NR 120.14(16)(a)(a)
Description. Riparian buffers are areas in which vegetation is enhanced or established to reduce or eliminate the movement of sediment, nutrients and other nonpoint source pollutants to adjacent surface water resources or groundwater recharge areas and to protect the banks of streams and lakes from erosion and to protect fish habitat. This practice shall be implemented using one or more of the standards in
par. (c).
NR 120.14(16)(b)1.1. Cost-sharing may be provided only when the riparian buffers are used consistent with the approved priority watershed plan, priority lake plan or project grant application or approved priority watershed or lake plan.
NR 120.14(16)(b)2.b.
b. Establishment or enhancement of permanent vegetative cover in a riparian buffer.
NR 120.14(16)(c)
(c)
Standards. NRCS field office technical guide technical standards are as follows:
NR 120.14(17)(a)(a)
Description. Lake sediment treatment is a chemical, physical or biological treatment of polluted lake sediments.
NR 120.14(17)(b)1.a.
a. Design and treatment of lake sediments with chemical compounds, including, but not limited to, aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate, ferric chloride, calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate.
NR 120.14(17)(b)1.b.
b. Treatment of lake sediments with physical or biological methods including, but not limited to, the aeration of water overlaying lake sediments and the biological manipulation of organisms which exacerbate sediment contamination of overlaying lake water.
NR 120.14(17)(b)3.
3. Water quality objectives shall be achieved through the control of polluted lake sediments.
NR 120.14(17)(b)4.
4. Significant nonpoint sources of the pollution to the lake shall be controlled prior to treatment of lake sediments.
NR 120.14(17)(b)5.
5. The department prior to implementation shall approve the engineering design and, if required will issue an appropriate permit.
NR 120.14(17)(c)
(c)
Standards. The design and proposed implementation of lake sediment treatments shall be approved by the department prior to implementation.
NR 120.14(18)(a)(a)
Description. Wetland restoration is the construction of berms or destruction of the function of tile lines and drainage ditches to create conditions suitable for wetland vegetation. This practice shall be implemented using the standard in
par. (c).
NR 120.14(18)(b)4.
4. Vegetative cover needed to develop or restore wetlands consistent with the approved priority watershed plan, priority lake plan or project grant application.
NR 120.14(18)(c)
(c)
Standards. NRCS field office technical guide technical standards 657 — wetland restoration; September, 2000.
NR 120.14(19)
(19) Shoreline habitat restoration for developed areas. NR 120.14(19)(a)(a)
Description. Shoreline habitat restoration is the establishment in developed areas of a shoreline buffer zone of diverse native vegetation that extends inland and waterward from the ordinary high water mark. The shoreline habitat restoration design seeks to restore the functions provided by the original, natural vegetation, and includes a mixture of native trees, shrubs, ground cover or wetland species. This practice includes the following:
NR 120.14(19)(a)1.
1. Natural recovery. Used where native vegetation will recover naturally when a site is protected from disturbance, due to the presence of existing native plants, and adequate seed sources and site conditions. This method may be applied to wet margins of lakes or rivers where turf grasses are not well established and in shallow water areas adjacent to shoreland restoration areas.
NR 120.14(19)(a)2.
2. Accelerated recovery. Used in areas not suited for natural recovery. Native vegetation is established by seeding and planting. This method shall be used in areas where dense turf grasses have been maintained for several years. This may also be used in limited situations where one or more layers of natural vegetative cover have been removed if approved by the department. This practice shall be implemented using one or more of the standards in
par. (c).
NR 120.14(19)(b)1.1. Cost-sharing for shoreline habitat restoration may be approved when existing shoreline vegetation lacks the structure or complexity to support habitat functions for littoral and riparian areas.
NR 120.14(19)(b)2.
2. Cost-sharing may be provided for plants, seed, mulch and erosion control materials.
NR 120.14(19)(b)3.
