Chapter DHS 18

DHS 18.11(4)(c)5. 5. Unless objected to by the department, any summary of testimony of a witness for the person who requested the hearing shall be made part of the record in lieu of the testimony of that witness as an exception to the hearsay rule and shall be considered by the department for whatever probative value that testimony has in making its decision. Unless objected to by the person who requests the hearing, any summary of the testimony of a witness for the department shall be made part of the record in lieu of the testimony of such witness as an exception to the hearsay rule and shall be considered by the department for whatever probative value that testimony has in making its decision.

DHS 18.11 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1983, No. 330, eff. 7-1-83; corrections in (1) and (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1994, No. 464.

DHS 18.12 DHS 18.12 Decision.

DHS 18.12(1) (1) Review of comments. After expiration of the comment period on the FEIS and following any contested case hearing on the adequacy of the FEIS, the department shall carefully review, summarize and weigh the comments received on the FEIS and on the proposed action and the decision following any contested case hearing before making a decision on the action.

DHS 18.12(2) (2) Record of decision. After carefully reviewing the comments of interested parties on the FEIS, the department shall enter a final decision in writing on the proposed action, which shall be a clear, concise and public statement which discloses and explains the decision, identifies the alternatives considered in reaching it and the alternative or alternatives considered environmentally preferable, and states whether all practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm have been adopted and, if not, why not.

DHS 18.12 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1983, No. 330, eff. 7-1-83.

DHS 18.13 DHS 18.13 Supplements. If it happens that after an FEIS has been prepared, the public comment period has ended, and a decision has been made on the proposed action, but before implementation of the action has proceeded very far, the department substantially changes the proposed action in environmentally significant ways, or if significant new circumstances arise or information is developed relevant to environmental concerns and having a bearing on the proposed action or its impacts, the department shall prepare a supplement to the FEIS which shall be distributed and reviewed in the same manner as the FEIS as provided in s. DHS 18.11.

DHS 18.13 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1983, No. 330, eff. 7-1-83; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1994, No. 464.

DHS 18.14 DHS 18.14 Equivalent processes.

DHS 18.14(1) (1) Where another state agency has concurrent responsibility with the department for a proposed type II action, a joint environmental assessment may be prepared with the other agency, or the environmental assessment prepared by the other agency may be accepted by the department provided that the assessment meets the requirements of this chapter, in which case the department’s responsibility under WEPA has been met.

DHS 18.14(2) (2) Where a proposed action is found to require an EIS and another state agency is involved in the approval or decision, a joint EIS may be prepared with the other agency, or the EIS prepared by the other agency may be accepted by the department provided that the EIS meets the standards for an adequate statement under this chapter, in which case the department’s responsibility under WEPA has been met.

DHS 18.14 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1983, No. 330, eff. 7-1-83.

DHS 18.15 DHS 18.15 Responsibilities.

DHS 18.15(1) (1) Single department office.

DHS 18.15(1)(a) (a) The department shall have one office in Madison that other agencies and the public may contact to find out about department procedures implementing WEPA and progress being made in preparation of particular WEPA documents, and to obtain copies of environmental impact statements, environmental assessment reports, the department’s action typelist, the department’s administrative rules for WEPA implementation, and the final written decision of the department on particular proposed actions for which an environmental impact statement was prepared.

DHS 18.15(1)(b) (b) The single office of the department for WEPA-related matters shall also:

DHS 18.15(1)(b)1. 1. Maintain this chapter of administrative rules.

DHS 18.15(1)(b)2. 2. Arrange for department review and comment, if appropriate, on the environmental impact statements of other agencies.

DHS 18.15(1)(b)3. 3. Suggest and approve formats and forms for divisions to use in carrying out their responsibilities under sub. (2).

DHS 18.15(1)(b)4. 4. Train, keep updated, and advise appropriate division staff, including managers, about WEPA requirements and department procedures for implementation of WEPA.

DHS 18.15(1)(b)5. 5. At the request of the department secretary, review for adequacy or coordinate review for adequacy of any division-proposed environmental assessment report or environmental impact statement.

DHS 18.15(1)(b)6. 6. Ensure that copies of this chapter are maintained for public review at each of the department’s regional offices and institutions.

DHS 18.15(2) (2) Divisions. Responsibilities of divisions of the department in the EIS process are these:

DHS 18.15(2)(a) (a) To decide what are actions for purposes of this chapter;

DHS 18.15(2)(b) (b) To determine type of action, under s. DHS 18.05;

DHS 18.15(2)(c) (c) To conduct environmental assessments, and to prepare and distribute environmental assessment reports;

DHS 18.15(2)(d) (d) To recommend preparation of environmental impact statements;

DHS 18.15(2)(e) (e) To prepare or arrange for preparation of environmental impact statements; and

DHS 18.15(2)(f) (f) To give notice and conduct informational hearings on draft and final environmental impact statements.

DHS 18.15 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1983, No. 330, eff. 7-1-83; correction in (2) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1994, No. 464.