Chapter 23

23.29(12) (12) Land dedication; partial interest; land of other state agencies; notice prior to sale or transfer. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program if the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in the land to the state unless adequate provisions for notice are provided. Land under the ownership of the state but under the management and control of another state agency may not be accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program unless adequate provisions for notice are provided. At a minimum, adequate provisions for notice shall require 30 days’ notice to the department before any sale, transfer or conveyance of the land or an interest in the land. The department may not regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer or conveyance of a dedicated state natural area or an interest in a dedicated state natural area but the department may ensure that the grantee, lessee or other party is informed of the dedication and understands that restrictions, conditions, obligations, covenants and other provisions in the dedication and articles of dedication run with the land and are binding on subsequent grantees, lessees and similar parties. No sale, transfer or conveyance of a dedicated state natural area may violate the dedication or the articles of dedication. The register of deeds shall notify the department if a dedicated state natural area is transferred by will or as part of an estate.

23.29(13) (13) Articles of dedication; requirement; approval. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program unless articles of dedication in the proper form and with the required contents are prepared and approved. The department and the person making the land dedication are required to approve articles of dedication if the land dedication involves the transfer of all or a partial interest in the land. The department and the appropriate state agency are required to approve articles of dedication if the land dedication involves land under the ownership of the state but under the control or management of a state agency other than the department. The department is required to approve articles of dedication if the land dedication involves only land under the ownership and control of the state and under the management or control of the department. The department shall seek the advice of the council in making approvals under this subsection.

23.29(14) (14) Articles of dedication; form. Articles of dedication are not in proper form unless they are prepared as a conservation easement under s. 700.40 or in another form acceptable to the department. Articles of dedication are not in proper form unless they run with the land and are binding on all subsequent purchasers or any other successor to an interest in the land. Articles of dedication are not in proper form unless the articles qualify as an instrument which is valid and meets the requirements for recording under s. 706.04.

23.29(15) (15) Articles of dedication; contents. The department may not approve articles of dedication unless they contain:

23.29(15)(a) (a) Public purpose. A statement of public purposes served by the dedication.

23.29(15)(b) (b) Identification of natural values. An identification of natural values associated with the land.

23.29(15)(c) (c) Conveyance. A conveyance or other instrument if necessary to transfer interest in the land as required under sub. (5).

23.29(15)(d) (d) Permanent protection. Restrictions, conditions, covenants and other provisions governing the use of the land so that natural values associated with the land are ensured of permanent protection.

23.29(15)(e) (e) Stewardship. Restrictions, conditions, obligations, covenants or other provisions governing the obligation to provide stewardship as required under sub. (9).

23.29(15)(f) (f) Authorization. Authorization to the department to ensure protection of natural values as required under sub. (10).

23.29(15)(g) (g) Access. Adequate provisions for access if required under sub. (11).

23.29(15)(h) (h) Notification of sales and transfers. Adequate provisions for notice if required under sub. (12).

23.29(15)(i) (i) Amendment. A provision specifying that no amendment or revision to the articles of dedication may occur except as provided under subs. (17) and (18).

23.29(15)(j) (j) Withdrawal. A provision specifying that no withdrawal of the land from the dedicated state natural areas system may occur except as provided under subs. (19) and (20).

23.29(16) (16) Acceptance; recording. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program unless the governor approves the dedication in writing. If the department and the governor approve, a land dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program is final with the recording of the dedication and articles of dedication in the office of the register of deeds. At the time of recording, the land is a dedicated state natural area and shall remain so unless withdrawn under subs. (19) and (20).

23.29(17) (17) Articles of dedication; amendment; justification. The articles of dedication may not be amended or revised unless the amendment or revision serves a valid public purpose, no prudent alternative exists and the amendment or revision would not significantly injure or damage the natural values which enabled the area to be considered a state natural area.

23.29(18) (18) Articles of dedication; amendment; procedure. The articles of dedication may not be amended or revised until and unless:

23.29(18)(a) (a) Agreement. The department and any other party with a property interest in the dedicated state natural area agree to the proposed amendment or revision.

23.29(18)(b) (b) Findings. The department issues written findings justifying the proposed amendment or revision under sub. (17).

23.29(18)(c) (c) Notice and hearing. A public hearing is conducted in the county where the dedicated state natural area is located following publication of a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, which announces the hearing and summarizes the department’s findings.

23.29(18)(d) (d) Standing committee approval. The appropriate standing committee in each house of the legislature, as determined by each presiding officer, approves the proposed amendment or revision.

23.29(18)(e) (e) Approval by governor. The governor approves the proposed amendment or revision.

