Chapter 350

350.135 History History: 1981 c. 295; 1993 a. 119.

350.136 350.136 Signs that advertise nearby businesses.

350.136(1) (1) The department shall allow snowmobile clubs to erect signs that advertise nearby businesses along snowmobile trails on land under the department’s jurisdiction as provided under this section.

350.136(2) (2) The department shall enter into an agreement with an interested snowmobile club that allows the club to erect eligible signs containing advertising of private businesses along snowmobile trails on land under the department’s jurisdiction. A sign is eligible if it meets all of the following standards:

350.136(2)(a) (a) The sign advertises only businesses that offer fuel, food, vehicle servicing, or lodging and that are accessible by snowmobile.

350.136(2)(b) (b) The sign is placed only at a trail intersection.

350.136(2)(c) (c) The sign contains only the following information:

350.136(2)(c)1. 1. The name of the business.

350.136(2)(c)2. 2. The type of service provided.

350.136(2)(c)3. 3. The distance to the business.

350.136(2)(c)4. 4. An arrow showing the direction to the business.

350.136(2)(d) (d) The sign meets all other requirements for guide signs along a snowmobile trail.

350.136(2)(e) (e) The sign is erected and maintained by the snowmobile club.

350.136(2m) (2m) The department and a snowmobile club may negotiate the inclusion in the agreement under sub. (2) of provisions relating to the erection and removal of signs.

350.136(3) (3) The department may not charge a snowmobile club a fee as a condition of entering into the agreement under sub. (2).

350.136(4) (4) All of the following are exempt from subch. IV of ch. 16:

350.136(4)(a) (a) An agreement between the department and a snowmobile club under sub. (2).

350.136(4)(b) (b) Advertising on a sign in conformity with the standards under sub. (2).

350.136 History History: 2023 a. 63.

350.137 350.137 Uniform snowmobile rail crossing standards.

350.137(1) (1) The department, after having consulted with each rail authority, as defined in s. 350.138 (1) (b), in this state, that has furnished the department with the information required under s. 350.138 (2m), an established snowmobile association that represents snowmobile clubs, as defined in s. 350.138 (1) (e), in this state, and the office of the commissioner of railroads, shall promulgate rules to establish uniform maintenance standards and uniform design and construction standards for snowmobile rail crossings under ss. 350.138 and 350.139.

350.137(2) (2) The maintenance standards shall include requirements for the marking of snowmobile rail crossings and for the maintenance of adequate drainage of railroad rights-of-way. The design and construction standards shall include a list and a description of the frequency and speed of railroad trains and railroad track equipment and the types of railroad tracks, embankments, ditches, snowmobile trail alignments and other configurations that do any of the following:

350.137(2)(a) (a) Preclude the use of a proposed site for a snowmobile rail crossing because the site would be unsafe due to poor visibility of an approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment from the position of a snowmobile operator who is stopped on the approach to the proposed crossing.

350.137(2)(b) (b) Make it difficult to construct a snowmobile rail crossing at a proposed site because of steep embankments or irregular terrain near the railroad track.

350.137 History History: 1993 a. 120; 2001 a. 14; 2011 a. 101.

350.137 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 6.40, 6.41, 6.42, 6.43, 6.44, 6.45, and 6.46, Wis. adm. code.

350.138 350.138 Snowmobile rail crossings requiring permits.

350.138(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

350.138(1)(a) (a) “Established snowmobile rail crossing” has the meaning given in s. 350.139 (1) (a).

350.138(1)(b) (b) “Rail authority” means a rail transit body or a railroad corporation.

350.138(1)(c) (c) “Rail transit body” means any transit or transportation commission or authority or public corporation established by law or by interstate compact to provide rail service.

350.138(1)(d) (d) “Snowmobile alliance” means an organization that consists of or represents any combination of 2 or more snowmobile clubs or counties.

350.138(1)(e) (e) “Snowmobile club” means an organization that meets at least 3 times a year, that has at least 10 members, that promotes snowmobiling and that participates in the department’s program under s. 350.12 (4) (b) 2.

350.138(1)(f) (f) “Snowmobile organization” means a snowmobile club, a snowmobile alliance or a county.

