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SECTION 4 clarifies that wood collection for legally authorized campfires does not require a forest product permit and adds the Rainbow flowage property to the list of properties where driftwood and other dead and downed wood located below the ordinary high water mark may not be removed or destroyed without written permission.
SECTION 5 creates a mechanism to regulate “special events” and identifies criteria for authorizing said events. This will help assure that these events do not have significant adverse impacts to public safety, other authorized uses of the property, and the natural resources. Property management staff has experienced an increase in requests for special events on Department properties in the past several years.
SECTION 6 amends the language governing the possession of firewood by eliminating wording about where the firewood is intended to be used. This is intended to provide clarity for enforcement of this provision whose purpose is to help slow the spread of invasive species. For clarity, lumber is removed from the definition of firewood as NR 45.045(3) specifies that dimensional lumber that is debarked, kiln dried and smoothed is exempt from the requirements regarding firewood possession.
SECTION 7 creates provisions for the cutting and gathering of firewood for home use as authorized under a valid forest products permit. Currently no administrative rule or statute allows for enforcement of forest product permit conditions for firewood gathering.
SECTION 8 amends the language to clarify that this permit authorization for use of a motorized vehicle is specifically for individuals with a disability that impairs mobility. This section also specifies what is required for proof of disability and provides that up to two additional people may accompany the permittee on the devise for the sole purpose of providing assistance.
SECTION 9 codifies permit requirements for motorized vehicle use as a mode of personal conveyance for an individual with a mobility disability. Permits are utilized to protect public safety and property resources. Codifying the provision creates an enforcement mechanism if the permit conditions are violated. This section also includes language to assure that the authorization is solely for the purposes of assisting the disabled individual.
SECTION 10 authorizes the use of motor bicycles on state trails open to bicycles provided that the motor is not engaged, or at less than 15 MPH if the electric motor is engaged. It also allows the department to prohibit operation of motor bicycles on specific trails, or sections of trails, by posted notice.
SECTION 11 adds motor bicycles to the requirements that currently apply to bicycles on designated bicycle trails. The rules require stopping at stop signs and prohibiting riding in a reckless manner so as to endanger life, property or persons.
This section also allows the Department to establish all-terrain vehicle routes on all Department lands over Department roads. This broadens the rule beyond just northern state forests and recognizes authorizations in some recent master plan approvals. It further reflects recent legislative direction in s. 23.116 to evaluate motorized access.
SECTION 12 removes the category of state parks from, and adds designated campsites to the list of locations where no person may take, catch, kill, hunt, trap or pursue any wild animal or bird, or discharge any firearm, or have in possession or under control any uncased firearm or air gun or any bow, crossbow, slingshot or spring-load device designed for shooting a projectile unless the same is unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case. State parks are being removed from the list to be consistent with a statutory change which expanded hunting in state parks. Designated campsites are added to the list for public safety considerations. This section also adds an exception to the general prohibition to enable the Department to issue a special use permit to facilitate hunter education, civil war reenactments, interpretive programs, and other events.
SECTION 13 creates an allowance for the use of a firearm to kill an animal that has lawfully been trapped in a state park to dispatch a trapped animal.  Note: Trapping is allowed in state parks per 2011 Act 168.
SECTION 14 amends the wording to state “shooting range” rather than “target range” to more accurately describe the facilities.
SECTION 15 creates general rules for department shooting ranges and adds some specific restrictions for the range at the Kettle Moraine state forest, Southern Unit. Presently most shooting ranges on Department lands have no codified rules making enforcement difficult.
SECTION 16 adds restrictions on the number of days that camping is permitted on state-owned islands on the Mississippi River and a requirement that the campsites must be occupied daily and camping property may not be left unattended for over 24 hours. The rule is written to be consistent with island camping regulations on the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
SECTION 17 places restrictions on canceling camping reservations made at the maximum window, 11 months prior to arrival, to prevent customers from abusing the reservation system by keeping control of their desired site by cancelling and rebooking camping site reservations until they get their desired dates.
SECTION 18 creates provisions related to equestrian campgrounds to ensure priority is given to camping parties that intend to ride an equine and use equine related amenities in the campgrounds. A campsite may be registered by a camping party not accompanied by an equine if that camping party is camping with another camping party with an equine which is being used by both camping parties. The rule also gives the property manager the authority to allow any registered camper to stay in the equestrian campground if no other family camping is available and the equestrian campground is not full.
SECTION 19 adds Puckett’s Pond, in Harington Beach state park to the list of properties that do not allow the operation of motorboats. This rule is consistent with other urban fishing locations.
SECTION 20 Removes Robinson Creek Pond, in the Black River state forest, Jackson County from the list of properties where all boats are prohibited. Boats were restricted from Robinson Creek Pond use due to its popularity as a designated swimming beach. Due to years of declining use, the beach was undesignated for swimming in 2010. The pond represents a good location for beginning kayakers and canoeists.
