Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 700.02

Current through October 28, 2024

Section NR 700.02 - Applicability

(1)This chapter and chs. NR 702, 704, and 708 to 754 apply to actions taken by the department under the authority of chs. 289 and 292, Stats.

(2)This chapter and chs. NR 706 to 754 apply to actions taken by responsible parties at sites, facilities or portions of a site or facility that are subject to regulation under chs. 289 and 292, Stats., regardless of whether there is direct involvement or oversight by the department.

Note: The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection has the authority under s. 94.73, Stats., to issue corrective action orders to parties who are responsible for the discharge of an agricultural chemical, to require that the responsible parties take action that is necessary to restore the environment to the extent practicable and to minimize the harmful effects of the discharge to the air, lands or waters of this state. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection has confirmed their intention to require that this chapter and chs. NR 708 to 727 and 749 be applied to actions taken by responsible parties as directed by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 94.73, Stats. For actions directed by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 94.73, Stats., submittals under chs. NR 708 to 727 and 749 shall be sent to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, and approvals required by these chapters shall be obtained from the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

Note: Persons who are not responsible parties and who voluntarily take a response action at a site or facility that is subject to regulation under ch. 289, Stats., or s. 292.31 or 292.11, Stats., are not required to comply with the standards and procedures in chs. NR 700 to 754 unless the person is seeking the liability exemption under s. 292.15, Stats. However, the department may not consider case closure under ch. NR 726 for the site or facility until the applicable rules in chs. NR 700 to 754 have been complied with, and a person who did not originally fall within the definition of a responsible party may become a responsible party if the actions taken by that person cause or worsen the discharge of a hazardous substance or if the person takes possession or control of the site or facility.

Note: Persons who wish to conduct response actions that will be consistent with the requirements of CERCLA and the National Contingency Plan (NCP) may request that the department enter into a contract with them pursuant to s. 292.31 or a negotiated agreement under s. 292.11(7) (d), Stats. However, a CERCLA-quality response action will likely require compliance with additional requirements beyond those contained in chs. NR 700 to 754 in order to be consistent with CERCLA and the NCP.

(2m)This chapter and chs. NR 706 to 728, 750, and 754 apply to actions taken by persons who are seeking a liability exemption under s. 292.15, Stats.

(3m)The department may exercise enforcement discretion on a case-by-case basis and choose to regulate a site, facility or a portion of a site or facility under only one of a number of potentially applicable statutory authorities. However, where overlapping restrictions or requirements are applicable, the more restrictive shall control. The department shall, after receipt of a written request and appropriate ch. NR 749 fee from a responsible party, provide a letter that indicates which regulatory program or programs the department considers to be applicable to a site or facility.

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 700.02

Cr. Register, April, 1994, No. 460, eff. 5-1-94; renum. (3) and (4) to be (5) and (6), cr. (3), Register, March, 1995, No. 471, eff. 4-1-95; cr. (4), Register, April, 1995, No. 472, eff. 5-1-95; am. (1), (3) (intro.), (a) and (b), (4), (5), cr. (2m), (3) (d), (4) (b), (5) (b), Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (2), Register, February, 1997, No. 494, eff. 3-1-97; correction in (3) (a) made under s. 13.93(2m) (b) 7, Stats., Register, January, 2001, No. 541; correction in (3) (b) made under s. 13.93(2m) (b) 7, Stats., Register September 2007 No. 621; CR 12-023: am. (1), (2), (2m), r. (3) to (5), renum. (6) to (3m) and am. Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13.

Sites or facilities or portions of a site or facility that are subject to regulation under ch. 292, Stats., may also be subject to regulation under other statutes, including the solid waste statutes in ch. 289, Stats., or the hazardous waste management act, ch. 291, Stats., and the administrative rules adopted pursuant to these statutes. In addition, federal laws such as CERCLA, RCRA, or TSCA may also apply to a site or facility or portions of a site or facility. One portion of a site or facility may be regulated under a different statutory authority than other portions of that site or facility.