Chapter NR 45

NR 45.04(4)(b) (b) To apply for written approval for a special event, a person or organization seeking to hold a special event shall submit to the department all of the following at least 90 days prior to the event:

NR 45.04(4)(b)1. 1. An application describing the special event on forms provided by the department.

NR 45.04(4)(b)2. 2. Proof of adequate insurance as determined by the department, with the policy naming the department as additional insured.

NR 45.04(4)(b)3. 3. A fee as determined by the department under s. NR 45.12 (4) (L).

NR 45.04(4)(c) (c) The department may waive the requirement to obtain written approval under pars. (a) and (b) if the special property use is authorized in an existing agreement with the department or if the use will not result in any of the following:

NR 45.04(4)(c)1. 1. Public safety risks.

NR 45.04(4)(c)2. 2. Negative impacts to a unique plant or animal community or geological or cultural features.

NR 45.04(4)(c)3. 3. Costs to the department or additional department staff resources costs incurred as a result of the event.

NR 45.04(4)(c)4. 4. Negative impact to use and enjoyment of the property by others.

NR 45.04(4)(c)5. 5. Violation of statute or administrative rule.

NR 45.04(4)(d) (d) The department may issue written authorization for a special event and other special property use with conditions that it deems necessary to ensure the protection and orderly management of the property.

NR 45.04(4)(e) (e) The department may modify or terminate written authorization for any special property use at any time if necessary to ensure public safety, protection of state facilities, or protection of natural resources.

NR 45.04(4)(f) (f) In addition to the fee in s. NR 45.12 (4) (L), the department may require the person or organization holding a special event or conducting other special property use to compensate the department for, or to restore to the satisfaction of the department, a natural resource or department property that is damaged as a result of the use.

NR 45.04(4)(g) (g) No person may participate in a special event or other special property use that is not authorized under this section.

NR 45.04 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; am. (2) (a) (intro.) and (c), cr. (3) (k), Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; emerg. cr. (3) (L), eff. 4-1-88; emerg. cr. (3) (L), eff. 4-1-89; emerg. am. (3) (L), eff. 5-2-89; renum. (3) (h) to be (3) (h) 1. and cr. (3) (h) 2., Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90; am. (1) (c) and (2) (c), cr. (3) (), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; r. and recr. (1) (a), (2) (a) and (3) (d), am. (1) (c), (3) (b) and (e), cr. (3) (m), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; cr. (1) (d), (2) (a) 3. and (b) 4., r. and recr. (2) (b) 3. and (3) (b), Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; renum. (3) (k), (L) and (m) to be (3) (j), (k) and (L), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; am. (3) (g), cr. (3) (m), (n) and (o), Register, December, 1999, No. 528, eff. 1-1-00; CR 01-011: cr. (1) (e), (3) (p), (r) and (s) Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; CR 03-035: cr. (1), (f), am. (2) (c), (3) (n) and (p), r. and recr. (3) (f) Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-092: am. (1) (c), cr. (3) (t) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; emerg. cr. (1) (g), eff. 4-1-06; CR 06-065: cr. (1) (g) Register November 2006 No. 611, eff. 12-1-06; CR 07-026: cr. (2) (a) 4., r. (3) (h) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 08-011: cr. (3) (u) Register September 2008 No. 633, eff. 2-1-09; CR 09-103: r. (1) (g) Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; CR 10-042: cr. (1) (a) 2. and (3) (v), am. (1) (a) 1., (3) (b) and (f) 1., renum. (1) (a) 2. and 3. to be (1) (a) 3. and 4. Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; correction in (1) (a) 4. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., and (3) (v) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register December 2010 No. 660; CR 11-030: cr. (3) (m) 1. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12; correction in numbering in (3) (m) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register February 2012 No. 674; CR 13-021: am. (1) (a) 1. Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; 2013 Wis. Act 295: am. (2) (a) 2., r. (2) (a) 3., cr. (2) (a) 5. Register May 2014 No. 701, eff. 6-1-14; CR 16-028: am. (2) (a) 2. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 16-001: am. (1) (b), (3) (v), cr. (4) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 23-060: renum. (1) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., 3., 4., (b) to be (1) (a), (1s) (a) 1., 2., (b) 1., 2., (1) (b) 2. (intro.) and am., cr. (1) (b) 1., 2. a. to c., am. (1) (c), (f), cr. (1s) (intro.), (a) 3. to 5., (b) 3., am. (2) (a) (intro.), 4., cr. (2) (a) 6. to 8., (3) (am) 1., 2., am. (3) (b), cr. (3) (d) 3., am. (3) (e), cr. (3) (e) 2., am. (3) (f) 1., 2., (g), renum. (3) (m) 1. to (3) (m) 1. (intro.) and am., cr. (3) (m) 1. b., am. (3) (v), cr. (3) (w), am. (4) (title), (a), cr. (4) (am), am. (4) (b) (intro.), (c) (intro.), cr. (4) (c) 5., am. (4) (d) to (g) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24; correction in (3) (e), 1. titles made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., renum. (3) (e) to (3) (e) 1. under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register July 2024 No. 823.

