OVERVIEW OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PERMITTING AND COMPLIANCE AUTHORITIES FOR INDUSTRIAL SAND OPERATIONS

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources actively regulates the industrial sand industry in the State of Wisconsin. This talk will provide an overview of the Department’s Authorities and will work through the following list:

1. Air permits

2. Hi Capacity Wells permits

3. Exploratory Borehole Abandonment

4. Stormwater/Wastewater permits

5. Water Resources Permits

The Department also has oversight regarding mine reclamation programs and also enforces the above permits. This talk will provide insight to the Departments’ process and involvement on these levels.

There are areas that the Department does not regulate and are addressed either at the local and county levels or by Federal authorities. This discussion includes:

1. Noise and Light Pollution

2. Blasting

3. Zoning

4. Road Maintenance

5. Employee Safety

The Department has numerous staff involved with the Industrial Sand Industry. This talk will provide information about:

1. Staffing numbers and types of staff involved

2. Number of staff dedicated to Air Management

3. Staff dedicated to Water program

4. Relationship to the County Staff

The listener should come out of this presentation with a better understanding of what regulations are currently in place and the depth of involvement of the WDNR with the industry.