NR 51.31 NR 51.31 Applicability. This subchapter applies to the department program to acquire Great Lakes bluff land under s. 30.24, Stats., and to bluff land protection grants to nonprofit conservation organizations pursuant to s. 23.096, Stats.

NR 51.31 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.

NR 51.32 NR 51.32 Definitions. In addition to the definitions in s. NR 51.002, the following definition applies to this subchapter: “Bluff” means a hill, ridge or similar landform significantly elevated above the surrounding landscape, having a broad, steep face or cliff, and adjoining the shoreline or coastal lowlands of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior. “Bluff” includes an elevated landform having a steep face or bedrock cliff associated with the escarpment of Niagara dolomite within 6 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline in Door and Brown counties.

NR 51.32 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

NR 51.33 NR 51.33 Priorities. The department shall select bluff lands for protection in the following order of priority:

NR 51.33(1) (1) Bluffs harboring unique or unusual natural features, including high quality biotic communities, rare plant and animal species or significant geological formations.

NR 51.33(2) (2) Bluffs containing or representing significant historical or Native American archaeological features.

NR 51.33(3) (3) Bluffs affording significant scenic views of surrounding landscapes and waterscapes, or bluffs that are themselves an important scenic component of the landscape as observed from afar.

NR 51.33(4) (4) Bluffs providing opportunities for low-impact public recreation, including hiking and nature study.

NR 51.33 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.

NR 51.34 NR 51.34 Factors to consider. The department shall consider the following factors when evaluating bluff protection projects:

NR 51.34(1) (1) The condition and quality of the bluff’s biological, archaeological or historical features or their ability to recover from past disturbance, or both.

NR 51.34(2) (2) The existing and potential threats to the bluff features’ long-term viability caused by human activities, including development and land use changes.

NR 51.34(3) (3) The existing and potential threats to the bluff caused by natural factors such as extensive erosion due to high water levels.

NR 51.34(4) (4) The size of the bluff.

NR 51.34(5) (5) The potential for the bluff site to be linked with other protected bluff lands or significant natural features.

NR 51.34(6) (6) The extent to which bluffs containing similar features are already protected.

NR 51.34(7) (7) The accessibility of the bluff for public use and the ability of the site to sustain that use.

NR 51.34 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.

subch. V of ch. NR 51 Subchapter V — Habitat Areas

NR 51.40 NR 51.40 Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish the administrative framework for the implementation of the habitat areas program to protect, enhance, and restore wildlife habitat in Wisconsin in order to expand opportunities for wildlife-based recreation. The goals of the program will be achieved through acquisition of property and habitat restoration.

NR 51.40 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; r. and recr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; emerg. am. eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: am. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

NR 51.41 NR 51.41 Applicability. This subchapter applies to grants to nonprofit conservation organizations pursuant to ss. 23.092 and 23.096, Stats., and conservation organizations pursuant to s. 23.197 (4), Stats.

NR 51.41 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; r. and recr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; emerg. am. eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: am. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

NR 51.42 NR 51.42 Definitions. In addition to the definitions in s. NR 51.002, the following definitions apply to this subchapter:

NR 51.42(1) (1) “Habitat restoration contract” means a recorded contract between the department and a nonprofit conservation organization, nonprofit organization, or conservation organization or landowner setting forth the obligations of each and identifying land management practices and their cost, installation schedule and maintenance requirements.

NR 51.42(2) (2) “Habitat restoration grant” means a grant under this subchapter to a nonprofit conservation organization, nonprofit organization or conservation organization to undertake a habitat restoration project that includes the installation of land management practices.

NR 51.42(3) (3) “Long-term” means planning to last longer than 3 years.

NR 51.42(4) (4) “Timber Plantation” means a stand composed primarily of trees established by planting or artificial seeding.