SECTION 21 amends the description of one of the state forest vehicle admission fee areas within the Black River state forest from East Fork horse campgrounds to East Fork group camp to reflect the change in use of that site.
SECTION 22 amends two state forest vehicle admission areas within the Northern Highland state forest to eliminate fee collection at the beach and picnic areas at Clear Lake and Sandy Beach campgrounds. This change will reduce administrative costs and will not result in a change to administrative or management practices.
SECTION 23 adds four areas to the list where vehicle admission stickers are required:
Dells of the Wisconsin River state natural area – Cambrian Overlook. This is being proposed as a vehicle admission sticker location because it is a heavily used, park-like setting requiring regular maintenance and staffing.
Straight Lake state park, Menominee River state park and recreation area. These are new properties administered by the state park program and are being added consistent with other state park and recreation area properties.
The Glacial Drumlin state trail – Sandhill Station. This property’s designation was changed from a wildlife area to a state park property and consistent with other state park properties is requiring a vehicle admission sticker.
SECTION 24 adjusts the fees for certain enclosed shelters to better reflect market conditions and the level of amenities. The fee for the enclosed shelters on the northern state forests is reduced from $70 to $40 for non-electric and from $80 to $45 for electric. The shelters are currently underutilized.
This section also increases the rate for the use of a dump station by non-registered campers from $3.00 to $10.00.
SECTION 25 states that the department may collect a base fee and receive compensation for anticipated costs of a special event and identifies criteria that may be used to assess fees.
SECTION 26 repeals two prohibitions on the consumption or possession of alcohol. Big Foot Beach state park is one of the few parks where this prohibition exists.  It is no longer necessary for governing the conduct of visitors at this park. Due to a recent statutory change, alcohol is now permitted on the golf course and clubhouse at Peninsula state park.
SECTION 27 updates a provision related to the operation of powered ice augers at Straight Lake state park to reference combustion engine powered rather than gas powered ice augers. This addresses the use of propane augers which are becoming more popular. The prohibition on power augers is contained within the property’s master plan.
SECTION 28 repeals the rules for the shooting range at Yellowstone Lake wildlife area. These rules are no longer needed because of the general shooting range rules included in this administrative rule package.
SECTION 29 amends the property specific language for Flambeau River state forest for to improve clarity needed for the additional requirement added in SECTION 31.
SECTION 30 adds a provision requiring that unopened or empty beverage containers and litter be secured in a container fastened to watercraft that is launched or removed from designated launching sites on the Flambeau River state forest. This is similar to provisions on the Brule River within the Brule River state forest.
SECTION 31 repeals shooting range rules specific to the McMiller Sports Center in the southern unit Kettle Moraine state forest as this rule package contains general rule provisions for all shooting ranges on department owned or managed properties. This section also repeals the provision related to limitations on hunting and discharge of firearms on the Tuscobia state recreation trail due to Act 168 which expands hunting authority within state park and trail properties.
SECTION 32 creates the ability to close areas within Kohler Andre state park in Sheboygan County to swimming and scuba diving. This rule is needed to ensure visitor safety and prevent disturbance to park visitors who want to fish in the urban fishing pond.
SECTION 33 prohibits swimming and scuba diving in Quarry Lake and Puckett’s Pond within Harrington Beach state park. This rule is needed to prevent user conflicts on these small ponds and because the steep, rocky conditions are not conducive for safe entrance and egress to the water.
This section also states that jumping or diving into the waterway contrary to posted notice along the Red Cedar trail is prohibited. Codifying this allows for enforcement authority and will help to deter this unsafe activity.
SECTION 34 updates the language regarding the state trail system to be consistent the state statute regarding who the state trail system serves. The language eliminates the perception that use of trails on department lands is limited to equine, bikes, cross-country skis and hikers.
SECTION 35 creates a definition for water trails. This provides structure and authority for the new state water trail program approved by the Natural Resources Board.
SECTION 36 is consolidating the list of state trails to include ice age trail. The ice age trail was listed separately in s. 51.73(2), Stats.
SECTION 37 codifies the Lake Michigan Water Trail, the first designated state water trail, as part of the state trail system.
6. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal statutes and regulations: There are no corresponding federal regulations governing the public’s use of Department of Natural Resource properties.
DNR is a public entity subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et. seq. and federal rules promulgated thereunder, 28 CFR Part 35. Federal rules (28 CFR § 35.137) require that public entities make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of power-driven mobility devices by individuals with disabilities.
The restrictions on the number of days that camping is permitted on state-owned islands on the Mississippi River and a requirement that the campsites must be occupied daily and camping property may not be left unattended for over 24 hours were written to be consistent with the nearby island camping regulations on the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
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Links to Admin. Code and Statutes in this Register are to current versions, which may not be the version that was referred to in the original published document.