NR 1.71(4)(a)1. 1. Promote department properties and programs to visitors and potential visitors through publications, special events and interpretive programs.

NR 1.71(4)(a)2. 2. Provide and coordinate volunteer service for department properties and programs.

NR 1.71(4)(a)3. 3. Provide financial support to department properties, facilities and programs for such things as development projects, land acquisition, programs and interpretation. Friends groups may raise revenues for department properties, facilities and programs through such methods as membership fees, grants, donations, sales and special events.

NR 1.71(4)(a)4. 4. Put particular emphasis on supporting the interpretive, educational and visitor service programs of department properties.

NR 1.71(4)(a)5. 5. Not serve as an official advisory group to the department, the property or program with which affiliated.

NR 1.71(4)(b) (b) Organization.

NR 1.71(4)(b)1. 1. To be recognized as a friends group, the group shall organize as a non-profit, non-stock, tax-exempt corporation, and shall be structured through articles of incorporation and by-laws to direct its mission and activities to the support of the department, the property, group of properties, or other department facilities and programs as approved by the department.

NR 1.71(4)(b)2. 2. The department shall enter into written agreements with each qualifying friends group to ensure statewide consistency and fiscal accountability. The agreements shall, at a minimum, include provisions that require friends groups to:

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.a. a. Provide an annual fiscal and program report to the department, which may not include a list of donors or itemized donations,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.b. b. Provide meeting notice which is reasonably likely to apprise interested persons,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.c. c. Permit a fiscal audit by the department upon request,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.d. d. Maintain non-profit status,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.e. e. Provide liability insurance indemnifying the department if requested by the department,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.f. f. Prohibit department employees from serving as officers or directors,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.g. g. Agree to not represent their employees and volunteers as department employees,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.h. h. Permit the department to promote the friends group in its publications and announcements,

NR 1.71(4)(b)2.i. i. Distribute assets upon dissolution to another not-for-profit corporation benefiting the same property, another DNR friends group, the Wisconsin natural resources foundation, inc., or the department. The agreements will include a provision for termination upon reasonable notice by either party.

NR 1.71(4)(b)3. 3. The department may assist friends groups by making department facilities and equipment available to them, dependent upon availability, and as specified in written agreements.

NR 1.71(4)(b)4. 4. Permanent department employees may be members of a friends group, but may not serve as directors or officers of the group. Department employees may, incidental to their regular duties, sell items on behalf of the friends group.

NR 1.71 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1989, No. 403, eff. 8-1-89; CR 07-026: am. (4) (b) 4. Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 23-060: am. (3) (b), (4) (a) 5., (b) 1. Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 1.90 NR 1.90 Public access policy for waterways.

NR 1.90(1) (1) It is the goal of the state of Wisconsin to provide, maintain and improve access to the state’s navigable lakes, rivers and streams for the public. Public access facilities shall allow for public rights of navigation, related incidental uses and other uses which are appropriate for the waterway. Waterway uses shall be equally available to all waterway users and include enjoyment of natural scenic beauty and serenity. These public rights and uses may be provided by any combination of publicly and privately owned access facilities which are available to the general public free or for a reasonable fee. The department, alone or in cooperation with local government, shall exercise its management and regulatory responsibilities to achieve this goal and to assure that levels and types of use of navigable waters are consistent with protection of public health, safety and welfare, including protection of natural resources.

NR 1.90(2) (2) The department shall:

NR 1.90(2)(a) (a) Acquire, develop, maintain and improve navigation access which meets policy objectives;

NR 1.90(2)(b) (b) Provide public access to lands adjacent to state waters for uses that are not directly related to navigation but which require or are enhanced by proximity to water;

NR 1.90(2)(c) (c) Work with local units of government, other state and federal agencies and citizens to acquire, develop, maintain and improve public access;

NR 1.90(2)(d) (d) Work with private access providers to acquire, develop, maintain and improve access available to the public;

NR 1.90(2)(e) (e) Develop standards for public access acquisition, development, maintenance and improvement that provide recreational opportunities consistent with demand, commensurate with the capacity of the resource to support recreation and that provide a broad range of recreational experiences;

NR 1.90(2)(f) (f) Provide funding and services that enhance natural resource values of a waterway only if reasonable public boating access has been provided;