Chapter 289

289.41(6)(L) (L) Alternative criteria for certain companies. Paragraphs (e) and (f) do not apply to a company that owns a solid waste facility at which more than one-half, by volume, of the solid waste disposed of is high-volume industrial waste if the company satisfies the criteria under pars. (b) to (d) and (g) to (i) and one of the following criteria:

289.41(6)(L)1. 1. The company received a rating for its senior unsubordinated debt of “AAA,” “AA,” “A,” or “BBB” from Standard and Poor’s Corporation, or of “Aaa,” “Aa,” “A,” or “Baa” from Moody’s Investor Service, Incorporated, in the most recent issuance of ratings by either firm.

289.41(6)(L)2. 2. The quotient of the sum of net income plus depreciation, plus depletion, plus amortization, minus $10,000,000, divided by total liabilities at the end of the company’s most recently completed fiscal year exceeds 0.1.

289.41(6)(m) (m) Alternative criteria for waste wood facility. Paragraph (d) does not apply to a company that owns a solid waste facility that processes waste wood if more than 50 percent, by volume, of the waste wood is processed to be used for energy recovery and the company satisfies the criteria under pars. (b), (c), and (e) to (i), and the following criteria:

289.41(6)(m)1. 1. The quotient of short-term assets divided by short-term liabilities at the end of the company’s most recent fiscal year equals or exceeds 4.0.

289.41(6)(m)2. 2. The quotient of the sum of net income plus interest expense, plus depreciation, plus amortization, less capital expenditures, less dividends for the company’s most recently completed fiscal year divided by the sum of interest expenses and mandatory payments on funded debt for that year equals or exceeds 4.0.

289.41(7) (7) Compliance with minimum financial standards under net worth method; public utilities.

289.41(7)(a) (a) Compliance. A public utility is required to satisfy both the criteria under pars. (b) and (c) in order to comply with minimum financial standards.

289.41(7)(b) (b) Net worth to closure, long-term care and corrective action costs ratio; minimum net worth; and absence of qualifiers in certified public accountant’s opinion. Calculations and determinations based on data and information provided in the opinion of the certified public accountant are required to establish that the utility satisfies each of the criteria under sub. (6) (b), (c) and (i); and

289.41(7)(c) (c) Minimum bond ratings. The public utility received a bond rating of “A” or better from the Moody’s investor service, incorporated, or “A” or better from Standard and Poor’s corporation in the most recent issuance of ratings by either firm.

289.41(9) (9) Minimum security requirements under net worth method; public utilities; assessment order.

289.41(9)(a) (a) Minimum risk pool. A public utility may comply with minimum security requirements under a risk pool arrangement if at least 2 public utilities utilize this arrangement.

289.41(9)(b) (b) Inability to meet closure and long-term care or corrective action costs. If a public utility which utilizes the risk pool arrangement does not comply with the closure and long-term care requirements specified in any plan of operation or approved plan under s. 291.29 or with any corrective action required under s. 291.37 and if the department or the department of justice is unable to obtain compliance with these requirements after appropriate legal action because of bankruptcy, insolvency or the financial inability of the utility to comply with these requirements, then the department is authorized to enter an assessment order.

289.41(9)(c) (c) Assessment order. If the department is authorized to enter an assessment order, the order shall direct each public utility which utilized the risk pool arrangement in the previous year, except the utility which failed to comply with the closure and long-term care or corrective action requirements, to pay a share of the estimated total cost of compliance with these requirements proportional to the amount of electricity generated by each of these public utilities during the previous year.

289.41(10) (10) Sale of facility. A person acquiring ownership, possession or operation of a solid or hazardous waste facility shall establish proof of financial responsibility as required under sub. (2). The previous owner or operator is responsible and shall maintain any required proof of financial responsibility until the person acquiring ownership, possession or operation of the facility establishes any required proof of financial responsibility.

289.41(11) (11) Closure, long-term care and corrective action.

289.41(11)(a) (a) Failure to comply with closure and long-term care requirements. If the owner or operator of the facility fails to comply with the closure and any long-term care requirements in any plan of operation or approved plan under s. 291.29:

289.41(11)(a)1. 1. The department may require the forfeiture or convert any standard method of establishing proof of financial responsibility if the owner or operator established proof of financial responsibility under sub. (3). All moneys received from the forfeiture or conversion of any standard method of establishing proof of financial responsibility shall be credited to the waste management fund.

289.41(11)(a)3. 3. The department may issue an assessment order under sub. (9) (c) if the owner or operator established proof of financial responsibility by complying with minimum financial standards under sub. (7) and minimum security requirements under sub. (9). All moneys received from the assessment order shall be credited to the waste management fund.

