Chapter NR 45

NR 45.05(3)(em)1. 1. Class 1 and class 3 electric bicycles as defined in s. 340.01 (15ph), Stats., may be operated at speeds of less than 15 miles per hour while the motor is engaged on trails listed in s. NR 51.73 (1) and subject to this chapter that are otherwise open to bicycles and on specific trails or sections of trails not listed in s. NR 51.73 (1) that are all of the following:

NR 45.05(3)(em)1.a. a. Open to nonmotorized bicycle use.

NR 45.05(3)(em)1.b. b. Specified in a property master plan.

NR 45.05(3)(em)1.c. c. Posted as open for such use.

NR 45.05(3)(em)3. 3. The department may prohibit operation of electric bicycles on specific trails or sections of trails by posted notice. No person may operate an electric bicycle on a trail open to bicycles and posted closed to electric bicycles.

NR 45.05(3)(f) (f) Prohibition. No person may operate any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or electric scooter contrary to any posted traffic sign, traffic control device or the direction of a traffic control officer.

NR 45.05(3)(fm) (fm) Lighting requirements. No person may operate a bicycle or electric bicycle during hours of darkness as defined in s. 340.01 (23), Stats., on a trail designated under s. NR 51.73 (1) unless the person or the bicycle or electric bicycle is equipped with a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of the person or the bicycle or electric bicycle and a lamp emitting a steady or flashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the person or the bicycle or electric bicycle.

NR 45.05(3)(g) (g) Unsafe operation. No person may ride a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or electric scooter in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner so as to endanger the life, property or persons of others on any lands under the management, supervision and control of the department.

NR 45.05(3)(h) (h) All-terrain and off-highway motorcycle routes. In accordance with ss. 23.33 (4) (b) and 23.335 (19) (a), Stats., the department may establish all-terrain vehicle routes and off-highway motorcycle routes on department lands over highways, as defined in s. 340.01 (22), Stats., owned by the department or under the management, supervision, and control of the department, but not including designated trails, that are:

NR 45.05(3)(h)1. 1. Specified as an allowed use in a department master plan under ch. NR 44.

NR 45.05(3)(h)2. 2. Signed in accordance with ss. NR 64.12 and 65.09.

NR 45.05(4) (4) Aircraft. No person may land or launch any aircraft on the water or ice of Devil’s lake in Devil’s Lake state park, Sauk county; all waters in Governor Dodge state park, Iowa county, and Willow River state park, St. Croix county; Crystal lake in the Northern Highland state forest, Vilas county; Lake of the Dalles in Interstate park, Polk county; Mauthe lake in the Kettle Moraine state forest, Fond du Lac county; Lake Seven in the Kettle Moraine state forest, Sheboygan county; Ottawa lake in the Kettle Moraine state forest, Waukesha county; Interfalls lake in Pattison state park, Douglas county; Yellowstone lake in Yellowstone Lake state park, Lafayette county, and on all waters and lands, except model aircraft and hang gliders, in the Richard Bong state recreation area, Kenosha county.

NR 45.05 Note Note: Copies and amendments of the Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Report 1998-07, Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1287, titled Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles, is available for inspection in the following offices: (A) The Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, Wisconsin 53707. (B) The Legislative Reference Bureau, One E. Main St., Madison, Wisconsin. (C) The Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15096.

