Chapter PSC 4

PSC 4.60(2) (2) Joint preparation of environmental assessments. The commission may enter into agreements with other federal, state or local agencies to develop a joint environmental assessment that satisfies the requirements of the participating agencies. The commission shall independently determine its need to prepare an EIS.

PSC 4.60(3) (3) Joint preparation of environmental impact statements. The commission may enter into agreements with other federal or state agencies to develop a joint EIS that satisfies the requirements of the participating agencies.

PSC 4.60(4) (4) Adoption of other environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.

PSC 4.60(4)(a) (a) The commission may adopt part or all of another state or federal agency’s environmental assessment as the commission’s EA if the EA meets the requirements of this chapter. The commission shall notify the public as required under s. PSC 4.20 (1) or (3). The commission shall independently determine its need to prepare an EIS.

PSC 4.60(4)(b) (b) The commission may adopt part or all of another state or federal agency’s environmental impact statement as the commission’s draft EIS if the EIS meets the requirements of this chapter. The commission shall distribute the draft EIS and notify the public as required under s. PSC 4.30 (4).

PSC 4.60 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; am. (2) and (4) (a), Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

PSC 4.70 PSC 4.70 Project applications.

PSC 4.70(1) (1) Advance notice to commission. Any person intending to file an application for commission approval of a Type I or Type II proposed action listed in s. PSC 4.10 (1) or (2) shall contact the commission. The applicant shall contact the commission at least 30 days before filing, and at least 30 days before providing an engineering plan to the department of natural resources if required under s. 196.491 (3) (a) 3. a., Stats., to:

PSC 4.70(1)(a) (a) Describe the person’s tentative plans, designs and timing.

PSC 4.70(1)(b) (b) Seek a preliminary determination from the commission on alternatives to the proposed action that must be evaluated and the information necessary to complete the environmental review.

PSC 4.70(1)(c) (c) Seek input concerning other agencies the applicant may be required to contact.

PSC 4.70(1)(d) (d) For a Type I proposed action listed in s. PSC 4.10 (1), obtain information on commission methods and timing for public notice and scoping procedures.

PSC 4.70(2) (2) Required contents of an application.

PSC 4.70(2)(a) (a) Each application for commission approval of a Type I proposed action listed in s. PSC 4.10 (1) shall describe the project in sufficient detail that the commission can prepare an EIS meeting the criteria specified in s. PSC 4.30 (3). Each application for commission approval of a Type II proposed action listed in s. PSC 4.10 (2) shall describe the project in sufficient detail that the commission can prepare an EA meeting the criteria specified in s. PSC 4.20 (2).

PSC 4.70(2)(b) (b) Each application for commission approval of a Type I or Type II proposed action listed in s. PSC 4.10 (1) or (2) shall do all of the following:

PSC 4.70(2)(b)1. 1. Identify, develop and evaluate reasonable alternatives to the project.

PSC 4.70(2)(b)2. 2. Include a summary of the applicant’s contacts with other agencies, as required under sub. (1) (c).

PSC 4.70(2)(c) (c) No application for commission approval of a Type I or Type II proposed action listed in s. PSC 4.10 (1) or (2) is complete until the information necessary for the commission to complete an environmental review is provided.

PSC 4.70 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; am. (1) (intro.), (d), (2) (a), (b) (intro.) and (c), Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

PSC 4.80 PSC 4.80 WEPA coordinator.

PSC 4.80(1) (1) Powers and duties. The commission shall designate a qualified staff person as WEPA coordinator, to coordinate and oversee performance of environmental impact statement procedures and other WEPA requirements. The WEPA coordinator shall:

PSC 4.80(1)(a) (a) Act as contact for other state agencies seeking assistance or opinions on environmental impact matters.

PSC 4.80(1)(b) (b) Participate on behalf of the commission in inter-agency environmental activities.

PSC 4.80(1)(c) (c) Determine appropriate categorization of proposed actions under s. PSC 4.10.

PSC 4.80(1)(d) (d) Determine whether an EIS is required for actions listed in s. PSC 4.10 (2) or (3).

PSC 4.80(1)(e) (e) Determine whether an EA is required for proposed actions listed in s. PSC 4.10 (3) or (3m).

PSC 4.80(1)(f) (f) Ensure the commission’s environmental review of a proposed action complies with s. 1.11, Stats.

PSC 4.80(1)(g) (g) Determine the proper time periods for review of EA and EIS documents under ss. PSC 4.20 (1m) and (3) (c), 4.30 (4) (e) and (5) (d) and 4.50 (1).

PSC 4.80(2) (2) Assistance to applicants. Any person uncertain as to whether s. PSC 4.10 (1), (2) or (3) applies to a project may contact the WEPA coordinator for assistance.

PSC 4.80 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; am. (1) (g), Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.

Table 1. Type I Actions

Table 2. Type II Actions