Chapter NR 133
RADIOACTIVE WASTE SITE EXPLORATION
NR 133.04 Application for an exploration license. NR 133.07 License revocation or suspension. NR 133.09 Preliminary project description approval. NR 133.095 Modifications. NR 133.10 Notice procedures. NR 133.01NR 133.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a licensing procedure and minimum standards for radioactive waste site exploration in this state. NR 133.01 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85. NR 133.02NR 133.02 Applicability. The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all radioactive waste site exploration as defined in s. 293.25 (1) (c), Stats. NR 133.02 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, October, 1999, No. 526. NR 133.03NR 133.03 Definitions. In this chapter: NR 133.03(1)(1) “Abandonment” means filling or sealing a drillhole in accordance with the procedures specified under s. NR 133.05. NR 133.03(2)(2) “Concrete grout” means a mixture consisting of 94 pounds of type A portland cement and an equal or lesser volume of dry sand combined with approximately 6 gallons of water. NR 133.03(3)(3) “Department” means department of natural resources. NR 133.03(4)(4) “Driller” means a person who performs core, rotary, percussion or other drilling involved in radioactive waste site exploration. NR 133.03(5)(5) “Drilling site” means the area disturbed by radioactive waste site exploration including the drillhole. NR 133.03(6)(6) “Explorer” means any person who engages in radioactive waste site exploration. NR 133.03(7)(7) “Exploration license” means the license required under s. 293.21 (2), Stats., as a condition of engaging in radioactive waste site exploration. NR 133.03(8)(8) “License year” means the period of time commencing on July 1 of any year and ending on the following June 30. NR 133.03(9)(9) “Neat cement grout” means a mixture consisting of 94 pounds of type A portland cement and approximately 6 gallons of water. NR 133.03(10)(10) “Parcel” means an identified section, fractional section or government lot. NR 133.03(12)(12) “Radioactive waste disposal site” means any site or facility for the long-term storage or disposal of radioactive waste including any underground storage area and related facilities. NR 133.03(13)(13) “Radioactive waste site exploration” means the on-site geologic examination from the surface of an area by core, rotary, percussion or other drilling for the purpose of determining the subsurface and geologic characteristics of an area in order to establish whether the area is suitable for a radioactive waste disposal site and includes associated activities such as clearing and preparing sites or constructing roads for drilling. For the purposes of this definition, geologic examination does not include construction of drillholes for the purpose of collecting soil samples or monitoring or sampling groundwater in unconsolidated deposits. NR 133.03(14)(14) “Termination” means permanent abandonment of drillholes and reclamation and revegetation of drilling sites. NR 133.03 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85; correction in (7) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, October, 1999, No. 526; correction in (11) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2011 No. 663. NR 133.04NR 133.04 Application for an exploration license. NR 133.04(1)(1) No person may engage in radioactive waste site exploration without securing an exploration license. NR 133.04(2)(2) Any person wishing to engage in radioactive waste site exploration shall file an application for an exploration license with the department upon forms prepared and furnished by the department. The application shall be accompanied by the following: NR 133.04(2)(b)1.1. A bond payable to the department in the amount of $5,000 conditioned on faithful performance of the provisions of this chapter. NR 133.04(2)(b)1.a.a. The bond shall be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in Wisconsin. If the surety company’s license to do business is revoked or suspended, the explorer, within 30 days after receiving written notice from the department, shall substitute surety underwritten by a surety company licensed to do business in Wisconsin. Upon failure of the explorer to make a substitution of surety, the department shall suspend the explorer’s exploration license until substitution has been made. NR 133.04(2)(b)1.b.b. Each bond shall provide that the bond may not be canceled by the surety, except after 90 days written notice to the department by registered or certified mail. Not less than 30 days prior to the expiration of the 90 day notice of cancellation, the explorer shall deliver to the department a replacement bond in the absence of which all radioactive waste site exploration being conducted in this state by the explorer shall cease. NR 133.04(2)(b)1.c.c. The department may require that the amount of the bond be increased at any time, if the department determines that the explorer’s current level of activity makes it likely that the bond may be inadequate to fund the termination of all holes drilled for which the explorer