Chapter 291

291.11(1) (1) The department may hold hearings relating to any aspect of the administration of this chapter and, in connection with those hearings, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence.

291.11(2) (2) The department may waive compliance with any requirement under this chapter or shorten the time periods under this chapter to the extent necessary to prevent an emergency condition threatening public health, safety or welfare or the environment.

291.11(3) (3) The department may secure necessary scientific, technical, administrative and operational services, including laboratory facilities, by contract or otherwise.

291.11(4) (4) The department may advise, consult, contract and cooperate with other agencies of the state, local governments, industries, other states, interstate or interlocal agencies, the federal government and other interested persons or groups.

291.11(5) (5) The department may enter into a compact with agencies in other states for the purposes of mutual assistance in the management and regulation of hazardous wastes.

291.11 History History: 1995 a. 227 ss. 661, 669, 671, 673, 992.

291.13 291.13 Capacity assurance plan revision and review.

291.13(1) (1) In this section, “capacity assurance plan” means the plan submitted under 42 USC 9604 (c) (9) for the management of hazardous waste generated in this state.

291.13(2) (2) The department shall do all of the following:

291.13(2)(a) (a) Monitor changes in the generation of hazardous waste in this state and the progress toward meeting the goals in the capacity assurance plan.

291.13(2)(b) (b) Notify the governor of any significant problems that occur or may occur in the ability to manage a type of hazardous waste in this state and of the need to change the goals in the capacity assurance plan.

291.13(2)(c) (c) Each year in which submission of a revised capacity assurance plan is required by the federal environmental protection agency, at least 75 days before the federal environmental protection agency deadline for submittal, complete a draft of a revised capacity assurance plan and provide the draft to the governor and the legislature under s. 13.172 (2).

291.13(2)(d) (d) Hold a public informational hearing, that is not a contested case hearing under ch. 227, to solicit comments on the draft of the revised capacity assurance plan no later than 45 days after providing the draft under par. (c).

291.13(2)(e) (e) Each year in which submission of a revised capacity assurance plan is required by the federal environmental protection agency, provide its proposed version of the revised capacity assurance plan, no later than 14 days prior to the federal environmental protection agency deadline for submittal, to the governor and the legislature under s. 13.172 (2).

291.13 History History: 1989 a. 325; 1991 a. 41; 1995 a. 27; 1995 a. 227 s. 697; Stats. 1995 s. 291.13.

291.15 291.15 Confidentiality of records.

291.15(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 are public records subject to s. 19.21.

291.15(2) (2) Confidential records.

291.15(2)(a) (a) Application. An owner or operator of a hazardous 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.

291.15(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 as relating to production or sales figures or to processes or production unique to the owner or operator of the solid waste facility or which would tend to adversely affect the competitive position of the owner or operator if made public.

291.15(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.

291.15(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. 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 or the department of justice may release on a limited basis records and other information granted confidential status under this subsection if the department 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 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 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. The department or the department of justice shall provide to the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) the name and address of an individual, the name and address of the individual’s employer and financial information related to the individual that is contained in records or other information granted confidential status under this subsection if requested under s. 49.22 (2m) by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).

291.15 History History: 1981 c. 374; 1987 a. 384; 1995 a. 227 s. 692; Stats. 1995 s. 291.15; 1997 a. 191; 2007 a. 20.

subch. IV of ch. 291 SUBCHAPTER IV

HAZARDOUS WASTE; GENERAL REGULATION

291.21 291.21 Generation. Any person generating solid waste shall determine if the solid waste is a hazardous waste. Any person generating hazardous waste shall:

291.21(1) (1) Be responsible for testing programs needed to determine whether any material generated by them is a hazardous waste for purposes of this chapter.

291.21(2) (2) Keep records that accurately identify:

291.21(2)(a) (a) The quantities of hazardous waste generated;

291.21(2)(b) (b) The hazardous constituents of hazardous wastes which are significant because of quantity or potential harmfulness to human health or the environment; and

291.21(2)(c) (c) The disposition of hazardous wastes.

291.21(3) (3) Label any container used for the storage, transport or disposal of hazardous waste to accurately identify its contents and associated hazards.

291.21(4) (4) Use appropriate containers for hazardous waste.

291.21(5) (5) Furnish information on the general chemical composition of hazardous waste to persons transporting, treating, storing or disposing of hazardous wastes, and on any precautions recommended to ensure safe handling of hazardous waste.

291.21(6) (6) Comply with rules relating to use of a manifest system.

291.21(7) (7) Submit all reports required under this chapter and rules promulgated under this chapter.

291.21(8) (8) Comply with rules relating to notification under s. 291.05 (1), (2) and (4).

