NR 302.01NR 302.01 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a management program designed to protect legislatively designated wild rivers from development so as to afford the people of this state an opportunity to enjoy those rivers in their natural and free-flowing condition and to assure the well-being of Wisconsin’s tourist industry by attracting out-of-state visitors, which the legislature has deemed to be in the public interest.

NR 302.02NR 302.02 Definitions.

NR 302.02(1)(1) “Wild rivers” for the purpose of this chapter are those rivers designated by the legislature in s. 30.26, Stats., namely:

NR 302.02(1)(a)(a) The Pike river in Marinette county from its mouth in section 3, township 34 north, range 21 east, upstream to the headwater branches; one branch beginning at the outlet of Coleman lake in section 17, township 36 north, range 18 east, and the other branch beginning at the outlet of North pond in section 20, township 37 north, range 18 east.

NR 302.02(1)(b)(b) The Pine river in Florence and Forest counties from its mouth in section 28, township 39 north, range 19 east, upstream to the headwater branches; one branch beginning at the outlet of Butternut lake in section 27, township 40 north, range 12 east, and the other branch beginning in section 11, township 38 north, range 12 east.

NR 302.02(1)(c)(c) The Popple river in Florence and Forest counties from its mouth in section 23, township 39 north, range 17 east, upstream to the headwater branches; one branch beginning in section 10, township 38 north, range 13 east, one branch beginning in section 23, township 38 north, range 13 east, and one branch beginning in section 24, township 38 north, range 14 east.

NR 302.02(2)(2) “Free flowing condition” means waters which do not contain dams or other artificial development or structures which serve to materially impede the flows of the stream.

NR 302.02(3)(3) “Natural condition” means free from development or alteration, except as specifically authorized by this chapter.

NR 302.02(4)(4) “Protection zone” is that area of land within 400 feet of the waters or to the visual horizon from the water whichever is greater on either side of the wild river.

NR 302.03NR 302.03 Management of lands adjacent to wild rivers.

NR 302.03(1)(1) On lands owned or under control of the department by lease, easement or agreement, the department may:

NR 302.03(1)(a)(a) Carry out erosion control measures necessary to protect the lands within the protection zone from erosion caused by human disturbance using natural materials not foreign to the immediate surroundings.

NR 302.03(1)(b)(b) Carry out restoration activities necessary to restore the natural appearance of river areas previously modified by man, without introduction of materials foreign to the immediate surroundings, implementing a natural evolutionary process.

NR 302.03(1)(d)(d) Develop limited walk-in access areas to allow or accommodate the launching of water craft.

NR 302.03(1)(e)(e) Except as provided in pars. (a) and (b) provide no vegetative control within 150 feet from the bank on either side of a wild river. Outside timber cutting in accord with the guidelines established in the department’s silvicultural and forest aesthetics handbook shall be practiced.