289.41(11)(a)4. 4. The department may request the department of justice to initiate court action against the owner or operator to recover moneys sufficient to pay the cost of complying with the closure and long-term care requirements specified in any rule, order, plan of operation, or other plan approval or approved plan under s. 291.29. Any moneys recovered in this type of action or as a settlement in anticipation of this type of action shall be credited to the waste management fund.

289.41(11)(am) (am) Failure to comply with corrective action requirements. If the owner or operator of the facility fails to comply with any corrective action requirements under s. 291.37:

289.41(11)(am)1. 1. The department may require the forfeiture or convert any standard method of establishing proof of financial responsibility if the owner or operator established proof of financial responsibility under sub. (3). All moneys received from the forfeiture or conversion of any standard method of establishing proof of financial responsibility shall be credited to the waste management fund.

289.41(11)(am)3. 3. The department may issue an assessment order under sub. (9) (c) if the owner or operator established proof of financial responsibility by complying with minimum financial standards under sub. (7) and minimum security requirements under sub. (9). All moneys received from the assessment order shall be credited to the waste management fund.

289.41(11)(am)4. 4. The department may request the department of justice to initiate court action against the owner or operator to recover moneys sufficient to pay the cost of complying with a corrective action required under s. 291.37. Any moneys recovered in this type of action or as a settlement in anticipation of this type of action shall be credited to the waste management fund.

289.41(11)(b) (b) Compliance with closure and long-term care requirements.

289.41(11)(b)1. 1. If the owner or operator of a waste facility fails to comply with the closure and any long-term care requirements in any plan of operation or approved plan under s. 291.29, the department may take action or contract with a person to take action to comply with these requirements from moneys obtained for that purpose under par. (a).

289.41(11)(b)2. 2. If the owner or operator of an approved facility for which the plan of operation was approved under s. 289.30 (6) before August 9, 1989, fails to comply with long-term care requirements in the plan of operation after the requirement to provide proof of financial responsibility expires under sub. (1m) (b) or (f) and if the department takes reasonable administrative and legal action to require compliance or to obtain moneys under par. (a) 4., then the department may take action or contract with a person to take action to comply with the requirements even though no moneys have been obtained under par. (a).

289.41(11)(bm) (bm) Compliance with corrective action requirements. If the owner or operator of a waste facility fails to comply with any corrective action required under s. 291.37, the department may take action or contract with a person to take action to comply with a corrective action required under s. 291.37 from moneys obtained for that purpose under par. (am).

289.41(11)(c) (c) Prevention of imminent hazard; closure and long-term care. If the owner or operator of an approved facility for which the plan of operation was approved under s. 289.30 (6) before August 9, 1989, fails to comply with the closure and any long-term care requirements in any plan of operation during the period for which the owner or operator is required to provide proof of financial responsibility, if the department determines that the failure to comply with these requirements presents an imminent or substantial danger to the health or environment and if the department takes reasonable administrative and legal action to require compliance or to obtain moneys under par. (a), then the department may take action or contract with a person to take action to comply with these requirements even though no moneys have been obtained under par. (a).

289.41(11)(cm) (cm) Prevention of imminent hazard; corrective action. If the owner or operator of an approved facility for which the plan of operation was approved under s. 289.30 (6) before August 9, 1989, fails to comply with any corrective action required under s. 291.37, if the department determines that the failure to comply with a corrective action requirement presents an imminent or substantial danger to the health or environment and if the department takes reasonable administrative and legal action to require compliance or to obtain moneys under par. (am), then the department may take action or contract with a person to take action to comply with a corrective action required under s. 291.37 even though no moneys have been obtained under par. (am).

289.41(12) (12) No environmental impact statement requirements. A determination under this section does not constitute a major state action under s. 1.11 (2).

289.41 History History: 1981 c. 374; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 53 s. 114; 1985 a. 29 s. 3202 (39); 1987 a. 384; 1989 a. 31, 359; 1991 a. 31, 39; 1993 a. 135; 1995 a. 63; 1995 a. 227 ss. 588, 617 to 624; Stats. 1995 s. 289.41; 1995 a. 377 ss. 1 to 3; 1997 a. 35 ss. 327, 328, 396; 2001 a. 16; 2011 a. 167; 2013 a. 168 s. 21; 2013 a. 281; 2015 a. 50; 2017 a. 365 s. 112; 2023 a. 107.

289.41 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 520, Wis. adm. code.

289.42 289.42 Operation of facilities.

289.42(1) (1) 

289.42(1)(a) (a) The department shall, by rule, establish a program for the certification of persons participating in or responsible for the operation of solid waste disposal facilities. The department shall do all of the following:

289.42(1)(a)1. 1. Identify those persons or positions involved in the operation of a solid waste disposal facility who are required to obtain certification.

289.42(1)(a)2. 2. Establish the requirements for and term of initial certification and requirements for recertification upon expiration of that term. At a minimum, the department shall require applicants to complete a program of training and pass an examination in order to receive initial certification.

