Current through August 26, 2024
The department shall evaluate each project by considering
the following:
(1)A project that is
within a boundary or boundaries approved by the department and is listed on the
current state natural areas priority site list shall receive high priority for
approval.
(2)A project that is not
within the boundary of a current state natural area or listed on the current
state natural areas priority site list shall be reviewed for natural area
designation pursuant to s.
23.27(1) (e) and (f), Stats. The criteria used to
evaluate natural values of proposed project are as follows:
(a) The quality of the natural values to be
protected, including a comparison of the project with others and a
consideration of the size, maturity, and unique attributes of the natural
values.
(b) The condition of the
natural values to be protected, including an analysis of the degree to which
the natural values have been damaged or altered from their optimal condition
and character.
(c) The long-term
viability of the natural values to be protected, including the extent to which
the project meets the minimum size required by area-dependent species of
concern; the adequacy of the project to maintain community function and
dynamics; the impacts that fragmentation, isolation and size of community may
have on its longevity; and the ability of the project to support minimum viable
populations of species to be protected.
(d) The defensibility of the natural values
and the project from adverse effects, both natural and anthropogenic, that
threaten it.
(3)The
criteria used to evaluate and rank proposed projects are as follows:
(a) The rarity of the natural values to be
protected as rated by the natural heritage inventory or other authority
recognized by the scientific community.
(b) The number of natural values to be
protected and their areal extent.
(c) The degree to which the natural values
and the project are threatened.
(d)
The value of the area for scientific research and conservation
education.
(e) The degree to which
acquisition, as opposed to other protection tools, will protect the natural
values.
(f) The degree to which
these types of natural values are already protected in the state.
(g) The value of the site as an ecological
benchmark or reference area.
