Chapter NR 103

NR 103.02(4) (4) “Waters of the state” includes those portions of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior within the boundaries of Wisconsin, and all lakes, bays, rivers, streams, springs, ponds, wells, impounding reservoirs, marshes, watercourses, drainage systems and other surface or ground water, natural or artificial, public or private, within the state or its jurisdiction.

NR 103.02(5) (5) “Wetlands” means an area where water is at, near or above the land surface long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation and which has soils indicative of wet conditions.

NR 103.02 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; cr. (1m), Register, May, 1998, No. 509, eff. 6-1-98.

NR 103.03 NR 103.03 Wetland water quality standards.

NR 103.03(1) (1) To protect, preserve, restore and enhance the quality of waters in wetlands and other waters of the state influenced by wetlands, the following water quality related functional values or uses of wetlands, within the range of natural variation of the affected wetland, shall be protected:

NR 103.03(1)(a) (a) Storm and flood water storage and retention and the moderation of water level fluctuation extremes;

NR 103.03(1)(b) (b) Hydrologic functions including the maintenance of dry season streamflow, the discharge of groundwater to a wetland, the recharge of groundwater from a wetland to another area and the flow of groundwater through a wetland;

NR 103.03(1)(c) (c) Filtration or storage of sediments, nutrients or toxic substances that would otherwise adversely impact the quality of other waters of the state;

NR 103.03(1)(d) (d) Shoreline protection against erosion through the dissipation of wave energy and water velocity and anchoring of sediments;

NR 103.03(1)(e) (e) Habitat for aquatic organisms in the food web including, but not limited to fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, annelids, planktonic organisms and the plants and animals upon which these aquatic organisms feed and depend upon for their needs in all life stages;

NR 103.03(1)(f) (f) Habitat for resident and transient wildlife species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians for breeding, resting, nesting, escape cover, travel corridors and food; and

NR 103.03(1)(g) (g) Recreational, cultural, educational, scientific and natural scenic beauty values and uses.

NR 103.03(2) (2) The following criteria shall be used to assure the maintenance or enhancement of the functional values identified in sub. (1):

NR 103.03(2)(a) (a) Liquids, fill or other solids or gas may not be present in amounts which may cause significant adverse impacts to wetlands;

NR 103.03(2)(b) (b) Floating or submerged debris, oil or other material may not be present in amounts which may interfere with public rights or interest or which may cause significant adverse impacts to wetlands;

NR 103.03(2)(c) (c) Materials producing color, odor, taste or unsightliness may not be present in amounts which may cause significant adverse impacts to wetlands;

NR 103.03(2)(d) (d) Concentrations or combinations of substances which are toxic or harmful to human, animal or plant life may not be present in amounts which individually or cumulatively may cause significant adverse impacts to wetlands;

NR 103.03(2)(e) (e) Hydrological conditions necessary to support the biological and physical characteristics naturally present in wetlands shall be protected to prevent significant adverse impacts on:

NR 103.03(2)(e)1. 1. Water currents, erosion or sedimentation patterns;

NR 103.03(2)(e)2. 2. Water temperature variations;

NR 103.03(2)(e)3. 3. The chemical, nutrient and dissolved oxygen regime of the wetland;

NR 103.03(2)(e)4. 4. The movement of aquatic fauna;

NR 103.03(2)(e)5. 5. The pH of the wetland; and

NR 103.03(2)(e)6. 6. Water levels or elevations.

NR 103.03(2)(f) (f) Existing habitats and the populations of wetland animals and vegetation shall be maintained by:

NR 103.03(2)(f)1. 1. Protecting food supplies for fish and wildlife,

NR 103.03(2)(f)2. 2. Protecting reproductive and nursery areas, and

NR 103.03(2)(f)3. 3. Preventing conditions conducive to the establishment or proliferation of nuisance organisms.

NR 103.03 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; CR 00-164: am. (1) (g), Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

NR 103.04 NR 103.04 Wetlands in areas of special natural resource interest. Wetlands in areas of special natural resource interest includes those wetlands both within the boundary of designated areas of special natural resource interest and those wetlands which are in proximity to or have a direct hydrologic connection to such designated areas. For purposes of this chapter, the following are designated as areas of special natural resource interest:

NR 103.04(1) (1) Cold water communities as defined in s. NR 102.04 (3) (a), including all trout streams and their tributaries and trout lakes;

NR 103.04(2) (2) Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river;

NR 103.04(3) (3) State and federal designated wild and scenic rivers, designated state riverways and state designated scenic urban waterways, s. 30.26, Stats., ch. NR 302, 16 USC 1271 to 1287, ss. 30.40 to 30.49, Stats., and s. 30.275, Stats.;

