NR 44.07NR 44.07 Recreational use setting subclassifications. NR 44.07(1)(1) General. The recreational use subclassifications define the compatible management and use activities and the appropriate recreational facilities for 4 general recreational settings. Each subclassification describes a distinct recreational environment, each offering opportunities for different types of recreational experiences. The subclassifications described in this section shall be used in a master plan to describe the general recreational management objective for areas with the recreation, scenic resources and the wild resources management classifications described under s. NR 44.06. NR 44.07 NoteNote: The subclassifications describe a range of recreational use settings, each being characterized by the manner it addresses a number of key attributes, such as degree of remoteness, motor use and the apparent level of management and development. The settings span a range from wild and undeveloped to intensively used and highly developed.
NR 44.07(2)(b)(b) “Box latrine” means a simple open-air privy commonly provided at isolated, primitive campsites. NR 44.07(2)(c)(c) “Group campsite” means any campsite authorized for use by groups other than those meeting the definition of a camping party in a family campground as defined by ch. NR 45. NR 44.07(2)(d)(d) “Highway/off-highway vehicles” or “H/OH” means motor vehicles that are generally 4-wheel drive, high clearance, street legal, licensed vehicles with floatation-type tires able to traverse roads and trails where ordinary passenger vehicles cannot travel without hazard of becoming stuck or otherwise disabled. NR 44.07(2)(e)(e) “Information facilities” include signs, sign boards, information kiosks and visitor centers for the purpose of providing use or educational formation to the public. NR 44.07(2)(f)(f) “Motorized use” means people traveling by use of a motor powered vehicle other than when engaged in management activities or contract operations authorized by the department. NR 44.07(2)(g)(g) “Native surface material” means unprocessed, indigenous road and trail surfacing material. NR 44.07(2)(h)(h) “Natural-appearing” means visually perceived as minimally altered or modified by human actions. NR 44.07(2)(i)(i) “Non-motorized use” means transportation of people by any means other than by a motor-powered vehicle, and the use of motorized vehicles for management purposes by the department and its contractors when engaged in management activity. NR 44.07(2)(j)(j) “Permanent all-season road” means a road developed and operated for continuous or recurrent annual use. It is designed and constructed to accommodate year-round use, but may have use restrictions or may not be maintained at various times of the year. NR 44.07(2)(k)(k) “Permanent seasonal road” means a road that is maintained as part of the permanent road system but is developed for periodic use when the ground is frozen or dry and firm. NR 44.07(2)(L)(L) “Primitive surface material” means the natural soil, rock or sand surface existing on roads and trails that developed through use and was not constructed. NR 44.07(2)(m)(m) “Single unit campsite” means a campsite designated for use by families or groups of 6 persons or less. NR 44.07(2)(o)(o) “Temporary road” means a road designed and constructed for short-term use during a specific project. NR 44.07(2)(p)(p) “Visitor controls” means regulatory signs, access barriers and regulations, for directing or controlling the behavior of people using department-managed lands. NR 44.07(2)(q)(q) “Visual quality management” means actions to produce or maintain a specific state of landscape aesthetic conditions and minimize or mitigate any negative visual impacts from land management activities or development. NR 44.07(3)(3) Road and trail standards. For purposes of this section, roads and trails are classified as follows: NR 44.07(3)(a)(a) Primitive road. A primitive road shall be a temporary or permanent seasonal road with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 12 feet, little or no roadbed grading, minimal cut and fill, a surface of primitive or native material. NR 44.07 NoteNote: Due to their unimproved, rough condition, primitive roads commonly are only suitable for H/OHV’s and other off-highway vehicles, and may not be negotiable by ordinary highway vehicles.
NR 44.07(3)(b)(b) Lightly developed road. A lightly developed road shall be a temporary road, a permanent seasonal road or a permanent all-season road which is primarily a single lane with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 16 feet, is lightly to well-graded with minimal cut and fill, is surfaced with primitive, native or aggregate materials except in limited special use situations where asphalt may be used, and has a maximum speed design of 15 mph. NR 44.07 NoteNote: Due to the variability of roadbed conditions at different times and places, some lightly developed roads might not be negotiable by ordinary highway vehicles.