NR 45.05 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; r. and recr. (3), r. (4) (a), Register, August, 1986, No. 368, eff. 9-1-86; r. and recr. (3) (d), Register, September, 1990, No. 417, eff. 10-1-90; r. and recr. (3) (e), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; am. (3) (d), renum. (4) (b) to be (4), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; cr. (1) (f) and am. (3) (e), Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (3) (e), cr. (3) (f) and (g), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 01-011: am. (3) (e) Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; CR 03-035: am. (4) Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04; CR 07-026: am. (1) (f), cr. (1) (g) to (i) and (5) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 10-042: cr. (3) (h) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 16-001: renum. (3) (d) to (3) (d) 1. and am., cr. (3) (d) 2., (em), am. (3) (f), (g), (h) (intro.) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; 2017 Wis. Act 301: cr. (3) (fm) Register April 2018 No. 748, eff. 5-1-18; CR 19-107: am. (3) (h) Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8-1-20; correction in (3) (h) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2020 No. 775; CR 23-060: renum. (1) (a) to (1) (a) 1. and am., cr. (1) (a) 2. to 4., am. (1) (h), r. (3) (c), am. (3) (em) (title), 1. (intro.), r. and recr. (3) (em) 1. a., b., cr. (3) (em) 1. c., r. (3) (em) 2., am. (3) (em) 3., r. and recr. (3) (f), am. (3) (fm), (g), r. (5) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 45.055 NR 45.055 Golf carts.

NR 45.055(1) (1) In this section, “golf cart” means, except as provided in this section, a properly maintained unmodified manufacturer specification vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile does not exceed 20 miles per hour on a paved, level surface, and that is designed and intended to convey one or more persons and equipment to play the game of golf.

NR 45.055(2) (2) No person may operate any golf cart on lands under the management, supervision, and control of the department unless all of the following requirements are met:

NR 45.055(2)(a) (a) The golf cart is operated within any of the following areas:

NR 45.055(2)(a)1. 1. Boat landings 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 in the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, and the posted route and parking area leading to Boat Landing 13 in the Governor Thompson State Park.

NR 45.055(2)(a)2. 2. Stephenson Town Park on High Falls Flowage in the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest.

NR 45.055(2)(a)3. 3. Medicine Brook Road from High Falls Road south 1.8 miles to the designated scenic overlook in the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest.

NR 45.055(2)(a)4. 4. Other locations as posted.

NR 45.055(2)(b) (b) The golf cart is operated in all of the following ways:

NR 45.055(2)(b)1. 1. On the extreme right side of any state forest or state park road, traveling with the flow of traffic.

NR 45.055(2)(b)2. 2. In single file.

NR 45.055(2)(b)3. 3. Pursuant to posted notice.

NR 45.055(2)(c) (c) The person is 16 years old or older and possesses a valid drivers license.

NR 45.055(2)(d) (d) The person is not under the influence of an intoxicant or a controlled substance.

NR 45.055(2)(e) (e) The person yields the right-of-way to all other vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

NR 45.055(2)(f) (f) The golf cart is equipped with, at all times, all of the following:

NR 45.055(2)(f)1. 1. A slow-moving vehicle sign as prescribed by s. 347.245 (1), Stats.

NR 45.055(2)(f)2. 2. Two lighted headlights and two lighted taillights.

NR 45.055 History History: CR 10-131: cr. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; CR 23-060: am. (2) (a) 1. to 3. Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 45.06 NR 45.06 Animals.

NR 45.06(1) (1) 

NR 45.06(1)(a) (a) No person may allow that person’s dog, cat or other pet, or a pet under that person’s supervision, to unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of the area by others.

NR 45.06(1)(b) (b) No person may allow a dog, cat, or other pet in any building, yurt, observation tower, area that has been designated as closed to pets in a property master plan, Paradise Springs area in the southern unit – Kettle Moraine state forest, or on any swimming beach or on any Great Lakes shoreline zone that is not designated as a pet swimming beach, or in any picnic area, playground or fish hatchery ground, unless the area is posted as open to pets.

NR 45.06(1)(c) (c) Except as provided for in par. (d), dogs, cats, and other pets shall be kept on a physical leash not more than 8 feet long and under control at all times.

NR 45.06(1)(d) (d) In areas where allowed in a property master plan and posted by department sign, during the times of year indicated on the department sign, pets may be off leash as long as they are under the verbal control of the person supervising the pet.

