Chapter NR 151

NR 151.09(5)(a)1. 1. The department shall notify a landowner or operator in writing of the determinations made under sub. (4) and implementation requirements for existing croplands where cost sharing is required for compliance.

NR 151.09(5)(a)2. 2. The notice shall be sent certified mail, return receipt requested or personal delivery.

NR 151.09(5)(a)3. 3. The following information shall be included in the notice:

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.a. a. A description of the cropland performance standard being violated.

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.b. b. The cropland status determination made in accordance with sub. (4) (b).

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.c. c. The determination made in accordance with sub. (4) (c) as to which best management practices or other corrective measures that are needed to comply with cropland performance standards are eligible for cost sharing.

NR 151.09 Note Note: Some best management practices required to comply with cropland performance standards involve no eligible cost to the landowner or operator and are not eligible for cost sharing.

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.d. d. The determination made in accordance with sub. (4) (d) that cost sharing is available for eligible costs to achieve compliance with cropland performance standards, including a written offer of cost sharing.

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.e. e. An offer to provide or coordinate the provision of technical assistance.

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.f. f. A compliance period for meeting the cropland performance standard.

NR 151.09(5)(a)3.g. g. An explanation of the possible consequences if the landowner or operator fails to comply with provisions of the notice, including enforcement or loss of cost sharing, or both.

NR 151.09(5)(b) (b) Compliance schedule.

NR 151.09(5)(b)1. 1. A landowner or operator that receives the notice under par. (a) shall install or implement best management practices and corrective measures to meet the performance standards in the time period specified in the notice, if cost sharing is available in accordance with sub. (4) (d) 2.

NR 151.09(5)(b)2. 2. The compliance period identified in the notice in par. (a) shall be determined by the department as follows:

NR 151.09(5)(b)2.a. a. The compliance period shall begin on the postmark date of the notice or the date of personal delivery.

NR 151.09(5)(b)2.b. b. The length of the compliance period shall be not less than 60 days nor more than 3 years unless otherwise provided for in this subdivision.

NR 151.09(5)(b)2.c. c. The length of the compliance period may be less than 60 days if the site is an imminent threat to public health, fish and aquatic life.

NR 151.09(5)(b)2.d. d. The department may authorize an extension up to 4 years on a case-by-case basis provided that the reasons for the extension are beyond the control of the landowner or operator. A compliance period may not be extended to exceed 4 years in total.

NR 151.09(5)(b)3. 3. Once a landowner or operator achieves compliance with a cropland performance standard, compliance with the standard shall be maintained by the existing landowner or operator and heirs or subsequent owners, regardless of cost sharing.

NR 151.09(6) (6) Notification requirements and compliance periods for existing croplands in situations when no eligible costs are involved.

NR 151.09(6)(a) (a) Landowner notification.

NR 151.09(6)(a)1. 1. The department shall notify a non-complying landowner or operator of existing croplands of the determinations made under sub. (4).

NR 151.09(6)(a)2. 2. The notice shall be sent certified mail, return receipt requested, or via personal delivery.

NR 151.09(6)(a)3. 3. The following information shall be included in the notice:

NR 151.09(6)(a)3.a. a. A description of the cropland performance standard that is being violated and the determination that corrective measures do not involve eligible costs under sub. (4) (c).

NR 151.09(6)(a)3.b. b. The cropland status determination made in accordance with sub. (4) (b).

NR 151.09(6)(a)3.c. c. A compliance period for achieving the cropland performance standard. The compliance period may not exceed the time limits in par. (b).

NR 151.09(6)(a)3.d. d. An explanation of the consequences if the landowner or operator fails to comply with provisions of the notice.

NR 151.09(6)(b) (b) Compliance period.

NR 151.09(6)(b)1. 1. The compliance period for existing croplands where best management practices and other corrective measures do not involve eligible costs shall be in accordance with the following:

NR 151.09(6)(b)1.a. a. The compliance period shall begin on the postmark date of the notice or the date of personal delivery.

NR 151.09(6)(b)1.b. b. The length of the compliance period shall be not less than 60 days nor more than 3 years unless otherwise provided for in this subsection.

