Wisconsin Statutes Environmental Regulation (Ch. 280 to 299) § 295.79. Enforcement; penalties

(2)(a) Any person who authorizes or engages in mining without a mining permit and written authorization to mine under s. 295.59(3) shall forfeit all profits obtained from those illegal activities and not more than $5,000 for each day during which the mine was in operation.

(b) A person to whom par. (a) applies is also liable to the department for the full cost of reclaiming the affected area of land and any damages caused by the mining.

(c) If the violator of par. (a) is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association, any officer, director, member, manager, or partner who knowingly authorizes, supervises, or contracts for mining is also subject to the penalties in this subsection.

(4)(a) Any person who commits a violation of this subchapter or any permit or order issued under this subchapter, except for the violations enumerated in subs. (2) and (3), shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. Each day of continued violation is a separate offense, except that no forfeiture may be imposed during the time that continued mining is authorized under s. 295.63(3). While an order is suspended, stayed, or enjoined, this penalty does not accrue.

(b) In addition to the penalties provided under par. (a), the court may award the department of justice the reasonable and necessary expenses of the investigation and prosecution of the violation, including attorney fees. The department of justice shall deposit in the state treasury for deposit into the general fund all moneys that the court awards to the department or the state under this paragraph. These moneys shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.455(1)(gh).