Chapter 33

33.16(4)(f) (f) Whether contamination from deleterious substances emitted by residential, municipal or industrial sources, sedimentation, siltation and nutrient fertilization from uncontrolled agricultural sources or septic tanks, groundwater, municipal and industrial wastes and other drainage sources, and any other sources responsible for lake degradation, are or will be substantially eliminated as a source of lake degradation, in order that any lake rehabilitated under this chapter may be protected or maintained in its protected or rehabilitated state;

33.16(4)(g) (g) Whether the project involves dredging and, if it does, the expected useful duration of the proposed dredging, whether other techniques are available to provide relief from the problem to be solved by dredging and whether long-term controls are or will be undertaken to prevent sedimentation; and

33.16(4)(h) (h) Whether the project involves algae or aquatic plant abatement programs and, if it does, whether long-term controls are or will be undertaken to reduce or prevent nutrient pollution.

33.16(5) (5) The department may not approve any application for financial assistance for the implementation of any project which involves dredging if the expected useful duration of the dredging is less than 50 years. The department may not approve any application for financial assistance for the implementation of any project which involves dredging if the state funding provided by the department under the financial assistance program would provide more than 50 percent of the funding necessary for dredging other than dredging to provide public access. The department may not approve any application for financial assistance for the implementation of dredging if the amount of the financial assistance to be provided for dredging for a single project exceeds 10 percent of the funds available for all projects in the biennium. The department may not approve any application for financial assistance for the implementation of dredging unless no other reasonable alternative is available to provide relief from the problem to be solved by dredging.

33.16(6) (6) The department shall act upon each application for financial assistance within 60 days following plan approval and issuance of permits unless lack of adequate funding or the need to invoke a priority system dictates a delay in determination. Plan disapproval, delay in funding or other action not approving the application shall be explained by the department to the district in writing.

33.16(7) (7) 

33.16(7)(a) (a) District share. The department may not grant financial assistance for implementation work in an amount which reduces a district’s share of the project cost to less than 10 percent, except that up to 100 percent funding may be allowed on high-risk experimental projects where eventual results are highly uncertain.

33.16(7)(b) (b) Grant limit. No grant for financial assistance under this section may exceed 25 percent of state funds available in the biennium.

33.16(7)(c) (c) Dredging limit. No grant for financial assistance under this section may provide for funding for dredging in an amount which exceeds 10 percent of the funds available in the biennium.

33.16(7)(d) (d) Renewal. The department may not renew a grant for financial assistance under this section in future bienniums unless the council finds that a special situation exists and recommends renewal of the grant.

33.16(7)(e) (e) North-south split. The department shall grant financial assistance under this section so that not less than 25 percent of the moneys granted in any fiscal year are granted to districts north of a line running east-west across the state and commencing at the southernmost point on the southern boundary of the city of Stevens Point, except that this subsection does not preclude the full utilization of available funds if all applications north of this line aggregate less than 25 percent of the annual appropriations.

33.16(7)(f) (f) Level of funding; priorities. The department shall grant financial assistance under this section with the appropriate level of state funding based upon rules promulgated under s. 33.02 (1) (d). The department may deny financial assistance under this section based upon priorities promulgated by rule under s. 33.02 (1) (e).

33.16(8) (8) The department may evaluate or contract with the University of Wisconsin System to evaluate projects receiving financial assistance under this section.

33.16 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1981 c. 20, 317; 1981 c. 346 s. 38; 1981 c. 391; 1987 a. 27.

33.17 33.17 Unfunded application to continue.

33.17(1) (1) Aid applications approved but unfunded because of a lack of funds remain eligible for future funding, subject to updating as the department may require. A lack of funding under this subchapter does not preclude a district from implementing all or part of an approved plan with funding from any other source but these projects are not eligible for retroactive financial assistance.

33.17(2) (2) The department shall return rejected applications to the district with a concise statement of the reasons for rejection.

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

33.18 33.18 Use of tax incremental financing prohibited. A district may not apply for or utilize tax incremental financing to fund an inland lake protection and rehabilitation program or project.

33.18 History History: 1981 c. 317.

subch. IV of ch. 33 SUBCHAPTER IV

PUBLIC INLAND LAKE PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION DISTRICTS

33.21 33.21 Public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts; purposes. Districts may be created for the purpose of undertaking a program of lake protection and rehabilitation of a lake or parts thereof within the district.

33.21 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1995 a. 349.

