Chapter NR 37

NR 37.02 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

NR 37.03 NR 37.03 Definitions.

NR 37.03(1) (1) “Basal area” means the cross-sectional area 4½ feet above ground expressed in square feet per acre of all trees with a diameter of 5 inches and larger.

NR 37.03(2) (2) “Bluff line” means that point where there is a significant change in slope on the visual horizon when viewed from the river. This change in slope may take the form of a ridge protruding into the river valley.

NR 37.03(3) (3) “Bluff zone” means the land area 200 feet in width from 100 feet behind the bluff line to 100 feet below the bluff line.

NR 37.03(4) (4) “Department” means the department of natural resources.

NR 37.03(5) (5) “Cutting and harvesting timber” means the severing of the timber from the land as well as all other aspects of the timber harvesting and transportation operation, but does not include the removal of firewood from tree tops resulting from the timber harvest, shearing of Christmas trees, pruning or other sound forest management practices not involving the severing of the timber from the land.

NR 37.03(6) (6) “Forest aesthetics” means the department publication, publ. FR-039-86, relating to timber harvest.

NR 37.03 Note Note: This publication may be obtained from the bureau of forestry, DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.

NR 37.03(7) (7) “Resource management zone” means land in the riverway which is not included in the river edge zone, bluff zone or riverview zone.

NR 37.03(8) (8) “River” has the meaning established in s. 30.40 (14), Stats.

NR 37.03(9) (9) “River edge zone” means the land within the riverway from where tree growth begins on the river’s edge and extending 75 feet landward.

NR 37.03(10) (10) “Riverview zone” means all land within the riverway which is visible from the river during the time when the leaves are on the deciduous trees.

NR 37.03(11) (11) “Riverway” has the meaning established in s. 30.40 (15), Stats.

NR 37.03(12) (12) “Riverway board” means that board established under s. 15.345 (8), Stats.

NR 37.03(13) (13) “Selection cutting” means the removal of selected trees throughout the range of merchantable sizes at regular intervals, either singly or in small groups, leaving a uniformly distributed stocking of desirable trees and size classes.

NR 37.03(14) (14) “Shelterwood cut” means a partial removal of mature trees leaving trees of desirable species and form to provide shade, seed source and a desirable seed bed for natural regeneration with the final removal of the overstory after adequate regeneration is established.

NR 37.03(15) (15) “Silvicultural and forest aesthetics handbook” means the department handbook 2431.5 relating to timber harvest.

NR 37.03 Note Note: This handbook may be obtained from the department of natural resources Directives Section, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.

NR 37.03(16) (16) “Small regeneration cut” means a harvest of not more than one-third of the contiguous forested ownership within a 10-year period with each opening not exceeding 6 acres in size and not closer than 75 feet at their closest points.

NR 37.03(17) (17) “Switchback” means a sharp curve or significant change in direction of a road.

NR 37.03(18) (18) “Timber” has the meaning established in s. 30.40 (18m), Stats.

NR 37.03(19) (19) “Timber stand” means all trees occupying an area capable of producing timber, including but not limited to, logs, poles, posts, pulpwood and other cordwood products.

NR 37.03(20) (20) “Tree” means a woody plant which at maturity is 20 feet or more in height, with a single trunk, unbranched for at least several feet above the ground and having a more or less definite crown.

NR 37.03(21) (21) “Visible from the river” has the meaning established in s. 30.40 (20), Stats.

NR 37.03(22) (22) “Visually inconspicuous” has the meaning established in s. 30.40 (21), Stats.

NR 37.03 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; correction in (12) was made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2001 No. 551; correction in (12) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2017 No. 733.

NR 37.04 NR 37.04 Timber management cutting and harvesting specifications.

NR 37.04(1) (1) Permit.

NR 37.04(1)(a) (a) Permit issuance. No person may cut or harvest timber within the riverway without a permit issued by the riverway board.

NR 37.04(1)(b) (b) Permit conditions. The riverway board shall place conditions in permits necessary to assure timber harvest or cutting is conducted in compliance with this chapter. Additional conditions, as applicable, shall be included but not be limited to:

NR 37.04(1)(b)1. 1. Cutting specifications to insure that trees of desirable species and form be retained on the site after cutting.

NR 37.04(1)(b)2. 2. Roads constructed for the purpose of harvesting timber shall be visually inconspicuous from the river during the time when the leaves are on the deciduous trees.

NR 37.04(1)(b)3. 3. Timber cutting or harvesting is limited to those times when the ground is frozen or dry and the leaves are off the deciduous trees.

NR 37.04(1)(b)4. 4. Erosion bars or culverts will be installed as necessary to prevent erosion.

NR 37.04(1)(b)5. 5. Harvesting practices shall conform with the “Silvicultural and Forest Aesthetics Handbook” and the department publication “Forest aesthetics.”

NR 37.04(1)(b)6. 6. Timber harvesting restrictions necessary to minimize the impact on any known populations of federally or state designated threatened and endangered species.

NR 37.04 Note Note: The species are listed in ch. NR 27.

NR 37.04(1)(c) (c) Maps or diagrams. Landowners desiring to conduct any timber cutting or harvesting, including road construction shall submit a map or diagram of the proposed timber harvest area identifying the property boundaries, harvest boundaries, road locations and other information requested by the riverway board or county.

