Chapter 295

295.44(4) (4) Issuance or denial of exploration license.

295.44(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), within 10 business days of receiving an administratively complete application for an exploration license, the department shall issue the exploration license or provide the notice required under par. (f) of intent not to issue the exploration license, unless the application is for an upcoming license year. If an application is for an upcoming license year, the department shall issue the exploration license or provide the notice required under par. (f) of intent not to issue the exploration license within 10 business days of receiving an administratively complete application or on the next July 1, whichever is later.

295.44(4)(b) (b) An application for an exploration license is considered to be administratively complete on the day that it is submitted, unless, before the 10th business day after receiving the application, the department provides the applicant with written notification that the application is not administratively complete. The department may determine that an application is not administratively complete only if the application does not include an exploration plan; a reclamation plan; an exploration license fee; a bond; a certificate of insurance; or a copy of the applicant’s most recent annual report to the federal securities and exchange commission on form 10-K, or, if this is not available, a report of the applicant’s current assets and liabilities or other data necessary to establish that the applicant is competent to conduct exploration in this state. The department may not consider the quality of the information provided. In a notice provided under this paragraph, the department shall identify what is missing from the application.

295.44(4)(c) (c) If the department provides notification, in compliance with par. (b), that an application is not administratively complete, the department shall issue the exploration license or provide the notice required under par. (f) of intent not to issue the license within 7 business days of receipt of the missing item, unless the application is for an upcoming license year. If the application is for an upcoming license year, the department shall issue the exploration license or provide the notice required under par. (f) of intent not to issue the exploration license within 7 business days of receipt of the missing item or on the next July 1, whichever is later.

295.44(4)(d) (d) If the department does not comply with par. (a) or (c), the application is automatically approved and the department shall issue an exploration license that includes the requirements in sub. (5). The explorer may engage in exploration based on the automatic approval, notwithstanding any delay by the department in issuing the license.

295.44(4)(e) (e) Subject to par. (f), the department shall deny an application for an exploration license if the department finds that, after the activities in the exploration plan and the reclamation plan have been completed, the exploration will have a substantial and irreparable adverse impact on the environment or present a substantial risk of injury to public health and welfare.

295.44(4)(f) (f) Before denying an application, the department shall provide the applicant with written notification of its intent not to issue the exploration license, setting forth all of the reasons for its intent not to issue the exploration license, including reference to competent evidence supporting its position. The department shall provide the person with an opportunity to correct any deficiencies in the exploration plan or reclamation plan within 10 business days. If the person amends the exploration plan or reclamation plan and corrects the deficiencies, the department shall issue the exploration license within 10 business days of receipt of the amended exploration plan or reclamation plan, unless the application is for an upcoming license year. If an application is for an upcoming license year, the department shall issue the exploration license within 10 business days of receipt of the amended exploration plan or reclamation plan or on the next July 1, whichever is later. If the department determines that the deficiencies have not been corrected, it shall deny the application, in writing, setting forth all of the reasons for its determination, including reference to competent evidence supporting the determination.

295.44(5) (5) Requirements in exploration license. The department shall include all of the following in an exploration license:

295.44(5)(a) (a) A requirement that if the explorer wishes to temporarily abandon a drillhole so that the explorer may use the drillhole for future exploration, the explorer leave the well casing in place and seal the upper end of the casing with a watertight threaded or welded cap.

295.44(5)(b) (b) A requirement to permanently abandon a drillhole 4 inches in diameter or smaller by filling the drillhole from the bottom upward to the surface of the ground with concrete grout or neat cement grout.

295.44(5)(c) (c) A requirement to permanently abandon a drillhole larger than 4 inches in diameter by filling the drillhole from the bottom upward to the surface of the ground with concrete grout or neat cement grout or in one of the following ways:

295.44(5)(c)1. 1. If the drillhole is constructed in limestone, dolomite, shale, or Precambrian formations, such as granite, gabbro, gneiss, schist, slate, greenstone, or quartzite, by filling the drillhole with gravel or crushed rock or, if it is physically impracticable to use gravel or crushed rock and if the department approves, with clay slurry, from the bottom upward to a point 20 feet below the top of the first rock formation encountered below the surface of the ground or to at least 40 feet below the surface of the ground, whichever is the greater depth, and filling the remainder of the drillhole with concrete grout or neat cement grout.

295.44(5)(c)2. 2. If the drillhole is constructed in sandstone formation, by filling the drillhole with disinfected sand or pea gravel or, if it is physically impracticable to use sand or pea gravel and if the department approves, with clay slurry, from the bottom upward to a point 20 feet below the top of the first rock formation encountered below the surface of the ground or to at least 40 feet below the surface of the ground, whichever is the greater depth, and filling the remainder of the drillhole with concrete grout or neat cement grout.

295.44(5)(c)3. 3. If the drillhole is constructed in glacial drift or other unconsolidated formation, by filling the hole with clean clay slurry to a point 20 feet below the surface of the ground and filling the remainder of the drillhole with concrete grout or neat cement grout.

295.44(5)(c)4. 4. If the drillhole is constructed in mixed rock types, by filling the drillhole as provided in subds. 1., 2., and 3., and providing a concrete grout or neat cement grout plug that extends at least 20 feet above and below the point of surface contact between each recognized geologic rock type.

295.44(5)(d) (d)

295.44(5)(d)1. 1. A requirement to use a conductor pipe or, when practical, a dump bailer when filling a drillhole.

295.44(5)(d)2. 2. A requirement to keep the bottom end of the conductor pipe submerged in concrete grout or neat cement grout at all times when concrete grout or neat cement grout is placed under water using a conductor pipe.

295.44(5)(d)3. 3. A requirement to fill the drillhole at the same time that all or part of the drillhole casing is removed from an unconsolidated formation, such as sand or gravel, that will not remain open upon abandonment of a drillhole and to keep the end of the casing below the surface of the fill material throughout the operation.

295.44(5)(e) (e) A requirement to obtain approval from the department of the method of containing the flow from, and the method of eventual abandonment of, a drillhole that penetrates an aquifer under artesian pressure so that the groundwater flows at the surface of the ground.

295.44(6) (6) Renewals.

295.44(6)(a) (a) An explorer wishing to renew an exploration license shall file with the department a renewal application that includes all of the following:

295.44(6)(a)1. 1. A renewal fee of $150.

295.44(6)(a)2. 2. A bond that satisfies sub. (3) (a).

295.44(6)(a)3. 3. A certificate of insurance that satisfies sub. (2) (e).

295.44(6)(a)4. 4. A copy of the applicant’s most recent annual report to the federal securities and exchange commission on form 10-K, or, if this is not available, a report of the applicant’s current assets and liabilities or other data necessary to establish that the applicant is competent to conduct exploration in this state.

295.44(6)(a)5. 5. Either a statement that no changes are being proposed to the exploration plan and reclamation plan previously approved by the department or a new exploration plan or reclamation plan if the applicant proposes to make changes.

295.44(6)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (d), within 10 business days of receiving an administratively complete application for renewal of an exploration license, the department shall renew the exploration license or provide the notice, required under par. (g), of intent not to renew the exploration license.

295.44(6)(c) (c) An application for renewal of an exploration license is considered to be administratively complete on the day that it is submitted, unless, before the 10th business day after receiving the application, the department provides the explorer with written notification that the application is not administratively complete. The department may determine that an application is not administratively complete only if the application does not include a renewal fee; a bond; a certificate of insurance; a copy of the applicant’s most recent annual report to the federal securities and exchange commission on form 10-K, or, if this is not available, a report of the applicant’s current assets and liabilities or other data necessary to establish that the applicant is competent to conduct exploration in this state; or either a statement that no changes are being proposed to the exploration plan and reclamation plan previously approved by the department or a new exploration plan or reclamation plan if the applicant proposes to make changes. The department may not consider the quality of any information provided. In a notice provided under this paragraph, the department shall identify what is missing from the application.

295.44(6)(d) (d) If the department provides notification, in compliance with par. (c), that an application is not administratively complete, the department shall renew the exploration license or provide the notice, required under par. (g), of intent not to renew the exploration license within 7 business days of receipt of the missing item.

295.44(6)(e) (e) If the department does not comply with par. (b) or (d), the application for renewal is automatically approved.

295.44(6)(f) (f) Subject to par. (g), the department shall deny an application for renewal of an exploration license only if the applicant has filed a new exploration plan or reclamation plan and the department finds that the exploration, after the activities in the new exploration plan and the new reclamation plan have been completed, will have a substantial and irreparable adverse impact on the environment or present a substantial risk of injury to public health and welfare.

295.44(6)(g) (g) Before denying an application, the department shall provide the person who submitted the application with written notification of its intent not to renew the exploration license, setting forth all of the reasons for its intent not to renew the exploration license, including reference to competent evidence supporting its position. The department shall provide the person with an opportunity to correct any deficiencies in the exploration plan or restoration plan within 10 business days. If the person amends the exploration plan or reclamation plan and corrects the deficiencies, the department shall renew the exploration license within 10 business days of receipt of the amended exploration plan or reclamation plan. If the department determines that the deficiencies have not been corrected, it shall deny the application, in writing, setting forth all of the reasons for it’s determination, including reference to competent evidence supporting the determination.

295.44(6)(h) (h) The renewal of an exploration license takes effect on the date of issuance and expires on the following June 30.

295.44(7) (7) Revocation or suspension of exploration license. After a hearing, the department may revoke or suspend an exploration license if it determines that any of the following apply:

295.44(7)(a) (a) The explorer has not complied with a statute, a rule promulgated by the department, or a condition in the exploration license.

295.44(7)(b) (b) The explorer has failed to increase bond amounts to adequate levels as provided under sub. (3) (d).

295.44(8) (8) Notice procedure.

295.44(8)(a) (a) An explorer shall notify the department of the explorer’s intent to drill on a parcel by registered mail at least 5 days prior to the beginning of drilling. Notice is considered to be given on the date that the department receives the notice. In the notice, the explorer shall specify which drillholes identified in the exploration plan the explorer intends to drill. The explorer shall send the notice to the subunit of the department with authority over mine reclamation.

295.44(8)(b) (b) A notice of intent to drill provided under par. (a) remains in effect for one year beginning on the date that the department receives the notice. If the explorer wishes to continue drilling on the parcel after the notice is no longer in effect, the explorer shall resubmit a notice of intent to drill on the parcel.

295.44(9) (9) Reports.

295.44(9)(a) (a) Within 10 days after completing the temporary or permanent abandonment of a drillhole, an explorer shall file with the department an abandonment report that describes the means and method used in the abandonment and is signed by an authorized representative of the explorer attesting to the accuracy of the information contained in the report. The explorer shall submit the abandonment report to the department’s district office for the district in which the drilling site is located.

295.44(9)(b) (b) After permanent abandonment of a drillhole and regrading and revegetation of the drilling site, an explorer shall notify the department of completion of termination of the drilling site. The explorer shall submit the notice, in writing, to the department’s district office for the district in which the drilling site is located.

295.44(9)(c) (c)

295.44(9)(c)1. 1. After receipt of a notice under par. (b), the department shall notify the explorer in writing whether the termination is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If the termination is unsatisfactory, the department shall inform the explorer of the necessary corrective measures. Following the completion of corrective measures, the explorer shall file written notice with the department’s district office for the district in which the drilling site is located specifying the means and method used and stating that termination is complete.

295.44(9)(c)2. 2. If an explorer fails to comply with corrective measures identified under subd. 1., the department may suspend the explorer’s exploration license in accordance with sub. (7).

295.44(9)(c)3. 3. Upon satisfactory completion of termination of a drilling site, the department shall issue a certificate of completion. The department may not issue a certificate of completion for a drilling site that has only been temporarily abandoned.

295.44(10) (10) Drilling fees. Upon the submission of a report under sub. (9) (a) of temporary abandonment of a drillhole, if the drillhole is temporarily abandoned, or upon submission of a report under sub. (9) (a) of permanent abandonment of a drillhole, if the drillhole is not temporarily abandoned, the explorer shall pay a fee to the department. The fee is $100 per drillhole for the first 20 drillholes for which a report is filed in a license year and $50 for each subsequent drillhole for which a report is filed in that license year.

295.44(11) (11) Inspections.

295.44(11)(a) (a) Any duly authorized officer, employee, or representative of the department may enter and inspect any property, premises, or place on or at which exploration is being performed at any reasonable time for the purpose of ascertaining the state of compliance with this section. No explorer may refuse entry or access to any authorized representative of the department who requests entry for the purposes of inspection and who presents appropriate credentials.

295.44(11)(b) (b) No person may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with any inspection authorized in par. (a).

295.44(11)(c) (c) No inspector may obstruct, hamper, or interfere with exploration activities.

295.44(12) (12) Exemption. This section does not apply to an operator with a mining permit who is engaged in exploration activities on lands included in a mining plan and reclamation plan, if the mining plan or reclamation plan contains provisions relating to termination of the exploration activities.

295.44(13) (13) Environmental analysis not required. The department is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment for an application for an exploration license.

295.44 History History: 2013 a. 1; 2013 a. 168 s. 21.

295.443 295.443 Local impact committee; local agreement.

295.443(1) (1) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government likely to be substantially affected by potential or proposed mining may designate an existing committee, or establish a committee, for purposes of:

295.443(1)(a) (a) Facilitating communications between operators and itself.

295.443(1)(b) (b) Analyzing implications of mining.

295.443(1)(c) (c) Reviewing and commenting on reclamation plans.

295.443(1)(d) (d) Developing solutions to mining-induced growth problems.

295.443(1)(e) (e) Recommending priorities for local action.

295.443(1)(f) (f) Formulating recommendations to the investment and local impact fund board regarding distribution of funds under s. 70.395 (2) (g) related to mining for ferrous minerals.

295.443(1)(g) (g) Negotiating a local agreement under sub. (1m).

295.443(1m) (1m) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government that requires an operator to obtain an approval or permit under a zoning or land use ordinance and a county, town, village, or city in which any portion of a proposed mining site is located may, individually or in conjunction with other counties, towns, villages, cities, or tribal governments, enter into one or more agreements with an operator for the development of a mining operation. The local agreement may include any of the following:

295.443(1m)(a) (a) A legal description of the land subject to the agreement and the names of its legal and equitable owners.

295.443(1m)(b) (b) The duration of the agreement.

295.443(1m)(c) (c) The uses permitted on the land.

295.443(1m)(d) (d) A description of any conditions, terms, restrictions, or other requirements determined to be necessary by the county, town, village, city, or tribal government for the public health, safety, or welfare of its residents.

295.443(1m)(e) (e) A description of any obligation undertaken by the county, town, village, city, or tribal government to enable the development to proceed.

295.443(1m)(f) (f) The applicability or nonapplicability of county, town, village, city, or tribal ordinances, approvals, or resolutions.

295.443(1m)(g) (g) A provision for the amendment of the agreement.

295.443(1m)(h) (h) Other provisions determined to be reasonable and necessary by the parties to the agreement.

295.443(2) (2) A county, town, village, city, or tribal government affected in common with another county, town, village, city, or tribal government by a proposed or existing mine may cooperatively designate or establish a joint committee, but may also maintain a separate committee under sub. (1). Committees under this section may include representatives of affected units of government, business, and industry, manpower, health, protective or service agencies, school districts, or environmental and other interest groups or other interested parties.

295.443(3) (3) Persons applying for an exploration license under s. 295.44 shall thereafter appoint a liaison person to any committee established under sub. (1) or (2), and shall provide such reasonable information as is requested by the committee. Operators and persons applying for an exploration license under s. 295.44 shall thereafter make reasonable efforts to design and operate mining operations in harmony with community development objectives.

295.443(4) (4) Committees established under sub. (1) or (2) may be funded by their appointing authority, and may, through their appointing authority, submit a request for operating funds to the investment and local impact fund board under s. 70.395. Committees established under sub. (1) shall be eligible for funds only if the county, town, village, or city is also a participant in a joint committee, if any, established under sub. (2). The investment and local impact fund board may not grant funds for the use of more than one committee established under sub. (1) in relation to a particular mining proposal unless a joint committee has been established under sub. (2). The investment and local impact fund board shall grant operating funds to any committee that submits a request and is eligible under this subsection and s. 70.395 (2) (fm). Committees may hire staff, enter into contracts with private firms or consultants or contract with a regional planning commission or other agency for staff services for mining-related purposes or the purposes under s. 70.395 (2) (fm).

295.443 History History: 2013 a. 1; 2013 a. 168 s. 21.

295.45 295.45 Bulk sampling plan.

295.45(1) (1) A person who intends to engage in bulk sampling may file a bulk sampling plan with the department. The collection of data under a bulk sampling plan may include sampling and analysis related to geophysical, geochemical, groundwater, and surface water conditions, as well as any other data or studies necessary to prepare an application for a mining permit, including the mining plan, reclamation plan, mining waste site feasibility study and plan of operation, or any other approval required for the proposed mining.

295.45(2) (2) A person shall include all of the following in a bulk sampling plan:

295.45(2)(a) (a) A description and map of the bulk sampling site, including the number of acres in the site, the number of acres of land that will be disturbed, if any, associated with each bulk sampling location, and the locations and types of sampling or studies to be conducted at each bulk sampling location.

295.45(2)(b) (b) A description of the methods to be used for the bulk sampling.

295.45(2)(c) (c) A site-specific plan for controlling surface erosion that conforms to requirements under ss. 281.33 (3) and 283.33 and that identifies how impacts to plant and wildlife habitats will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

295.45(2)(d) (d) A revegetation plan for each area where bulk sampling will be performed that describes how adverse impacts to the environment will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable and how the site will be revegetated and stabilized and that identifies how adverse impacts to plant and wildlife habitats will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

295.45(2)(e) (e) The estimated time for completing the bulk sampling and revegetation of the bulk sampling locations.

295.45(2)(f) (f) A description of any known adverse environmental impacts that are likely to be caused by the bulk sampling and how those impacts will be avoided or minimized to the extent practicable.

295.45(2)(g) (g) A description of any adverse effects, as defined in s. 44.31 (1), that the bulk sampling might have on any historic property, as defined in s. 44.31 (3), that is a listed property, as defined in s. 44.31 (4), that is on the Wisconsin inventory of historic places, as defined in s. 44.31 (12), or that is on the list of locally designated historic places under s. 44.45; or any scenic or recreational areas; and plans to avoid or minimize those adverse effects to the extent practicable.

295.45(2m) (2m) The department shall protect as confidential any information, other than effluent data, contained in a bulk sampling plan and in any application for an approval that is required before the bulk sampling may be implemented, upon a showing that the information is entitled to protection as a trade secret, as defined in s. 134.90 (1) (c), and any information relating to the location, quality, or quantity of a ferrous mineral deposit, to production or sales figures, or to processes or production unique to the applicant or that would tend to adversely affect the competitive position of the applicant if made public.

295.45(3) (3) Within 14 days of receipt of a bulk sampling plan, the department shall identify for the applicant, in writing, all approvals that are required before the bulk sampling may be implemented, any waivers, exemptions, or exceptions to those approvals that are potentially available, and any information that the department needs to issue the approvals or to issue a decision on any waiver, exemption, or exception. If no approvals are required, the department shall notify the applicant that no approvals are required and that the applicant may proceed with the bulk sampling.