291.21(9) (9) Arrange that all wastes generated by them are transported, treated, stored or disposed of at facilities holding a license issued under this chapter or issued under the resource conservation and recovery act.

291.21 History History: 1977 c. 377; 1981 c. 374 ss. 96, 150; 1987 a. 384; 1995 a. 227 s. 674; Stats. 1995 s. 291.21.

291.21 Annotation Corporate officers responsible for the overall operation of a facility are personally liable for violations. State v. Rollfink, 162 Wis. 2d 121, 469 N.W.2d 398 (1991).

291.21 Annotation The deterioration of useful materials into waste is a process that results in the generation of waste under s. 144.61 (4) [now s. 291.01 (5)]; the yard at which waste is stored and a hole dug to bury waste are facilities under s. 144.61 (5m) [now s. 291.01 (8)]. State v. Edward Kraemer & Sons. Inc. 170 Wis. 2d 646, 489 N.W.2d 708 (Ct. App. 1992).

291.23 291.23 Licenses; transportation.

291.23(1) (1) No person may transport hazardous waste without a license issued under this section.

291.23(2) (2) Licenses issued under this section shall require compliance with rules of the department promulgated under s. 291.05 (5) (a).

291.23(3) (3) Licenses issued under this section may be denied, suspended or revoked for grievous and continuous failure to comply with the rules adopted under s. 291.05 (5) (a).

291.23 History History: 1995 a. 227 ss. 676, 678; 1997 a. 35; 2015 a. 297 s. 51.

291.25 291.25 Licenses; treatment, storage or disposal.

291.25(1) (1) The storage of hazardous waste at the generation site by the generator of that waste for a period of less than 90 days is not subject to this section. The storage of hazardous waste for a period of less than 10 days is exempt from this section if the storage is in connection with the transporting or movement of the hazardous waste. Notwithstanding the exemptions granted under this subsection, no person may store or cause the storage of hazardous waste in a manner which causes environmental pollution.

291.25(2) (2) No person may:

291.25(2)(a) (a) Construct a hazardous waste facility unless the person complies with ss. 289.23 to 289.30.

291.25(2)(b) (b) Operate a hazardous waste facility without an interim or operating license issued under this section.

291.25(3) (3) Licenses issued under this section shall require compliance with s. 289.31 and rules promulgated under this chapter.

291.25(4) (4) The department may issue an interim license to a person who operates a hazardous waste facility if the person applies for a license under this section and complies with conditions and restrictions prescribed by rule or special order by the department pending the decision on the issuance of an operating license under this section. This subsection applies only if the facility was in existence on November 19, 1980, or on a subsequent date which is the effective date of the statute or rule requiring the facility to obtain an operating license under this section. An interim license issued under this subsection constitutes an operating license under this section.

291.25(5) (5) An existing hazardous waste facility which was never licensed under this section, whether or not it was previously authorized to receive hazardous waste under s. 289.31, shall be treated as an unlicensed proposed facility which has not been constructed for the purpose of complying with sub. (2) (a), for the purpose of obtaining an operating license under this section and for the purpose of administrative procedure and review under ch. 227.

291.25(6) (6) A treatment facility which is required to be permitted as a hazardous waste treatment facility under the resource conservation and recovery act and the discharges of which are regulated under ch. 283 shall comply with construction and operating standards promulgated by rule by the department. The department shall promulgate rules under this subsection which are substantially equivalent to and not more stringent than the standards promulgated under the resource conservation and recovery act.

291.25(7) (7) Notwithstanding subs. (2) (a), (3) and (5), the owner or operator of a hazardous waste facility who holds a permit for the treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste issued before January 31, 1986, by the U.S. environmental protection agency under 42 USC 6925 (c) and who is in compliance with the permit may obtain an operating license under sub. (2) (b) for the federally permitted activities by doing all of the following:

291.25(7)(a) (a) Submitting to the department, on a form provided by the department, an application showing that the facility meets the standards established under ss. 289.21 to 289.31 and this chapter and rules promulgated under those sections and this chapter.

291.25(7)(b) (b) Complying with any condition that the department prescribes as necessary to meet any standard or requirement established under ss. 289.21 to 289.31 and this chapter.

291.25(7)(c) (c) Paying any fee required under ss. 291.05 (7) and 291.33.

291.25 History History: 1995 a. 227 ss. 680, 682, 992.

291.27 291.27 Environmental impact statement.

291.27(1) (1) An environmental impact statement is required under s. 1.11 (2) for a new hazardous waste disposal facility if one or both of the following conditions exist:

291.27(1)(a) (a) The total area committed to solid and hazardous waste disposal exceeds 80 acres.

