Chapter NR 44

NR 44.07(6)(d) (d) Access. Internal access throughout the area typically is readily available. In addition to an internal network of management roads and recreational trails, town, county, state or federal highways may cross the area. The following criteria shall apply:

NR 44.07(6)(d)1. 1. Public access and recreational use by motorized means is authorized on roads and trails as provided by the master plan, except within designated non-motorized recreational use areas described under par. (h). Some roads within the area may be open only to vehicles for administrative and management purposes.

NR 44.07(6)(d)2. 2. Internal roads in the area shall be primarily primitive, lightly or moderately developed roads, and a minor amount of fully developed roads may be present. Trails may be moderately developed, lightly developed or primitive; however, typically lightly and moderately developed trails are predominant. Road and trail densities are not limited; however, the master plan may limit road and trail development to achieve specific management or recreational use objectives.

NR 44.07(6)(e) (e) Recreational facilities. Recreational facility development, when present, shall be simple, and may provide a modest level of user conveniences and comfort as well as furnish environmental protection. The following shall apply:

NR 44.07 Note Note: Examples of developments or structures typical of this setting include access roads and parking areas, boat ramps, vault toilets, dispersed campsites and small picnic areas, small shelter buildings, bridges, boardwalks and stairs.

NR 44.07(6)(e)1. 1. ‘Buildings, structures and landscape modifications.’ Structures shall have simple designs and natural or natural-appearing materials shall be emphasized in construction. Buildings and other structures, including facilities for persons with disabilities and landscape modifications, shall be designed to blend into or complement the natural landscape to the degree possible and practicable. Portable toilets with earth-tone colors that blend with the surrounding environment may be used where permanent facilities are not practicable or feasible.

NR 44.07(6)(e)2. 2. ‘Camping facilities.’ Where camping is authorized by the master plan, campsites shall be primitive or semi-primitive single unit or group sites and may be auto, watercraft, walk-in, backpack, horse or bike accessible. The master plan shall designate the mode or modes of authorized access. The campsites may be located either singly or in clustered units of 2 to 10 sites with 400 feet or more of separation between them. Campsites may be located less than 400 feet apart when the topography assures that the setting’s privacy and solitude objectives can be achieved. Each campsite shall generally be 150 feet or more away from any road, not including road spurs leading to individual campsites. Generator use is not authorized, except that, with a permit issued by the property manager, a person with a disability may be authorized to use a generator to recharge batteries for accessibility devices. Campsite improvements may include a leveled and firm surface, a fire ring, picnic table, box latrine, vault toilet or portable toilet, and a hand pump well where drinking water is provided. Electric lights and special provisions for recreational vehicle use may not be provided at these sites.

NR 44.07(6)(e)3. 3. ‘Picnic areas.’ Picnic areas may not be designed for more than 20 persons and may not exceed 2 acres. The facilities are limited to the following: 1 to 5 parking spaces, if auto accessible; 1 to 5 picnic tables and grills; small toilet buildings or portable toilets; a shelter building and a hand pump well where drinking water is provided. More than 5 parking spaces may be provided where trails or other compatible recreation facilities, in addition to the picnic area, are present.

NR 44.07(6)(e)4. 4. ‘Trails.’ Designated recreational trails are limited to lightly developed, moderately developed and primitive trails, and shall be consistent with par. (d). For each designated trail, the master plan shall specify the type of trail and the specific types of use authorized and any appropriate use restrictions, such as seasonal or environmental condition restrictions.

NR 44.07(6)(e)5. 5. ‘Environmental protection.’ Low to moderate levels of environmental protection or mitigation measures may be present and shall be in harmony with the character and use of the area.

NR 44.07(6)(f) (f) User management. Simple information facilities and obvious visitor controls that harmonize with the environment are authorized. Regulatory signs, interpretive signs, directional signs, public safety signs and entrance signs shall be placed as appropriate to the need. Signboards and posts shall have earth-tone colors to the degree possible.