NR 45.06(2) (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit or restrict the use of dogs for hunting purposes in any area which is open to hunting. The use of dogs for dog trials and dog training shall be restricted to areas designated by the property superintendent under permit procedures established in ch. NR 17.

NR 45.06(3) (3) No person may allow their dog, cat or other animal on any cross-country ski trails during that period of the year when such trails are groomed or being prepared for grooming for cross-country skiing.

NR 45.06(4) (4) 

NR 45.06(4)(a) (a) Pets are prohibited in Copper Culture and Heritage Hill state parks effective January 1, 1993.

NR 45.06(4)(b) (b) Pets are prohibited in the following campgrounds effective January 1, 1993.

NR 45.06(4)(b)1. 1. Loop 1 of Pinewoods standard and group camp - Southern Unit Kettle Moraine.

NR 45.06(5) (5) Persons bringing or allowing pets in designated use areas shall be responsible for proper removal and disposal in sanitary facilities of any waste produced by these animals.

NR 45.06(6) (6) 

NR 45.06(6)(a) (a) Except as otherwise authorized by the department, no person may ride, lead or fail to prevent any ungulate animal from being anywhere not posted open to their use. Ungulate animals are allowed in all areas, except where posted against such use, on the northern state forests or and the Turtle-Flambeau scenic waters area.

NR 45.06(6)(b) (b) Equine animals, llamas, and alpacas are prohibited on all other department lands except on public highways, as defined in s. 340.01 (22), Stats., and consistent with ch. 346, Stats., and areas or trails posted for their use, or by permit on field trial areas, in accordance with ch. NR 17.

NR 45.06(7) (7) No person may ride or lead an ungulate animal in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner so as to endanger the life, property or persons of others on any lands under the management, supervision and control of the department.

NR 45.06(7m) (7m) No person may feed any wild animal in any picnic area, playground, fish hatchery ground, or designated beach.

NR 45.06(8) (8) Exception. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, service animals as defined in s. 106.52 (1) (fm), Stats., may accompany persons with disabilities.

NR 45.06 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; am. (1), Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; am. (5), r. and recr. (6), Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91; r. (3), (5) and (6), renum. (4) to be (3), cr. (4) to (6), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; r. and recr. (6) (a) and (b), r. (6) (c), cr. (8), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (1) and (6) (a), cr. (4) (f), Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (1) and (6) (a), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; cr. (3m), Register, December, 1999, No. 528, eff. 1-1-00; CR 01-011: am. (4) (f) Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; CR 03-035: am. (1) and (6) (a), Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-092: am. (1) and (4) (b) 1. Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; correction in (8) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2006 No. 606; CR 07-026: am. (1) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 23-060: r. and recr. (1), am. (3), r. (3m), am. (4) (b) 1., r. (4) (b) 2., (c) to (f), am. (6), (7), cr. (7m) Register June 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24; correction in (6) (b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 45.07 NR 45.07 Fires.

NR 45.07(1) (1) No person may start, tend or maintain any fire on the ground or burn any refuse except in designated fireplaces or fire rings, except for small cooking and warming fires at the following locations:

NR 45.07(1)(a) (a) Sandbars on the Lower Wisconsin state riverway.

NR 45.07(1)(b) (b) On the northern flowage properties and in non-designated use areas in the northern state forests except the Coulee Experimental state forest.

NR 45.07(1)(c) (c) Authorized camping areas without designated fireplaces or fire rings, in wildlife areas, the Pine-Popple wild river, state forests, and the Menominee River natural resources area.

NR 45.07(2) (2) No person may leave any fire unattended, or throw away any matches, cigarettes, cigars or pipe ashes or any embers without first extinguishing them, or start, tend or use in any manner any fire contrary to posted notice on any lands or property under the management, supervision and control of the department.

NR 45.07(3) (3) The department, in the event of threat to natural resources by the presence of forest fire hazards, may establish emergency use and burning regulations by posted notice.