NR 151.09(6)(b)1.c. c. The length of the compliance period may be less than 60 days if the site is an imminent threat to public health, fish and aquatic life.

NR 151.09(6)(b)2. 2. Once compliance with a cropland performance standard is attained, compliance with the standard shall be maintained by the existing landowner or operator and heirs or subsequent owners.

NR 151.09(6)(c) (c) Combined notices. The department may meet multiple notification requirements under par. (a), sub. (5) and s. NR 151.095 within any single notice issued to a landowner or operator.

NR 151.09(7) (7) Enforcement.

NR 151.09(7)(a) (a) Authority to initiate enforcement. The department may take enforcement action pursuant to s. 281.98, Stats., or other appropriate actions, against the landowner or operator of a cropland for failing to comply with the cropland performance standards in this subchapter or approved variances to the cropland performance standards provided by the department under s. NR 151.097.

NR 151.09(7)(b) (b) Enforcement following notice and direct enforcement. The department shall provide notice to the landowner or operator of an existing cropland in accordance with subs. (5) and (6) prior to the department initiating enforcement action under s. 281.98, Stats., except in cases of repeated mismanagement. In such cases, the department may pursue direct enforcement under s. 281.98, Stats., for the second and any subsequent offenses.

NR 151.09 Note Note: The implementation and enforcement procedures in this section are limited to actions taken by the department under s. 281.98, Stats., for noncompliance with a cropland performance standard. Pursuant to other statutory authority, the department may take direct enforcement action without cost sharing against a crop producer for willful or intentional acts or other actions by a landowner or operator that pose an immediate or imminent threat to human health or the environment.

NR 151.09 Note Note: An owner or operator of a new cropland is required to meet the cropland performance standards by incorporating necessary management measures at the time the new cropland is created. This requirement shall be met regardless of cost sharing. The department may pursue direct enforcement under s. 281.98, Stats., against landowners or operators of new croplands not in compliance.

NR 151.09(8) (8) Notification to municipalities. The department shall notify the appropriate municipality, including a county land conservation committee, prior to taking any of the following actions under this section:

NR 151.09(8)(a) (a) Contacting a landowner or operator to investigate compliance with cropland performance standards.

NR 151.09(8)(b) (b) Issuing a notice under sub. (5) or (6) to a landowner or operator.

NR 151.09(8)(c) (c) Taking enforcement action under s. 281.98, Stats., against a landowner or operator for failing to comply with cropland performance standards in this subchapter.

NR 151.09(8)(d) (d) Notification is not required if the site is an imminent threat to public health or fish and aquatic life.

NR 151.09 History History: CR 00-027: cr. Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02; CR 09-112: am. (1), (4) (b) 2., (c) 3., (d) 2. a., c., (5) (b) 2. b., (6) (b) 1. b., (7) (b), r. (5) (a) 3. h., (6) (a) 3. e. Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 17-062: am. (1), Register June 2018 No. 750 eff. 7-1-18.

NR 151.095 NR 151.095 Implementation and enforcement procedures for livestock performance standards and prohibitions.

NR 151.095(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to identify the procedures the department will follow in implementing and enforcing the livestock performance standards and prohibitions pursuant to ss. 281.16 (3) and 281.98, Stats. If a livestock performance standard is also listed as a cropland performance standard under s. NR 151.09, the department may choose the procedures of either s. NR 151.09 or this section to obtain compliance with the standard. This section will also identify circumstances under which an owner or operator of a livestock facility is required to comply with livestock performance standards and prohibitions. In this section, “livestock performance standards and prohibitions” means the performance standards and prohibitions in ss. NR 151.005, 151.05, 151.055, 151.06, and 151.08.

NR 151.095 Note Note: The nutrient management standard in s. NR 151.07 should be implemented through the procedures in s. NR 151.09.

NR 151.095(2) (2) Role of municipalities. The department may rely on municipalities to implement the procedures and make determinations outlined in this section.