NR 103.04(4) (4) Unique and significant wetlands identified in special area management plans (SAMP), special wetland inventory studies (SWIS), advanced delineation and identification studies (ADID) and areas designated by the United States environmental protection agency under section 404 (c), 33 USC 1344 (c);

NR 103.04(5) (5) Calcareous fens;

NR 103.04(6) (6) Habitat used by state or federally designated threatened or endangered species, s. 29.604, Stats., ch. NR 27 and 16 USC 1531 to 1543;

NR 103.04(7) (7) State parks, forests, trails and recreation areas;

NR 103.04(8) (8) State and federal fish and wildlife refuges and fish and wildlife management areas;

NR 103.04(9) (9) State and federal designated wilderness areas (16 USC 1131 to 1135 and s. NR 1.415);

NR 103.04(10) (10) Designated or dedicated state natural areas established under ss. 23.27 to 23.29, Stats.;

NR 103.04(11) (11) Wild rice waters; and

NR 103.04(12) (12) Any other surface waters identified as outstanding or exceptional resource waters in ch. NR 102.

NR 103.04 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; CR 00-164: am. (4) and (11), Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02; corrections in (1) and (6) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2005 No. 591.

subch. II of ch. NR 103 Subchapter II — Implementation

NR 103.05 NR 103.05 Purpose.

NR 103.05(1) (1) The purpose of this subchapter is to establish implementation procedures for application of the wetland water quality standards contained in subch. I.

NR 103.05(2) (2) Whenever the procedures of this subchapter are applicable to an activity, they shall supersede the regulatory provisions of s. NR 1.95 (5).

NR 103.05 Note Note: NR 1.95 (5) was repealed eff. 8-1-01.

NR 103.05(3) (3) These procedures are promulgated under ss. 281.11, 281.12 (1), 281.15, 281.36, 281.37, and 283.001, Stats.

NR 103.05 Note Note: Effective July 1, 2012, 2011 Wis. Act 118, sections 119 to 141, repealed, revised, and renumbered various parts of s. 281.37.

NR 103.05 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; CR 00-164: am. (3), Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02; CR 09-123: am. (3) Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10.

NR 103.06 NR 103.06 Applicability. The provisions of this chapter shall, subject to the provisions below, apply to all department regulatory, planning, resource management, liaison and financial aid determinations that affect wetlands. This chapter shall only apply to specific activities which may require authorization or reauthorization after August 1, 1991 and which are subject to the requirements of statute or rules requiring a department determination concerning effects on water quality or wetlands.

NR 103.06(1) (1) Activities subject to the requirements of this chapter include, but are not limited to:

NR 103.06(1)(a) (a) Permits, reviews, approvals and other actions under chs. 23 and 26 to 31, Stats.;

NR 103.06(1)(b) (b) Permits and approvals under chs. 281, 283, 289 and 291, Stats., except as provided in sub. (3);

NR 103.06(1)(c) (c) Water quality certification under ch. NR 299;

NR 103.06(1)(d) (d) Permits and approvals under chs. NR 500 to 520;

NR 103.06(1)(e) (e) Department development and management projects; and

NR 103.06(1)(f) (f) Actions under ch. NR 120.

NR 103.06(2) (2) In addition to the requirements of s. NR 207.03 (5), this chapter shall apply to new or increased point source discharges to wetlands.

NR 103.06(3) (3) Wetland alterations which are directly caused by operations on a nonferrous metallic mineral prospecting site or mining site shall be regulated pursuant to specific wetland standards under chs. NR 131 and 132, respectively.

NR 103.06(4) (4) Exemptions. A person who proposes a project that may affect an artificial wetland shall notify the department at least 15 working days prior to initiating the project. For purposes of this chapter, the following artificial wetlands are exempt from the provisions of this chapter unless the department notifies the applicant within 15 working days from when the department receives notice of the proposed project from the applicant that the artificial wetland has significant functional values or uses under s. NR 103.03 (1) (e), (f) or (g):

NR 103.06(4)(a) (a) Sedimentation and stormwater detention basins and associated conveyance features operated and maintained only for sediment detention and flood storage purposes;

NR 103.06(4)(b) (b) Active sewage lagoons, cooling ponds, waste disposal pits, fish rearing ponds and landscape ponds.

NR 103.06(4)(c) (c) Actively maintained farm drainage and roadside ditches.

NR 103.06(4)(d) (d) Artificial wetlands within active nonmetallic mining operations.