33.21 Annotation A district may rehabilitate part of a lake only if the entire lake lies within the district. Kaiser v. City of Mauston, 99 Wis. 2d 345, 299 N.W.2d 259 (Ct. App. 1980).

33.22 33.22 District; powers.

33.22(1) (1) Any district organized under this chapter may select a name for the district, sue and be sued, make contracts, accept gifts, purchase, lease, devise or otherwise acquire, hold, maintain or dispose of property, disburse money, contract debt and do any other acts necessary to carry out a program of lake protection and rehabilitation. All contracts in excess of $2,500 for the performance of any work or the purchase of any materials shall be let by the commissioners to the lowest responsible bidder in the manner they prescribe.

33.22(2) (2) The district may require that a contracting party give adequate security to assure performance of the contract and to pay all damages which may arise from inadequate performance.

33.22(2m) (2m) Any district may create, operate and maintain a water safety patrol unit, as defined in s. 30.79 (1) (b) 2.

33.22(3) (3) 

33.22(3)(a) (a)

33.22(3)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in par. (b) 1., any district organized under this chapter may have the powers of a town sanitary district under ss. 60.77 and 60.78, other than the power under s. 60.77 (6) (b), that are authorized by resolution of the board of the town having the largest portion by valuation of the district.

33.22(3)(a)2. 2. The board of commissioners of a district that has the powers of a sanitary district under subd. 1. shall possess the powers of town sanitary district commissioners under s. 60.77 that are authorized by resolution of the town board that adopts the resolution under subd. 1.

33.22(3)(b) (b)

33.22(3)(b)1. 1. Beginning on April 9, 1994, any district organized under this chapter may assume the powers of a town sanitary district under ss. 60.77 and 60.78, other than the power under s. 60.77 (6) (b), that are authorized by resolution by the annual meeting of the district.

33.22(3)(b)2. 2. The board of commissioners of a district that assumes the powers of a sanitary district under subd. 1. shall possess the powers of town sanitary district commissioners that are authorized by resolution by the annual meeting of the district.

33.22(4) (4) Districts shall not exercise the town sanitary district powers authorized under sub. (3) within the boundaries of an incorporated municipality unless the governing body of the municipality consents. In addition, districts shall not exercise town sanitary district powers in any territory included in an existing town sanitary district except by contract under s. 66.0301 or unless the sanitary district merges under s. 33.235 (3).

33.22(4m) (4m) A district may undertake projects to enhance the recreational uses of a lake within its jurisdiction, including recreational boating facilities as defined under s. 30.92 (1) (c).

33.22(4r) (4r) If authorized by an annual meeting of a district, the district may appropriate money for the conservation of natural resources or for payment to a bona fide nonprofit organization for the conservation of natural resources within the district or beneficial to the district.

33.22(5) (5) Nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of the department to establish town sanitary districts under s. 60.72.

33.22 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1977 c. 391; 1983 a. 532 s. 36; 1989 a. 159; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 167; 1995 a. 349; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.

33.22 Annotation A low bidder under s. 33.22 who is apparently a “responsible” bidder has standing to seek a permanent injunction against the award of a contract to any other bidder. Aqua-Tech v. Como Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District, 71 Wis. 2d 541, 239 N.W.2d 25 (1976).

33.23 33.23 Municipalities may establish district.

33.23(1) (1) The governing body of a municipality may by resolution establish a district if the municipality encompasses within its boundaries all the frontage of the public inland lake within this state. Except as provided under sub. (3), the governing body of the municipality which establishes the district shall perform the function of the board of commissioners. For purposes of this subsection, “district” does not include a restructured district.

33.23(2) (2) Establishment of districts by towns under this section shall conform to the procedures of ss. 33.25 and 33.26 except that the town clerk shall perform the functions of the county clerk and the town board shall perform the functions of the county board and in addition shall hold the hearing.

33.23(3) (3) Districts established by municipalities under this section may adopt the form of governance provided under s. 33.28 by petition to the governing body of the municipality. Upon presentation of a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 requesting the change and signed by at least 20 percent of the property owners within the district, the governing body of the municipality shall provide for the necessary election of commissioners. The election shall be held by secret ballot at the next annual or special meeting, whichever occurs first, of the district and the change becomes effective at that time unless a challenge to the results of that election is initiated in circuit court within 14 days after the election. The court shall stay the change pending the decision on the challenge.

33.23 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1977 c. 141, 391; 1981 c. 18, 229; 1989 a. 159, 192, 359; 1995 a. 349.

