Environmental Week in Preview – Week of October 21, 2013.
October 21, 2013: The DNR will hold a public hearing on the proposed WPDES permit reissuance for Fish, Crystal and Mud Lake Rehabilitation District. The District has applied for reissuance of their existing WPDES that regulates the discharge of excess water from Fish Lake to the Lower Wisconsin River at a location in the Roxbury Creek Watershed of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. The application includes an additional discharge of excess water from Crystal Lake to Roxbury Creek via a pipeline to a level that will restore the nature of the lake and improve water quality. Without the pumping, high waters have led to the flooding of septic systems and garages adding nutrients and pollutants to the lakes. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services believes that lowering the water levels would reduce health concerns related to drinking water, wastewater disposal, electric safety and problems with mold/bacteria growth.
October 23, 2013: The Natural Resources Board will hold a public meeting in Madison. Included on the agenda is the adoption request of proposed rules relating to environmental analysis and review procedures for department actions (ch. NR 150). Although the DNR states that the fundamental department policy regarding environmental review will not change there will be a number of procedural changes which may impact a party’s right to challenge DNR actions.
October 23, 2013: The DNR will hold a public hearing on an air pollution control permit application submitted by Chieftain Sand and Proppant, LLC. The permit application includes plans and specifications for construction and operation of an industrial sand dryer, dry plant, 3 sand silos, a truck and railcar loading station and conveyors, and adding four future potential mines and modifications of the existing dryer and dry plant.