289.42(1)(a)3. 3. Establish different levels of certification and requirements for certification for different sizes or types of facilities, as the department determines is appropriate.

289.42(1)(a)4. 4. Impose fees for the operator training and certification program, except that the department may not impose a fee on an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44.

289.42(1)(a)5. 5. Require that there be one or more certified operators on the site of a solid waste disposal facility, except for a facility designed for the disposal of high-volume industrial waste, at all times during the facility’s hours of operation.

289.42(1)(b) (b) The department may not apply the requirements established under par. (a) to a nonapproved facility until January 1, 1992.

289.42(1)(c) (c) The training required under par. (a) 2. may be conducted by the department or by another person with the approval of the department.

289.42(1)(d) (d) The department may suspend or revoke a solid waste disposal facility’s operating license if persons at the facility fail to obtain certification required under par. (a) 1. or for failure to have a certified operator on the site as required under par. (a) 5.

289.42(1)(e) (e) The department may suspend or revoke an operator’s certification for failure to comply with this chapter, rules promulgated under this chapter or conditions of operation made applicable to a solid waste disposal facility by the department.

289.42(2) (2) 

289.42(2)(a) (a) No person engaged in the construction, operation or maintenance of a solid waste disposal facility or hazardous waste disposal facility may dismiss, discipline, demote, transfer, reprimand, harass, reduce the pay of, discriminate against or otherwise retaliate against any employee, or threaten to take any of those actions, because the employee reported to any supervisor, appointing authority, law enforcement official, member of the governing body of the local governmental unit in which the solid waste disposal facility or hazardous waste disposal facility is located or the department any information gained by the employee which the employee reasonably believes demonstrates a violation of this chapter or rules promulgated under this chapter.

289.42(2)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not restrict the right of an employer to take appropriate disciplinary action against an employee who knowingly makes an untrue statement or discloses information the disclosure of which is expressly prohibited by state or federal law.

289.42(2)(c) (c)

289.42(2)(c)1. 1. Any employee who believes that his or her rights under par. (a) have been violated may, within 30 days after the violation occurs or the employee obtains knowledge of the violation, whichever is later, file a written complaint with the department specifying the nature of the retaliatory action or threat of retaliatory action and requesting relief. The department shall investigate the complaint and shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a violation of par. (a) has occurred. If the department finds that probable cause exists, it shall attempt to resolve the complaint by conference, conciliation or persuasion. If the complaint is not resolved, the department shall proceed with notice and a contested case hearing on the complaint as provided in ch. 227. The hearing shall be held within 60 days after receipt of the complaint by the department, unless the parties to the proceeding agree otherwise.

289.42(2)(c)2. 2. The department shall issue its decision and order on the complaint within 30 days after the hearing. If the department finds that a violation of par. (a) has occurred, it may order the employer to take action to remedy the effects of the violation, including reinstating the employee, providing back pay to the employee or taking disciplinary action against employees responsible for the violation.

289.42(2)(d) (d) This subsection does not limit other protections or remedies available to an employee, including those granted by ordinance, statute, rule, contract or collective bargaining agreement.

289.42 History History: 1995 a. 227 ss. 531, 532, 991; 2011 a. 209.

289.42 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 524, Wis. adm. code.

289.43 289.43 Waivers; exemptions.

289.43(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “recycling” means the process by which solid waste is returned to productive use as material or energy, but does not include the collection of solid waste.

289.43(2) (2) Waiver; emergency condition. The department may waive compliance with any requirement of ss. 289.21 to 289.32, 289.47, 289.53 or 289.95 or shorten the time periods under ss. 289.21 to 289.32, 289.47, 289.53 or 289.95 provided to the extent necessary to prevent an emergency condition threatening public health, safety or welfare.

289.43(3) (3) Waiver; research projects. The intent of this subsection is to encourage research projects designed to demonstrate the feasibility of recycling certain solid wastes while providing adequate and reasonable safeguards for the environment. The department may waive compliance with the requirements of this chapter for a project developed for research purposes to evaluate the potential for the recycling of high-volume industrial waste if the following conditions are met:

289.43(3)(a) (a) The project is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of recycling solid waste or the feasibility of improved solid waste disposal methods.

289.43(3)(b) (b) The department determines that the project is unlikely to violate any law relating to surface water or groundwater quality including this chapter or ch. 160 or 283.

289.43(3)(c) (c) The department reviews and approves the project prior to its initiation.

289.43(3)(d) (d) The owner or operator of the project agrees to provide all data, reports and research publications relating to the project to the department.

289.43(3)(e) (e) The owner or operator of the project agrees to take necessary action to maintain compliance with surface water and groundwater laws, including this chapter and chs. 160 and 283 and to take necessary action to regain compliance with these laws if a violation occurs because of the functioning or malfunctioning of the project.