3. Cost-sharing may be provided for labor and services necessary for installation, not to exceed 70% of total practice costs, or not to exceed a cost containment policy developed by the governmental unit for this practice.
NR 120.14(19)(b)4.c.
c. Shoreline erosion control materials such as riprap or biologs unless approved by the department.
NR 120.14(19)(b)5.
5. The following conditions shall be met in order for cost-sharing to be available:
NR 120.14(19)(b)5.a.
a. No violations of county and local shoreland zoning requirements are present on the entire property.
NR 120.14(19)(b)5.b.
b. Runoff from roofs, driveways or other hard surfaces on the property shall be maintained in sheet flow with no channels or gullies to the greatest extent possible. This can be accomplished with downspout runoff spreaders, directing runoff to flat or gently sloping grassy areas and minor landscaping to temporarily pond or spread out runoff. There may be no channelized flow through the restoration area. Where fertilizers are desired outside the buffer area, zero-phosphorus types shall be used unless soil tests specifically indicate a need for phosphorus and the project sponsor approves its use.
NR 120.14(19)(b)5.c.
c. No changes in land use or management may occur that cause increased pollution to surface water from sources that were controlled prior to the installation of a shoreline habitat restoration practice.
NR 120.14(19)(b)6.a.
a. The buffer created by shoreline habitat restoration shall extend the entire length of the lot along the shoreline except that a viewing and access corridor is allowed, which corridor will not be eligible for cost-sharing. Corridors may not exceed 30 feet in width and may encompass no greater than 30% of the property for lots less than 100 feet wide. The restoration area design may include the provision of water access, the enhancement of desirable views, the screening of unwanted views and consideration of privacy. Where buildings are set back 50 feet or more, the buffer shall extend at least 35 feet inland from the ordinary high water mark. Where buildings are set back less than 50 feet, the zone where vegetation removal and land-disturbing activity are prohibited after buffer establishment, shall extend to within 15 feet of the structure.
NR 120.14(19)(b)6.b.
b. Shallow water areas that are capable of supporting aquatic vegetation waterward of the ordinary high water mark shall be managed as a zone where vegetation removal and land-disturbing activity are prohibited after buffer establishment. Areas waterward of the viewing and access corridor are exempt from this condition.
NR 120.14(19)(b)6.c.
c. An evaluation of existing vegetation on the site is necessary prior to the selection of plant materials and restoration method. The natural vegetation that occurs in the region or vicinity of the restoration site shall be considered in developing restoration plans.
NR 120.14(19)(b)6.d.
d. In order to restore the functional values of the vegetative buffer, it shall consist of 3 layers: a ground cover, a shrub layer and a tree canopy. Vegetation in all 3 layers shall be vigorous, diverse and structurally complex. The only exception to this requirement shall be where natural conditions in the region lack these characteristics.
NR 120.14(19)(b)6.e.
e. Vegetation shall be adapted to the local soils, climate and the surrounding vegetation. Only species approved by the project sponsor may be planted. Native species are required, and certain invasive species such as reed canary grass and purple loosestrife are prohibited.
NR 120.14(19)(b)6.f.
f. The project sponsor shall identify the most appropriate recovery methods for each individual site.
NR 120.14(19)(b)7.a.
a. Refer to compliance with local NRCS planting recommendations to determine recommended planting dates for ground covers, shrubs and trees.
NR 120.14(19)(b)7.b.
b. Exposure of bare soil shall be kept to an absolute minimum by using methods such as black plastic covers to remove competing weeds. All exposed soils shall be mulched. A temporary seeding is required on sites where permanent ground cover will not be established until the following year. A temporary or companion seeding is required on any exposed slopes exceeding 12%. Mulching and netting or erosion control matting is required on slopes exceeding 20%.
NR 120.14(19)(b)7.c.
c. Zero-phosphorus start-up fertilization is permitted. Phosphorus application is only permitted where soil tests indicate deficiencies.