NR 45.07(4) (4) No person may leave unattended or release a sky lantern, airborne paper lantern, balloon, or similar device with a candle or other flame inside.

NR 45.07 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; am. (1), cr. (3), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (1), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 07-026: r. and recr. (1) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 10-042: am. (1) (b) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 23-060: cr. (4) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 45.075 NR 45.075 Natural emergencies.

NR 45.075(1) (1) The chief state forester may declare, and shall manage, emergencies that threaten forested lands owned by the state and under the jurisdiction of the department. When declaring and responding to an emergency, the chief state forester shall consider the purpose of and management plan for the affected property in his or her decisions. Emergencies include unforeseen damage or threat of damage to trees from various causes including:

NR 45.075(1)(a) (a) Fire.

NR 45.075(1)(b) (b) Invasive species including insects, plants, animals and disease-causing organisms.

NR 45.075(1)(c) (c) Pest infestation.

NR 45.075(1)(d) (d) Disease.

NR 45.075(1)(e) (e) Vertebrates.

NR 45.075(1)(f) (f) Extreme weather including:

NR 45.075(1)(f)1. 1. Wind or tornados.

NR 45.075(1)(f)2. 2. Snow, hail, or ice.

NR 45.075(1)(f)3. 3. Flooding.

NR 45.075(1)(f)4. 4. Drought.

NR 45.075(1)(f)5. 5. Lightning.

NR 45.075(1)(f)6. 6. Freeze or heat injury.

NR 45.075(1)(g) (g) Deliberate or accidental damage by human activity.

NR 45.075(2) (2) The declaration of a forest health emergency by the chief state forester, including findings of fact supporting it, shall become effective upon the publication of the declaration in the official state newspaper. As soon after the effective date as is feasible and reasonable, the department shall publish the order in one newspaper in the area affected which is likely to give notice to residents in that area, file copies of the emergency declaration within one week of its effective date with clerks of all counties affected by the declaration and take other steps as it deems necessary to convey effective notice to persons who are likely to have an interest in the declaration. The same procedure shall be followed to cancel or modify the declaration or any part thereof. This rule does not apply to a state of emergency declared by the governor under s. 323.10, Stats., and does not supersede the authority of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under ch. 94, Stats.

NR 45.075(3) (3) In this section:

NR 45.075(3)(a) (a) “Disease” includes any disturbance of a plant that interferes with its normal structure or function.

NR 45.075(3)(b) (b) “Pest” includes any living stage of insects, mites, nematodes, slugs, snails or other invertebrate animals injurious to plants, plant products, animals and humans; any bacteria, fungi, other parasitic plants or their reproductive parts, viruses, mycoplasma, protozoans or infectious substances which cause disease in or damage to plants or plant products; and any host upon which a plant pest is dependent for the completion of all or a portion of its life cycle.

NR 45.075 History History: CR 07-013: cr. Register July 2008 No. 631, eff. 8-1-08; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2010 No. 653.

NR 45.08 NR 45.08 Beaches.

NR 45.08(1) (1) No person may possess or consume any food or beverage, or use any soap, detergent or shampoo on any swimming beach or in the water adjacent to any swimming beach in any state park, state recreation area or state forest.

NR 45.08(2) (2) No person may swim beyond or disturb or molest a swimming beach boundary buoy or marker in any beach in any state park, state recreation area or state forest.

NR 45.08(3) (3) No floating device, except coast guard approved life jackets and vests of proper size, properly worn and secured, is permitted in or upon the water at any designated beach or pool in any state park, state recreation area or state forest when a lifeguard is on duty.

NR 45.08(4) (4) The department may prohibit swimming in areas adjacent to water access sites by posted notice. No person may swim within the area delineated by the posted notice.

NR 45.08(5) (5) No person may fish in any marked swimming beach in any state park, state recreation area or state forest.

NR 45.08 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; cr. (4), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; am. (3), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (1) and (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-97; CR 01-011: cr. (5) Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02.