Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation
Chapter NR 52 - Stewardship land access
Section NR 52.05 - Natural resources board determinations

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง NR 52.05

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) In accordance with s. 23.0916, Stats., the natural resources board has determined that it is necessary to prohibit one or more NBOAs on department or non-department land for one or more of the following reasons listed below. In accordance with s. 15.05(1) (b), Stats., the department shall make administrative determinations for each individual proposal to prohibit an NBOA, under the direction of the board, utilizing the process established in ss. NR 52.03 and 52.04, and based on the following reasons and factors.

(a) To protect public safety. One or more of the factors to consider when evaluating a proposal to prohibit an NBOA to protect public safety include:
1. The primary purpose for the project.

2. Laws and ordinances that may impact one or more NBOAs on the property.

Note: NBOAs may be affected by local laws or ordinances and may change as local laws or ordinances change.

3. User conflicts that may create public safety issues and impact one or more NBOAs on the property.

4. The physical characteristics of the property including size, shape, groundcover, topography or proximity to inhabited buildings that create public safety issues and influence NBOAs on the property.

5. A proposal to prohibit one or more NBOAs on a parcel 5 acres or smaller, located within the boundaries of cities and villages, shall be determined to be necessary in order to protect public safety and shall not be subject to s. NR 52.04 unless:
a. The parcel is adjacent to a parcel where the NBOAs to be prohibited already exist or;

b. The parcel is adjacent to a public waterway.

(b) To protect a unique animal or plant community. One or more of the factors to consider when evaluating a proposal to prohibit an NBOA to protect a unique animal or plant community include:
1. The primary purpose for the project.

2. The necessity to prohibit an NBOA to protect and enhance the biological diversity, composition and ecological functions of natural communities exhibiting relatively little human disturbance or that have the capacity to be easily restored to such conditions.

3. The potential for an NBOA to impact the natural values of the site, according to s. 23.28(3), Stats.

4. The potential for an NBOA to accelerate or increase over time and cause damage to the natural values of a site.

5. The potential for an NBOA to increase the risk of poaching rare plant or animal species, or the removal or destruction of rare geological or archeological features.

(c) To accommodate usership patterns. One or more of the factors to consider when evaluating the necessity to prohibit an NBOA to accommodate usership patterns include:
1. The primary purpose for the project.

2. User incompatibility and how this incompatibility may lead to the primary purpose of the project being significantly altered or curtailed.

3. The complexity, feasibility, practicality and cost effectiveness of separating activities by time and space or any other manner that might mitigate user incompatibility and or reduce the need for enforcement.

4. The size, shape and location of the property as well as surrounding land uses, including the use of public lands immediately adjacent to the property which may or may not have been funded with stewardship funds. The use of adjacent lands shall not be used as the sole factor in making a determination to prohibit an NBOA to accommodate usership patterns.

5. The mix of NBOAs at the location of the property that, to the extent practicable, will provide a quality experience for all compatible users and uses.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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