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;

NR 1.90(2)(g) (g) Enhance development of non-boating public access throughout the state to accommodate a significant population of disabled, elderly and others who elect not to use watercraft to enjoy and use the state’s waterways;

NR 1.90(2)(h) (h) Increase public awareness of water user responsibilities, public safety and measures to protect the natural resource values of our lakes, rivers and streams; and

NR 1.90(2)(i) (i) Work with local units of government and citizens to help reduce use conflicts and trespass problems.

NR 1.90 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1977, No. 262, eff. 11-1-77; r. and recr. Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94.

NR 1.91 NR 1.91 Public boating access standards.

NR 1.91(1) (1) Applicability. Sections NR 1.91 to 1.93 shall apply to department decisions related to acquiring, developing, maintaining and improving public boating access sites, providing natural resources enhancement services and to other department decisions relating to protection and use of navigable waters. Sections NR 1.91 to 1.93 do not allow trespass across private lands, change existing trespass law nor change navigation laws. Sections NR 1.91 to 1.93 would not apply to waterways which are not public navigable waters such as most artificial manmade ponds. The rights of riparian owners for singular access to adjacent waterways would also be unaffected.

NR 1.91(2) (2) Definitions. As used in ss. NR 1.90 to 1.93, the following definitions apply:

NR 1.91(2)(a) (a) “Abandon”, “abandonment”, “discontinuance” means a permanent or long-term closure of an access site whether by resolution, ordinance, signing, placement of a physical barrier or by other means that reduces access.

NR 1.91(2)(b) (b) “Access site” means an area of land providing public boat access or carry-in access, which provides parking for vehicles with or without trailers.

NR 1.91(2)(c) (c) “Carry-in access” means access designed only for non-trailered boat launching.

NR 1.91(2)(d) (d) “Natural resources enhancement services” means funding or activities that increase the recreational or environmental values of a waterway. These services include fish stocking, removal or other fish population management, habitat development, financial assistance for aquatic plant harvesting and any other services that increase the recreational or environmental values of a waterway and are supported with a grant awarded under ch. NR 193.

NR 1.91(2)(e) (e) “Open water acres” means the water body surface which appears as water predominantly devoid of emergent vegetation on recent aerial photographs representative of the navigation season. This determination shall be made by the department and shall include open water acres on all contiguous waters connected by a channel or river commonly navigated by motorized craft.

NR 1.91(2)(f) (f) “Plan” means an alternative boating access and waterway protection plan developed by the department or a local unit of government pursuant to sub. (6).

NR 1.91(2)(g) (g) “Public access”, for purposes of s. NR 1.92, means any site providing motor vehicle access to ice-bound waters, public boating access or carry-in access.

NR 1.91(2)(h) (h) “Public boating access” means any site or combination of sites including private sites meeting the provisions of sub. (7) at which the general public may gain legal access to a body of water by the process of launching a boat.

NR 1.91(2)(i) (i) “Reasonable public boating access” means opportunities for public enjoyment and use of navigable waters which: