Chapter 299

299.85(1)(c)1. 1. Chapters 29 to 31, 160, or 280 to 299, a rule promulgated under one of those chapters, or a permit, license, other approval, or order issued by the department under one of those chapters.

299.85(1)(c)2. 2. An ordinance or other legally binding requirement of a local governmental unit enacted under authority granted by a state law relating to environmental protection.

299.85(1)(d) (d) “Facility” means all buildings, equipment, and structures located on a single parcel or on adjacent parcels that are owned or operated by the same person.

299.85(1)(e) (e) “Local governmental unit” means a city, village, town, county, town sanitary district, or metropolitan sewerage district.

299.85(1)(f) (f) “Regulated entity” means a public or private entity that is subject to environmental requirements.

299.85(1)(fm) (fm) “Small business stationary source” has the meaning given in s. 285.79 (1).

299.85(1)(g) (g) “Violation” means a violation of an environmental requirement.

299.85(2) (2) Requirements for participation. Subject to sub. (2m), a regulated entity qualifies for participation in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program with respect to a facility owned or operated by the regulated entity if all of the following apply:

299.85(2)(a) (a) The regulated entity conducts an environmental compliance audit of the facility.

299.85(2)(bm) (bm) The regulated entity submits a statement, signed by an official of the regulated entity who is responsible for environmental compliance, that acknowledges that sub. (7) (a) does not apply to violations discovered by the regulated entity before the beginning of the environmental compliance audit.

299.85(2)(c) (c) The environmental compliance audit complies with sub. (4).

299.85(2)(e) (e) The regulated entity submits a report as required under sub. (3).

299.85(2m) (2m) Consideration of certain violations. The department shall consider whether the department of justice has, within 2 years, filed a suit to enforce an environmental requirement because of a violation involving the facility. If the department determines that, because of the nature of the violation involved in the suit, participation by the regulated entity may damage the integrity of the Environmental Compliance Audit Program, the department shall notify the regulated entity that it is not eligible for participation.

299.85(3) (3) Audit report. To participate in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program with respect to a facility, the regulated entity that owns or operates the facility shall submit a report to the department within 45 days after the date of the final written report of findings of the environmental compliance audit of the facility. The regulated entity shall complete the environmental compliance audit, including the final written report of findings, within 365 days after submitting the statement under sub. (2) (bm). The report submitted to the department shall include all of the following:

299.85(3)(a) (a) A description of the environmental compliance audit, including who conducted the environmental compliance audit, when it was completed, what activities and operations were examined, what was revealed by the environmental compliance audit, and any other information needed by the department to make the report under sub. (9m).

299.85(3)(b) (b) A description of all violations revealed by the environmental compliance audit and of the length of time that the violations may have continued.

299.85(3)(c) (c) A description of actions taken or proposed to be taken to correct the violations.

299.85(3)(d) (d) A commitment to correct the violations within 60 days of submitting the report or, if the entity is a small business stationary source, within 180 days of submitting the report or within 360 days of submitting the report if the correction involves a pollution prevention modification, or according to a compliance schedule approved by the department.

299.85(3)(e) (e) If the regulated entity proposes to take more than 60 days to correct the violations or, if the entity is a small business stationary source, more than 180 days or more than 360 days if the correction involves a pollution prevention modification, a proposed compliance schedule that contains the shortest reasonable periods for correcting the violations, a statement that justifies the proposed compliance schedule, and a description of measures that the regulated entity will take to minimize the effects of the violations during the period of the compliance schedule.

299.85(3)(em) (em) If the regulated entity proposes to take more than 60 days to correct the violations or, if the entity is a small business stationary source, more than 180 days or more than 360 days if the correction involves a pollution prevention modification, the proposed stipulated penalties to be imposed if the regulated entity fails to comply with the compliance schedule under par. (e).

299.85(3)(f) (f) A description of the measures that the regulated entity has taken or will take to prevent future violations and a timetable for taking the measures that it has not yet taken.

299.85(4) (4) Environmental compliance audit. A regulated entity does not qualify for participation in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program unless the final written report of findings of the environmental compliance audit is labeled “environmental compliance audit report,” is dated, and, if the environmental compliance audit identifies violations, includes a plan for corrective action. A regulated entity may use a form developed by the regulated entity, by a consultant, or by the department for the final written report of findings of the environmental compliance audit.

299.85(6) (6) Compliance schedules.

299.85(6)(a) (a) If the department receives a report under sub. (3) that contains a proposed compliance schedule under sub. (3) (e), the department shall review the proposed compliance schedule. The department may approve the compliance schedule as submitted or propose a different compliance schedule. If the regulated entity does not agree to implement a compliance schedule proposed by the department, the department shall schedule a meeting with the regulated entity to attempt to reach an agreement on a compliance schedule. If the department and the regulated entity do not reach an agreement on a compliance schedule, the department may issue a compliance schedule. A compliance schedule under this subsection is subject to review under ch. 227.

299.85(6)(b) (b) The department may not approve or issue a compliance schedule that extends longer than 12 months beyond the date of approval of the compliance schedule, unless the secretary of natural resources determines that a longer schedule is necessary. The department shall consider the following factors in determining whether to approve a compliance schedule:

299.85(6)(b)1. 1. The environmental and public health consequences of the violations.

299.85(6)(b)2. 2. The time needed to implement a change in raw materials or method of production if that change is an available alternative to other methods of correcting the violations.

299.85(6)(b)3. 3. The time needed to purchase any equipment or supplies that are needed to correct the violations.

299.85(6m) (6m) Stipulated penalties.

299.85(6m)(a) (a) If the department receives a report under sub. (3) that contains proposed stipulated penalties under sub. (3) (em), the department shall review the proposed stipulated penalties. The department may approve the stipulated penalties as submitted or propose different stipulated penalties. If the regulated entity does not agree to stipulated penalties proposed by the department, the department shall schedule a meeting with the regulated entity to attempt to reach an agreement on stipulated penalties. If no agreement is reached, there are no stipulated penalties for failure to comply with the compliance schedule.

299.85(6m)(b) (b) Stipulated penalties approved under par. (a) shall specify a period, not longer than 6 months beyond the end of the compliance schedule, during which the stipulated penalties will apply.

299.85(7) (7) Deferred civil enforcement.

299.85(7)(a) (a)

299.85(7)(a)1. 1. For at least 60 days or, if the entity is a small business stationary source, at least 180 days or at least 360 days if the correction involves a pollution prevention modification, after the department receives a report that meets the requirements in sub. (3), this state may not begin a civil action to collect forfeitures for violations that are disclosed in the report by a regulated entity that qualifies under sub. (2) for participation in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program.

299.85(7)(a)2. 2. Notwithstanding minimum or maximum forfeitures specified in ss. 29.314 (7), 29.334 (2), 29.604 (5) (a), 29.611 (11), 29.889 (10) (c) 2., 29.969, 29.971 (1) (a), (1m) (a), (3), (3m), (11g) (b), (11m) (b), and (11r) (b), 30.298 (1), (2), and (3), 30.49 (1) (a) and (c), 31.23 (2), 281.75 (19), 281.98 (1), 281.99 (2) (a) 1., 283.91 (2), 285.41 (7), 285.57 (5), 285.59 (8), 285.87 (1), 287.95 (1), (2) (b), and (3) (b), 287.97, 289.96 (2) and (3) (a), 291.97 (1), 292.99 (1) and (1m), 293.81, 293.87 (3) and (4) (a), 295.19 (3) (a) and (b) 1., 295.37 (2), 295.79 (2) and (4), 299.15 (4), 299.51 (5), 299.53 (4) (c) 1., 299.62 (3) (a) and (c), and 299.97 (1), if a regulated entity that qualifies under sub. (2) for participation in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program corrects violations that it discloses in a report that meets the requirements of sub. (3) within 60 days or, if the entity is a small business stationary source, within 180 days or within 360 days if the correction involves a pollution prevention modification, after the department receives the report that meets the requirements of sub. (3), the regulated entity may not be required to forfeit more than $500 for each violation, regardless of the number of days during which the violation continues.

299.85(7)(a)3. 3. This state may not begin a civil action to collect forfeitures for violations covered by a compliance schedule that is approved under sub. (6) during the period of the compliance schedule if the regulated entity is in compliance with the compliance schedule. If the regulated entity fails to comply with the compliance schedule, the department may collect any stipulated penalties during the period in which the stipulated penalties apply. This state may begin a civil action to collect forfeitures for violations that are not corrected by the end of the period in which the stipulated penalties apply. If the regulated entity fails to comply with the compliance schedule and there are no stipulated penalties, this state may begin a civil action to collect forfeitures for the violations.

299.85(7)(a)4. 4. Notwithstanding minimum or maximum forfeitures specified in ss. 29.314 (7), 29.334 (2), 29.604 (5) (a), 29.611 (11), 29.889 (10) (c) 2., 29.969, 29.971 (1) (a), (1m) (a), (3), (3m), (11g) (b), (11m) (b), and (11r) (b), 30.298 (1), (2), and (3), 30.49 (1) (a) and (c), 31.23 (2), 281.75 (19), 281.98 (1), 281.99 (2) (a) 1., 283.91 (2), 285.41 (7), 285.57 (5), 285.59 (8), 285.87 (1), 287.95 (1), (2) (b), and (3) (b), 287.97, 289.96 (2) and (3) (a), 291.97 (1), 292.99 (1) and (1m), 293.81, 293.87 (3) and (4) (a), 295.19 (3) (a) and (b) 1., 295.37 (2), 295.79 (2) and (4), 299.15 (4), 299.51 (5), 299.53 (4) (c) 1., 299.62 (3) (a) and (c), and 299.97 (1), if the department approves a compliance schedule under sub. (6) and the regulated entity corrects the violations according to the compliance schedule, the regulated entity may not be required to forfeit more than $500 for each violation, regardless of the number of days during which the violation continues.

299.85(7)(am) (am) The department may issue a citation and follow the procedures under ss. 23.50 to 23.99 to collect a forfeiture for a violation to which par. (a) 2. or 4. applies.

299.85(7)(b) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), this state may at any time begin a civil action to collect a forfeiture not limited in amount under par. (a) 2. or 4. for a violation if any of the following applies:

299.85(7)(b)1. 1. The violation presents an imminent threat to public health or the environment or may cause serious harm to public health or the environment.

299.85(7)(b)2. 2. The department discovers the violation before submission of a report under sub. (3).

299.85(7)(b)3. 3. The violation results in a substantial economic benefit that gives the regulated entity a clear advantage over its business competitors.

299.85(7)(b)4. 4. The violation is identified through monitoring or sampling required by permit, statute, rule, regulation, judicial or administrative order, or consent agreement.

299.85(7)(b)5. 5. The violation is a violation of the same environmental requirement at the same facility and committed in the same manner as a violation previously reported by the regulated entity under sub. (3), unless the violation is caused by a change in business processes or activities.

299.85(7)(b)6. 6. The violation is discovered by the regulated entity before the beginning of the compliance audit.

299.85(8) (8) Consideration of actions by regulated entity. If the department receives a report that complies with sub. (3) from a regulated entity that qualifies under sub. (2) for participation in the Environmental Compliance Audit Program, and the report discloses a potential criminal violation, the department and the department of justice shall take into account the diligent actions of, and reasonable care taken by, the regulated entity to comply with environmental requirements in deciding whether to pursue a criminal enforcement action and what penalty should be sought. In determining whether a regulated entity acted with due diligence and reasonable care, the department and the department of justice shall consider whether the regulated entity has demonstrated any of the following:

299.85(8)(a) (a) That the regulated entity took corrective action that was timely when the violation was discovered.

299.85(8)(b) (b) That the regulated entity exercised reasonable care in attempting to prevent the violation and to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.

299.85(8)(c) (c) That the regulated entity had a documented history of good faith efforts to comply with environmental requirements before beginning to conduct environmental compliance audits.

299.85(8)(d) (d) That the regulated entity has promptly made appropriate efforts to achieve compliance with environmental requirements since beginning to conduct environmental compliance audits and those efforts were taken with due diligence.

299.85(8)(e) (e) That the regulated entity exercised reasonable care in identifying violations in a timely manner.

299.85(8)(f) (f) That the regulated entity willingly cooperated in any investigation that was conducted by this state or a local governmental unit to determine the extent and cause of the violation.

299.85(8)(g) (g) That the regulated entity is a small business stationary source that has committed a minor violation, as defined in s. 227.04 (1) (a).

299.85(9) (9) Access to records.

299.85(9)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), the department shall make any record, report, or other information obtained in the administration of this section available to the public.

299.85(9)(c) (c) The department shall keep confidential any part of a record, report, or other information obtained in the administration of this section, other than emission data or discharge data, upon receiving an application for confidential status by any person containing a showing satisfactory to the department that the part of a record, report, or other information would, if made public, divulge a method or process that is entitled to protection as a trade secret, as defined in s. 134.90 (1) (c), of that person.

299.85(9)(d) (d) If the department refuses to release information on the grounds that it is confidential under par. (c) and a person challenges that refusal, the department shall inform the affected regulated entity of that challenge. Unless the regulated entity authorizes the department to release the information, the regulated entity shall pay the reasonable costs incurred by this state to defend the refusal to release the information.

299.85(9)(e) (e) Paragraph (c) does not prevent the disclosure of any information to a representative of the department for the purpose of administering this section or to an officer, employee, or authorized representative of the federal government for the purpose of administering federal law. When the department provides information that is confidential under par. (c) to the federal government, the department shall also provide a copy of the application for confidential status.

299.85(9m) (9m) Biennial report. Every even-numbered year, no later than December 15, the department shall submit a progress report on the program under this section to the governor and, under s. 13.172 (3), to the standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over environmental matters. The department shall include all of the following in the report:

299.85(9m)(a) (a) The number of reports received under sub. (3), including the number of reports by county of the facility involved and by whether the regulated entity is governmental or nongovernmental.

299.85(9m)(b) (b) The number of violations reported by type, including the number of violations related to air, water, solid waste, hazardous waste, and to other specified aspects of environmental regulation and the number of violations involving each of the following:

299.85(9m)(b)1. 1. Failure to have a required permit or other approval.

299.85(9m)(b)2. 2. Failure to have a required plan.

299.85(9m)(b)3. 3. Violation of a condition of a permit or other approval.

299.85(9m)(b)4. 4. Release of a substance to the environment.

299.85(9m)(b)5. 5. Failure to report.

299.85(9m)(c) (c) The average time to correct the reported violations and the number of violations not yet corrected, by category under par. (b).

299.85(9m)(d) (d) The number of regulated entities requiring longer than 60 days or, if the entity is a small business stationary source, longer than 180 days or longer than 360 days if the correction involves a pollution prevention modification, to take corrective action and a description of the stipulated penalties associated with the compliance schedules for those corrective actions.

299.85(9m)(e) (e) Any recommendations for changes in the program based on discussions with interested persons, including legislators and members of the public.

299.85(10) (10) Penalty. Any person who intentionally makes a false statement under this section shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

299.85 History History: 2003 a. 276, 326; 2005 a. 253; 2009 a. 30; 2013 a. 1; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2021 a. 78.

299.91 299.91 Hearings; procedure; review. The department shall hold a public hearing relating to alleged or potential environmental pollution upon the verified complaint of 6 or more citizens filed with the department. The complaint shall state the name and address of a person within the state authorized to receive service of answer and other papers in behalf of complainants. The department may order the complainants to file security for costs in a sum deemed to be adequate but not to exceed $100 within 20 days after the service upon them of a copy of the order and all proceedings on the part of the complainants shall be stayed until the security is filed. The department shall serve a copy of the complaint and notice of the hearing upon the alleged or potential polluter either personally or by registered mail directed to the last-known post-office address at least 20 days prior to the time set for the hearing. The hearing shall be held not later than 90 days after the filing of the complaint. The respondent shall file a verified answer to the complaint with the department and serve a copy on the person designated by the complainants not later than 5 days prior to the date set for the hearing, unless the time for answering is extended by the department for cause shown. For purposes of any hearing under this section the hearing examiner may issue subpoenas and administer oaths. Within 90 days after the closing of the hearing, the department shall make and file its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order, which shall be subject to review under ch. 227. If the department determines that any complaint was filed maliciously or in bad faith it shall issue a finding to that effect and the person complained against is entitled to recover the expenses of the hearing in a civil action. Any situation, project or activity which upon continuance or implementation would cause, beyond reasonable doubt, a degree of pollution that normally would require clean-up action if it already existed, shall be considered potential environmental pollution. This section does not apply to any part of the process for approving a feasibility report, plan of operation or license under subch. III of ch. 289 or s. 291.23 or 291.25.

299.91 History History: 1979 c. 176; 1979 c. 221 s. 633; Stats. 1979 s. 144.975; 1981 c. 374, 403; 1995 a. 227 s. 826; Stats. 1995 s. 299.91.

299.93 299.93 Environmental surcharge.

299.93(1) (1) If a court imposes a fine or forfeiture for a violation of a provision of this chapter or chs. 280 to 285 or 289 to 295 or a rule or order issued under this chapter or chs. 280 to 285 or 289 to 295, the court shall impose an environmental surcharge under ch. 814 equal to the following:

299.93(1)(a) (a) If the violation was committed before July 1, 2009, 10 percent of the amount of the fine or forfeiture.

299.93(1)(b) (b) If the violation was committed on or after July 1, 2009, 20 percent of the amount of the fine or forfeiture.

299.93(2) (2) If a fine or forfeiture is suspended in whole or in part, the environmental surcharge shall be reduced in proportion to the suspension.

299.93(3) (3) If any deposit is made for an offense to which this section applies, the person making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the environmental surcharge under this section. If the deposit is forfeited, the amount of the environmental surcharge shall be transmitted to the secretary of administration under sub. (4). If the deposit is returned, the environmental surcharge shall also be returned.

299.93(4) (4) The clerk of the court shall collect and transmit to the county treasurer the environmental surcharge and other amounts required under s. 59.40 (2) (m). The county treasurer shall then make payment to the secretary of administration as provided in s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2. The secretary of administration shall deposit the amount of the surcharge in the environmental fund.

299.93 History History: 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 27, 458; 1995 a. 201; 1995 a. 227 s. 831; Stats. 1995 s. 299.93; 2003 a. 33, 139, 326; 2009 a. 28.

299.95 299.95 Enforcement; duty of department of justice; expenses. The attorney general shall enforce chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 and this chapter, except ss. 285.57, 285.59, and 299.64, and all rules, special orders, licenses, plan approvals, permits, and water quality certifications of the department, except those promulgated or issued under ss. 285.57, 285.59, and 299.64 and except as provided in ss. 281.36 (14) (f), 285.86 and 299.85 (7) (am). Except as provided in s. 295.79 (1), the circuit court for Dane county or for any other county where a violation occurred in whole or in part has jurisdiction to enforce chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 or this chapter or the rule, special order, license, plan approval, permit, or certification by injunctional and other relief appropriate for enforcement. For purposes of this proceeding where chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 or this chapter or the rule, special order, license, plan approval, permit or certification prohibits in whole or in part any pollution, a violation is considered a public nuisance. The department of natural resources may enter into agreements with the department of justice to assist with the administration of chs. 281 to 285 and 289 to 295 and this chapter. Any funds paid to the department of justice under these agreements shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.455 (1) (k).

299.95 History History: 1975 c. 39 s. 734; 1979 c. 34 s. 985g; 1979 c. 221; Stats. 1979 s. 144.98; 1981 c. 374; 1989 a. 284; 1993 a. 243; 1995 a. 27; 1995 a. 227 s. 829; Stats. 1995 s. 299.95; 1995 a. 290 s. 12; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 6; 2003 a. 276; 2005 a. 347; 2013 a. 1, 69.

299.95 Note Note: 2005 Wis. Act 347, which affected this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.

299.95 Annotation That the violation of an order prohibiting pollution constitutes a public nuisance does not mean that there is no nuisance until an order is issued. State v. Dairyland Power Coop. 52 Wis. 2d 45, 187 N.W.2d 878 (1971).

299.95 Annotation The state need not show irreparable harm to obtain an injunction under this section. State v. C. Spielvogel & Sons, 193 Wis. 2d 464, 535 N.W.2d 28 (Ct. App. 1995).

299.97 299.97 Penalties and remedies.

299.97(1) (1) Any person who violates this chapter, except s. 299.15 (1), 299.47 (2), 299.50 (2), 299.51 (4) (b), 299.53 (2) (a) or (3), 299.62 (2) or 299.64 (2), or any rule promulgated or any plan approval, license or special order issued under this chapter, except under those sections, shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $5,000, for each violation. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense. While the order is suspended, stayed or enjoined, this penalty does not accrue.

299.97(2) (2) In addition to the penalties provided under sub. (1), the court may award the department of justice the reasonable and necessary expenses of the investigation and prosecution of the violation, including attorney fees. The department of justice shall deposit in the state treasury for deposit into the general fund all moneys that the court awards to the department or the state under this subsection. The costs of investigation and the expenses of prosecution, including attorney fees, shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.455 (1) (gh).