NR 37.04(2) (2) Bluff zone, riverview zone and river edge zone. In addition to other restrictions established on timber cutting and harvest within the bluff zone, riverview zone and river edge zone, the following conditions shall be included but not be limited to:

NR 37.04(2)(a) (a) No timber cutting or harvest may be conducted at any time other than when the ground is frozen or dry and the leaves are off the deciduous trees.

NR 37.04(2)(b) (b) Road construction for the purpose of harvesting or cutting timber on slopes facing the river shall comply with the following:

NR 37.04(2)(b)1. 1. The permit authorizing the timber harvest and road construction.

NR 37.04(2)(b)2. 2. The average grade may not exceed a 10% slope.

NR 37.04(2)(b)3. 3. Grades up to but not exceeding 15% for no longer than 75 feet horizontal distance are authorized; however, grades with a slope of 10% to 15% may not constitute more than 20% of the road length.

NR 37.04(2)(b)4. 4. Road width may not exceed 12 feet.

NR 37.04(2)(b)5. 5. Switchbacks are not permitted on slopes facing the river. However, a variance may be granted allowing switchbacks or grades in excess of the limits established in subds. 2. and 3. in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible subject to the visually inconspicuous requirement of sub. (1) (b) 2. and the erosion protection requirement of sub. (1) (b) 4.

NR 37.04(2)(b)6. 6. Roads, upon completion of the timber cutting and harvest operation, shall be seeded to establish sod or other vegetative cover.

NR 37.04 Note Note: A mixture of seed including 10 pounds of white dutch clover, 5 pounds of perennial rye, 10 pounds of annual rye, and 15 pounds of creeping red fescue at a rate of 40 pounds per acre has proven effective. One mile of woods or timber road 12 feet wide will normally equal approximately 1.5 acres.

NR 37.04(4) (4) Bluff zone and river edge zone. No person may cut, harvest or remove timber within the bluff zone and river edge zone except by selection cutting. After cutting, the residual stand shall be at least 60 square feet basal area.

NR 37.04(5) (5) Riverview zone. No person may cut, harvest or remove timber within the riverview zone except as follows:

NR 37.04(5)(a) (a) By small regeneration cuts with boundaries designed to harmonize with naturally occurring shapes consistent with the “Silvicultural and Forest Aesthetic Handbook” and the publication “Forest aesthetics;”

NR 37.04(5)(b) (b) By shelterwood cuts not to exceed the size, shape, spacing or timing of regeneration cuts;

NR 37.04(5)(c) (c) By selection cutting leaving a residual timber stand of at least 60 square feet basal area.

NR 37.04(6) (6) Resource management zone. Persons in the resource management zone are encouraged to conduct timber cutting, harvest or removal operations consistent with these rules and subch. IV of ch. 30, Stats. The harvest and harvest method should consider integration of all resource capabilities, including:

NR 37.04(6)(a) (a) Cutting boundaries should be designed to harmonize with the natural occurring shapes in the area.

NR 37.04(6)(b) (b) Harvesting and thinning should be limited to when the ground is frozen or dry and the leaves are off the deciduous trees.

NR 37.04(6)(c) (c) Selection cutting, small regeneration cuts and shelterwood cuts are preferable harvesting techniques in this zone.

NR 37.04 Note Note: Statutory exemptions to the timber cutting restrictions in this chapter.

NR 37.04 Note Chapter 30, subch. IV, of the Wisconsin Statutes provides various exemptions to timber cutting rules or restrictions. They do not apply to the cutting of timber if:

NR 37.04 Note 1. The landowner and the land involved is subject to a Forest Crop Law or Managed Forest Land Law by order or contract issued prior to October 31, 1989. (ss. 30.42 (1) (f) and 30.44 (3) (c), Stats.)

NR 37.04 Note 2. The cutting of timber is necessary for maintenance of an easement or a right-of-way for a high-voltage transmission line or a utility facility. (s. 30.44 (3) (c) 2m, Stats.)

NR 37.04 Note 3. The timber is diseased and a forester has issued a written determination that the timber is subject to an actual, potential or incipient infestation or infection by an insect or disease that is harmful to the timber. (s. 30.44 (3) (c) 2r, Stats.)

NR 37.04 Note 4. The timber has been damaged by natural causes. (s. 30.44 (3) (c) 3., Stats.)

NR 37.04 Note 5. The timber is on land more than 75 feet beyond the ordinary high-water mark of the river and the land is owned or occupied by the person cutting the timber for use as firewood for the person’s agricultural or household use. (s. 30.44 (3) (c) 4., Stats.)

NR 37.04 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; am. (1) (a) and (b) (intro.), (2) (intro.) and (4), r. (3), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

NR 37.05 NR 37.05 Variance.

NR 37.05(1) (1) The riverway board may grant a variance allowing timber cutting not in strict conformance with the requirements and restrictions of this chapter when the activity will be visually inconspicuous and the activity will be compatible with protecting the scenic beauty and natural values of the riverway.

NR 37.05(2) (2) The riverway board shall notify the department at least 15 days prior to granting any variance under this section and afford the department an opportunity to address the riverway board. The riverway board shall also publish in the official state newspaper notice of a variance request and the date, time and place of the meeting at which the riverway board will consider the request.

NR 37.05 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; am. (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.