Chapter 30

30.123(7) (7) General permits. The department shall issue statewide general permits under s. 30.206 that authorize any person to do all of the following:

30.123(7)(a) (a) Construct and maintain a clear-span bridge over a navigable water that provides access to a principal structure, as defined by rule by the department.

30.123(7)(b) (b) Construct and maintain a culvert that replaces a culvert that is not exempt under sub. (6) (d) and that is in a navigable water that is less than 35 feet wide.

30.123(7)(c) (c) Construct and maintain a bridge that is supported only by culverts in a navigable water that is less than 35 feet wide.

30.123(7)(d) (d) Construct, reconstruct, and maintain bridges and culverts that are part of a transportation project that is carried out under the direction and supervision of a municipality.

30.123(8) (8) Individual permits.

30.123(8)(a) (a) For the construction and maintenance of a bridge or culvert that is not exempt under sub. (6) and that is not subject to a general permit under sub. (7), a person may apply to the department for the individual permit that is required under sub. (2) in order to construct or maintain a bridge or culvert.

30.123(8)(b) (b) The notice and hearing provisions of s. 30.208 (3) to (5) shall apply to an application under par. (a).

30.123(8)(c) (c) The department shall issue an individual permit pursuant to an application under par. (a) if the department finds that all of the following requirements are met:

30.123(8)(c)1. 1. The bridge or culvert will not materially obstruct navigation.

30.123(8)(c)2. 2. The bridge or culvert will not materially reduce the effective flood flow capacity of a stream.

30.123(8)(c)3. 3. The bridge or culvert will not be detrimental to the public interest.

30.123(9) (9) Records. A city, village, town, or county that replaces a culvert and that is exempt from the permitting requirements under sub. (6) shall make and retain a record of the replacement of the culvert. The record shall include all of the following information:

30.123(9)(a) (a) The date on which the replacement culvert was constructed or placed.

30.123(9)(b) (b) The dimensions of the replacement culvert.

30.123(9)(c) (c) The location of the replacement culvert.

30.123 History History: 1977 c. 190; Stats. 1977 s. 30.122; 1977 c. 272; Stats. 1977 s. 30.123; 1987 a. 374; 2003 a. 118; 2011 a. 167; 2013 a. 1; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 58; 2021 a. 239.

30.124 30.124 Waterfowl habitat management.

30.124(1) (1) Notwithstanding ss. 30.12, 30.20, 30.44, and 30.45, and if the department finds that the activity will not adversely affect public or private rights or interests in fish and wildlife populations, navigation, or waterway flood flow capacity and will not result in environmental pollution, as defined in s. 299.01 (4), the department may do all of the following on public lands or waters:

30.124(1)(a) (a) Cut aquatic plants, as defined in s. 30.07 (1) (b), without removing them from the water, for the purpose of improving waterfowl nesting, brood, and migration habitat.

30.124(1)(b) (b) Develop nesting islands for the purpose of increasing waterfowl production.

30.124(2) (2) The department may use moneys available under s. 29.191 (1) (b) 1. to engage in the activities described under sub. (1).

30.124 History History: 1987 a. 294; 1989 a. 31; 1995 a. 227; 1997 a. 248; 2001 a. 16; 2009 a. 55.

30.124 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 353, Wis. adm. code.

30.125 30.125 Shoreline maintenance in outlying waters.

30.125(1) (1) In this section:

30.125(1)(a) (a) “Outlying waters” has the meaning given in s. 29.001 (63).

30.125(1)(b) (b) “Shoreline area” means the area that is located between the ordinary high-water mark and water’s edge.

30.125(2) (2) If the conditions under sub. (3) are met, the permitting requirements under ss. 23.24 (3) and 30.12 and the contract and permitting requirements under s. 30.20 do not apply to any of the following maintenance activities conducted in a shoreline area of an outlying water:

30.125(2)(a) (a) The leveling of sand or the grooming of soil if the leveling or grooming will occur in an area of unconsolidated material predominately composed of sand, rock, and pebble that is authorized by the owner of the riparian land that abuts the shoreline area.

30.125(2)(b) (b) The removal of debris or the mowing of vegetation that is authorized by the owner of the riparian land that abuts the shoreline area.

30.125(3) (3) All of the following conditions apply to the activities described under sub. (2):

30.125(3)(a) (a) No material may be brought in from offsite sources to conduct the activity.

30.125(3)(b) (b) No material removed from the riparian zone adjacent to the shoreline area may be used to conduct the activity.

30.125(3)(c) (c) No removal of material may be conducted in an area known to contain any species listed as endangered or threatened under s. 29.604 (3) or any floating bogs or wild rice.

30.125(3)(d) (d) The removal of material may not interfere with the rights of other riparian owners.

