Section 293.15. Department powers.

  The department may:

(1)  Hold hearings relating to any aspect of the administration of this chapter and, in connection therewith, compel the attendance of witnesses and production of evidence.

(2)  Cooperate or contract with the geological and natural history survey to secure necessary scientific, technical, administrative and operations services, including research, projects and laboratory facilities.

(3)  Issue orders directing particular prospectors or operators to comply with the provisions and purposes of this chapter.

(4)  Supervise and provide for such educational programs as appear necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(5)  At its own expense, with the staff, equipment and material under its control, or by contract with others, take such actions as are necessary for the reclamation of abandoned project sites.

(6)  Issue prospecting and mining permits.

(7)  Issue exploration licenses.

(8)  Promulgate rules regulating the production, storage and disposal of radioactive waste from exploration, prospecting or mining after seeking comments from the department of health services. At a minimum, rules promulgated under this subsection shall achieve the margin of safety provided in applicable federal statutes and regulations. If the department promulgates rules under this subsection, the department shall investigate the need for standards more restrictive than the applicable federal statutes and regulations.

(9)  Promulgate rules by which the department may grant an exemption, modification or variance, either making a requirement more or less restrictive, from any rule promulgated under chs. 289 to 292 and this chapter, if the exemption, modification or variance does not result in the violation of any federal or state environmental law or endanger public health, safety or welfare or the environment.

(10)  Promulgate rules with respect to minimizing, segregating, backfilling and marketing of mining waste.

(11)  Notwithstanding chs. 289 and 291 , promulgate rules establishing groundwater quality standards or groundwater quantity standards, or both, for any prospecting or mining activity, including standards for any mining waste site.

(12)  Require all persons under its jurisdiction to submit such informational reports as the department deems necessary for performing its duties under this chapter.

(13)  Monitor environmental changes concurrently with the permit holder under s. 293.45 (3) or 293.49 (7) , and for such additional period of time after the full bond is released under s. 293.63 (3) as is necessary for the site to return to a state of environmental stability. The department may conduct independent studies to monitor environmental changes.

1995 a. 227 s. 748 , 749 , 754 , 994 ; 2007 a. 20 s. 9121 (6) (a) .