NR 44.07(6)(g) (g) Land management and non-recreational facilities. Land management activities, including forest management, and non-recreation facility developments may range from inconspicuous to dominant, but shall be consistent with this subsection and with the management objectives established for the area by the master plan. Management parameters include:

NR 44.07(6)(g)1. 1. ‘Visibility of management activities.’ To the degree possible and practicable, management activities, including forest management and agricultural activities, shall be designed to harmonize with the topography and other landscape features; and visual quality management techniques shall be prescribed, to the degree feasible and practicable, as appropriate for the specific management objectives, resource capabilities, and the degree and type of aesthetic concern for the area;

NR 44.07(6)(g)2. 2. ‘Resource management structures and other non-recreational structures.’ Resource management structures or developments, such as dams, dikes, ditches, constructed ponds and fish habitat improvement devices, may be visible but shall blend in with the surrounding landscape and vegetation to the degree practicable and feasible. Other types of non-recreational structures may be authorized if consistent with the management objectives for the area;

NR 44.07(6)(g)3. 3. ‘Forest management.’ Any forest management activity or technique authorized for the area shall be specified in the master plan, including the extent, timing and frequency of any activity or technique. The following, also, shall apply:

NR 44.07 Note Note: The level of detail regarding the extent, timing and frequency will be as specific or general as appropriate.

NR 44.07(6)(g)3.a. a. Treatment and disposal of slash along designated recreational trails and public roads shall be as specified in the master plan; and

NR 44.07(6)(g)3.b. b. Any timber salvage following a natural disturbance shall be consistent with the classification and management objective for the area;

NR 44.07(6)(g)4. 4. ‘Forest opening creation and maintenance.’ Natural or artificially created forest openings that are compatible with the area’s management objectives may be maintained through mowing or cutting of brush and small trees or the use of herbicides; and

NR 44.07(6)(g)5. 5. ‘Prescribed burning.’ Prescribed burning and permanent, constructed firebreaks are authorized.

NR 44.07(6)(h) (h) Non-motorized recreation area. Non-motorized recreational use areas may be designated by the master plan. All provisions of this subsection apply, except as follows:

NR 44.07(6)(h)1. 1. Internal public access and use, including access to campsites, shall be only by non-motorized means, except as provided for in subds. 2. and 3. Management areas with public highway crossings may be designated with this classification provided the objectives of this classification can be substantially met.

NR 44.07(6)(h)2. 2. Motor-related uses that may be authorized by the master plan include public motor vehicle access roads to parking areas located on the periphery of the area and to water access sites when other practical alternatives are unavailable; and electric motor-powered craft operated at slow, no-wake speed.

NR 44.07(6)(h)3. 3. Disabled persons may access the area on designated roads or trails by means of a motor vehicle or access waterways by means of an electric motor-powered watercraft operated at slow, no-wake speed with a permit issued by the department.

NR 44.07(6)(h)4. 4. Unauthorized motorized watercraft shall be restricted to the maximum degree possible.

NR 44.07(6)(h)5. 5. The use of motorized vehicles and equipment is permitted in the area for logging and other management or maintenance activities by the department or its contractors engaged in management activity.

NR 44.07(7) (7) Type 4 recreational use setting. In the master plan a Type 4 recreational use area shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.07(7)(a) (a) Management objective. The objective of this setting is to provide areas offering opportunities for intensive recreational use activities and experiences. Facilities, when present, may provide a relatively high level of user comfort, convenience and environmental protection.

NR 44.07 Note Note: Some areas with this classification may have few developed facilities, while others may have highly developed facilities or may be large facility complexes. Examples of areas that typically may be included under this classification are picnic areas, campgrounds, shooting ranges, field trial areas, educational sites, designated state trails and may include water bodies characterized by high levels of intensive uses, such as power boating and jet-skiing.

NR 44.07(7)(b) (b) Perceived remoteness. The sights and sounds of human activity typically are common or prevalent.

NR 44.07(7)(c) (c) Social contact. People typically are encountered within the area. Use types often are mixed and may be highly diverse.

NR 44.07(7)(d) (d) Access. Access throughout the area is readily available on fully and moderately developed roads and on fully, moderately and lightly developed trails. Public access may be by both motorized and non-motorized means.

NR 44.07(7)(e) (e) Recreational facility development. Facility development and landscape alterations shall be in harmony with the setting and type of intended use. The following shall apply:

NR 44.07(7)(e)1. 1. Campgrounds and developed day use areas shall be designated by the master plan as either rustic or modern. Rustic sites shall be consistent with subd. 4, and modern sites shall be consistent with subd. 5.

NR 44.07(7)(e)2. 2. Recreational trails are not limited; however, for each designated trail the master plan shall specify the type of trail and its authorized use.