30.125(3)(e) (e) The removal of invasive species shall be conducted in a manner that prevents the spread of invasive species into the waters of this state and onto adjacent land.

30.125(3)(f) (f) The activity may not involve the filling of a coastal wetland or the alteration of a coastal dune.

30.125 History History: 2017 a. 281.

30.1255 30.1255 Report on control of aquatic nuisance species.

30.1255(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “aquatic nuisance species” means a nonindigenous species that threatens the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters or that threatens a commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activity dependent on infested waters.

30.1255(3) (3) Biennial reports.

30.1255(3)(a) (a) The department shall submit to the legislature biennial reports describing all of the following:

30.1255(3)(a)1. 1. The current and potential economic and environmental impact of aquatic nuisance species on the waters of the state.

30.1255(3)(a)2. 2. Potential strategies to control aquatic nuisance species.

30.1255(3)(a)3. 3. Any geographical areas, public facilities or activities conducted in this state that need technical or financial assistance to reduce the environmental, public health or safety risk that may be caused by aquatic nuisance species.

30.1255(3)(b) (b) The department shall submit the report required under par. (a) before October 1 of each even-numbered year as part of the corresponding biennial report under s. 23.22 (6).

30.1255 History History: 1991 a. 269; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 109; 2009 a. 55.

30.126 30.126 Regulation of fishing rafts.

30.126(2) (2) Prohibition of fishing rafts. Except as provided under subs. (3) and (4), no person may construct or place a fishing raft on any navigable water.

30.126(3) (3) Exception for fishing rafts on the Mississippi River. A person may maintain any fishing raft located below and in close proximity to a lock or dam on the Mississippi River if the fishing raft is constructed or in place prior to December 4, 1983. A person may construct, place and maintain a fishing raft below and in proximity to a lock or dam on the Mississippi River if a permit is obtained for the fishing raft under s. 30.12.

30.126(4) (4) Exception for fishing rafts on the Wolf River. A person may construct, place and maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River if the person complies with the restrictions under sub. (5). Authorized portions of the Wolf River consist of any part of the Wolf River or its stream tributaries from the Shawano dam downstream to Lake Poygan.

30.126(5) (5) Restrictions on fishing rafts on the Wolf River.

30.126(5)(a) (a) May not obstruct navigation or interfere with public rights. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River in a manner which materially obstructs navigation or which materially interferes with public rights in the navigable waters.

30.126(5)(b) (b) May not be located in channel. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River in the channel of the waterway.

30.126(5)(c) (c) May not block more than 25 percent of the waterway. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River if the raft alone or in combination with any other fishing rafts previously constructed and placed on the waterway results in the obstruction of more than 25 percent of the width of the waterway.

30.126(5)(d) (d) May not be located within 10 feet of another fishing raft. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River within 10 feet of any other fishing raft previously constructed and placed on the waterway.

30.126(5)(e) (e) May not affect riparian rights without permission of riparian owner. No person who is not the riparian owner may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft which is attached or adjacent to property of a riparian owner or which otherwise affects the rights of a riparian owner unless the person receives the written permission of the riparian owner.

30.126(5)(f) (f) May not be used during certain times of the year. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River prior to March 1 of any year. Any person who constructs, places or maintains a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River shall remove or cause the removal of the fishing raft from the waterway on or before October 31 of each year.

30.126(5)(g) (g) May not have improper flotation devices. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River unless each flotation device used on the fishing raft is clean and uncontaminated, properly attached to the fishing raft and properly maintained in conformity with minimum standards established by the department by rule. The department shall establish minimum standards for the condition, attachment and maintenance of flotation devices used on fishing rafts.

30.126(5)(h) (h) May not have improper toilets. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River if the fishing raft is equipped with a toilet which permits toilet waste to be disposed of in the waterway. A toilet on a fishing raft shall comply with rules of the department of safety and professional services as if the toilet were on a boat.

30.126(5)(i) (i) May not be abandoned. No person who constructs or places a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River may abandon the fishing raft.

30.126(5)(j) (j) May not be improperly maintained. No person who constructs or places a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River may fail to maintain the fishing raft in conformity with minimum standards established by the department by rule. After consulting with Wolf River municipalities, the department shall establish by rule minimum standards for the maintenance of fishing rafts to ensure proper repair, to promote maintenance in an aesthetically pleasing manner and to reduce the possibility that debris or litter from the fishing raft will be deposited in the waterway.

30.126(5)(k) (k) May not be used unless registered. No person may construct, place or maintain a fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River unless the fishing raft is registered under the uniform registration system and unless the registration number is displayed on the raft and on each flotation device in 3-inch block letters.

30.126(6) (6) Registration of fishing rafts on the Wolf River.

