(1) Prior to
submission of a formal application, anyone seeking to remove material from the
beds of waterways shall provide the department with preliminary information
including:
(a) Name of waterbody and location
of project;
(b) Volume of material
to be dredged;
(c) Brief
description of dredging method and equipment;
(d) Brief description of proposed disposal
method and location and, if a disposal facility is to be used, size of the
disposal facility;
(e) Any previous
sediment sampling (including field observations) and analysis data from the
area to be dredged or from the proposed disposal site;
(f) Copy of a map showing the area to be
dredged, the depth of cut, the specific location of the proposed sediment
sampling sites and the bathymetry of the area to be dredged; and
(g) Anticipated starting and completion dates
of the proposed project.
(2) An initial evaluation shall be conducted
by the department within 30 business days after receipt of the information
under sub. (1) to determine if there is reason to believe that the material
proposed to be dredged is contaminated. This initial evaluation shall be used
by the department in specifying sediment sampling and analysis requirements to
the applicant under s.
NR 347.06
and shall be accomplished with existing data. Factors which shall be considered
by the department in its evaluation of the dredging site and, if appropriate
the disposal site, include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Potential that contaminants may be
present. Potential routes that may have introduced contaminants into the
dredging site shall be identified by examining appropriate maps, aerial
photographs, or other graphic materials that show surface watercourses and
groundwater flow patterns, surface relief, proximity to surface and groundwater
movement, private and public roads, location of buildings, agricultural land,
municipal and industrial sewage and stormwater outfalls, etc., or by making
supplemental field inspections.
(b)
Previous tests of the material at the dredging site or from other projects in
the vicinity when there are similar sources and types of contaminants, water
circulation and stratification, accumulation of sediments, general sediment
characteristics, and potential for impact on the aquatic environment, as long
as nothing is known to have occurred which would render the comparisons
inappropriate.
(c) The probability
of past introduction of contaminants from land runoff.
(d) Spills of toxic or hazardous
substances.
(e) Introduction of
contaminants from point sources.
(f) Source and previous use of materials used
or proposed to be used as fill.
(g)
Natural deposits of minerals and other natural substances.
(h) Any other relevant information available
to the department.
