responsibility is required to seek review of the length of the proof period from the department prior to submitting an application for a reduction in the amount of required financial responsibility.

NR 756.04(4) (4) Submittal. The department may require a person subject to requirements under sub. (1) to submit the plan and compliance schedule and proof of financial responsibility simultaneously with the plans, reports, and specifications required under ss. NR 708.15, 708.17, and 722.13, and chs. NR 724 and 726.

NR 756.04(5) (5) Department response. When reviewing a plan for approval, the department may elect to do any of the following in regard to the entire plan or a part of the plan:

NR 756.04(5)(a) (a) Deny a request for approval.

NR 756.04(5)(b) (b) Request that additional information be supplied as part of the plan and compliance schedule.

NR 756.04(5)(c) (c) Require adjustments to actions, timeframes, and analyses presented in the plan and compliance schedule.

NR 756.04(5)(d) (d) Approve the plan and compliance schedule.

NR 756.04(6) (6) Fees and inspections.

NR 756.04(6)(a) (a) Plan and compliance schedule review fees shall be submitted in accordance with ch. NR 749.

NR 756.04(6)(b) (b) Reports, including inspection reports, required under sub. (2) (a) 3. shall be submitted with a fee in accordance with ch. NR 749.

NR 756.04(6)(c) (c) The department may enter a property for which access has been provided to determine compliance with this chapter and any plan and compliance schedule required under this chapter.

NR 756.04 History History: EmR2032: emerg. cr., eff. 9-8-20; CR 20-038: cr. Register September 2021 No. 789, eff. 10-1-21; correction in (4) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2021 No. 789.

NR 756.05 NR 756.05 Responsibility at contaminated sediment sites; access.

NR 756.05(1) (1) Requirements of this chapter shall be met in accordance with the applicable requirements under s. 292.12 (5m), Stats.

NR 756.05(2) (2) Any person that acquires responsibility for the requirements of this chapter under s. 292.12 (5m) (am), Stats., shall provide any proof of financial responsibility required under s. NR 756.04 (1) (d) to the department in accordance with this section. Proof of financial responsibility shall be maintained by the transferor during transfer of responsibility until the person acquiring responsibility under s. 292.12 (5m) (am), Stats., obtains department approval of proof of financial responsibility under s. NR 756.04 (5).

NR 756.05(3) (3) The length of any requirement imposed under s. NR 756.04 does not limit the responsibilities of a person under ch. 292, Stats., and any other rules promulgated under ch. 292, Stats.

NR 756.05(4) (4) A person that is subject to the requirements under s. NR 756.04 (1) that does not own or occupy the property on which any engineering controls or structural impediments that are subject to the requirements under s. NR 756.04 (1) are located shall obtain access to the property in accordance with s. 292.12 (5m) (a) 2., Stats., and shall provide verification of access to the department.

NR 756.05 History History: EmR2032: emerg. cr., eff. 9-8-20; CR 20-038: cr. Register September 2021 No. 789, eff. 10-1-21; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2021 No. 789.

NR 756.06 NR 756.06 Methods of providing proof of financial responsibility. A person required to submit proof shall establish proof of financial responsibility made payable to or established for the benefit of the department. A person submitting financial assurances for a plan and compliance schedule shall specify, as part of the plan and compliance schedule, the methods of providing proof of financial responsibility that will be used. To provide proof of financial responsibility, the person required to submit proof may use the method under s. NR 756.15, if applicable, and up to 2 of the following methods for each of the types of costs listed under s. NR 756.04 (2) (b):

NR 756.06 Note Note: The reference to s. NR 756.15 is an error and will be corrected in future rulemaking by the department.

NR 756.06(1) (1) Performance or forfeiture bond.

NR 756.06(1)(a) (a) A person required to submit proof may submit a performance or forfeiture bond. The performance or forfeiture bond shall be in the amount determined under s. NR 756.08 and conditioned upon faithful performance by the person required to submit proof and any successor in interest of all requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule or subsequent remedial actions required by the department. A bond shall be delivered to the department for approval. A bond shall be established using a form supplied by the department.

NR 756.06(1)(b) (b) A bond shall be issued by a surety company among those listed as acceptable sureties for federal bonds in Circular 570 of the U.S. department of the treasury. At the option of the owner, a performance bond or a forfeiture bond may be filed. The department shall be the obligee of the bond. Surety companies may have the opportunity to complete the respective requirements of the plan and compliance schedule in lieu of cash payment to the department if the person required to submit proof, or any successor in interest, fails to carry out the respective requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule. The department shall mail notification of the department’s intent to use the funds for that purpose to the last known address of the person required to submit proof.