289.43(4) (4) Exemption from licensing or regulation; development of improved methods. For the purpose of encouraging the development of improved methods of solid waste disposal, the department may specify by rule types of solid waste facilities that are not required to be licensed under ss. 289.21 to 289.32 or types of solid waste that need not be disposed of at a licensed solid waste disposal facility.

289.43(5) (5) Exemption from regulation; single-family waste disposal. The department may not regulate under chs. 281, 285 or 289 to 299 any solid waste from a single family or household disposed of on the property where it is generated.

289.43(6) (6) Exemption from licensing; agricultural landspreading of sludge. The department may not require a license under ss. 289.21 to 289.32 for agricultural land on which nonhazardous sludges from a treatment work, as defined under s. 283.01 (18), are land spread for purpose of a soil conditioner or nutrient.

289.43(6m) (6m) Exemption from licensing, agricultural use of wood ash. No license is required under ss. 289.21 to 289.32 for the agricultural use of wood ash.

289.43(7) (7) Exemption from licensing; recycling of high-volume industrial waste.

289.43(7)(a) (a) Any person who generates, treats, stores or disposes of high-volume industrial waste may request the department to exempt an individual solid waste facility or specified types of solid waste facilities from this chapter for the purpose of allowing the recycling of any high-volume industrial waste.

289.43(7)(b) (b) A person who requests an exemption under par. (a) shall provide any information requested by the department relating to the characteristics of the high-volume industrial waste, the characteristics of the site of the recycling and the proposed methods of recycling.

289.43(7)(c) (c) The department shall approve the requester’s exemption proposal if the department finds that the proposal, as approved, will comply with this chapter and chs. 30, 31, 160 and 280 to 299 and ss. 1.11, 23.40, 59.692, 59.693, 60.627, 61.351, 61.353, 61.354, 62.231, 62.233, 62.234 and 87.30. If the proposal does not comply with one or more of the requirements specified in this paragraph, the department shall provide a written statement describing how the proposal fails to comply with those requirements. The department shall respond to an application for an exemption under this subsection within 90 days.

289.43(7)(d) (d) The department may require periodic testing and may impose other conditions on any exemption granted under this subsection. The department may require a person granted an exemption under this subsection to identify the location of any site where high-volume industrial waste is recycled.

289.43(7)(e) (e)

289.43(7)(e)1. 1. Each applicant for an exemption under this subsection shall submit a nonrefundable fee of $500 with the application to cover the department’s cost for the initial screening of the application. The department may waive this fee if the cost of the initial screening to the department will be minimal.

289.43(7)(e)2. 2. The department shall, by rule, establish fees for approved applications which, together with the $500 application fees, shall, as closely as possible, equal the actual cost of reviewing applications.

289.43(7)(e)3. 3. All fees collected under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (4) (dg).

289.43(8) (8) Exemption from regulation; low-hazard waste and material dredged from great lakes.

289.43(8)(a) (a) The department shall conduct a continuing review of the potential hazard to public health or the environment of various types of solid wastes and solid waste facilities. The department shall consider information submitted by any person concerning the potential hazard to public health or the environment of any type of solid waste.

289.43(8)(b) (b) If the department, after a review under par. (a), finds that regulation under this chapter is not warranted in light of the potential hazard to public health or the environment, the department shall either:

289.43(8)(b)1. 1. Promulgate a rule specifying types of solid waste that need not be disposed of at a licensed solid waste disposal facility.

289.43(8)(b)2. 2. On a case-by-case basis, exempt from regulation under this chapter specified types of solid waste facilities.

289.43(8)(b)3. 3. Authorize an individual generator to dispose of a specified type of solid waste at a site other than a licensed solid waste disposal facility.

289.43(8)(b)4. 4. Authorize use of the solid waste in public works projects.

289.43(8)(c) (c) The department may require periodic testing of solid wastes and impose other conditions on exemptions granted under par. (b).

289.43(8)(d) (d)

289.43(8)(d)1. 1. The department may not regulate under s. 289.30 or 289.31 any facility for the disposal of material dredged by a municipality or county or a contractor for a municipality or county from Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, or bays or harbors adjacent to Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, if all of the following apply:

289.43(8)(d)1.a. a. The department determines that the dredging and disposal will have a demonstrable economic public benefit, as defined under s. 281.36 (1) (am).

289.43(8)(d)1.b. b. The department determines that the cumulative adverse environmental impact of the dredging and disposal is insignificant and will not injure public rights or interests, cause environmental pollution, as defined in s. 299.01 (4), or result in material injury to the rights of any riparian owner.

289.43(8)(d)1.c. c. The department determines that the facility is in compliance with performance standards established by the department by rule.