NR 45.045 NR 45.045 Firewood.

NR 45.045(1) (1) In this section, “firewood” includes limbs, branches, roots, unprocessed logs, slabs with bark, cut firewood and chips.

NR 45.045(2) (2) No person may possess firewood that originates from any of the following:

NR 45.045(2)(a) (a) An area more than 10 miles from the campground, or the property itself if there is no campground, to which the firewood will be transported.

NR 45.045(2)(c) (c) An area, outside of the property where firewood is identified as a carrier of invasive terrestrial invertebrates and plant-disease causing microorganisms, including any of the following:

NR 45.045(2)(c)1. 1. An area that is in a zone of infestation designated by the department under s. 26.30 (7), Stats.

NR 45.045(2)(c)2. 2. An area quarantined by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 94.01, Stats.

NR 45.045(2)(c)3. 3. An area quarantined by the U.S. department of agriculture and animal and plant health inspection service under USC 7714 or 7715.

NR 45.045(2)(c)4. 4. An area quarantined by an American Indian tribe within the reservation of the tribe.

NR 45.045(3) (3) This section does not apply to firewood from sources approved by department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, to dimensional lumber that is debarked, kiln dried and smoothed, or artificial fireplace logs.

NR 45.045(4) (4) The department may seize and dispose of firewood possessed in violation of this section.

NR 45.045 Note Note: A list of firewood sources approved by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection can be obtained at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/MovingFirewood.aspx or by calling [phone].

NR 45.045 History History: CR 09-103: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; CR 13-080: am. (2) (a), r. (2) (b), renum. (2) (d) to (3), renum. (2) (e) to (4) and am. Register May 2014 No. 701, eff. 6-1-14; CR 16-001: am. (1), (2) (c) (intro.) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

NR 45.046 NR 45.046 Firewood collection for personal use at home.

NR 45.046(1) (1) In this section, “firewood” includes limbs, branches, roots, unprocessed logs, slabs with bark, cut firewood, and chips.

NR 45.046(2) (2) No person may cut, gather, buy, sell, use, transfer, or possess firewood, from any property for use off that property unless the person possesses a valid forest products permit issued by the department authorizing the cutting or gathering. A person required to hold a forest products permit under this sub. shall display the permit upon demand for inspection by the department or its agents.

NR 45.046(3) (3) The department may impose reasonable conditions on any forest products permit it issues, and may limit or deny a forest products permit if necessary to protect resources or avoid conflict with property management objectives.

NR 45.046(4) (4) The department may revoke a forest products permit issued under this section for a violation of any condition of the permit, or for otherwise cutting or gathering without authorization.  Revocations under this subsection shall apply statewide and be limited to a period not to exceed one year from the date on which the department notifies the authorized person of the revocation.  No person may possess or apply for a forest products permit for any property during a period of revocation.

NR 45.046(5) (5) Firewood collected or gathered under a forest products permit shall be for personal use only, and may not be sold or otherwise exchanged for anything of value.  Exceeding the scope of this permit shall be considered a violation of s. 26.05, Stats.

NR 45.046 Note Note: Under s. 26.05, Stats., no person may cut, remove, or transport raw forest products or direct the cutting, removal, or transportation of raw forest products without the consent of the owner.

NR 45.046 History History: CR 16-001: cr. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

NR 45.05 NR 45.05 Vehicles.

NR 45.05(1) (1) Traffic and parking.

NR 45.05(1)(a) (a)

NR 45.05(1)(a)1. 1. ‘Generally.’ No person may operate any vehicle contrary to any posted traffic sign, traffic control device, or the direction of a traffic control officer.

NR 45.05(1)(a)2. 2. ‘Speed limit.’ No person may operate any vehicle contrary to any posted speed limit, or in excess of 25 miles per hour where no posted speed limit has been established.

NR 45.05(1)(a)3. 3. ‘Unsafe operation.’ No person may operate any vehicle in a negligent, reckless, or careless manner that endangers life, property, or persons. 

NR 45.05(1)(a)4. 4. ‘Disorderly operation.’ No person may operate any vehicle in a manner which is unreasonably loud, disruptive, or otherwise interferes with peace, welfare, and safety, including unnecessary spinning or squealing of tires, revving of an engine, or blowing of a horn.    

