Chapter 285

285.81(3) (3) Mining hearing. Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if a hearing on the matter is conducted as a part of a hearing under s. 293.43.

285.81(4) (4) Review of department determinations. An air pollution control permit, part of an air pollution control permit or determination by the department under ss. 285.39, 285.60 to 285.69 or 285.75 is not subject to review in any civil or criminal enforcement action for a violation of this chapter. This subsection does not restrict the ability of a person to challenge an administrative rule as provided in s. 227.40 (2).

285.81 History History: 1979 c. 34, 221; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1991 a. 302; 1995 a. 227 s. 502; Stats. 1995 s. 285.81; 2003 a. 118; 2005 a. 28.

285.81 Annotation This section permits the persons identified in subs. (1) and (2) to challenge only a part of a permit, or only certain conditions or requirements. It does not address when a decision issued by an administrative law judge after the administrative hearing is final. Sierra Club v. Department of Natural Resources, 2007 WI App 181, 304 Wis. 2d 614, 736 N.W.2d 918, 06-2653.

285.81 Annotation Sub. (4) provides in unequivocal terms that enumerated permits and determinations are not subject to review. U.S. v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc. 143 F. Supp. 2d 1054 (2001).

285.83 285.83 Violations: enforcement.

285.83(1) (1) 

285.83(1)(a) (a) If the department has reason to believe that a violation of this chapter or s. 299.15 or any rule promulgated or special order, plan approval or permit issued under this chapter or s. 299.15 has occurred, it may:

285.83(1)(a)1. 1. Cause written notice to be served upon the alleged violator. The notice shall specify the alleged violation, and contain the findings of fact on which the charge of violation is based. The notice may include an order that necessary corrective action be taken within a reasonable time. This order shall become effective unless, no later than 30 days after the date the notice and order are served, the person named in the notice and order requests in writing a hearing before the department. Upon such request, the department shall after due notice hold a hearing. Instead of an order, the department may require that the alleged violator appear before the department for a hearing at a time and place specified in the notice and answer the charges complained of; or

285.83(1)(a)2. 2. Initiate action under s. 285.59 (8) or 285.87.

285.83(1)(b) (b) If after such hearing the department finds that a violation has occurred, it shall affirm or modify its order previously issued, or issue an appropriate order for the prevention, abatement or control of the problems involved or for the taking of such other corrective action as may be appropriate. If the department finds that no violation has occurred, it shall rescind its order. Any order issued as part of a notice or after hearing may prescribe one or more dates by which necessary action shall be taken in preventing, abating or controlling the violation.

285.83(2) (2) The notice under sub. (1) (a) 1. for an alleged violation of rules promulgated under s. 285.31 (3) may include a tag or other notice placed on the dispensing equipment that is alleged to be in violation of rules promulgated under s. 285.31 (3).

285.83 History History: 1971 c. 125 s. 522 (2); 1977 c. 377; 1979 c. 34 s. 980h; 1979 c. 221 s. 2202 (39); Stats. 1979 s. 144.423; 1989 a. 284; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 227 s. 510; Stats. 1995 s. 285.83.

285.83 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. NR 493 and 494, Wis. adm. code.

285.85 285.85 Emergency procedure.

285.85(1) (1) If the secretary finds that a generalized condition of air pollution exists and that it creates an emergency requiring immediate action to protect human health or safety, he or she shall order persons causing or contributing to the air pollution to reduce or discontinue immediately the emission of air contaminants, and such order shall fix a place and time, not later than 24 hours thereafter, for a hearing to be held before the department. Not more than 24 hours after the commencement of such hearing, and without adjournment thereof, the natural resources board shall affirm, modify or set aside the order of the secretary.

285.85(2) (2) In the absence of a generalized condition of air pollution of the type referred to in sub. (1), if the secretary finds that emissions from the operation of one or more air contaminant sources is causing imminent danger to human health or safety, he or she may order the persons responsible for the operations in question to reduce or discontinue emissions immediately, without regard to s. 285.83. In such event, the requirements for hearing and affirmance, modification or setting aside of orders set forth in sub. (1) shall apply.

285.85 History History: 1979 c. 34 ss. 983m, 2102 (39) (g); 1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 144.424; 1995 a. 227 s. 511; Stats. 1995 s. 285.85.

285.85 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 493, Wis. adm. code.

285.86 285.86 Asbestos citations.

285.86(1) (1) The department may follow the procedures for the issuance of a citation under ss. 23.50 to 23.99 to collect a forfeiture from a person who commits a violation specified under sub. (2).

285.86(2) (2) The department shall promulgate rules that specify violations of rules relating to asbestos abatement and management that are promulgated under ss. 285.11, 285.13, 285.17 and 285.27 to which sub. (1) applies. In a rule promulgated under this subsection, the department may limit the applicability of sub. (1) based on the frequency of violation and on health and environmental risks caused by the violation.

285.86(3) (3) The department shall submit any proposed rules under sub. (2) to the department of justice. The department may not promulgate a rule under sub. (2) unless the rule is approved by the department of justice.

285.86 History History: 1999 a. 9.

285.86 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 447, Wis. adm. code.

285.87 285.87 Penalties for violations relating to air pollution.

285.87(1) (1) Except as provided in s. 285.57 (5) or 285.59 (8), any person who violates this chapter or any rule promulgated, any permit issued or any special order issued under this chapter shall forfeit not less than $10 or more than $25,000 for each violation. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense.

285.87(2) (2) 

285.87(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), any person who intentionally commits an act that violates, or fails to perform an act required by this chapter, except s. 285.59, or any rule promulgated, any permit issued or any special order issued under this chapter, except s. 285.59, shall be fined not more than $25,000 per day of violation or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

285.87(2)(b) (b) If the conviction under par. (a) is for a violation committed after another conviction under par. (a), the person is guilty of a Class I felony, except that, notwithstanding the maximum fine specified in s. 939.50 (3) (i), the person may be fined not more than $50,000 per day of violation.

285.87 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1989 a. 284, 289; 1993 a. 243; 1995 a. 227 s. 511; Stats. 1995 s. 285.87; 1997 a. 283; 2001 a. 109.

285.87 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 494, Wis. adm. code.

285.87 Annotation In determining an entity’s civil forfeitures, the trial court can consider its cooperation in remediation, its initiation of remedial activities, the environmental harm caused, and the degree of its culpability. The trial court acted within its discretion in imposing a forfeiture against a contractor for its role in improperly removing asbestos although a separate contractor was responsible for the removal. State v. T.J. McQuay, Inc, 2008 WI App 177, 315 Wis. 2d 214, 763 N.W.2d 148, 07-2449.

285.87 Annotation Because the causes of action asserted against the defendant for violating administrative rules governing the handling of asbestos did not exist and were not known or recognized at common law at the time of the adoption of the Wisconsin Constitution in 1848, the defendant had no constitutional right to a jury trial. State v. T.J. McQuay, Inc, 2008 WI App 177, 315 Wis. 2d 214, 763 N.W.2d 148, 07-2449.