NR 120.14(19)(b)7.d.
d. Herbicides approved for use near water may be used only where essential, and with the approval of the project sponsor.
NR 120.14(19)(b)7.e.
e. Heavy equipment is prohibited, except where specifically approved by the project sponsor, to prevent soil compaction. If heavy equipment is used, tree roots shall be protected by not driving over the root zone.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.
8. The following conditions apply to practice operation and maintenance:
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.a.
a. All buffer areas are to be managed as zones where vegetation removal and land-disturbing activity are prohibited after buffer establishment.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.c.
c. Herbicides are prohibited except as approved by the project sponsor, where this is the best method to control undesirable invasive species.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.d.
d. Burning to clear or maintain buffer areas shall be approved by the project sponsor, and is limited to regions where prairies are the natural habitat.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.e.
e. Cutting of trees or shrubs may be done only to prevent safety hazards, or to remove undesirable competitive species, and shall be approved by the project sponsor.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.f.
f. The forest floor duff layer and leaf litter shall remain intact to provide a continuous ground cover and meet the habitat functions of this practice.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.g.
g. Lawn mowing is permitted in the viewing and access corridors. Elsewhere, mowing is prohibited except in established prairie buffer areas, and in accordance with a mowing plan approved by the project sponsor. In viewing and access corridors, mowing is allowed to a minimum height of 10 inches, and only as needed to reduce competition from undesirable species. Mowing may occur only between August 1 and September 1 to avoid disturbance of nesting birds and allow regrowth before winter.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.h.
h. Vehicles, boats, docks or other equipment storage shall be excluded from the restoration area to prevent soil compaction and damage to the buffer vegetation. Boats and docks may be temporarily stored during non-growing seasons as long as vegetative cover is unaffected.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.i.
i. The access corridor may not channel runoff to the waterbody and shall be located to avoid areas of high runoff or erodible soils. Grass or other cover that will hold the soil is required for the access corridor.
NR 120.14(19)(b)8.j.
j. Except for areas waterward of the access corridor, areas waterward of the buffer shall be managed as zones where vegetation removal and land-disturbing activity are prohibited after buffer establishment.
NR 120.14(19)(c)
(c)
Standards. UW Extension Publication GWQ014,
Shoreline Plants and Landscaping, DNR Publication PUBL-WM-228,
Home on the Range — Restoring and Maintaining Grasslands for Wildlife, which is incorporated by reference for this chapter, or similar publications as approved by the project sponsor.
NR 120.14 Note
Note: Copies of these publications may be inspected at the offices of the department, 101 S. Webster Street, Madison; the Secretary of State, 30 W. Mifflin, Madison; and the Legislative Reference Bureau, One E. Main Street, Suite 200, Madison.
NR 120.14(20)(a)(a)
Description. Barnyard runoff management is the use of structural measures to contain, divert, retard, treat, collect, convey, store or otherwise control the discharge of surface runoff from outdoor areas of concentrated livestock activity. Measures include, gutters, downspouts and diversions to intercept and redirect runoff around the barnyard, feeding area or farmstead. This practice shall be implemented using one or more of the standards in
par. (c).
NR 120.14(20)(b)1.a.
a. The operator intentionally aggravated a pollution discharge for the purpose of receiving cost-sharing.
NR 120.14(20)(b)1.b.
b. The discharge could be prevented through improved management practices at significantly lower costs than for a barnyard runoff system.
NR 120.14(20)(b)1.c.
c. The operator could have prevented the discharge by means of a previously agreed operations and maintenance plan with the department, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, the county land conservation committee or the natural resources conservation service.
NR 120.14(20)(b)2.b.
b. Costs to construct or modify a building. This subdivision paragraph does not apply to a modification that is essential for the installation of a barnyard runoff control system or to the construction of a roof system pursuant to
sub. (26).
NR 120.14(20)(b)2.d.
d. Costs resulting from anticipated changes in livestock numbers, housing or management.