291.27(1)(b) (b) The total volume of solid and hazardous waste intended for disposal under the plan of operation exceeds one million cubic yards.

291.27(2) (2) This section does not apply to hazardous waste disposal facilities granted an interim license under s. 291.25 (4) or a variance under s. 291.31 or a facility subject to s. 291.29.

291.27 History History: 1981 c. 374; 1983 a. 410 s. 2202 (38); 1987 a. 384; 1995 a. 227 s. 689; Stats. 1995 s. 291.27.

291.29 291.29 Closure and long-term care plan for unlicensed facilities. Any person required to be licensed or eligible to obtain a license under s. 291.25 who does not obtain a license under that section shall submit to the department a closure plan and, if the facility is a disposal facility, a long-term care plan for the facility which complies with the requirements promulgated by the department by rule under s. 291.05 (6) (e) and shall comply with the plan as approved by the department. There is no statutory right to a hearing before the department concerning a plan submitted under this section but the department may grant a hearing on a plan.

291.29 History History: 1995 a. 227 s. 683.

291.29 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 720, Wis. adm. code.

291.31 291.31 Variance. If the department determines that the application for or compliance with any license required under s. 291.23 or 291.25 would cause undue or unreasonable hardship to any person, the department may issue a variance from the requirements of s. 291.23, 291.25, 291.29 or 291.87 but the variance may not result in undue harm to public health or the environment and the duration of the variance may not exceed 5 years. The department may renew or extend a variance only after opportunity for a public hearing.

291.31 History History: 1995 a. 227 s. 684.

291.33 291.33 Tonnage fees. A person who operates a licensed hazardous waste disposal facility shall pay the fees imposed and specified under s. 289.62.

291.33 History History: 1995 a. 227 s. 687.

291.35 291.35 Rules on metallic mining wastes. The requirements of this chapter shall be subject to s. 289.05 (2).

291.35 History History: 1995 a. 227 s. 648.

291.37 291.37 Corrective action.

291.37(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

291.37(1)(a) (a) “Corrective action” means any method for protecting human health or the environment from a release.

291.37(1)(b) (b) “Release” means any spill, leak, pumping, pouring, emission, emptying, discharge, injection, escape, leaching, dumping or disposal of a hazardous waste or hazardous constituent.

291.37(1)(c) (c) “Solid waste management unit” means any unit designed or used for the storage, treatment or disposal of solid waste or hazardous waste or both, which is located in a hazardous waste facility required to have a license under s. 291.25 or a permit under 42 USC 6925 or required to comply with s. 291.29. “Solid waste management unit” includes but is not limited to a container, tank, surface impoundment, disposal facility, incinerator, wastepile, landfill, underground injection well, land treatment unit or wastewater treatment facility.

291.37(1)(d) (d) “Surface impoundment” means all or any part of a hazardous waste facility that is a natural topographic depression, constructed excavation or diked area, that is formed primarily of earthen materials and that holds or is designed to hold liquid waste or waste containing liquids that are readily separable from the solid waste portion of the waste. “Surface impoundment” includes a pond, lagoon or holding, storage, settling or aeration pit, but does not include an underground injection well or a topographic depression containing surface water, such as a drainage ditch containing runoff from a parking lot or a storm water retention basin, unless the surface water is contaminated by a hazardous waste.

291.37(2) (2) Corrective action.

291.37(2)(a) (a) If the department determines that a release from a solid waste management unit has occurred the department may, except as provided under par. (b), require the owner or operator of the facility containing the solid waste management unit to take corrective action, including corrective action beyond the facility, if necessary. The department may require an owner or operator to take corrective action regardless of when the hazardous waste or hazardous constituent released was placed in the solid waste management unit. The department may require corrective action by means of a special order under this paragraph or as a condition of licensing or plan approval under s. 291.25 or 291.29. An order or condition under this paragraph shall state, with reasonable specificity, the nature of the corrective action required, shall include a description of the property on which the corrective action is to be taken and shall specify a period for achieving compliance and a period for the owner or operator to establish proof of financial responsibility for the cost of corrective action.

291.37(2)(b) (b) If an owner or operator who is required under par. (a) to take corrective action on property that is beyond a facility shows that despite making a good faith effort the owner or operator was unable to obtain permission from the owner or occupant to enter that property, the owner or operator need not comply with the requirement with respect to that property.

291.37 History History: 1987 a. 384; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 227 s. 696; Stats. 1995 s. 291.37.

291.37 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 720, Wis. adm. code.

subch. V of ch. 291 SUBCHAPTER V

ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES

291.85 291.85 Imminent danger.