Planning and Land Services » Zoning

FAQ

1. Does NR 135 address my concerns about noise, blasting, and traffic?
 

No. Chapter NR 135 deals only with the reclamation of mines. Concerns related to the siting of mines and compatibility with nearby land uses need to be addressed through the zoning process. Concerns regarding operations including hours of operation, blasting, noise and so forth are addressed in zoning and other ordinances. Citizens should contact local officials to address these concerns.

2. Does this program affect the siting and permitting of proposed new mines?

No. NR 135 creates a reclamation program focused on final site reclamation and environmental protection and has no affect on siting decisions. Since it is not a zoning rule there is no effect on local zoning decisions. The decision on locating a nonmetallic mine will continue to be based on the physical presence of a deposit, market demands, and restrictions that are placed on these activities through the zoning process.

3. Does this reclamation rule cause the reclamation of already abandoned mine sites in Wisconsin?

No. There is no requirement nor any funding to reclaim the previously abandoned sites. However, this does not mean that the rule will not have an effect in this area. Now that the uniform reclamation standards are in effect through county ordinances, there should be no additional abandoned unreclaimed sites. Those sites that are operating in long-term locations or that reopen in the future may chose to reclaim past mined-out areas in order to fit in with the land use that is approved in the reclamation plan. Once people see the results, it may create incentive to voluntarily convert past abandoned sites into productive land uses.

1. How do I obtain a sanitary permit to install a septic system?

• The first step is to have a soil/site evaluation conducted by a certified soil tester. This test involves digging at least three soil pits/borings in a triangular shape so that the soil inside the triangle should be very similar to the soil observed in the test pits. The soil test identifies a suitable area to install a POWTS and determines the amount (inches) of suitable soil underneath the system.
• The second step is to have a plumber, engineer or system designer design a POWTS based on the findings of the soil test and the proposed use of the property. The use of the property is important because a residence will not have the same size system requirements as a commercial use and a four-bedroom residence will not have the same size system requirements as a two-bedroom residence. At this point you should also discuss the system sizing so the system can accommodate anticipated future additions to the residence. If your system is designed by an engineer or a system designer, you will also need to choose a plumber to install the system. A system that is designed by a plumber must be installed by that plumber.
• State Plan Approval of the POWTS design is required before the county can issue a sanitary permit for a mound, at-grade, in-ground pressure, or holding tank system. Brown County has County agent status to perform this plan approval rather than having the design sent to the State for approval. If the plan approval is submitted to Brown County for approval, it generally is a five business day turnaround to obtain the plan approval. Almost all of the state plan approvals needed in Brown County are approved by Brown County Zoning rather than the State because the fee is the same but the County's turnaround time is quicker.
• After the plans are approved, the installing plumber will apply for the sanitary permit at the county level. If the plan approval is done through Brown County, the plumber will submit the completed sanitary permit application along with the POWTS design. Typically the County review and action on a plan approval and sanitary permit application will take approximately five business days.

2. What type of system can be installed on my property?

The only way to determine what type of system can be installed on a particular piece of land is to have the soil tested by a certified soil tester. The soil/site evaluation will indicate what type of system can be installed based on the soils and slope of the land. The test will also identify a location for the proposed system. The system must be installed within the area identified as suitable by the certified soil tester.

3. What are areas to avoid in constructing a septic system?

Conventional systems should not be installed in low areas or drainage ways since rain, storm runoff, and snowmelt will drain to those areas and saturate the soil. When the soil is saturated with surface water it cannot accept the additional load from the septic system. Groundwater leaking into the septic tank can also occur. Under these conditions, the system will not be able to accept the wastewater load and either backs up into the residence or breaks out to the surface. Both are unhealthy situations and must be corrected. It is also important to avoid areas with slopes greater than 25%. Effluent will often break out on the surface in these areas due to lateral flow through the soil. Compacted areas (driveways, parking lots, etc.) should also be avoided. The compaction of the soil will often change the soil structure reducing the rate that the soil can accept wastewater. These areas also allow frost to penetrate the soil more deeply and can cause a system to freeze during the winter. Once a system freezes, it cannot accept water until the soil thaws. Under this condition the septic tank must be used temporarily as a holding tank and must be pumped whenever it becomes full. Since a septic tank’s capacity is generally much smaller than that of a holding tank’s, pumping frequency is very high and can become quite expensive and very inconvenient.