NR 44.07(7)(e)3. 3. Moderate to high levels of environmental protection and mitigation measures may be present, but shall be in harmony with the character of the site to the degree feasible and practicable.

NR 44.07(7)(e)4. 4. Rustic recreational facilities shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.07(7)(e)4.a. a. Facilities provide for basic user needs and comforts. The design of buildings and other structures typically are simple; however, some may be somewhat refined and moderately complex.

NR 44.07(7)(e)4.b. b. Rustic campgrounds. A rustic campground shall have fewer than 75 total campsites, and the distance separating campsites shall be typically 100 feet to 200 feet but may be greater. Campgrounds established prior to September 1, 1996, which have more than 75 total campsites or do not meet the separation distance standard, but otherwise meet the standards of this subdivision and are capable of substantially providing a rustic camping experience, may be assigned this classification. The facilities typically provided in a rustic campground include: campsites with tent pad, fire ring, picnic table and parking for a vehicle and trailer or a RV unit, either gravel or asphalt roadways; lighting on buildings; a hand pump water supply; vault type toilets; a recreational vehicle dumping station on site or in the area and trash collection receptacles. Where appropriate, paved paths and trails, firewood concessions, a pressurized water supply, small open play area, and public telephone may be provided. The following facilities are not authorized for rustic campgrounds: electric hook-ups for recreational vehicles, except for a site occupied by a campground host; showers; flush type toilets and playground equipment.

NR 44.07(7)(e)4.c. c. Rustic day use areas. The facilities typically provided in a rustic day use area include picnic tables and grills, a hand pump water supply, vault type toilets, a small open play area, a parking area and shelter building. Where appropriate, the following facilities may be provided: pressurized water supply, electricity in buildings, limited playground equipment, and a swimming beach with changing stalls. The following facilities are not authorized for rustic day use areas: flush type toilets, large open play areas, concession stand, baseball diamond or volleyball pits, bath house, interpretive center and amphitheater.

NR 44.07(7)(e)5. 5. Modern recreational facilities shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.07(7)(e)5.a. a. Facilities provide a moderate to relatively high level of user comfort and convenience. Buildings and other structures may be simple designs or designs that are complex and refined.

NR 44.07(7)(e)5.b. b. Modern campgrounds. These may be comprised of a single campground or a large campground complex, and typically have 75 or more campsites. The separation distance between campsites may vary, although 100 feet shall be used as a guideline. The facility development options are not limited; however, the following facilities usually are provided: electric hook-ups for recreational vehicles, hand pump or pressurized water supply, vault or flush toilets, a recreational vehicle dumping station on-site or nearby, asphalt roadways, open play areas, paved paths and trails, lighting on buildings and public telephones. Examples of other facilities that may be present include playground equipment, full-service concessions, showers and laundry facilities.

NR 44.07(7)(e)5.c. c. Modern day use area facilities. The facility development options are not limited; however, the facilities provided typically include picnic tables and grills, hand pump or pressurized water supply, vault or flush toilets, large, open play areas, playground equipment, parking lots, shelters with electricity and hard-surfaced trails. Other facilities or services that also may be present include a concession stand, baseball diamond or volleyball pits, bath house and well-defined swimming beach and sunning area, interpretive center and amphitheater.

NR 44.07(7)(f) (f) User management. The amount and type of visitor controls shall be appropriate to the area’s type of use and need.

NR 44.07(7)(g) (g) Land management and non-recreational facility development. Any land or vegetation management activity or non-recreational facility development shall be consistent with this subsection and with the management objectives for the area established by the master plan. Management parameters include the following:

NR 44.07(7)(g)1. 1. Any land or vegetation management prescription or method that supports the master plan’s management objectives for the area and is consistent with the site’s ecological capability may be used. Management activities or techniques authorized for the area shall be specified in the master plan, including the extent, timing and frequency of any activity or technique. Management activities or techniques used in implementing the plan may not exceed the parameters identified by the master plan for the management area;

NR 44.07(7)(g)2. 2. Resource management developments such as dams, dikes, ditches, habitat improvement devices, and constructed ponds and other types of non-recreational structures, that harmonize with the surrounding landscape to the degree practicable and feasible may be present; and

NR 44.07(7)(g)3. 3. Visual quality management techniques shall be prescribed, to the degree feasible and practicable, as appropriate for the specific management objectives, resource capabilities, and the degree and type of aesthetic concern for the area.

NR 44.07 History History: Cr. Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96.