Chapter 33

33.001 33.001 Findings and declaration of intent.

33.001(1) (1) The legislature finds environmental values, wildlife, public rights in navigable waters, and the public welfare are threatened by the deterioration of public lakes; that the protection and rehabilitation of the public inland lakes of this state are in the best interest of the citizens of this state; that the public health and welfare will be benefited thereby; that the current state effort to abate water pollution will not undo the eutrophic and other deteriorated conditions of many lakes; that current efforts to protect and rehabilitate the water quality of the navigable waters in Dane County, which receive intense urban, recreational and agricultural usage, are seriously handicapped by the fact that numerous governmental bodies have jurisdiction over the management of the watersheds in Dane County; that lakes form an important basis of the state’s recreation industry; that the increasing recreational usage of the waters of this state justifies state action to enhance and restore the potential of our inland lakes to satisfy the needs of the citizenry; and that the positive public duty of this state as trustee of waters requires affirmative steps to protect and enhance this resource and protect environmental values.

33.001(2) (2) In accordance with sub. (1), the legislature declares all the following:

33.001(2)(a) (a) It is necessary to embark upon a program of lake protection and rehabilitation, to authorize a conjunctive state and local program of lake protection and rehabilitation to fulfill the positive duty of the state as trustee of navigable waters, and protect environmental values.

33.001(2)(b) (b) A state effort of research, analysis, planning and financing, and a local effort undertaken by districts, the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission and the Southeastern Wisconsin Fox River Commission of Planning and Plan Implementation are necessary and desirable and that the districts should be formed by persons directly affected by the deteriorated condition of inland waters and willing to assist financially, or through other means, in remedying lake problems.

33.001(2)(c) (c) State efforts are needed to aid and assist local efforts, to ensure that projects are undertaken only if they promote the public rights in navigable waters, environmental values and the public welfare.

33.001(2)(d) (d) State efforts are needed to administer a program of financial aids to support protection and rehabilitation projects with benefits to all state citizens.

33.001 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1985 a. 332; 1989 a. 159, 324, 359; 1995 a. 349; 1997 a. 27.

33.01 33.01 Definitions. In ss. 33.001 to 33.37:

33.01(1c) (1c) “Capital costs” means the cost of acquiring equipment and other capital assets, including sewerage system capital costs, for a program undertaken under ss. 33.001 to 33.37.

33.01(1g) (1g) “Costs of operation” means all costs of a program undertaken under ss. 33.001 to 33.37, except capital costs.

33.01(2) (2) “Department” means the department of natural resources.

33.01(3) (3) “District” means a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district.

33.01(4) (4) “Lake rehabilitation” means the improvement or restoration of lakes from an undesirable or degraded condition to a former, less deteriorated condition or to a condition of greater usefulness.

33.01(5) (5) “Municipality” means any city, village or town.

33.01(6) (6) “Program” means measures to effect lake protection and rehabilitation, including surveys of sources of degradation, treatment of aquatic nuisances, securing cooperation of units of general purpose government to enact necessary ordinances, undertaking of projects as defined in sub. (7) and any other necessary measures.

33.01(7) (7) “Project” means activities or works such as are described in s. 33.15 (4) which are subject to the procedures of subch. III.

33.01(8) (8) “Public inland lake” or “lake” means a lake, reservoir or flowage within the boundaries of the state that is accessible to the public via contiguous public lands or easements giving public access. “Lake” also includes any lake, reservoir or flowage within the boundaries of the state that is under the jurisdiction of a restructured district.

33.01(9) (9) “Owner”, “property owner” or “landowner” means:

33.01(9)(a) (a) For the purpose of receiving notice under this chapter, a person whose name appears as an owner of real property on the tax roll under s. 70.65 (2) (a) that was delivered under s. 74.03 on or before the 3rd Monday in December of the previous year.

33.01(9)(am) (am) For the purpose of petitioning under this chapter, any of the following:

33.01(9)(am)1. 1. A person whose name appears as an owner of real property on the tax roll under s. 70.65 (2) (a) that was delivered under s. 74.03 on or before the 3rd Monday in December of the previous year.

33.01(9)(am)2. 2. The spouse of a person whose name appears as an owner of real property on the tax roll under s. 70.65 (2) (a) that was delivered under s. 74.03 on or before the 3rd Monday in December of the previous year if the spouse is referred to on that tax roll.

33.01(9)(ar) (ar) For the purpose of voting at meetings of the district, a person who is a U.S. citizen and 18 years of age or older and who meets any of the following requirements:

33.01(9)(ar)1. 1. The person’s name appears as an owner of real property on the tax roll under s. 70.65 (2) (a) that was delivered under s. 74.03 on or before the 3rd Monday in December of the previous year.

33.01(9)(ar)2. 2. The person owns title to real property but the person’s name does not appear as an owner of real property on the tax roll specified in subd. 1.

33.01(9)(ar)3. 3. The person is the official representative, officer or employee who is authorized to vote on behalf of a trust, foundation, corporation, association or organization that owns real property in the district.

33.01(9)(b) (b) For the purpose of holding office in the district, a person who is a U.S. citizen and 18 years of age or older and either:

33.01(9)(b)1. 1. Whose name appears as an owner of real property on the tax roll under s. 70.65 (2) (a) that was delivered under s. 74.03 on or before the 3rd Monday in December of the previous year; or

33.01(9)(b)2. 2. Who owns title to real property but whose name does not appear as an owner of real property on the tax roll specified in subd. 1.

33.01(9g) (9g) “Restructured district” means a district for a lake that results from a conversion under s. 33.235 (1m), a formation under s. 33.235 (2) or a merger under s. 33.235 (3).

33.01(9m) (9m) “Sewerage system capital costs” has the meaning given for capital costs in s. 200.21 (1).

33.01(10) (10) “Valuation” or “equalized full value” means the assessed value of the property adjusted to reflect full value as determined by the department of revenue under s. 70.57.

33.01 History History: 1973 c. 301, 336; 1975 c. 197, 198, 422; 1977 c. 391; 1979 c. 299; 1989 a. 159, 324; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 167; 1995 a. 349; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2023 a. 12.

33.02 33.02 Department; powers and duties.

33.02(1) (1) Rules.

33.02(1)(a) (a) Generally. The department shall promulgate rules necessary to administer this chapter.

33.02(1)(b) (b) Financial aids. These rules shall provide for the administration of financial aids to districts and shall prescribe data to be secured, methods of analysis and evaluation, duration of data gathering and other technical regulations for the efficient administration of the program and efficient intergovernmental organization.

33.02(1)(c) (c) Priorities for funding levels. These rules shall establish priorities for different methods utilized in implementing lake protection and for lake rehabilitation based on cost-effectiveness and factors considered under s. 33.16 (4) especially s. 33.16 (4) (f).

33.02(1)(d) (d) Funding levels for different methods. These rules shall establish differing levels for the share of state funds to be provided for financial assistance for implementation work depending on the methods to be utilized on the projects based on priorities established under par. (c).

33.02(1)(e) (e) Priorities when inadequate funds. If the department does not have adequate appropriations to provide financial assistance under s. 33.16 for eligible projects, it shall establish priorities based on the type of project and methods to be utilized in implementing the projects and these priorities shall rank dredging, other than dredging to provide public access, as a low priority.

33.02(1)(f) (f) Dredging; sedimentation control. These rules shall require that an application for financial assistance for the implementation of any project involving dredging include the identification of long-term controls which are being or will be undertaken to prevent sedimentation.

33.02(1)(g) (g) Algae abatement; nutrient control. These rules shall require that an application for financial assistance for the implementation of any project involving algae or aquatic plant abatement programs include the identification of long-term controls which are being or will be undertaken to reduce or prevent nutrient pollution.

33.02(1)(h) (h) Guidelines for feasibility and implementation grants. These rules shall establish guidelines for providing financial assistance for feasibility studies and implementation costs.

33.02(2) (2) Studies, inventories. The department shall undertake studies and inventories to assist the council in carrying out its duties.

33.02(3) (3) Aids. The department shall administer a program of financial assistance to districts, using such funds as are appropriated by the legislature or made available from other sources.

33.02(4) (4) Assistance. The department shall assist districts seeking technical aid in any phase of lake protection or rehabilitation activity.

33.02(5) (5) Clearinghouse. The department shall serve as a clearinghouse for scientific data on lakes and information on accepted and experimental lake protection or rehabilitation techniques.

33.02 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1977 c. 26, 325; Stats. 1977 s. 33.02; 1979 c. 154; 1981 c. 317; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1).

33.03 33.03 Cooperation by state agencies. All departments and agencies of state government shall make available to the department such information and assistance as may be necessary to enable it to carry out its functions under this chapter.

33.03 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1977 c. 26; Stats. 1977 s. 33.03.

subch. III of ch. 33 SUBCHAPTER III

LAKE PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION PROJECTS

33.11 33.11 Goals. The primary goal of activity under this chapter shall be to improve or protect the quality of public inland lakes. In addition, compilation of basic scientific data on lakes of this state and assessment of experimental and innovative techniques of lake rehabilitation and protection shall be goals of the program. Districts may undertake protection and rehabilitation projects to achieve the purposes of such districts specified in s. 33.21. Projects may be undertaken in cooperation with the department, the University of Wisconsin System, and other government agencies, and public and private organizations. Projects shall be divided into study, planning and implementation phases.

33.11 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197.

33.12 33.12 Scope. Any proposed activity by a district which does not involve an application for state aids or an application for a ch. 30 permit is exempt from subch. III. If a proposed activity by a district involves an application for state aids, subch. III applies. If a proposed activity by a district involves an application for a ch. 30 permit, subch. III shall apply only if the department determines that the activity requiring the permit is an integral part of a lake rehabilitation project.

33.12 History History: 1973 c. 301.

33.13 33.13 Feasibility study.

33.13(1) (1) Feasibility study work done through government agencies and public or private organizations shall include gathering data on the lake, drainage basin, sources of pollution or nutrients or other information necessary to determine the causes of degradation and remedial courses of action to prevent continued degradation or to determine potential causes of degradation and preventive courses of action. The department shall prescribe data to be secured, methods of analysis and evaluation, and duration of data-gathering to be used in feasibility studies.

33.13(2) (2) 

33.13(2)(a) (a) The district may contract for feasibility study work with the lowest responsible bidder who submits a bid in the manner the district commissioners prescribe.

33.13(2)(b) (b) In order to receive financial assistance for feasibility study work the district shall obtain the advice and approval of the department before entering a contract for feasibility study work and the department shall be made a party to the contract.

33.13(3) (3) Data gathered shall be forwarded to the department, which shall analyze it on an interdisciplinary basis.

33.13(4) (4) The department shall formulate suggested alternative methods, including cost estimates, of protecting or rehabilitating the water quality of the lake or portions thereof. Alternative protection schemes shall include steps necessary to maintain the water quality of the lake. Alternative rehabilitative schemes shall include steps necessary to abate continued degradation of the lake following implementation of a given rehabilitative plan.

33.13 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1981 c. 317.

33.14 33.14 Plan preparation and adoption.

33.14(1) (1) Proposed plan. If specific lake protection and rehabilitation measures developed under s. 33.13 appear feasible and if financial assistance under s. 33.16 is sought, then the commissioners of the district shall develop a proposed plan based upon the recommendations of the department and the formulated alternatives or upon other technically valid bases.

33.14(2) (2) Submission of proposed plan. Prior to adopting a plan by formal resolution under s. 33.15, the commissioners shall:

33.14(2)(a) (a) Forward a copy of the proposed plan to the department;

33.14(2)(b) (b) Refer the proposed plan to the appropriate county land conservation committee and to the appropriate regional planning agency for the area, if any, for review and comment within 60 days of receipt; and

33.14(2)(c) (c) Make application for any required permits and file an application for financial aid.

33.14(3) (3) Department review. Within 21 days after receipt of the proposed plan and applications the department shall advise the district if additional information is needed to conduct its technical and environmental review of the proposal. If an environmental impact statement is required, the department shall complete its environmental impact review before taking final action on the proposed plan.

33.14(3m) (3m) Notice; hearing. The department shall schedule a hearing on the proposed plan or follow the notice procedures under s. 31.06 (1).

33.14(4) (4) Considerations at hearing. If a hearing is conducted, the department shall consider the following:

33.14(4)(a) (a) Compliance with s. 1.11;

33.14(4)(b) (b) The issuance of permits which have been applied for;

33.14(4)(c) (c) Whether the implementation of the plan is likely to cause long-range environmental pollution as defined in s. 299.01 (4);

33.14(4)(d) (d) Comments made by the reviewing county land conservation committee and regional planning agency, if any; and

33.14(4)(e) (e) Such other subjects as the department by rule deems necessary for making the order required by sub. (5).

33.14(5) (5) Approval. Within 60 days following the hearing, the department shall by order either approve, approve with modification or disapprove the plan. The department shall concurrently rule on all permit applications.

33.14 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1979 c. 34 s. 2102 (39) (g); 1981 c. 20, 317; 1981 c. 346 s. 38; 1995 a. 227, 349.

33.15 33.15 Implementation.

33.15(1) (1) No plan developed under this subchapter which involves financial assistance under s. 33.16 may be formally adopted for implementation by the district until the department approves the plans or whatever modifications it finds appropriate. If the department modifies an application by order, it shall clearly explain reasons why the modifications are being made.

33.15(2) (2) Following receipt of the department’s order, the district may adopt the approved plan by resolution, in which case it shall forward a copy of the resolution and plan to the department.

33.15(3) (3) The district may then carry out the adopted plan of implementation.

33.15(4) (4) Implementation work may consist of any work in the lake or its watershed which will protect or enhance the opportunities for public enjoyment of the lake.

33.15 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1981 c. 20.

33.16 33.16 Financial assistance program.

33.16(1) (1) Feasibility work contracted under s. 33.13 (2) (b) is eligible for financial assistance subject to guidelines established by rule by the department for funding feasibility studies. Receipt of financial assistance for feasibility work does not guarantee financial assistance for implementation costs and the department may not make this type of commitment for future financial assistance.