is responsible. NR 133.04(2)(b)1.d.d. One year after the issuance of the last certificate of completion, and provided that the explorer is not holding an exploration license, the department shall release the bond if the department determines that the explorer has complied with provisions of this chapter. NR 133.04(2)(b)2.2. Notwithstanding subd. 1. the department may waive the bond requirement for an explorer who is authorized to engage in radioactive waste site exploration by a federal agency if the federal agency provides sufficient guarantees that the explorer or the federal agency will comply with the requirements of the department relating to termination. NR 133.04(2)(c)(c) A certificate of insurance certifying that the explorer has in force a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in this state covering all radioactive waste site exploration of the explorer in this state and affording personal injury and property damage protection in a total amount deemed adequate by the department but not less than $50,000. NR 133.04 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85. NR 133.05NR 133.05 Issuance. Upon satisfactory completion of all conditions contained in this chapter, the department shall issue an exploration license to the explorer and shall provide copies of the license and license application to the radioactive waste review board and the Wisconsin geological and natural history survey. Licenses shall be issued within 10 business days after the department receives a complete application unless the application is for the immediately forthcoming license year. If the application is for the immediately forthcoming license year, the license shall be issued either within 10 business days after the department receives a complete application or on the following July 1, whichever is later. The issuance of an exploration license is subject to the following conditions: NR 133.05(1)(1) Immediately following completion of drilling, radioactive waste site exploration drillholes shall be abandoned as follows: NR 133.05(1)(a)1.1. ‘Filling material.’ All drillholes shall be filled from the bottom of the hole upward to the ground surface with concrete grout, neat cement grout or other material approved by the department. NR 133.05(1)(a)2.a.a. Filling material shall be applied through a conductor pipe, except that when practical a dump bailer may be used. When concrete is placed under water by a conductor pipe, the bottom end of the conductor pipe shall be submerged in the concrete at all times. NR 133.05(1)(a)2.b.b. Upon removal of all or part of the casing from an unconsolidated formation that may not stand open (such as sand or gravel) upon abandonment of a drillhole, the casing shall be removed concurrently with the filling of the drillhole, and the bottom end of the casing shall be kept below the surface of the fill material throughout the abandonment operation. NR 133.05(1)(a)3.3. ‘Flowing drillhole.’ Prior to permanently abandoning a drillhole which penetrates an aquifer under artesian pressure such that groundwater flows at the ground surface, the explorer shall obtain approval of the abandonment procedures from the department. NR 133.05(1)(b)(b) Temporary abandonment. If the explorer wants to temporarily retain a drillhole for further evaluation, the casing shall be left in place, and the upper terminal of the casing shall be sealed with a watertight threaded or welded cap. NR 133.05(2)(2) The explorer shall comply with minimum standards for radioactive waste site exploration activities and reclamation of drilling sites as contained in s. 293.13 (2) (b) and (c), Stats., where applicable. NR 133.05(3)(3) The fee for drilling the first 20 drillholes or less in any license year shall be $100 per drillhole and the fee for drilling each subsequent drillhole in that same license year shall be $50 per drillhole. All fees shall be paid to the department upon submission of the temporary abandonment report, if temporary abandonment occurs, or the permanent abandonment report if temporary abandonment does not occur. For the purpose of determining the appropriate fee, drillholes shall be assigned to the license year in which drilling on that particular hole ceases and the drillhole is initially abandoned either temporarily or permanently. Within 30 business days after receipt of the abandonment report, the department may adjust the fee to accurately reflect the actual costs incurred by the department in administering this chapter, including costs associated with monitoring or verification activities conducted by the department or other state agencies as a condition of the approval issued under s. NR 133.09 (6), provided that these activities are not funded through other available means. NR 133.05(4)(4) The explorer must comply with other conditions which the department deems necessary to safeguard the natural resources of this state during and after radioactive waste site exploration. NR 133.05 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85; correction in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, October, 1999, No. 526. NR 