2006 Special Committee on Navigability and Drainage Ditches

The current definition of navigability is a combination of statutes and Wisconsin court decisions. Some elements of the current test of navigability are quantitative or are based on factual observations by the DNR. The special committee is directed to review methods to clarify “navigability” as defined in statutes and administrative rules, with a focus on how the definition of navigability impacts the regulation of drainage ditches and ditches with no stream history. The committee is to review the methods the DNR uses to determine navigability.