33.235 33.235 Restructured districts; conversion and merger of town sanitary districts.

33.235(1) (1) In this section:

33.235(1)(a) (a) “Lake” means a lake, reservoir or flowage within the boundaries of the state.

33.235(1)(b) (b) “Lake district” means a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district that does not include a restructured district.

33.235(1m) (1m) A town board by resolution may convert a town sanitary district which encompasses all the frontage of a lake within its boundaries into a restructured district. The town sanitary district commissioners shall serve as the initial board of commissioners until the first annual meeting of the restructured district, at which time the commissioners shall be selected under s. 33.28. Conversion shall not affect any preexisting rights or liabilities of the town sanitary district. All such rights or liabilities shall be assumed automatically by the restructured district.

33.235(2) (2) The commissioners of a town sanitary district that does not encompass all the frontage of a lake within its boundaries may, with approval of the town board, petition under s. 33.25 for the formation of a restructured district to include the territory of the existing sanitary district and any additional frontage on the lake that is deemed appropriate by the commissioners. The commissioners may sign the petition for the landowners in the sanitary district. If necessary to meet the requirements of s. 33.25, signatures of owners of land lying outside the sanitary district shall be obtained. Formation of a restructured district that includes such additional territory shall not affect any preexisting rights or liabilities of the town sanitary district, and all these rights and liabilities shall be assumed automatically by the restructured district. The method by which these rights and liabilities are apportioned within the restructured district shall be determined by the county board, and set out in the order issued under s. 33.26 (3) forming the restructured district.

33.235(3) (3) A town sanitary district having boundaries coterminous or contiguous to a lake district may merge into the lake district. Merger is effected by approval of an identical merger resolution by a two-thirds vote of the commissioners of the town sanitary district and the lake district, followed by ratification by a majority of those voting at an annual or special meeting of the lake district and a majority of those voting in a referendum of the town sanitary district under s. 60.785 (2). Merger may not become effective unless the town board which created the sanitary district approves the merger. The commissioners of the town sanitary district and the district shall act jointly until the next annual or special meeting, whichever occurs first, of the restructured district at which time the board of the restructured district shall be created subject to the requirements under s. 33.28. Merger does not affect the preexisting rights or liabilities of the town sanitary district or the lake district. All these rights and liabilities are assumed automatically by the restructured district, but the method of discharging these rights or obligations shall be set out in the merger resolution.

33.235(4) (4) Any restructured district shall have all powers granted to districts under this chapter and to town sanitary districts under ch. 60, except the taxation power under s. 60.77 (6) (b). Such powers shall be exercised using the procedures and methods set out in this chapter.

33.235 History History: 1975 c. 197; 1979 c. 299; 1983 a. 532 s. 36; 1989 a. 159; 1995 a. 349.

33.24 33.24 County board may establish district.

33.24(1) (1) Notwithstanding s. 33.01 (3), in this section, “district” does not include a restructured district.

33.24(2) (2) The county board of any county may establish districts within the county if the conditions stated in s. 33.26 are found to exist. Before a district that includes any portion of a city or village may be formed under authority of this section, the city council or village board must have previously approved the inclusion of its territory within the boundaries of a proposed district.

33.24 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1995 a. 349.

33.25 33.25 Petition.

33.25(1) (1) Who to make.

33.25(1)(a) (a) Before a county board may establish a district under s. 33.235 or 33.24, a petition requesting establishment shall be filed with the county clerk, addressed to the board and signed by persons constituting 51 percent of the landowners or the owners of 51 percent of the lands within the proposed district. Governmental subdivisions, other than the state or federal governments, owning lands within the proposed district are eligible to sign such petition. A city council or village or town board may by resolution represent persons owning lands within the proposed district who are within its jurisdiction, and sign for all such landowners.

33.25(1)(b) (b) For a landowner that is a trust, foundation, corporation, association or organization, a petition under par. (a) shall be signed by an official representative, officer or employee who is authorized to do so by that landowner.

33.25(2) (2) Contents. The petition shall set forth:

33.25(2)(a) (a) The proposed name of the district;

33.25(2)(b) (b) The necessity for the proposed district;

33.25(2)(c) (c) That the public health, comfort, convenience, necessity or public welfare will be promoted by the establishment of the district and that the lands to be included therein will be benefited by such establishment; and

33.25(2)(d) (d) The boundaries of the territory to be included in the proposed district.