30.126(6)(a) (a) Department to establish a uniform registration system. The department shall establish by rule general standards for a uniform registration system for fishing rafts, on authorized portions of the Wolf River, which includes all the following:

30.126(6)(a)1. 1. A uniform numbering system for fishing rafts and flotation devices used on fishing rafts.

30.126(6)(a)2. 2. Provisions for the annual registration of all fishing rafts.

30.126(6)(a)3. 3. Provisions for the payment of an annual registration fee of $5 for each fishing raft.

30.126(6)(b) (b) Municipal adoption, administration and enforcement of uniform registration system.

30.126(6)(b)1. 1. A Wolf River municipality shall adopt by ordinance and administer and enforce a uniform registration system for fishing rafts consistent with the general standards established by the department.

30.126(6)(b)2. 2. A Wolf River municipality which adopts, administers and enforces a uniform registration system for fishing rafts and which adopts and enforces restrictions on fishing rafts may retain all registration fees to administer and enforce the uniform registration system and the restrictions.

30.126(6)(b)3. 3. A Wolf River municipality which adopts a uniform registration system for fishing rafts shall transmit a complete list of all registered fishing rafts and their owners to the department on or before April 1 of each year.

30.126(6)(c) (c) Failure of municipality to adopt, administer or enforce the uniform registration system. If a Wolf River municipality fails to adopt by ordinance a uniform registration system for fishing rafts within 120 days after the effective date of rules promulgated by the department under par. (a), or fails to adequately administer or enforce the uniform registration system for fishing rafts, the department, after providing notice and conducting a hearing on the matter, may adopt or administer and enforce the uniform registration system for fishing rafts in that municipality. If the department adopts, administers or enforces the uniform registration system for fishing rafts in a Wolf River municipality, the department may retain all registration fees for fishing rafts registered in that municipality.

30.126(6)(d) (d) Conflicts. Any conflict in jurisdiction arising from the enactment of ordinances for the registration of fishing rafts on authorized portions of the Wolf River by 2 or more Wolf River municipalities shall be resolved under s. 66.0105.

30.126(7) (7) Municipal regulation of fishing rafts on the Wolf River.

30.126(7)(a) (a) Municipal adoption and enforcement of restrictions on fishing rafts. A Wolf River municipality shall adopt by ordinance and enforce restrictions on fishing rafts at least as restrictive as those under sub. (5).

30.126(7)(b) (b) Failure of a municipality to adopt and enforce restrictions on fishing rafts. If a Wolf River municipality fails to adopt by ordinance restrictions on fishing rafts within 120 days after the effective date of rules promulgated by the department under subs. (5) (g) and (j) and (6) (a), or fails to adequately enforce the restrictions on fishing rafts, the department, after providing notice and conducting a hearing on the matter, may enforce restrictions on fishing rafts. If the department enforces restrictions on fishing rafts in a Wolf River municipality, the department may retain all registration fees for fishing rafts registered in that municipality.

30.126(7)(c) (c) Conflicts. Any conflict in jurisdiction arising from the enactment of ordinances restricting fishing rafts on authorized portions of the Wolf River by 2 or more Wolf River municipalities shall be resolved under s. 66.0105.

30.126(8) (8) Removal of fishing rafts.

30.126(8)(a) (a) Municipality may order removal. A Wolf River municipality may order a person who is violating restrictions under sub. (5) or restrictions on fishing rafts adopted by ordinance to comply with the restrictions or to remove the fishing raft from authorized portions of the Wolf River.

30.126(8)(b) (b) Municipality may cause removal.

30.126(8)(b)1. 1. If a person fails to comply with an order issued under par. (a) or if a Wolf River municipality is unable to issue an order under par. (a) because the fishing raft is not registered and the municipality cannot determine who constructed, placed or maintained the fishing raft on authorized portions of the Wolf River, the municipality may remove the fishing raft and dispose of it.

30.126(8)(b)2. 2. The owner or person responsible for the fishing raft shall reimburse a Wolf River municipality for all costs associated with the removal and disposal of the fishing raft under this paragraph.

30.126(8)(c) (c) Department authority to order removal.

30.126(8)(c)1. 1. The department may order a person who is violating sub. (2) to remove the fishing raft from the navigable waters.

30.126(8)(c)2. 2. The department shall report any violation of sub. (5) to the Wolf River municipality where the violation occurred.

30.126(8)(c)3. 3. If the Wolf River municipality does not act under par. (b) 1. within 90 days after the department reports the violation, the department may order the person who is violating restrictions under sub. (5) to comply with the restrictions or to remove the fishing raft from authorized portions of the Wolf River.

30.126(8)(d) (d) Department authority to cause removal.