133.06(1)(1) An explorer may renew an exploration license by filing an annual renewal application with the department upon forms prepared and furnished by the department. The renewal application shall be accompanied by the following: NR 133.06(2)(2) Renewal licenses shall be for a period commencing on the date of issuance and terminating on the following June 30. Renewal applications shall be reviewed and licenses issued under the same time limitations specified in s. NR 133.05. NR 133.06 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85; corrections in (1) (b) and (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2011 No. 663. NR 133.07NR 133.07 License revocation or suspension. NR 133.07(1)(1) After a due process hearing, the department may revoke or suspend an exploration license if it is determined that: NR 133.07(1)(a)(a) Statutes or rules of the department or any condition in the exploration license or approval under s. NR 133.09 (6) have not been complied with; or NR 133.07(2)(2) The department shall notify the radioactive waste review board upon the revocation or suspension of any exploration license. NR 133.07 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85; correction in (1) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2011 No. 663. NR 133.08(1)(1) The department shall deny an exploration license if the department finds: NR 133.08(1)(b)(b) The explorer is in violation of ch. 293, Stats., or any provision of this chapter. NR 133.08(2)(2) Within 10 business days from the date of application, the department shall furnish the explorer in writing the reasons for the denial. NR 133.08 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1985, No. 353, eff. 6-1-85; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, October, 1999, No. 526. NR 133.09NR 133.09 Preliminary project description approval. NR 133.09(1)(1) Any explorer who holds a valid exploration license and intends to conduct radioactive waste site exploration in this state shall submit 15 copies of the preliminary project description to the department for each county in which drilling is expected to occur. The preliminary project description shall include, at a minimum, the identification of affected parcels, the proposed number and anticipated depth and diameter of the drillholes, the proposed methods of construction and termination, a description of site access, documentation that the explorer has applied for or intends to apply for necessary approvals and permits required under other applicable state laws and rules and local ordinances and the projected date of commencement of exploration. If the explorer is the federal department of energy or an agent or employee of the federal department of energy, the preliminary project description must include evidence that the Public Service Commission has certified that the explorer has complied with any requirement imposed by the radioactive waste review board under s. 196.497, Stats., or any agreement entered into under that section. The preliminary project description shall be submitted to the department at least 120 days prior to the proposed date of commencement of exploration and shall be considered as submitted on the date of its receipt by the department. Upon receipt, the department shall provide copies of the preliminary project description to the Public Service Commission and the Wisconsin geological and natural history survey. The explorer shall also submit a copy of the preliminary project description to the county clerk of the county, within which the radioactive waste site exploration is to take place. NR 133.09(2)(2) Each preliminary project description shall be accompanied by a fee of $1500 which shall cover the cost to the department of evaluating the preliminary project description and preparing for and conducting the hearing under s. 293.25 (2) (c), Stats. After issuance of a decision under sub. (6) the department may revise the fee to reflect actual costs incurred. NR 133.09(3)(3) Upon receipt of a complete preliminary project description, the department shall determine, under s. NR 150.20, whether a statement under s. 1.11, Stats., is required for the proposed exploration. In making this determination the department shall limit its consideration of environmental effects to those impacts associated with the proposed radioactive waste site exploration. The department may require the explorer to submit additional information concerning the proposed exploration. If it is determined that a statement under s. 1.11, Stats., is required, the explorer shall reimburse the department for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement under s. NR 150.40. NR 133.09(4)(4) Within 15 business days after completing the process required to comply with s. 1.11, Stats., the department shall schedule the hearing under s. 293.25 (2) (c), Stats. Notice of the hearing shall be published in the official newspaper designated under s. 985.04 or 985.05, Stats., or if none exists, in a newspaper likely to give notice in the area of the proposed activity.
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