NR 44.07(3)(c)(c) Moderately developed road. A moderately developed road shall be a permanent seasonal road or a permanent all-season road which typically is 2-lane, but may be one-lane, have a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 45 feet for 2-lane and 30 feet for one-lane, a well-graded roadbed and may have moderate cuts and fills and shallow ditching, has a surface of aggregate, asphalt or native material, and a maximum design speed of 25 mph. NR 44.07(3)(d)(d) Fully developed road. A fully developed road shall be a permanent all-season road with a cleared width normally of 50 feet or more, a roadbed with cuts and fills as needed, an aggregate, asphalt or other paved surface and be designed for speeds exceeding 25 mph. NR 44.07(3)(e)(e) Primitive trail. A primitive trail shall be a minimally developed single-file trail with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 8 feet and a minimal tread width for the intended use, have a rough, ungraded bed where large rocks, stumps and downed logs may be present. It primarily follows the natural topography, has no or few shallow cuts and fills, and is surfaced with primitive or native materials, except for limited distances where environmental conditions require the use of other materials. Modifications to the natural trail surface are limited to that which is minimally necessary to provide essential environmental protection. NR 44.07(3)(f)(f) Lightly developed trail. A lightly developed trail shall be a trail with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 16 feet, a moderately wide tread width for the designated uses, a rough-graded base to remove stumps and large rocks, and a surface of primitive or native materials, except where other materials are required due to environmental conditions or where the trail also serves as a lightly developed road where other types of surfacing materials are used. NR 44.07(3)(g)(g) Moderately developed trail. A moderately developed trail shall be a trail with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 8 feet, a minimal tread width for the intended use, a relatively smooth graded base with a compacted surface composed of stable materials such as aggregate. Where practicable and feasible, a moderately developed trail shall, at a minimum, meet the standards for recreational trails accessible to persons with a disability. NR 44.07(3)(h)(h) Fully developed trail. A fully developed trail shall be a trail with a smoothly graded base and a stable, hard surface composed of materials such as asphalt, aggregate or frozen earth. The trail’s cleared width, tread width and cuts and fills are not limited, but shall be appropriate for the trail’s intended use. To the degree practicable and feasible, fully developed pedestrian trails shall be fully accessible by persons with physical disabilities. NR 44.07(4)(4) Type 1 recreational use setting. In the master plan a Type 1 recreational use area shall be consistent with the following: NR 44.07(4)(a)(a) Management objective. The objective of this setting is to provide a remote, wild area where the recreational user has opportunities to experience solitude, challenge, independence and self-reliance. NR 44.07(4)(b)(b) Perceived remoteness. An area designated as a Type 1 setting shall be substantially isolated from development and be managed to maintain or enhance a perception of remoteness from human activity. Occasional sights and sounds of motors and other human activity may be present but are typically distant, except during hunting seasons. The designated area shall be of a size and configuration so as to offer a substantial opportunity for the public to experience solitude, substantially free of conflicting influences from adjacent land uses, with a majority of the area meeting one or more of the following minimum criteria: NR 44.07(4)(b)1.1. An area that is approximately 2,000 acres or more in size and 1/2 mile or more from a federal, state or county highway or frequently used rail line, and at least 1/4 mile from any other public highway, department road open to motor vehicle use by the public, motorized trail or infrequently used rail line. NR 44.07(4)(b)2.2. A river or stream, or river or stream segment that is approximately 6 miles or more in length with little or no evident development and no road crossings. It is generally not less than 1/4 mile from the river or stream to the nearest motorized trail or road open to public vehicles, except when unique physical characteristics or use patterns allow the river or stream to be closer or demand it be further from a route used by motor vehicles to meet the objectives of the classification. NR 44.07 NoteNote: Topography and vegetation conditions may largely determine the minimum size necessary to achieve the objectives of this setting. Unique local conditions, such as rugged topography, may allow some areas that are closer to open roads and motorized trails to be appropriately designated as Type 1 settings. Conversely, larger separation distances would be required in relatively flat, open areas or areas near highways with heavy traffic.