NR 151.095 Note Note: In most cases, the department will rely on municipalities to fully implement the livestock performance standards and prohibitions. The department intends to utilize the procedures in this section in cases where a municipality has requested assistance in implementing and enforcing the performance standards or prohibitions or in cases where a municipality has failed to address an incident of noncompliance with the performance standards or prohibitions in a timely manner. The department recognizes that coordination between local municipalities, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and other state agencies is needed to achieve statewide compliance with the performance standards and prohibitions. Accordingly, the department plans on working with counties, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and other interested partners to develop a detailed intergovernmental strategy for achieving compliance with the performance standards and prohibitions that recognizes the procedures in these rules, state basin plans and the priorities established in land and water conservation plans.

NR 151.095 Note Note: Additional implementation and enforcement procedures for livestock performance standards and prohibitions are in ch. NR 243, including the procedures for the issuance of a NOD.

NR 151.095(3) (3) Exemptions. The department may follow the procedures in ch. NR 243 and is not obligated to follow the procedures and requirements of this section in the following situations:

NR 151.095(3)(a) (a) If the livestock operation holds a WPDES permit.

NR 151.095(3)(b) (b) If the department has determined that the issuance of a NOD to the owner or operator of the livestock operation is warranted. Circumstances in which a NOD may be warranted include:

NR 151.095(3)(b)1. 1. The department has determined that a livestock facility has a point source discharge under s. NR 243.24.

NR 151.095(3)(b)2. 2. The department has determined that a discharge to waters of the state is occurring and the discharge is not related to noncompliance with the performance standards or prohibitions.

NR 151.095(3)(b)3. 3. The department has determined that a municipality is not addressing a facility’s noncompliance with the performance standards and prohibitions in a manner consistent with the procedures and timelines established in this section.

NR 151.095(4) (4) Livestock owner and operator requirements.

NR 151.095(4)(a) (a) Introduction. This section identifies compliance requirements for a livestock owner or operator based on whether a livestock facility is existing or new and whether cost sharing is required to be made available to a livestock owner or operator.

NR 151.095(4)(b) (b) General requirements. If any livestock facility is meeting a livestock performance standard or prohibition on or after the effective date of the standard or prohibition, the livestock performance standard or prohibition shall continue to be met by the existing owner or operator, heirs or subsequent owners or operators of the facility. If an owner or operator alters or changes the management of the livestock facility in a manner that results in noncompliance with a livestock performance standard or prohibition, the owner or operator shall bring the livestock facility back into compliance regardless of cost-share availability.

NR 151.095 Note Note: The department or a municipality may use conservation plans, cost share agreements, deed restrictions, personal observations, landowner records, or other information to determine whether a change has occurred.

NR 151.095(4)(c) (c) Existing livestock facility requirements.

NR 151.095(4)(c)1. 1. An owner or operator of an existing livestock facility, defined under sub. (5) (b), shall comply with a livestock performance standard or prohibition if all of the following have been done by the department:

NR 151.095(4)(c)1.a. a. Except as provided in subd. 2., a determination is made that cost sharing has been made available in accordance with sub. (5) (d) on or after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition.

NR 151.095(4)(c)1.b. b. The owner or operator of the livestock facility has been notified in accordance with sub. (6) or (7).

NR 151.095(4)(c)2. 2. An owner or operator of an existing livestock facility, defined under sub. (5) (b), shall comply with the livestock performance standards and prohibitions, regardless of whether cost sharing is available, in situations where best management practices and other corrective measures needed to meet the performance standards do not involve eligible costs.

NR 151.095(4)(d) (d) New livestock facility requirements. An owner or operator of a new livestock facility, defined under sub. (5) (b), shall comply with the livestock performance standards and prohibitions, regardless of whether cost sharing is available.

NR 151.095 Note Note: Under s. 281.16 (3) (e), Stats., an owner or operator may not be required by the state or a municipality through an ordinance or regulation to bring existing livestock facilities into compliance with the livestock performance standards or prohibitions, technical standards or conservation practices unless cost-sharing is available in accordance with this section.

NR 151.095(5) (5) Department determinations.

NR 151.095(5)(a) (a) Scope of determinations. If a livestock facility is not in compliance with a livestock performance standard or prohibition, the department shall make determinations in accordance with the procedures and criteria in this subsection.

NR 151.095(5)(b) (b) Livestock facility status. The department shall classify a non-complying livestock facility on an operation to be either new or existing for purposes of administering this section and s. 281.16 (3) (e), Stats. In making the determination, the department shall base the decision on the following:

NR 151.095(5)(b)1. 1. An existing livestock facility is one that meets all of the following criteria:

NR 151.095(5)(b)1.a. a. The facility is in existence as of the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition.

NR 151.095(5)(b)1.b. b. The facility is not in compliance with a livestock performance standard or prohibition in this subchapter as of the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition. The reason for noncompliance of the livestock facility may not be failure of the owner or operator to maintain an installed best management practice in accordance with a cost-share agreement or contract.

NR 151.095(5)(b)2. 2. A new livestock operation or facility is one that does not meet the definition under subd. 1., including:

NR 151.095(5)(b)2.a. a. A livestock operation or facility that is established or installed after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition, including the placement of livestock structures on a site that did not previously have structures, or placement of animals on lands that did not have animals as of the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition, unless the land is part of an existing rotational grazing or pasturing operation.

NR 151.095(5)(b)2.b. b. For a livestock operation that is in existence as of the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition that establishes or constructs or substantially alters a facility after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition, the facilities constructed, established or substantially altered after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition are considered new, except as specified in subd. 3.

NR 151.095(5)(b)2.c. c. A livestock facility that is in existence and in compliance with a livestock performance standard or prohibition on or after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition and that undergoes a change in the livestock facility that results in noncompliance with the livestock performance standard or prohibition. This includes manure storage facilities that fail to meet the requirements of s. NR 151.05 (3) and were either: constructed on or after October 1, 2002; or were constructed prior to October 1, 2002, and subject through October 1, 2002, to the operation and maintenance provisions of a cost share agreement.

NR 151.095(5)(b)3. 3. Pursuant to the implementation procedures in this section, if the department or a municipality directs an owner or operator of an existing livestock facility to construct a facility as a corrective measure to comply with a performance standard or prohibition on or after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition, or directs the owner or operator to reconstruct the existing facility as a corrective measure on or after the effective date of the livestock performance standard or prohibition, the constructed facilities are not considered new for purposes of installing or implementing the corrective measure.

NR 151.095(5)(b)4. 4. A livestock facility that meets the criteria in subd. 1. and has subsequently been abandoned shall retain its status as an existing livestock facility if livestock of similar species and number of animal units are reintroduced within 5 years of abandonment.

NR 151.095(5)(b)5. 5. Change in ownership may not be used as the basis for determining whether a livestock facility is existing or new for purposes of administering this subsection.

NR 151.095(5)(c) (c) Eligible costs.

NR 151.095(5)(c)1. 1. If cost sharing is required to be made available under sub. (4) (c), the department shall determine the total cost of best management practices and corrective measures needed to bring a livestock facility into compliance with a livestock performance standard or prohibition and shall determine which of those costs are eligible for cost sharing for the purposes of administering this section and s. 281.16 (3) (e), Stats.

NR 151.095(5)(c)2. 2. The cost-share eligibility provisions identified in chs. NR 153 and 154 shall be used in identifying eligible costs for installation of best management practices and corrective measures.

NR 151.095(5)(c)3. 3. Eligible technical assistance costs include best management practice planning, design, installation supervision, and installation certification.

NR 151.095(5)(c)4. 4. If cost sharing is provided by DATCP or the department, the corrective measures shall be implemented in accordance with the best management practices and technical standards specified in ch. NR 154 or subch. VIII of ch. ATCP 50.

NR 151.095 Note Note: Under chs. NR 153 and 154, eligible costs typically include capital costs and significant other expenses, including design costs, incurred by the owner or operator of the livestock operation. Eligible costs do not include the value or amount of time spent by an owner or operator in making management changes.

NR 151.095(5)(d) (d) Determination of cost-share availability.