NR 45.05(1)(b) (b) All vehicles shall stop at department property entrance stations when such stop is ordered by department signs.

NR 45.05(1)(c) (c) No person may operate or park any vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (74), Stats., which is required to be registered by law on lands under the management, supervision and control of the department except:

NR 45.05(1)(c)1. 1. On highways as defined in s. 340.01 (22), Stats.

NR 45.05(1)(c)2. 2. In posted parking areas and boat ramps.

NR 45.05(1)(c)3. 3. Overnight by permit at state trail parking areas.

NR 45.05(1)(c)4. 4. As otherwise specifically authorized by law or administrative rule.

NR 45.05(1)(d) (d) No person may park, stop or leave standing, whether attended or unattended, any vehicle or watercraft:

NR 45.05(1)(d)1. 1. In any manner as to block, obstruct or limit the use of any road, trail, waterway or winter sport facility, or

NR 45.05(1)(d)2. 2. Outside of any area provided for such purposes when it is practical to use such areas, or

NR 45.05(1)(d)3. 3. Contrary to posted notice.

NR 45.05(1)(e) (e) Any vehicle or watercraft in violation of par. (d) may be towed off the property and stored at the owner’s expense.

NR 45.05(1)(f) (f) No person may operate a motor vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (35), Stats., off highways and parking lots while under the influence of an intoxicant or a controlled substance.

NR 45.05(1)(g) (g) No person may operate a motor vehicle as defined in s. 340.01 (35), Stats., off highways and parking lots without a valid driver’s license issued by this or another state or province, except for off-highway motorcycles in areas authorized for off-highway motorcycles.

NR 45.05(1)(h) (h) No person may operate an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle off the developed portion of a designated all-terrain vehicle trail.

NR 45.05(1)(i) (i) Electric personal assistive mobility devices as defined in s. 340.01 (15pm), Stats., are prohibited on department lands except where authorized in the property master plan or posted open for their use.

NR 45.05(2) (2) Abandoned vehicles. No person may leave any vehicle unattended without prior departmental approval for more than 48 hours under such circumstances as to cause the vehicle to reasonably appear to have been abandoned. An abandoned vehicle shall constitute a public nuisance.

NR 45.05(3) (3) Vehicle operation.

NR 45.05(3)(a) (a) Posted notices. Except as provided, no vehicle may be operated on lands and waters under the supervision, management or control of the department unless its use is specifically authorized by posted notice.

NR 45.05(3)(b) (b) Snowmobile races. No person may conduct or engage in snowmobile races on any lands under the supervision, management or control of the department.

NR 45.05(3)(d) (d) Persons with physical disabilities.

NR 45.05(3)(d)1. 1. The department may authorize by permit persons with physical disabilities that affect the person’s mobility to use a motorized vehicle as a mode of personal conveyance. The department shall accept proof of disability as required by 28 C.F.R. 35.137 (c) (2). Up to two additional people may occupy the device if their primary purpose is to assist the permittee.

NR 45.05 Note Note: Wheelchairs used by the physically disabled are not motorized vehicles. Permits must be obtained from the property manager or designee.

NR 45.05(3)(d)2. 2. The department may include reasonable permit conditions to protect safety and resources. No person may violate a condition of a permit issued under this paragraph.

NR 45.05(3)(e) (e) Bicycles. Except where provided in this chapter, bicycles are prohibited on all department lands except on public highways and areas or trails posted for their use. Bicycles are permitted in all areas, except where posted against such use, on the northern state forests, the Turtle-Flambeau and the Willow flowage scenic waters areas.

NR 45.05(3)(em) (em) Electric bicycles.

NR 45.05(3)(em)1. 1. Class 1 and class 3 electric bicycles as defined in s. 340.01 (15ph), Stats., may be operated at speeds of less than 15 miles per hour while the motor is engaged on trails listed in s. NR 51.73 (1) and subject to this chapter that are otherwise open to bicycles and on specific trails or sections of trails not listed in s. NR 51.73 (1) that are all of the following:

NR 45.05(3)(em)1.a. a. Open to nonmotorized bicycle use.

NR 45.05(3)(em)1.b. b. Specified in a property master plan.

NR 45.05(3)(em)1.c. c. Posted as open for such use.

NR 45.05(3)(em)3. 3. The department may prohibit operation of electric bicycles on specific trails or sections of trails by posted notice. No person may operate an electric bicycle on a trail open to bicycles and posted closed to electric bicycles.

NR 45.05(3)(f) (f) Prohibition. No person may operate any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or electric scooter contrary to any posted traffic sign, traffic control device or the direction of a traffic control officer.