NR 44.07(4)(c)(c) Social contact. Typically, the level of recreational use in the area is low, resulting in little contact with others outside one’s own group when traveling and, when camping, other camper groups are not seen and generally may not be heard. NR 44.07(4)(d)(d) Access. Internal access is highly limited and travel may be difficult, as the area is essentially without roads and trails and access by watercraft is hard due to long distances from access points or to obstructions to navigation. The following criteria shall apply: NR 44.07(4)(d)1.1. Public vehicle access and motorized recreational use is prohibited and the use of motorized watercraft in the area shall be restricted to the maximum degree possible, except for: NR 44.07(4)(d)1.b.b. The incidental use of motorized watercraft if, and only to the extent that, such use may not be prohibited due to the public’s right of navigation; and NR 44.07(4)(d)1.c.c. A person with a disability may use a manually or electrically powered wheelchair or an electrically powered watercraft operated at slow-no-wake speed as a mode of personal conveyance; or may be authorized, by a permit issued by the property manager, to use a low-powered mechanically propelled vehicle designed specifically for use by a person with a disability. NR 44.07(4)(d)2.2. The development and maintenance of limited, primitive hiking and portage trails may be authorized by the master plan, and trails may not exceed a density of one mile per square mile. Trail maintenance shall be for essential resource protection only. Areas with non-conforming roads and trails may be classified as a Type 1 setting if the master plan provides measures to assure their closure and restoration to a natural appearing condition or their redevelopment to conform to the setting standards. A limited number of small off-road public parking areas located on the periphery may be authorized by the master plan. NR 44.07(4)(d)3.3. The use of motorized vehicles for routine maintenance of trails and campsites is not authorized. NR 44.07 NoteNote: Authorized motor vehicle access for restoration or other land management activities is described under s. NR 44.06 (10) (c) 7. NR 44.07(4)(e)(e) Recreational facility development. Facility developments or modifications to vegetation or the physical landscape are not authorized, except for those that are minimally necessary to accommodate limited primitive camping and authorized trails. The following development standards shall apply: NR 44.07(4)(e)1.1. Trails, when authorized by the master plan, shall be minimally developed and maintained primitive trails that are restricted to hiking or portage uses, and shall be consistent with par. (d). NR 44.07(4)(e)2.2. Developed campsites, when authorized by the master plan, shall be small, minimally developed single unit campsites that are primitive, remote and widely dispersed, are minimally cleared and have a primitive surface. Campsite facilities are limited to a fire ring and box latrine. A box latrine may be constructed of wood or synthetic materials and shall be a non-reflective, earth-tone color that blends with the surrounding environment. Campsites shall be sited and developed to be visually inconspicuous from the water. Trees and other vegetation may be cut as is minimally necessary for campsite development and camper safety. NR 44.07(4)(e)3.3. Environmental protection measures shall be used only to protect fragile resources under normal use patterns. Environmental protection and impact mitigation measures shall be designed to be in harmony with the character of the area and the setting, and only native, natural materials may be used. NR 44.07(4)(f)(f) User management. On-site visitor controls and information facilities or signs shall be limited. Only rocks or vegetation may be used to close roads and trails, although earthen berms may be temporarily used while restoration of the road is in progress. Small signs may be used to mark watercraft campsites. Trails may be minimally marked at trailheads and may not have trail markers along the route. Trailhead information signs, when provided, shall be the minimum size necessary and be primarily of earth-tone colors. NR 44.07 NoteNote: Information for users of this setting is normally provided by brochures and other means off-site.
NR 44.07(4)(g)(g) Land management and non-recreational facility development. Authorized land management and non-recreational facility development shall be as described under s. NR 44.06 (10) (c), the wild resources management area classification. NR 44.07(5)(5) Type 2 recreational use setting. In the master plan a Type 2 recreational use area shall be consistent with the following: NR 44.07(5)(a)(a) Management objective. The objective of this setting is to provide a remote or somewhat remote area with little development and a predominantly natural-appearing environment offering opportunities for solitude and primitive, non-motorized recreation. NR 44.07 NoteNote: Under appropriate circumstances, equestrian and bicycle uses are compatible with this setting.
NR 44.07(5)(b)(b) Perceived remoteness. An area designated as a Type 2 setting shall be managed to maintain or create a moderate to high perception of remoteness. The objective is to provide conditions where users of the area may feel they are in a secluded setting. The designated area shall be of a size and configuration, when considered in the context of topography, vegetation and adjacent or nearly adjacent land uses, to offer opportunities for solitude. NR 44.07 NoteNote: The area may be smaller in size and nearer to public highways than that required for a Type 1 setting. Typically, in a Type 2 setting the sights and sounds of human activity may not be entirely uncommon, but usually are distant.
NR 44.07(5)(c)(c) Social contact. Use levels and contacts with people outside one’s own group on trails and waterways typically are low to moderate. Designated campsites shall be located so that campers have low sight and sound contacts with other campers. Only recreational uses or styles of use that are similar in character shall be authorized. NR 44.07(5)(d)(d) Access. Internal access shall be limited and travel may be difficult in some areas. The probability of significant use of motorized watercraft in the area is low. The following shall apply: NR 44.07(5)(d)1.1. Access ways are restricted to primitive trails, primitive roads and a minor amount of lightly developed trails and roads. Roads shall be developed to the minimum standard required for the intended use, and trail and road densities are restricted to a total of 2 miles per square mile or less, including abandoned roads and trails that have not been restored. Areas with non-conforming roads and trails may be classified as a Type 2 setting if the master plan provides measures to assure their closure and restoration to a natural appearing condition or their redevelopment to conform to the setting standards. A limited number of short, vehicle access roads and small parking areas located on the periphery of the area are authorized, including roads and water access sites allowed for wild lakes designated under s. NR 44.06 (10) (f) 3. NR 44.07(5)(d)2.2. Public motor vehicle access or motorized recreational use is prohibited and the use of motorized watercraft on waterbodies in the area shall be restricted to the maximum degree possible, except for: NR 44.07(5)(d)2.a.a. The incidental use of motorized watercraft if, and only to the extent that, such use may not be prohibited due to the public’s right of navigation; NR 44.07(5)(d)2.b.b. Limited snowmobile trail crossings which may be authorized in the master plan when other viable alternative routes are unavailable and the snowmobile use does not substantially conflict with the predominant non-motorized recreational uses; NR 44.07(5)(d)2.c.c. A person with a disability may use a manually or electrically powered wheelchair or an electrically powered watercraft operated at slow-no-wake speed as a mode of personal conveyance; or may be authorized, by a permit issued by the property manager, to use a low-powered mechanically propelled vehicle designed specifically for use by a person with a disability. NR 44.07(5)(d)3.3. As is reasonably required, the use of motorized vehicles and equipment or tools may be authorized in the area for logging, restoration, and other management or maintenance activities by the department or its contractors engaged in management activities. Access developed for management purposes may not exceed the road and trail standards for the setting. In performing management activities, all reasonable efforts shall be made to avoid conflicts with recreational use. NR 44.07(5)(e)(e) Recreational facility development. Recreational facility development shall be minimal, with facilities being rudimentary and primarily for environmental protection purposes rather than user comfort and convenience. Facility development in the area shall be maintained at a low density level. Management and development shall comply with the following: NR 44.07 NoteNote: Trails, small parking areas, and small, minimally developed water access sites are the most common types of development in a Type 2 setting.
NR 44.07(5)(e)1.1. ‘Visibility of development activities.’ Development activities, shall, to the degree possible and practicable, be designed to harmonize with the topography and other landscape features; and, to the degree feasible and practicable, visual quality management shall be prescribed to minimize negative visual impacts from development and maintenance activities. NR 44.07(5)(e)2.2. ‘Buildings and other structures.’ The construction of buildings is prohibited, except that small, rustic appearing, vault toilets may be constructed at access sites and portable toilets may be placed at sites where permanent toilet facilities are not practicable or feasible. Box latrines at campsites may be made of wood or synthetic materials. For other types of structures, undimensioned, natural building materials shall be used whenever possible and structures shall be designed and constructed to blend with the surrounding environment. All structures shall have non-reflective surfaces and be of earth-tone colors. NR 44.07(5)(e)3.3. ‘Camping facilities.’ Developed campsites, where authorized by the master plan, shall be only small, single unit primitive campsites that are widely dispersed and remote. They shall have minimal clearing and a primitive surface material. Improvements are limited to a fire ring, picnic table and box latrine, except for designated disabled accessible sites which may have an improved surface, improved water access and other appropriate facilities. The facilities for persons with disabilities shall be designed and constructed to harmonize with the environment and setting to the degree feasible and practicable. Picnic areas and campgrounds are prohibited. Above-ground utility structures or cleared utility corridors may not be constructed to service recreational facilities, and any that exist shall be removed whenever possible. NR 44.07(5)(e)4.4. ‘Trails.’ Designated recreational trails are primarily primitive trails, but lightly developed trails and limited moderately developed trails may also be present, and shall be consistent with par. (d). For each designated trail the master plan shall identify the specific type of use authorized and any appropriate use restrictions, such as seasonal or environmental condition restrictions. Limited mowing of trails and machine grooming for cross-country skiing is authorized, except in a wild resources management area. NR 44.07(5)(e)5.5. ‘Environmental protection.’ Limited environmental protection measures may be evident. Measures to prevent or correct unacceptable environmental impacts shall be in harmony with the character of the area and the setting. Only native, natural materials may be used. NR 44.07(5)(f)(f) User management. The department shall minimize the use of on-site visitor controls which shall harmonize with the environment whenever possible. Information facilities, when provided, shall be simple and unobtrusive. When information sign boards are provided they shall be located only at trailheads and be of the minimum size necessary and primarily of earth-tone colors. Trail markers, if provided, are limited to widely spaced, small route markers, and to required safety signs. Directional signs, except for those at trailheads and trail crossings, are prohibited. NR 44.07(5)(g)(g) Land management and non-recreational facilities. Resource modification or use compatible with the objectives of the recreational use setting may occur but shall be done in ways that harmonize with the landscape and, overall, are visually inconspicuous, except for short-term, local occurrences. Management parameters for the area include the following: NR 44.07(5)(g)1.1. ‘Visibility of management activities.’ To the degree possible and practicable, management and restoration activities, including forest management, shall be designed to harmonize with the surrounding topography and other natural occurring shapes in the area; and, with consideration of the area’s management objectives and resource capabilities, visual quality management techniques shall be prescribed to the degree feasible and practicable to minimize and rapidly reduce secondary, negative visual quality impacts of management activities. NR 44.07(5)(g)2.2. ‘Resource management structures or developments.’ Pre-existing dams, dikes or ditches may be authorized, but shall be inconspicuous and blend in with the surrounding landscape. The construction of new dams, dikes or ditches may be authorized by the master plan only under extraordinary circumstances that are consistent with the master plan’s objective for the area, and shall be designed and constructed to be inconspicuous and blend in with the surrounding landscape. Pre-existing and new fish habitat improvement devices may be authorized, provided they are inconspicuous and blend in with the surrounding landscape. NR 44.07(5)(g)3.b.b. New above-ground utility structures or cleared utility corridors should not be constructed or encouraged, and any that are pre-existing should be removed whenever possible; NR 44.07(5)(g)3.c.c. Unauthorized pre-existing non-recreational structures, unauthorized recreational structures and other unauthorized structures, including cabins and residential or commercial structures, shall be removed as soon as practicable and feasible. NR 44.07(5)(g)4.4. ‘Forest management.’ Forest management shall be consistent with this subsection and with the management objectives established for the area by the master plan. Any management activity or technique authorized for the area shall be specified in the master plan, including the extent, timing and frequency of any activity or technique. The following, also, shall apply: NR 44.07 NoteNote: The level of detail regarding the extent, timing and frequency will be as specific or general as appropriate.
NR 44.07(5)(g)4.a.a. Unless otherwise addressed in the master plan, slash, which is the residual tree tops and limbs left after a harvest activity, shall be removed, chipped or lopped and scattered to within 24 inches above the ground within 100 feet of a designated recreational trail or public road. Where the effective visibility from the road or trail exceeds 100 feet, slash shall be treated within that zone, up to 200 feet from a trail or road. NR 44.07(5)(g)4.b.b. Any timber salvage following a natural disturbance shall be done in a manner compatible with the area’s classification and the master plan’s management objectives for the area. NR 44.07(5)(g)5.5. ‘Forest opening creation and maintenance.’ Natural or artificially created forest openings maintained through mowing or cutting of brush and small trees or the use of herbicides may be present, and shall be specified in the master plan, including the extent, timing and frequency of any activity or technique. NR 44.07(5)(g)6.6. ‘Agricultural activities.’ Agricultural activities are not authorized. NR 44.07(5)(g)7.7. ‘Prescribed burning.’ Prescribed burning is authorized if constructed firebreaks are restored to a natural-appearing condition after the burn is completed.