NR 756.06 Note Note: Copies of Circular 570, “Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies” can be obtained from surety bond branch, financial management service, department of the treasury, Washington D.C. 20227, phone [phone].

NR 756.06(1)(c) (c) Each bond shall provide that, as long as any respective obligation of the plan and compliance schedule remains, the bond may not be canceled by the surety, unless a replacement bond or other proof of financial responsibility under this section is provided to the department by the person required to submit proof. If the surety proposes to cancel a bond, the surety shall provide notice to the department and to the owner in writing by registered or certified mail not less than 90 days prior to the proposed cancellation date. Not less than 30 days prior to the expiration of the 90-day notice period, the owner shall deliver to the department a replacement bond or other proof of financial responsibility under this section, and the bond or other proof of financial responsibility shall remain in effect as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule. The surety may discharge its obligation under the bond at any time by paying the unused portion of the bond to the department.

NR 756.06(1)(d) (d) If the surety company becomes bankrupt or insolvent or if its authorization to do business is revoked or suspended, the person required to submit proof shall, within 30 days after receiving written notice of the bankruptcy, insolvency, revocation, or suspension, deliver to the department a replacement bond or other proof of financial responsibility under this section, and the replacement bond or other proof of financial responsibility shall remain in effect as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule.

NR 756.06(2) (2) Deposit with the department. A person required to submit proof may make a deposit with the department in the form of cash, certificates of deposit, or U.S. government securities. The amount of the deposit shall be determined under s. NR 756.08 and deposits shall be submitted to the department for approval. Cash deposits placed with the department shall be segregated and invested in an interest-bearing account. All interest payments shall be accumulated in the account. The department may use part or all of the funds to carry out the respective requirements in the plan and compliance schedule if the owner fails to do so. The department shall mail notification of its intent to use funds for that purpose to the last known address of the person required to submit proof.

NR 756.06(3) (3) Escrow account.

NR 756.06(3)(a) (a) A person required to submit proof may establish an escrow account. An established escrow account may include any of the following assets:

NR 756.06(3)(a)1. 1. Cash.

NR 756.06(3)(a)2. 2. Securities issued by the federal government.

NR 756.06(3)(a)3. 3. Debt securities issued by a commission, board, agency, or other instrumentality of the federal government that have a rating that is the highest rating category assigned by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Service, or other similar nationally recognized rating agency.

NR 756.06(3)(a)4. 4. State bonds issued under subch. I of ch. 18, Stats.

NR 756.06(3)(a)5. 5. Corporate bonds that have a rating that is the highest rating category assigned by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Service, or other similar nationally recognized rating agency. Corporate bonds may not be used to provide more than 50 percent of the required amount of proof of financial responsibility.

NR 756.06(3)(b) (b) If a person required to submit proof establishes an escrow account, the amount shall be determined under s. NR 756.08 and the account shall be with a bank or financial institution located within the state of Wisconsin that is examined and regulated by the state or a federal agency. A total of no more than the amount of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit in cash and certificates of deposit may be placed into escrow accounts or trust accounts established by the person required to submit proof in the same bank or financial institution for the purposes of providing financial assurance to the department. U.S. government securities shall be used in these escrow or trust accounts for amounts in excess of the amount of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. All interest or coupon payments shall accumulate in the account. A duplicate original of the escrow agreement for closure or long-term care, with original signatures, shall be submitted to the department for approval. Escrow account forms shall be supplied by the department. The department shall be a party to the escrow agreement, which shall provide that there shall be no withdrawals from the escrow account except as authorized in writing by the department. The escrow agreement shall further provide that the department shall have the right to withdraw and use part, or all, of the funds in the escrow account to carry out the respective requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule if the person required to submit proof fails to do so. The department shall mail notification of its intent to use funds for that purpose to the last known address of the person required to submit proof.

NR 756.06(4) (4) Irrevocable trust.

NR 756.06(4)(a) (a) A person required to submit proof may create an irrevocable trust. The corpus of the irrevocable trust may include any of the following:

NR 756.06(4)(a)1. 1. Securities issued by the federal government.

