Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 283.001 (2026)

Statement of policy and purpose

✓ current as of July 2026

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283.001283.001 Statement of policy and purpose.

283.001(1)(1) Although in recent years intensive efforts have been made toward the abatement of pollution of the waters of this state, pollution of these waters continues. Unabated pollution of the waters of this state continues to arouse widespread public concern. It continues to endanger public health; to threaten fish and aquatic life, scenic and ecological values; and to limit the domestic, municipal, recreational, industrial, agricultural and other uses of water. It is the policy of this state to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of its waters to protect public health, safeguard fish and aquatic life and scenic and ecological values, and to enhance the domestic, municipal, recreational, industrial, agricultural, and other uses of water. In order to achieve this policy, the legislature declares that:

283.001(1)(a)(a) It is the goal of the state of Wisconsin to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the state by 1985;

283.001(1)(b)(b) It is also the goal of the state of Wisconsin that, wherever attainable, an interim goal of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water be achieved by 1983;

283.001(1)(c)(c) It is also the policy of the state of Wisconsin that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited.

283.001(2)(2) The purpose of this chapter is to grant to the department of natural resources all authority necessary to establish, administer and maintain a state pollutant discharge elimination system to effectuate the policy set forth under sub. (1) and consistent with all the requirements of the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, P.L. 92-500; 86 Stat. 816.

283.001 HistoryHistory: 1973 c. 74; 1995 a. 227 s. 846; Stats. 1995 s. 283.001.

283.001 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also NR 200-, chs. NR 102, 103, 104, and 105 and s. NR 1.50, Wis. adm. code.

283.001 AnnotationIn the context of regulating concentrated animal feeding operation manure applications, the broad grant of authority under sub. (2) is not limited by s. 283.11 (2). Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. v. DNR, 2001 WI App 170, 247 Wis. 2d 96, 633 N.W.2d 720, 00-1389.

283.001 AnnotationA concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) under s. 283.01 (12) includes not only where the animals are confined, but also the equipment that applies the animal waste to fields outside the confinement area, whether the fields are owned by the CAFO operator or others. Any overapplication of manure by the operator is a discharge under s. 283.01 (5) whether because of runoff to surface waters or percolation to groundwater. The Department of Natural Resources has authority to regulate discharges from overapplication of manure from a CAFO regardless of whether the discharge occurs on land owned by the CAFO. Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. v. DNR, 2001 WI App 170, 247 Wis. 2d 96, 633 N.W.2d 720, 00-1389.

283.001 AnnotationFish on Morphine: Protecting Wisconsin’s Natural Resources through a Comprehensive Plan for Proper Disposal of Pharmaceuticals. Christenson. 2008 WLR 141.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 9 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2001–2025 · leading case: Andersen v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2011 WI 19 (Wis. 2011).

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Andersen v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2011 WI 19 (Wis. 2011). · cites it 9× “, ¶ 29 (citing Wis. Stat. §§ 283.001 (2), 283.11(2), and 283.”

Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. v. State-Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2001 WI App 170 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 14× “The DNR asserts that its authority to regulate this activity originates in a broad delegation of power enunciated in Wis. Stat. § 283.001 , and its authority to condition permits on compliance with groundwater protection standards under Wis.”

State v. Schweda, 2007 WI 100 (Wis. 2007). · cites it 4× “" Wis. Stat. § 283.001 . The provisions of this chapter are intended to effectuate that policy.”

Clean Wisconsin, Inc. v. DNR, 2021 WI 71 (Wis. 2021). · cites it 2× “Wis. Stat. § 283.001 (1)-(2).17 Chapter 283 prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into the waters of the state unless the DNR authorizes the discharge in a permit.”

Domino v. Didion Ethanol, LLC, 670 F. Supp. 2d 901 (W.D. Wis. 2009). · cites it 2× “Wis. Stat. §§ 283.001 (1), 283.31. Under the Clean Water Act, each permittee must establish and maintain records, install and use monitoring equipment, sample its effluent according to a prescribed schedule and report the results to the permitting agency.”

Clean Water Action Council v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2014 WI App 61 (Wis. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “On October 1, 2012, the DNR reissued a WPDES permit to Appleton Coated authorizing it to discharge treated wastewater from its paper production facility into the lower Fox River. CWAC filed a petition for judicial review of the DNR's decision to reissue the permit, under Wis.”

Andersen v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2010 WI App 64 (Wis. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “" Wis. Stat. § 283.001 (2). In addition, the legislature has directed that all rules promulgated by the DNR under ch.”

Wisconsin Dairy All. Inc. v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 7× “§ 283.001. WDA argues it was error of the circuit court to rely on § 283.”

B&D Dairy Farm, LLC v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 283.001(2)). Under ch. 283, “[t]he discharge of any pollutant into any waters of the state … is unlawful unless such discharge or disposal is done under a permit issued by the” DNR.”

Wis. Stat. § 283.001(1): 2 cases

Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. v. State-Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2001 WI App 170 (Wis. Ct. App. 2001). “The DNR asserts that its authority to regulate this activity originates in a broad delegation of power enunciated in Wis. Stat. § 283.001 , and its authority to condition permits on compliance with groundwater protection standards under Wis.”

Wisconsin Dairy All. Inc. v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 283.001. WDA argues it was error of the circuit court to rely on § 283.”

Wis. Stat. § 283.001(2): 2 cases

Andersen v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 2011 WI 19 (Wis. 2011). “, ¶ 29 (citing Wis. Stat. §§ 283.001 (2), 283.11(2), and 283.”

B&D Dairy Farm, LLC v. Wisconsin Dep't of Nat. Resources (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 283.001(2)). Under ch. 283, “[t]he discharge of any pollutant into any waters of the state … is unlawful unless such discharge or disposal is done under a permit issued by the” DNR.”

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