4. What can I do to prolong the life of my septic system (mound, conventional, in-ground pressure or at-grade)?

• Do not dispose of fats, greases, or cooking oils down any household drain. The oils and greases will plug the soil pores and ultimately prevent the water from percolating into the soil.
• Minimize your water usage to prevent overloading of the system. A leaking plumbing fixture may add hundreds of gallons of water per day to the system. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only for full loads. Doing all the clothes washing in one day may overload the septic system. It is referred to as "surge loading" when you run six loads on Saturday and none the other days.
• Do not use a garbage disposal or at least minimize its use or design your septic system to accommodate it. Using the garbage disposal to dispose of bones, coffee grounds, coarse fruit or vegetable peelings or other products that are slow to biodegrade will cause the septic tank to fill much more quickly and require more maintenance to the system.
• Do not dispose of automotive fluids, painting products or pesticides down the drain. Gasoline, oil degreasers, paint thinners, etc. can kill the bacteria in the septic tank and result in an increase in the buildup of solids in the tank and cause a carryover into the drainfield. In addition, these products can accumulate in the soil and enter the groundwater to contaminate the water we drink.
• Do not dispose of household disinfectants, antibiotics, and degreasers down the drain. These can kill the bacteria in the septic tank and result in an increase in the buildup of solids in the tank and cause a carryover into the drainfield. The carryover of solids will result in the plugging of the soil pores, which prevents the water from percolating into the soil.
• Do not dispose of any non-biodegradable items down the drain. These items include sanitary napkins or tampons, condoms, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, infant wipes, etc. These items may plug sewer lines, baffles and drainfield perforations or lodge in the pump, and will certainly require additional maintenance for the system.
• Do not connect any "clear water" sources such as footing and foundation sump pumps to the private sewage system. Systems are not designed to handle such excessive water flows.
• Surface water should be diverted away from the leach field to prevent the area from being saturated by these waters. Otherwise, the surface water will compete with the effluent to percolate into the soil.
• The water softener discharge should not go into the onsite system. The calcium chloride is a form of salt. Salt accumulations within the drainfield may adversely affect the soil permeability and contribute to clogging of the soil pores.
• Do not use chemicals to "start up" or "clean" your system. They are unnecessary and may actually harm the system or the groundwater.

5. Are there any grants available to help pay for replacing my failing system?

The Wisconsin Fund - Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Replacement or Rehabilitation Financial Assistance Program is a state program that may help pay for a portion of the costs. To be eligible for the program the following conditions must be met:

• The system being replaced must have been in place and in use by July 1, 1978.
• The county must verify that you have a grant eligible failing system before the replacement begins.
• The house must be owner occupied (it cannot be a rental property). A small commercial establishment must be operated by the owner and have a daily wastewater flow rate less than 5,000 gallons per day.
• The family income of all owners of the residence must be less than $45,000 or the gross revenue of the small commercial establishment must be less than $362,500. (Grant awards for principal residences are reduced by $.30 for each $1.00 earned over $32,000.)
• The application for this program must be submitted within three years from the date of the verification of failure by the county.

The maximum grant available varies with the size and type of system being installed to meet the minimum code requirements.

1. What shoreland areas are regulated by Brown County Zoning?


Brown County Zoning regulates all the shoreland, wetland, and floodplain areas in the unincorporated areas in Brown County. In addition, the village of Bellevue has contracted with Brown County Zoning to regulate these areas in their municipality. These include areas that are:

• Within 1,000 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of navigable lakes, ponds, or flowages; and
• Within 300 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of navigable rivers or streams, or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater.

2. Why do I need to obtain a shoreland permit?

Obtaining a permit will ensure that you are in compliance with the minimum requirements of Chapters 22 and 23 of the Brown County Code of Ordinances.

3. Will I need permits from other governmental agencies once I obtain a shoreland permit from Brown County Zoning?


It is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to contact other governmental agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural Resources, or their local town, city, or village to determine any other permit requirements. Every effort is made to advise what other permits may be needed.

4. Is there a shoreland permit fee? If so, what is that fee used for?

All shoreland permits require a fee as set each year in the Brown County budget. The fees collected are used to pay for a portion of the administrative costs associated with the shoreland program. The remainder is paid by the general county levy.

1.  How do I find out what my property is zoned (i.e. residential, commercial, etc.)?

Brown County is not comprehensively zoned so this information is not available from Brown County Zoning. To find out what your property is zoned, you will need to contact the local municipality (town, city or village) in which your property is located.