NR 756.06(4)(a)2. 2. Debt securities issued by a commission, board, agency, or other instrumentality of the federal government that have a rating that is the highest rating category assigned by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Service, or other similar nationally recognized rating agency.

NR 756.06(4)(a)3. 3. State bonds issued under subch. I of ch. 18, Stats.

NR 756.06(4)(a)4. 4. Corporate bonds that have a rating that is the highest rating category assigned by Standard & Poor’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Service, or other similar nationally recognized rating agency. Corporate bonds may not be used to provide more than 50 percent of the required amount of proof of financial responsibility.

NR 756.06(4)(b) (b) If a person required to submit proof creates an irrevocable trust, the trust shall be exclusively for the purpose of ensuring that the person required to submit proof or any successor in interest will comply with the requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule. The trust agreement shall designate the department as sole beneficiary. The trustee shall be a bank or other financial institution located within the state of Wisconsin that has the authority to act as a trustee and whose trust operations are regulated and examined by the state or a federal agency. The trust corpus shall consist of cash, certificates of deposit, or U.S. government securities in the amount determined under s. NR 756.08. A total of no more than the amount of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit in cash and certificates of deposit may be placed into escrow accounts or trust accounts established by the owner in the same bank or financial institution for the purposes of providing financial assurance to the department. U.S. government securities shall be used in these escrow or trust accounts for amounts in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. All interest or coupon payments shall accumulate in the account. A duplicate original of the trust agreement with original signatures shall be submitted to the department for approval. Trust forms shall be supplied by the department. The trust agreement shall provide that there shall be no withdrawal from the trust fund except as authorized in writing by the department. The trust agreement shall further provide that sufficient funds shall be paid from the trust fund to the beneficiary in the event that the person required to submit proof or any successor in interest fails to complete the respective requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule. The department shall mail notification of its intent to use funds for that purpose to the last known address of the person required to submit proof.

NR 756.06(5) (5) Irrevocable letter of credit.

NR 756.06(5)(a) (a) A person required to submit proof may submit an irrevocable letter of credit. The letter of credit shall be in the amount determined under s. NR 756.08, and available exclusively for the purpose of assuring that all respective requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule will be complied with. The original letter of credit shall be delivered to the department for approval. Letter of credit forms shall be supplied by the department.

NR 756.06(5)(b) (b) A letter of credit shall be issued by a bank or financial institution that has the authority to issue letters of credit and whose letter of credit operations are examined and regulated by a federal agency, or in the case of a bank or financial institution located within the state of Wisconsin, that is examined and regulated by the state or a federal agency. The department shall be the beneficiary of the letter of credit.

NR 756.06(5)(c) (c) The letter of credit shall provide either that the unused portion of the letter of credit shall be payable in full to the department upon the expiration of the letter of credit or that as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule, the letter of credit may not be canceled by the bank or financial institution unless a replacement letter of credit or other proof of financial responsibility under this section is provided to the department by the person required to submit proof. If the bank or financial institution proposes to cancel a letter of credit, the bank or financial institution shall provide notice to the department and the person required to submit proof in writing by registered or certified mail not less than 90 days prior to the proposed cancellation date. Not less than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the 90-day notice period, the person required to submit proof shall deliver to the department a replacement letter of credit or other proof of financial responsibility under this section, in the absence of which either the letter of credit shall remain in effect as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule or the unused portion of the letter of credit shall be payable in full to the department.

NR 756.06(5)(d) (d) If the bank or financial institution becomes bankrupt or insolvent or if its authorization to do business is revoked or suspended, the person required to submit proof shall, within 30 days after receiving written notice of bankruptcy, insolvency, revocation, or suspension, deliver to the department a replacement letter of credit or other proof of financial responsibility under this section, and the replacement letter of credit shall either remain in effect as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule or be payable in full to the department.

NR 756.06(5)(e) (e) The letter of credit shall further provide that the department has the right to withdraw and use part, or all, of the funds to carry out the respective requirements of the plan and compliance schedule if the person required to submit proof fails to do so. The department shall mail notification of its intent to use the funds for that purpose to the last known address of the person required to submit proof.

NR 756.06(6) (6) Insurance.

NR 756.06(6)(a) (a) A person required to submit proof may submit an insurance policy. The insurance policy shall be issued for the maximum risk limit determined under s. NR 756.08. A certificate of insurance shall be delivered to the department for approval. Certificate of insurance forms shall be submitted on a form supplied by the department.