33.25(3) (3) Verification, plat. The petition shall be verified by one of the petitioners, and shall be accompanied by a plat or sketch indicating the approximate area and boundaries of the district.

33.25(4) (4) Presumption. Every petition is presumed to have been signed by the persons whose signatures appear thereon, until proved otherwise.

33.25(5) (5) Withdrawing from petition. Any landowner who is considered to have signed the petition under sub. (1) may withdraw from the petition if the landowner files a written notice of the withdrawal with the county clerk at least 10 days before the date of the hearing under s. 33.26.

33.25 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1975 c. 197; 1993 a. 167, 246; 1995 a. 349.

33.25 Annotation The requirements for a verification under sub. (3) are that it is made under oath and carries the jurat of a notary public. Every person giving the oath is considered to have been lawfully sworn. Use of the word “certify” rather than “verify” is irrelevant. Nielsen v. Waukesha County Board of Supervisors, 178 Wis. 2d 498, 504 N.W.2d 621 (Ct. App. 1993).

33.26 33.26 Hearings, time, notice, boundaries, approval, limitations.

33.26(1) (1) Upon receipt of the petition the county board shall arrange a hearing to be held not later than 30 days from the date of presentation of the petition, and shall appoint a committee to conduct the hearing. At the hearing all interested persons may offer objections, criticisms or suggestions as to the necessity of the proposed district as outlined and to the question of whether their property will be benefited by the establishment of such district. Any person wishing to object to the organization of such district may, before the date set for the hearing, file objections to the formation of such district with the county clerk.

33.26(2) (2) Notice announcing the hearing and stating the boundaries of the proposed district shall be published in a paper of general circulation in the county in which the proposed district is located as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, and shall be mailed or emailed by the county board to the last-known address or email address of each landowner within the proposed district. The notice required under this subsection may be provided by email only to landowners who have agreed to receive notice via email.

33.26(3) (3) The committee shall report to the county board within 3 months after the date of the hearing. Within 6 months after the date of the hearing, the board shall issue its order under this subsection. If the board finds, after consideration of the committee’s report and any other evidence submitted to the board, that the petition is signed by the requisite owners as provided in s. 33.25, that the proposed district is necessary, that the public health, comfort, convenience, necessity or public welfare will be promoted by the establishment of the district, and that the property to be included in the district will be benefited by the establishment of the proposed district, the board, by order, shall declare its findings, shall establish the boundaries and shall declare the district organized and give it a corporate name by which it shall be known. Thereupon the district shall be a body corporate with the powers of a municipal corporation for the purposes of carrying out this chapter. If the board does not so find, the board, by order, shall declare its findings and deny the petition.

33.26(5) (5) The department shall be notified in writing of the hearing for the creation of the district at the time the hearing date is set.

33.26(6) (6) In establishing the district, the county board may change the boundaries from those originally proposed. However, lands not originally proposed for inclusion may not be included until a public hearing is held under this section.

33.26(7) (7) Any person aggrieved by the action of the board may petition the circuit court for judicial review. A verified petition shall be presented to the court not more than 30 days after the decision of the board, and shall specify the grounds upon which the appeal is based.

33.26 History History: 1973 c. 301; 1979 c. 34 s. 2102 (39) (g); 1981 c. 20; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 167; 1995 a. 227; 2003 a. 275; 2023 a. 62.

33.26 Annotation Although not specified, the right to review under sub. (7) is by statutory certiorari. Donaldson v. Board of Commissioners of Rock-Koshkonong Lake District, 2004 WI 67, 272 Wis. 2d 146, 680 N.W.2d 762, 01-3396.

33.265 33.265 Notice, filing and recording requirements. If a district is created or its boundaries altered, the board of commissioners shall record the authorizing document, including a legal description of the boundary, with the register of deeds in each county where the district is situated, and file the document and legal description with the department of natural resources and the department of revenue.

33.265 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1993 a. 301.

33.27 33.27 Initial district board of commissioners.

33.27(1) (1) The county board shall, at the time of making the order establishing a district, appoint 3 owners of property within the district, at least one of whom is a resident of the district, to serve as commissioners until the first annual meeting of the district, and shall also make the appointment required under s. 33.28 (2).

33.27(1m) (1m) If no resident is willing to serve as required under sub. (1), the residency requirement shall be waived for the initial district board of commissioners.

33.27(2) (2) Within 30 days following the county board’s order establishing the district, the governing body of the town, city or village having the largest portion by valuation within the district shall appoint one of its members to the district board under s. 33.28 (2).