350.138(2) (2) Permit required. No person may construct a snowmobile rail crossing that is not located on a railroad crossing of a highway or street unless the person is a snowmobile organization and has a permit issued under this section. No person may maintain a snowmobile rail crossing that is not located on a railroad crossing of a highway or street unless the person is a snowmobile organization and either the person has a permit issued under this section or the snowmobile rail crossing is an established snowmobile rail crossing. In order to obtain a permit required under this section, a snowmobile organization shall apply to the department. A separate permit is required for each snowmobile rail crossing subject to this section.

350.138(2m) (2m) Designation of agents. Each rail authority with rail lines in this state shall furnish the department with the name and address of an agent who is authorized on behalf of the rail authority to receive copies of snowmobile crossing permit applications filed with the department. A rail authority that has rail lines in this state on September 1, 2001, shall furnish this information to the department within 30 days of September 1, 2001.

350.138(3) (3) Procedures for permit application. An application submitted under sub. (2) shall include adequate descriptions and drawings showing the proposed location of the snowmobile rail crossing, the design of the snowmobile rail crossing, and the location of snowmobile trails that connect with the snowmobile rail crossing. The department shall, upon receipt of an application submitted under sub. (2), send a copy of the application to the agent designated under sub. (2m) for the applicable rail authority and shall, immediately thereafter, send notice to the applicant that a copy of the application was sent to the designated agent. The notice to the applicant must include the name and address of the designated agent to whom the department sent a copy of the application. The department may reject an application within 15 days after it is submitted if the application is incomplete or is not sufficiently detailed to determine whether to approve or deny the application.

350.138(4) (4) Permit application approval and denials.

350.138(4)(a) (a) Except as provided under par. (d), the department shall approve an application submitted under sub. (2) within 90 days after sending a copy of the application to the rail authority’s designated agent under sub. (3) if the department determines that all of the following conditions have been met:

350.138(4)(a)1. 1. Within 30 days after the date on which the department sent a copy of the application to the applicable rail authority, the applicant provided to the applicable rail authority a written offer to discuss the advisability and feasibility of the proposed rail crossing.

350.138(4)(a)2. 2. The applicant furnished the department with a copy of the written offer provided to the applicable rail authority under subd. 1.

350.138(4)(a)3. 3. The rail authority did not file an objection with the department to the application within 60 days after receiving notice under sub. (3) or did not object, within that period, to a modification of the application as agreed to by the rail authority and the applicant.

350.138(4)(a)4. 4. The application complies with the rules promulgated under s. 350.137.

350.138(4)(b) (b) The department shall hold a hearing on the application if the conditions under par. (a) 1., 2., and 4. are met, if the rail authority files with the department an objection to the application within 60 days after receiving notice under sub. (3), and if the objection contains all of the following:

350.138(4)(b)1. 1. A statement that, after discussing the advisability and feasibility of the proposed rail crossing with the applicant in good faith, the rail authority opposes the application.

350.138(4)(b)2. 2. A statement of the basis for the rail authority’s objection.

350.138(4)(c) (c) The department shall give notice of any hearing scheduled under par. (b) to the applicant, to the applicable rail authority, and to the office of the commissioner of railroads. The hearing shall be a contested case hearing under ch. 227. The department’s order issuing or denying a permit is a final order subject to judicial review under ch. 227.

350.138(4)(d) (d) The department shall issue a permit to the applicant after a hearing under par. (b), and after giving substantial weight to the testimony or report given under s. 195.03 (30), if the department finds that the proposed snowmobile crossing is advisable and feasible. In making its finding, the department shall consider, but not be limited to, all of the following factors:

350.138(4)(d)1. 1. Whether the proposed snowmobile rail crossing could pose a substantial danger to public safety.

350.138(4)(d)2. 2. Whether a snowmobile rail crossing that is located near the proposed snowmobile rail crossing provides an adequate crossing for snowmobiles.

350.138(4)(d)3. 3. Whether the proposed snowmobile rail crossing would have a substantial adverse effect on railroad operations.

350.138(4)(d)4. 4. Whether the proposed snowmobile rail crossing conforms with the requirements of the rules promulgated under s. 350.137.

350.138(4)(e) (e) If the department issues a permit to an applicant under this section, the rail authority shall construct that portion of the snowmobile rail crossing that is on the track and that portion that extends outward 4 feet from each outer rail.

350.138(5) (5) Charges.

350.138(5)(a) (a) The department may charge an initial application fee not to exceed $150 for the costs of reviewing a permit application under sub. (4). If the department charges the fee, the applicant must include the fee with the permit application.

350.138(5)(b) (b) Except as provided under par. (c), if the department issues a permit to an applicant under this section, the applicant shall pay the rail authority $1,500 within 30 days after the date on which the permit is issued, to compensate the rail authority for the cost of constructing the snowmobile rail crossing and to pay for the use of the snowmobile rail crossing by snowmobile operators.

350.138(5)(c) (c) Biennially, beginning on January 1, 2004, the department shall adjust the fee under par. (b) by a percentage that is equal to the percentage change in the U.S. consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, for the 24-month period ending on December 31 of the previous calendar year.

350.138(6) (6) Liability insurance. The department shall require a snowmobile organization to maintain in effect liability insurance to indemnify the applicable rail authority for damages resulting from the design, construction, maintenance, existence, or use of a snowmobile rail crossing for which a permit is issued under this section, except that the department may not require the snowmobile organization to maintain in effect liability insurance to indemnify the applicable rail authority for injuries sustained by a person engaged in a recreational activity, if the rail authority would be immune from liability for those injuries under s. 895.52. Regardless of the number of snowmobile rail crossings that the snowmobile organization maintains under this section and s. 350.139, the amount of the liability insurance that is required to be maintained under this subsection shall be at least $2,000,000 for each snowmobile organization. The snowmobile organization shall designate the applicable rail authority as a named insured on the policy. Any liability insurance that is required under this subsection for the purpose of indemnifying a rail authority that is a rail transit body shall also indemnify the owners and operators of any railroad using the tracks of the rail transit body. Annually, beginning on December 1, 2001, each snowmobile organization that is required to maintain liability insurance under this subsection shall furnish proof of that insurance to the applicable rail authority and to the department.

350.138(7) (7) Rights-of-way. For each application approved under sub. (4), the applicable rail authority shall give the snowmobile organization access to any right-of-way that the rail authority may have to permit the snowmobile organization to construct and maintain the snowmobile rail crossing.

350.138(8) (8) Revocation of permits. The department may revoke a permit that it issued if the department determines that the snowmobile rail crossing is not constructed or maintained in compliance with the rules promulgated under s. 350.137. The department shall revoke a permit that it issued if the snowmobile organization does not maintain any liability insurance that is required under sub. (6) or the snowmobile rail crossing is not maintained for use by snowmobiles for at least 5 winters in any 10-year period. The 10-year period for purposes of this subsection shall begin on the first December 15 following the date of the issuance of the permit.

350.138(9) (9) Inspection authorized. The department or the office of the commissioner of railroads may inspect the site of a proposed snowmobile rail crossing or the site of a snowmobile rail crossing for which a permit has been issued to determine whether there are grounds to refuse to issue a permit under sub. (4) or to revoke a permit under sub. (8).

350.138 History History: 1993 a. 120; 2001 a. 14.

350.138 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 6.40, 6.41, 6.42, 6.43, 6.44, 6.45, and 6.46, Wis. adm. code.

350.139 350.139 Established snowmobile rail crossings.

350.139(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

350.139(1)(a) (a) “Established snowmobile rail crossing” means a snowmobile rail crossing that has been used by snowmobiles, or maintained by a snowmobile organization for use by snowmobiles, for at least 5 winters of the last 10 years.

350.139(1)(b) (b) “Rail authority” has the meaning given in s. 350.138 (1) (b).

350.139(1)(c) (c) “Rail transit body” has the meaning given in s. 350.138 (1) (c).

350.139(1)(d) (d) “Snowmobile organization” has the meaning given in s. 350.138 (1) (f).

350.139(2) (2) No permit required. An established snowmobile rail crossing does not require a permit under s. 350.138.