NR 103.06(4m) (4m) Wetland alterations which are directly caused by a ferrous metallic mining operation or bulk sampling shall be regulated pursuant to specific wetland standards under s. 295.60, Stats.

NR 103.06 Note Note: This chapter does not apply to activities which are exempted from state and federal regulations. Examples include certain silvicultural and agricultural activities exempted under ch. 30, Stats., and s. 404 of the Clean Water Act (33) USC 1344. This chapter is not applicable to local zoning decisions.

NR 103.06 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; cr. (4), Register, May, 1998, No. 509, eff. 6-1-98; CR 13-057: am. (3), cr. (4m) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15.

NR 103.07 NR 103.07 Definitions. As used in this subchapter:

NR 103.07(1) (1) “Expansion activities of existing cranberry operations” means expansions of existing cranberry beds, “squaring-off” of existing cranberry beds, construction of new cranberry beds adjacent to existing beds, rehabilitation of abandoned beds, construction of dikes for subdivision of an existing reservoir, and the construction or extension of dikes for reservoir expansion.

NR 103.07(1m) (1m) “Mitigation project” means the restoration, enhancement or creation of wetlands to compensate for adverse impacts to other wetlands. “Mitigation project” includes using credits from a wetland mitigation bank.

NR 103.07(2) (2) “Practicable alternatives” means available and capable of being implemented after taking into consideration cost, available technology and logistics in light of overall project purposes.

NR 103.07(3) (3) “Water dependency” or “wetland dependency” means the activity is of a nature that requires location in or adjacent to surface waters or wetlands to fulfill its basic purpose.

NR 103.07(4) (4) “Wetland mitigation bank” means a system of accounting for wetland loss and compensation that includes one or more sites where wetlands are restored, enhanced or created to provide transferable credits to be subsequently applied to compensate for adverse impacts to other wetlands.

NR 103.07(5) (5) “Working day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and holidays designated under s. 230.35 (4) (a), Stats.

NR 103.07 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1991, No. 427, eff. 8-1-91; cr. (1) and renum. (1) and (2) to be (2) and (3), Register, May, 1998, No. 509, eff. 6-1-98; CR 00-164: cr. (1m), (4), and (5), Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

NR 103.08 NR 103.08 Department determinations.

NR 103.08(1) (1) The department shall review all proposed activities subject to this chapter and shall determine whether the project proponent has shown, based on the factors in sub. (3), if the activities are in conformance with the provisions of this chapter. The department shall, upon request, meet with a project proponent and other interested persons to make a preliminary assessment of the scope for an analysis of alternatives and the potential for compliance with this chapter.

NR 103.08(1k) (1k) 

NR 103.08(1k)(a) (a) For the purposes of reviewing an application under this chapter, the department may require submission of information consistent with s. NR 299.03 (1).

NR 103.08(1k)(b) (b) The department shall review the application for completeness within 30 days of receipt of the application. The department shall notify the applicant of any additional information reasonably necessary to review the application. An application may not be considered complete until the requirements of the Wisconsin environmental policy act, s. 1.11, Stats., have been met.

NR 103.08(1k)(c) (c) The applicant shall submit, at any time during the review process, additional information which the department finds to be reasonably necessary for review of the application.

NR 103.08(1k)(d) (d) The department shall protect as confidential any information, other than effluent data, submitted under this chapter which meets the requirements of s. 283.55 (2), Stats., and under s. NR 2.19.

NR 103.08(1k)(e) (e) For all activities that meet the criteria listed in sub. (4) (c) 3. and that do not require authorization under ch. 30, Stats., the department shall make a decision on an application within 60 working days of receipt of a complete application from the project proponent.

NR 103.08(1k)(f) (f) The 60 working day limit does not apply if the department determines that weather conditions prevent the department from making a decision in that time frame.

NR 103.08(1m) (1m) The department may rely upon wetland boundary determinations made by other agencies and consultants. If there is a dispute concerning a wetland boundary delineation, the review of the delineation shall be consistent with the procedures identified in the “Basic Guide to Wisconsin’s Wetlands and Their Boundaries” (Wisconsin Department of Administration PUBL-WZ-029-94) as determined by the department.

NR 103.08 Note Note: This guide is based upon the “Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, 1987” and Final Regional Supplements. Copies of “Basic Guide to Wisconsin’s Wetlands and Their Boundaries” may be obtained from Wisconsin Department of Administration, Document Sales Unit, 4622 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2156.

NR 103.08(2) (2) Wetland functional values and the impact of a proposed activity upon those functional values shall be determined using wetland ecological evaluation methods accepted by the department and appropriate to the affected wetland. The department shall consider available land use studies in its determinations.