NR 756.06(6)(b) (b) Except for captive insurance companies, the insurer shall be licensed to transact the business of insurance or eligible to provide insurance as an excess or surplus lines insurer in one or more states. The department, after conferring with the Wisconsin insurance commissioner, shall determine the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company to provide coverage for proof of financial responsibility. The department shall ask the insurance commissioner to provide a financial analysis of the insurer including a recommendation as to the insurer’s ability to provide the required coverage. The department shall be the beneficiary of the insurance policy. The department may require a periodic review of the acceptability of a surplus lines or captive insurance company.

NR 756.06(6)(c) (c) The insurance policy shall provide either that the unused proceeds of the policy shall be payable in full to the department upon expiration of the policy or that, as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule, the insurance policy may not be canceled by the insurer unless a replacement insurance policy or other proof of financial responsibility under this section is provided to the department by the person required to submit proof. If the insurer proposes to cancel an insurance policy, the insurer shall provide notice to the department and to the person required to submit proof in writing by registered or certified mail not less than 90 days prior to the proposed cancellation date. Not less than 30 days prior to the expiration of the 90-day notice period, the person required to submit proof shall deliver to the department a replacement insurance policy or other proof of financial responsibility under this section, and either the policy shall remain in effect as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule or the proceeds of the policy shall be payable in full to the department.

NR 756.06(6)(d) (d) If the insurance company becomes bankrupt or insolvent or if the company receives an unfavorable evaluation under s. 618.41 (6) (d), Stats., the person required to submit proof shall, within 30 days after receiving written notice of bankruptcy, insolvency, or an unfavorable evaluation, deliver to the department a replacement insurance policy or other proof of financial responsibility under this section and the replacement policy or other proof of financial responsibility shall either remain in effect as long as any respective obligation of the person required to submit proof remains under the plan and compliance schedule or be payable in full to the department.

NR 756.06(6)(e) (e) The insurance policy shall further provide that funds, up to an amount equal to the maximum risk limit of the policy, will be available to the department to carry out the respective requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule if the person required to submit proof fails to do so. The department shall mail notification of its intent to use the funds for that purpose to the last known address of the person required to submit proof.

NR 756.06(6)(f) (f) Each insurance policy shall contain a provision allowing assignment of the policy to a successor person required to submit proof. Assignment may be conditioned upon the consent of the insurer, provided consent is not unreasonably refused.

NR 756.06(7) (7) Other methods. The department may consider other methods of financial responsibility that the department finds satisfactory to ensure that the person required to submit proof will comply with the respective requirements specified in the plan and compliance schedule. The department may consider other financial commitments made payable to or established for the benefit of the department to ensure the person required to submit proof will comply with the requirements of the approved plan and compliance schedule. The department shall review the request of any person required to submit proof to establish proof of financial responsibility to determine whether the proposed method provides a degree of assurance that is at least equal to that provided by the methods listed in this section. The department may review such a request after the person required to submit proof submits a complete request, all supporting information, and any additional information required by the department as part of the plan and compliance schedule.

NR 756.06 History History: EmR2032: emerg. cr., eff. 9-8-20; CR 20-038: cr. Register September 2021 No. 789, eff. 10-1-21.

NR 756.07 NR 756.07 Cost estimates.

NR 756.07(1) (1) General.

NR 756.07(1)(a) (a) For the purpose of determining the amount of proof of financial responsibility that is required under s. NR 756.06, a person required to submit proof shall submit the estimated costs together with all necessary justification and documentation, as required by the department, to the department for approval as part of the initial request for approval of the plan and compliance schedule. The costs shall be based on a third party performing the work and reported on a per unit basis, as applicable. The source of estimates shall be indicated.

NR 756.07(1)(b) (b) For the planned costs under s. NR 756.04 (2) (b) 1. and 3., the person required to submit proof shall estimate the annual cost in current dollars for each year of the plan and compliance schedule proof period.

NR 756.07(1)(c) (c) For the additional costs under s. NR 756.04 (2) (b) 2. and 4., the person required to submit proof shall estimate costs in current dollars and shall multiply the sum of the costs by a percentage that is provided by the department and determined by the department based on all of the following criteria, as applicable:

NR 756.07(1)(c)1. 1. The cost of response actions taken to address contaminated sediments at the site and the cost of response actions that are part of any approved plan to address contaminated sediments for the site.