NR 45.05(3)(fm) (fm) Lighting requirements. No person may operate a bicycle or electric bicycle during hours of darkness as defined in s. 340.01 (23), Stats., on a trail designated under s. NR 51.73 (1) unless the person or the bicycle or electric bicycle is equipped with a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of the person or the bicycle or electric bicycle and a lamp emitting a steady or flashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the person or the bicycle or electric bicycle.

NR 45.05(3)(g) (g) Unsafe operation. No person may ride a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or electric scooter in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner so as to endanger the life, property or persons of others on any lands under the management, supervision and control of the department.

NR 45.05(3)(h) (h) All-terrain and off-highway motorcycle routes. In accordance with ss. 23.33 (4) (b) and 23.335 (19) (a), Stats., the department may establish all-terrain vehicle routes and off-highway motorcycle routes on department lands over highways, as defined in s. 340.01 (22), Stats., owned by the department or under the management, supervision, and control of the department, but not including designated trails, that are:

NR 45.05(3)(h)1. 1. Specified as an allowed use in a department master plan under ch. NR 44.

NR 45.05(3)(h)2. 2. Signed in accordance with ss. NR 64.12 and 65.09.

NR 45.05(4) (4) Aircraft. No person may land or launch any aircraft on the water or ice of Devil’s lake in Devil’s Lake state park, Sauk county; all waters in Governor Dodge state park, Iowa county, and Willow River state park, St. Croix county; Crystal lake in the Northern Highland state forest, Vilas county; Lake of the Dalles in Interstate park, Polk county; Mauthe lake in the Kettle Moraine state forest, Fond du Lac county; Lake Seven in the Kettle Moraine state forest, Sheboygan county; Ottawa lake in the Kettle Moraine state forest, Waukesha county; Interfalls lake in Pattison state park, Douglas county; Yellowstone lake in Yellowstone Lake state park, Lafayette county, and on all waters and lands, except model aircraft and hang gliders, in the Richard Bong state recreation area, Kenosha county.

NR 45.05 Note Note: Copies and amendments of the Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Report 1998-07, Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J1287, titled Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles, is available for inspection in the following offices: (A) The Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, Wisconsin 53707. (B) The Legislative Reference Bureau, One E. Main St., Madison, Wisconsin. (C) The Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15096.

NR 45.05 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1983, No. 336, eff. 1-1-84; r. and recr. (3), r. (4) (a), Register, August, 1986, No. 368, eff. 9-1-86; r. and recr. (3) (d), Register, September, 1990, No. 417, eff. 10-1-90; r. and recr. (3) (e), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; am. (3) (d), renum. (4) (b) to be (4), Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; cr. (1) (f) and am. (3) (e), Register, November, 1995, No. 479, eff. 12-1-95; am. (3) (e), cr. (3) (f) and (g), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 01-011: am. (3) (e) Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; CR 03-035: am. (4) Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04; CR 07-026: am. (1) (f), cr. (1) (g) to (i) and (5) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 10-042: cr. (3) (h) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 16-001: renum. (3) (d) to (3) (d) 1. and am., cr. (3) (d) 2., (em), am. (3) (f), (g), (h) (intro.) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; 2017 Wis. Act 301: cr. (3) (fm) Register April 2018 No. 748, eff. 5-1-18; CR 19-107: am. (3) (h) Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8-1-20; correction in (3) (h) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2020 No. 775; CR 23-060: renum. (1) (a) to (1) (a) 1. and am., cr. (1) (a) 2. to 4., am. (1) (h), r. (3) (c), am. (3) (em) (title), 1. (intro.), r. and recr. (3) (em) 1. a., b., cr. (3) (em) 1. c., r. (3) (em) 2., am. (3) (em) 3., r. and recr. (3) (f), am. (3) (fm), (g), r. (5) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 45.055 NR 45.055 Golf carts.

NR 45.055(1) (1) In this section, “golf cart” means, except as provided in this section, a properly maintained unmodified manufacturer specification vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile does not exceed 20 miles per hour on a paved, level surface, and that is designed and intended to convey one or more persons and equipment to play the game of golf.

NR 45.055(2) (2) No person may operate any golf cart on lands under the management, supervision, and control of the department unless all of the following requirements are met:

NR 45.055(2)(a) (a) The golf cart is operated within any of the following areas:

NR 45.055(2)(a)1. 1. Boat landings 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 in the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, and the posted route and parking area leading to Boat Landing 13 in the Governor Thompson State Park.

NR 45.055(2)(a)2. 2. Stephenson Town Park on High Falls Flowage in the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest.

NR 45.055(2)(a)3. 3. Medicine Brook Road from High Falls Road south 1.8 miles to the designated scenic overlook in the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest.