293.81 and rules promulgated under those sections apply to radioactive waste site exploration, to activities related to radioactive waste site exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in radioactive waste site exploration or related activities in the same manner as those sections and rules are applicable to nonferrous metallic mineral exploration, to activities related to nonferrous metallic mineral exploration and to persons engaging in or intending to engage in nonferrous metallic mineral exploration or related activities. (b) Exception. Notwithstanding par. (a) and s. 293.21 (3), the department may waive the bond requirement for a person who is
May 22, 2026, are designated by NOTES. (Published 5-22-26)
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Updated 23-24 Wis. Stats.
authorized to engage in radioactive waste site exploration by a federal agency if the federal agency provides sufficient guarantees that the person or the federal agency will comply with the requirements of the department relating to termination. Notwithstanding par. (a) and s. 293.21 (3), the department may require a bond in an amount in excess of the amount specified under s. 293.21 (3) (a) to ensure that sufficient funds are available to comply with termination requirements or to abate or remedy any environmental pollution or danger to public health, safety or welfare resulting from radioactive waste site exploration. (c) Hearing. The department shall conduct a public hearing in the county where radioactive waste site exploration is to occur prior to exploration. (3) APPROVAL REQUIRED PRIOR TO DRILLING. No person may engage in radioactive waste site exploration by drilling on a parcel unless notice is provided as required under sub. (2) and s. 293.21 (4) (a) and unless the department issues a written approval authorizing drilling on that parcel. If the person seeking this approval is the federal department of energy or an agent or employee of the federal department of energy, the department may not issue the approval unless the public service commission certifies that the federal department of energy and its agents or employees have complied with any requirement imposed by the public service commission under s. 196.497 or any agreement entered into under that section. (4) REGULATION OF EXPLORATION AND RELATED PROVISIONS. Sections 293.13, 293.15 (1) to (12), 293.85, 293.87 and