350.139(3) (3) Charges prohibited. Neither the department nor a rail authority may charge a fee or any other amount for the use of an established snowmobile rail crossing or for the use of a right-of-way for the established snowmobile rail crossing, unless otherwise agreed upon by the rail authority and a snowmobile organization.

350.139(4) (4) Use and maintenance requirements. The department shall require a snowmobile organization that uses or maintains any part of an established snowmobile rail crossing to do all of the following:

350.139(4)(a) (a) Maintain that portion of the established snowmobile rail crossing that is outside of the portion of the snowmobile rail crossing that extends outward 4 feet from each outer rail.

350.139(4)(b) (b) Maintain in effect liability insurance to indemnify the applicable rail authority for damages resulting from the design, construction, maintenance, existence, or use of the established snowmobile rail crossing, except that the department shall not require the snowmobile organization to maintain in effect liability insurance to indemnify the applicable rail authority for injuries sustained by a person engaged in a recreational activity, if the rail authority would be immune from liability for those injuries under s. 895.52. Regardless of the number of established snowmobile rail crossings and snowmobile rail crossings under s. 350.138 that each snowmobile organization maintains, the amount of the liability insurance that is required to be maintained under this paragraph shall be at least $2,000,000 for each snowmobile organization. The snowmobile organization shall designate the applicable rail authority as a named insured on the policy. Any liability insurance that is required under this paragraph for the purpose of indemnifying a rail authority that is a rail transit body shall also indemnify the owners and operators of any railroad using the tracks of the rail transit body. Annually, beginning on December 1, 2001, each snowmobile organization that is required to maintain liability insurance under this paragraph shall furnish proof of that insurance to the applicable rail authority and to the department.

350.139(5) (5) Inspection authorized. The department or the office of the commissioner of railroads may inspect an established snowmobile rail crossing to determine whether the snowmobile organization maintaining the crossing is in compliance with the requirements imposed under sub. (4).

350.139 History History: 1993 a. 120; 2001 a. 14.

350.139 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 6.40, 6.41, 6.42, 6.43, 6.44, 6.45, and 6.46, Wis. adm. code.

350.1395 350.1395 Snowmobile rail crossings; closing and removal; review of rail authorities; insurance rules.

350.1395(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

350.1395(1)(b) (b) “Rail authority” has the meaning given in s. 350.138 (1) (b).

350.1395(1)(c) (c) “Snowmobile organization” has the meaning given in s. 350.138 (1) (f).

350.1395(2) (2) Closing of crossings.

350.1395(2)(a) (a) A rail authority may close or remove a snowmobile rail crossing if it enters into a written agreement with a snowmobile organization that holds a permit under s. 350.138 or that maintains an established snowmobile rail crossing under s. 350.139 under which the snowmobile organization agrees to allow the rail authority to close or remove the snowmobile rail crossing. Each rail authority that enters into a written agreement with a snowmobile organization under this paragraph to close or remove a snowmobile rail crossing shall notify the department of the agreement and that the snowmobile rail crossing has been closed or removed.

350.1395(2)(b) (b)

350.1395(2)(b)1. 1. A rail authority may petition the department to authorize the rail authority to close or remove a snowmobile rail crossing. The rail authority may file a petition under this subdivision without requesting or obtaining a written agreement from the snowmobile organization to close or remove the snowmobile rail crossing.

350.1395(2)(b)2. 2. The department shall hold a hearing on a petition filed under subd. 1. after giving notice of the hearing to the rail authority, the snowmobile organization, and the office of the commissioner of railroads. The hearing shall be a contested case hearing under ch. 227. The department’s order shall be a final order subject to judicial review under ch. 227.

350.1395(2)(b)3. 3. The department shall grant a rail authority’s petition under subd. 2. to close or remove a snowmobile rail crossing if, after a hearing under subd. 2., and after giving substantial weight to the office of the commissioner of railroads’ testimony or report given under s. 195.03 (30) (b), the department finds that any of the following applies:

350.1395(2)(b)3.a. a. The snowmobile rail crossing has not been maintained for use for at least 5 winters in the 10 years preceding the year in which the petition was filed.

350.1395(2)(b)3.b. b. The snowmobile rail crossing poses a substantial danger to public safety.