NR 44.06 Note Note: All department lands generally are open to recreational uses, as described in s. NR 1.61, and recreation is an important public benefit along with other resource benefits. The recreational use settings allow further description and definition of management in the recreation, scenic and wild resources management area classes where management for specific recreational environments is a prominent objective, and the absence of their application to the other land management classifications is not intended to imply that substantial recreational use does not occur in these areas.

NR 44.06(2)(b) (b) Sites or areas permanently closed to public recreational use are not assigned a recreational use subclassification.

NR 44.06(3) (3) Plan components for each management area. For each designated management area on a property, except for a wild resources management area which shall follow the plan provisions in sub. (10) (e), the master plan shall identify and explain the following:

NR 44.06(3)(a) (a) The specific short-term and long-term management objectives;

NR 44.06(3)(b) (b) The resource management and resource development activities authorized and the specific circumstances where, and the degree that, each management or development activity may be used;

NR 44.06 Note Note: For example, to identify specific management activities and where they may take place, the master plan may state, “in jack pine stands on very sandy sites, clearcutting is the primary management activity used to harvest the stand and promote regeneration”.

NR 44.06(3)(c) (c) The types of recreation management and recreation facility development authorized, and, when appropriate, the authorized size or use capacity of the facilities;

NR 44.06(3)(d) (d) The specific types of public use or uses authorized on designated roads and trails, and any appropriate use restrictions, such as restrictions related to seasonal or environmental conditions;

NR 44.06(3)(e) (e) Areas, if any, where specific management or development activities or techniques are prohibited or are limited and the rationale for any such limitation;

NR 44.06(3)(f) (f) Where appropriate, time schedule guidelines, any special development, vegetation management and maintenance requirements or restrictions, and any requirements for public health, safety and welfare, or the protection of cultural resources;

NR 44.06(3)(g) (g) The authorized management response to catastrophic events, including fire, disease, insect infestations or timber blowdowns; and

NR 44.06(3)(h) (h) Other requirements, if any, that are specified in the statutory authority for that type of property.

NR 44.06(4) (4) Forest production area. In the master plan a forest production area shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.06(4)(a) (a) Management objective. The management objective of a forest production area is the sustainable production of timber and other forest products. The specific objective for any given forest production area may vary depending on site capability, timber types, markets, societal needs, desired associated benefits, the desired future forest conditions, adjacent land uses and local economic conditions. In addition, under limited, special circumstances, which shall be specified in the master plan, the following may be forest management objectives:

NR 44.06(4)(a)1. 1. In areas of high recreational use and where site conditions allow, manage to produce timber on extended rotations in a manner that promotes long-term visual appeal.

NR 44.06(4)(a)2. 2. While managing for timber products, promote the production and maintenance of certain ecological attributes that are characteristic of older forests.

NR 44.06 Note Note: If providing ecological conditions associated with old-growth forest communities is the management objective, the area should be classified as a native community management area.

NR 44.06(4)(b) (b) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability and the practice of sustainable forestry. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued.

NR 44.06 Note Note: Examples of timber management activities and techniques include clearcutting, selection harvesting, thinning and other routine timber stand improvement activities, and the use of herbicides, mowing, burning, and planting and activities related to road construction and erosion control. “Timber stand improvement” means management practices for the purpose of improving the rate of growth, quality of growth or composition of the forest stand which may include pruning, non-commercial thinning, crop release and elimination of competing cull trees and shrubs, vines, weeds and grass.

NR 44.06(4)(c) (c) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components described in sub. (3), the master plan shall identify the predominant timber types and the desired future timber types and stand conditions for the area.

NR 44.06(5) (5) Habitat management area. In the master plan a habitat management area shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.06(5)(a) (a) Management objective. The management objective for a habitat management area is to provide or enhance habitat, whether upland, wetland or aquatic, to support specific species of plants or animals. Habitats and communities in areas with this designation may be managed for a wide variety of purposes, including focused species production and protection. Areas that initially do not have desired habitat conditions but have a high potential to be restored to those conditions may be included under this classification.

NR 44.06(5)(b) (b) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued.

NR 44.06 Note Note: Examples of potential management activities include timber harvesting, herbicide application, mowing, burning, planting, flooding, agricultural cropping, installation of fish habitat improvement devices, road construction and erosion control.

NR 44.06(5)(c) (c) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components in sub. (3), the master plan shall identify the habitat objectives and species or communities being favored, and the desired conditions to be produced in the area.

NR 44.06(6) (6) Native community management area. In the master plan, a native community management area shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.06(6)(a) (a) Definition. For purposes of this subsection, “native community” means a distinct and reoccurring assemblage of populations of plants, animals, bacteria and fungi naturally associated with each other and their physical environment and which are indigenous to the area.

NR 44.06(6)(b) (b) Management objective. The management objective of a native community management area is to represent, restore and perpetuate native plant and animal communities, whether upland, wetland or aquatic, and other aspects of native biological diversity. Areas that initially do not have the desired community conditions but have a reasonable potential to be restored to those conditions may be included under this classification.

NR 44.06(6)(c) (c) Management. Management activities shall be designed to achieve land management objectives through natural processes and management techniques that mimic those processes whenever possible. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued.