June 5, 2013: The DNR will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed air pollution control construction permit application submitted by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation for ReACT activated carbon control system and associated operations on Weston Unit #3.
June 6, 2013: The Division of Hearings and Appeals will hold a telephone prehearing conference in the matter of a conditional high capacity well approvals for potable wells to be located in the town of Richfield, Adams County issued to Milk Source Holding LLC and conditional approval of plans and specifications for Richfield Dairy in Adams County.
June 6, 2013: The DNR will hold a public meeting regarding the proposal to dispose of materials dredged from the Menomonee River as part of a stream restoration project. Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is planning on improving the Menomonee River channel near 45th Street in the City of Milwaukee by removing 1,100 lineal feet of concrete and sediments from the channel as part of a stream restoration project. Under the proposed disposal alternative, up to 7,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be disposed of on two properties MMSD owns at 900 N. 43rd Street and 4200 W. Monarch Place.
What to look for in coming weeks:
The Wisconsin 2012 draft list of impaired waters has been revised and public comments are accepted through June 30 on the proposed changes and the method the state used to revised the list. The DNR has changed how it identified which phosphorus-impaired waters are proposed to go on the list in response to comments from the U.S. EPA. DNR is proposing to add 147 waters to the 2012 Impaired Waters List as opposed to the 138 additions in the previous draft and to remove 28.
The Joint Committee on Finance recently passed two motions regarding environmental issues. The first motion eliminates the ability to challenge the DNR granting of an application for a high capacity well on the basis that the DNR failed to review cumulative impacts to existing wells. The second motion restricts local governmental entities from imposing stricter stormwater standards on construction than the state standards.