30.207 General permit pilot program.

(1) Geographical area. For purposes of this section and s. 30.2023, the Wolf River and Fox River basin area consists of all of Winnebago County; the portion and shoreline of Lake Poygan in Waushara County; the area south of STH 21 and east of STH 49 in Waushara County; that portion of Calumet County in the Lake Winnebago watershed; all of Fond du Lac County north of STH 23; that portion of Outagamie County south and east of USH 41; that portion of Waupaca County that includes the town of Mukwa, city of New London, town of Caledonia, town of Fremont; and the portion and shoreline of Partridge Lake and the Wolf River in the town of Weyauwega.

(1m) Optional area. In addition to the Wolf River and Fox River basin area, the secretary may designate another area of the state in which general permits may be issued under this section. If the secretary designates an area under this subsection, the secretary shall do so within 6 months after the effective date of the first permit issued for the Wolf River and Fox River basin area.

(2) Activities covered. Within the Wolf River and Fox River basin area or any area designated under sub. (1m), the department may issue a general permit under this section authorizing any activity that would require a permit or approval under this chapter if the department determines that it is appropriate to issue a general permit under sub. (6). The department may issue a general permit on its own initiative or based on an application submitted under sub. (3).

(3) Application for general permit.

(a) Any local entity, as defined in s. 30.77 (3) (dm), any group of 10 riparian owners who will be affected by the issuance of a general permit, or any contractor who is or has been involved in the construction of structures or along navigable waters may apply for a general permit under this section.

(b) Upon the request of a prospective applicant specified in par. (a), and before an application is submitted, the department shall meet with the prospective applicant, and other interested persons as determined by the prospective applicant or the department, to make a preliminary analysis of the likelihood that the department will issue the general permit.

(c) An application for a general permit under this section shall include all of the following:

1. The name, legal address and telephone number of each applicant.

2. A U.S. geological survey map or similar map that has a scale of not less than one inch per 2,000 feet and that shows the proposed permit area.

3. A general legal description to quarter-quarter section of the proposed permit area.

4. A diagram to scale showing the activity proposed for the general permit with contours and cross-section profiles that show a representative example of existing conditions and a representative example of any alteration to navigable waters or the adjacent lands that may result from the activity.

5. Topographic, bathymetric, soil or other maps, photographs or other data to demonstrate the characteristics of the proposed permit area if the maps, photographs or data are reasonably available.

6. The names and addresses of at least 5 persons who own real property adjacent to the navigable waters located in the proposed permit area. If fewer than 5 persons own real property adjacent to such waters, the application shall include the names and addresses of all of these persons.

(d) The department shall respond to the application in writing within 90 business days after receiving the application. In its response the department shall do either of the following:

1. Deny the application and specify the reason for the denial.

2. Specify the department's plans for proceeding on the application.

(4) Environmental analysis; hearing; consultation. After receiving an application that the department does not deny under sub. (3) (d) 1. and before determining whether to issue the general permit, the department shall do all of the following:

(a) Conduct an environmental analysis.

(c) Consult with any of the following as the department considers appropriate:

1. Any local entity, as defined in s. 30.77 (3) (dm), that has an interest in the quality or use of or that has jurisdiction over the navigable waters located in the proposed permit area.

2. Any contractor who is or has been involved in the construction of structures or improvements in or along navigable waters located in the proposed permit area.

3. Any riparian owners whose property rights may be affected by the issuance of the general permit.

4. Any other interested party, as determined by the department or the applicant.

(6) Issuance of general permits.

(a) The department shall issue a general permit under this section if the department determines that the cumulative adverse environmental impact of the activity in the proposed permit area is insignificant and that the issuance of the general permit will not injure public rights or interest, cause environmental pollution, as defined in s. 299.01 (4), or result in material injury to the rights of any riparian owners.

(b) The standards for the activity contained in a general permit issued under this section shall supersede any conflicting standards required under this chapter for the activity.

(7) Activities under general permits.

(a) At least 15 days before beginning the activity that is authorized by a general permit under this section the person who wishes to conduct the activity shall submit a notice to the department and shall pay the fee specified in s. 30.28 (1) (d). The notice shall describe the activity, state the name of the person that will be conducting the activity and state the site where the activity will be conducted. The notice shall also contain a statement signed by the person conducting the activity that the person will act in conformance with the standards contained in the general permit.

(b) Upon receipt of a notice that complies with par. (a), the department may inform the person that the activity may not be conducted under the general permit if conditions at the site where the activity would be conducted would cause adverse environmental impact, injure public rights and interests or cause environmental pollution, as defined in s. 299.01 (4). The department shall respond to the person within 15 days after receiving the notice. Failure of the department to respond within 15 days shall constitute the department's approval of the activity under the general permit.

(c) A person conducting an activity that is authorized by a general permit under this section shall comply with any applicable local ordinances.

(8) Option to request individual permits. A person proposing an activity for which a general permit has been issued under this section may apply for an individual permit under this chapter in lieu of seeking authorization under the general permit. A person proposing an activity for which a general permit has not been issued under this section may apply for an individual permit under this chapter.

(9) Access to property. For inspection purposes, an employee or agent of the department shall have free access during reasonable hours to any site where an activity is proposed to be, is or has been authorized under a general permit issued under this section if the employee or agent shows to any person who is present at the site and who owns the site or is otherwise in control of the site either of the following:

(a) For an employee of the department, proper identification issued by the department.

(b) For an agent who is not an employee of the department, written documentation that the agent is authorized by the department to have access for inspection purposes.

(10) Sunset. The department may not issue any further general permits under this section on or after the date on which 5 years have lapsed after the effective date of the first general permit issued under this section.

History: 1997 a. 174; 2001 a. 16, 103; 2003 a. 118; 2005 a. 253; 2011 a. 118.