Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation
Chapter NR 1 - Natural Resources Board Policies
Section NR 1.32 - Natural areas and scientific areas

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 1.32

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) The legislature has indicated its intent to acquire, establish and preserve natural areas and scientific areas by creating ss. 15.347(4), 23.27 and 23.092, Stats. The natural resources board agrees that such areas, by their preservation, protect the state's natural diversity, provide sites for research and environmental education, and serve as benchmarks for assessing and guiding use of other lands in the state.

Note: Section 23.27, Stats., defines "natural areas" to include tracts of land or water which have native biotic communities, unique natural features or significant geological or archeological sites. Generally, natural areas are remnant areas which largely have escaped disturbance since settlement or which exhibit little recent disturbance so that recovery has occurred and presettlement conditions are approached. Generally, scientific areas are natural areas of at least statewide significance and useful for education or research.

(2) The department, with the advice and assistance of the scientific areas preservation council, shall:

(a) Conduct inventories of natural areas statewide including department controlled properties.

(b) Recommend for natural resources board approval sites on department properties as scientific areas.

(c) Recommend for natural resources board approval the acquisition of natural areas and designation of appropriate tracts as additions to the scientific areas system.

(d) Manage natural areas and scientific areas to perpetuate the native biotic communities, unique natural features and geological or archaeological sites.

(e) Encourage research and educational use by groups and persons on department controlled scientific areas, consistent with the individual site management guidelines.

(3) Prior to any change in status of a scientific area located on lands owned or controlled by the department, the natural resources board, with the advice of the scientific areas preservation council, shall determine in each instance that:

(a) The site is no longer suitable and no longer needed for the scientific area use for which it was established; or

(b) Other public uses are required due to unavoidable public necessity, but then only after notice to concerned groups and individuals and opportunity for public comment.

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