Section 292.23. Responsibility of local governmental units; solid waste.

 

(1)   Definition. In this section:

(a) “Local governmental unit" means a municipality, a redevelopment authority created under s. 66.1333 , a public body designated by a municipality under s. 66.1337 (4) , a community development authority, or a housing authority.

(b) “Solid waste facility" has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (35) .

(c) “Waste site" has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (41) .

(2)   Exemption from liability. Except as provided in sub. (3) , a local governmental unit is exempt from s. 289.05 , and rules promulgated under that section, with respect to property acquired by the local governmental unit before, on, or after June 3, 2006, if any of the following applies:

(a) The local governmental unit acquired the property through tax delinquency proceedings or as the result of an order by a bankruptcy court.

(b) The local governmental unit acquired the property from a local governmental unit that is exempt under this subsection with respect to the property.

(c) The local governmental unit acquired the property through a condemnation or other proceeding under ch. 32 .

(d) The local governmental unit acquired the property for the purpose of slum clearance or blight elimination.

(e) The local governmental unit acquired the property through escheat.

(f) The local governmental unit acquired the property using funds appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) .

(3)   Exceptions.

(a) Subsection (2) does not apply with respect to environmental pollution or a discharge of a hazardous substance caused by any of the following:

1. An action taken by the local governmental unit.

2. A failure of the local governmental unit to take appropriate action to restrict access to the property in order to minimize costs or damages that may result from unauthorized persons entering the property.

3. A failure of the local governmental unit to sample and analyze unidentified substances in containers stored aboveground on the property.

4. A failure of the local governmental unit to remove and properly dispose of, or to place in a different container and properly store, any hazardous substance stored aboveground on the property in a container that is leaking or is likely to leak.

(b) Subsection (2) does not apply if, after considering the intended development and use of the property, the department determines that action is necessary to reduce to acceptable levels any substantial threat to public health or safety when the property is developed or put to that intended use, the department directs the local governmental unit to take that necessary action, and the local governmental unit does not take that action as directed.

(c) Subsection (2) only applies if the local governmental unit agrees to allow the department, any authorized representatives of the department, any party that possessed or controlled a hazardous substance that was discharged or that caused environmental pollution or the discharge of a hazardous substance, and any consultant or contractor of such a party to enter the property to take action to respond to the environmental pollution or discharge.

(d) Subsection (2) does not apply to property described in sub. (2) (f) unless the local governmental unit enters into an agreement with the department to ensure that the conditions in pars. (a) and (b) are satisfied.

(e) Subsection (2) does not apply to any solid waste facility or waste site that was operated by the local governmental unit or was owned by the local governmental unit while it was operated.

(f) Subsection (2) does not apply to a solid waste facility that was licensed under s. 144.44 , 1993 stats., or s. 289.31 .

(g) Subsection (2) does not apply to property at which the local governmental unit disposed of waste that caused environmental pollution or a discharge of a hazardous substance at the property.

(h) Subsection (2) does not apply to waste generated on the property by the local governmental unit, its agents, or its contractors.

(i) Subsection (2) does not apply if the local governmental unit undertakes or authorizes construction on the property without the approval of the department or if the local government unit undertakes an activity that interferes with a closed solid waste facility or waste site and that causes a threat to public health, safety, or welfare.

(j) Subsection (2) only applies to property with respect to which, before the local governmental unit acquired the property, the department imposed requirements related to health or safety for the maintenance of an active leachate or methane collection system, of a cap over waste on the property, or of a groundwater or gas monitoring system if the local governmental unit complies with those requirements.

(k) Subsection (2) does not exempt a local governmental unit from land use restrictions required by the department, including those that are necessary to prevent damage to a cap over waste on the property or to otherwise prevent uses of the property that may cause a threat to public health or safety.

2005 a. 418 ; 2007 a. 96 .