Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation
Chapter NR 46 - Forest Tax Program
Subchapter III - Managed Forest Land
Section NR 46.20 - Public access

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 46.20

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) PUBLIC ACCESS REQUIREMENTS. The owner of managed forest land shall provide public access on foot to land designated as open to public access for activities authorized in s. 77.83(2) (a), Stats., unless it has been designated closed under s. 77.83(1) (a), Stats. Public access on foot to open managed forest land shall satisfy one of the following conditions:

(a) Contiguous to public land.The land designated as open managed forest land is contiguous to other land or public roads that are open to public access on foot. Lands contiguous to other land open to public access at a single point are not considered to have met this requirement.

(b) Easement or agreement.By easement or agreement, the owner has obtained a reasonable route or location at which the public may access the open managed forest land on foot by crossing land that is not generally considered open to public access, which shall be designated in accordance with s. NR 46.21(3).

(c) Other land under same ownership.The land designated as open managed forest land is accessible from other land or public roads that are open to public access on foot by crossing contiguous land of the owner which is not entered as managed forest land or is contiguous managed forest land of the owner which has been designated closed under s. 77.83(2) (a), Stats. The owner may not restrict public access for activities authorized in s. 77.83(2) (a), Stats., through or across such land except the access across such land may be limited to a reasonable corridor or location, which shall be designated in accordance with s. NR 46.21(3).

(2) OPEN LAND AGREEMENT . An owner who chooses to designate any of their managed forest land as open shall certify on department-prepared forms that there is public access on foot to the land designated as open and that if the access changes or is removed during the order period the owner shall notify the department and change the designation of the land to closed under s. 77.83(1) (a), Stats., if access meeting the requirements in this section can no longer be achieved.

This section interprets and administers s. 77.83(2) and (3), Stats., which establish and provide further requirements to keep land open for certain public uses and authorizes the department to establish posting standards.

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