23.29(18)(f) (f) Recording. The amendment or revision is recorded in the office of the register of deeds.

23.29(19) (19) Withdrawal; justification. The department may not withdraw a dedicated state natural area from the dedicated state natural areas system unless:

23.29(19)(a) (a) Extinction of natural values. The natural values which enabled the area to be considered a dedicated state natural area no longer exist or were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that the area has no importance or has a low level of importance as determined by the department with the advice of the council.

23.29(19)(b) (b) Superseding public purpose. The withdrawal serves a superseding and imperative public purpose and no prudent alternative exists.

23.29(20) (20) Withdrawal; procedure. The department may not withdraw a dedicated state natural area from the state natural areas system until and unless:

23.29(20)(a) (a) Findings. The department issues written findings justifying the proposed withdrawal under sub. (19) (a) or (b).

23.29(20)(b) (b) Notice and hearing. A public hearing is conducted in the county where the dedicated state natural area is located following publication of a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, which announces the hearing and summarizes the department’s findings.

23.29(20)(c) (c) Standing committee approval. The appropriate standing committee in each house of the legislature, as determined by each presiding officer, approves the proposed withdrawal.

23.29(20)(d) (d) Approval by governor. The governor approves the proposed withdrawal.

23.29(20)(e) (e) Recording. The withdrawal is recorded with the register of deeds.

23.29(21) (21) Restrictions. A dedicated state natural area is not subject to condemnation for use for any purpose unless the area is withdrawn from the state natural areas system under subs. (19) and (20). The department may not impose restrictions on a person who retains a property interest in a dedicated state natural area unless the department has authority under the dedication or articles of dedication or unless the person who retains the property interest agrees.

23.29(22) (22) Department authority. The department shall administer this section and shall encourage and facilitate the voluntary dedication of lands under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. The department may promulgate rules and establish procedures to aid in the administration and enforcement of this section. The department may provide legal advice and may prepare model articles of dedication to facilitate the dedication of lands under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program.

23.29(23) (23) Enforcement. The department and its agents, the department of justice, and peace officers, as defined under s. 939.22 (22), but not including commission wardens, as defined under s. 939.22 (5), have jurisdiction on dedicated state natural areas in the geographic jurisdiction to enforce articles of dedication and restrictions authorized under sub. (21).

23.29(24) (24) Injunctive relief; recovery of costs; punitive damages. The department, or the department of justice on its own initiative or at the request of the department, may initiate an action seeking injunctive relief against any person violating the articles of dedication of a dedicated state natural area or restrictions authorized under sub. (21). Any citizen may initiate an action seeking injunctive relief against any person violating the articles of dedication of a dedicated state natural area as a beneficiary of the interest in that land held in the public trust. The department, or the department of justice at the department’s request, may initiate an action to recover costs for stewardship expenses from the party originally responsible under sub. (9). The department, or the department of justice at the department’s request, may initiate an action for punitive damages against any person violating the articles of dedication of a dedicated state natural area. Punitive damages are in addition to any penalty imposed under sub. (25).

23.29(25) (25) Penalty. Any person who violates this section, a rule promulgated under this section, the articles of dedication of a dedicated state natural area or any restrictions authorized under sub. (21) shall forfeit not more than $10,000. Each violation and each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

23.29 History History: 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 403; 1989 a. 31; 1999 a. 9; 2007 a. 27; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 59.

23.29 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 103.04, Wis. adm. code.

23.293 23.293 State ice age trail area dedication.

23.293(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

23.293(1)(a) (a) “Dedicated ice age trail area” means land accepted and recorded for dedication under the ice age trail program under this section.

23.293(1)(b) (b) “Dedication” means all of the following:

23.293(1)(b)1. 1. The transfer of land or a permanent interest in land to this state to be held in trust for the people of this state by the department in a manner which ensures the stewardship of the area.

23.293(1)(b)2. 2. The binding unilateral declaration by the state that land under the ownership of the state is to be held in trust for the people of this state by the department in a manner which ensures the stewardship of the area.

23.293(1)(c) (c) “State ice age trail area” means the trail designated under s. 23.17 (2).

23.293(1)(d) (d) “Stewardship” means the continuing obligation to provide the necessary maintenance, management, protection, husbandry and support.

23.293(2) (2) Map. The department shall develop a map which designates the state ice age trail areas.

23.293(3) (3) Stewardship. The department is responsible for the stewardship of state ice age trail area lands.

23.293(4) (4) Contributions and gifts; state match. The department may accept contributions and gifts for the ice age trail program. The department may convert gifts of land which it determines are not appropriate for the ice age trail program into cash. The department may convert other noncash contributions and gifts into cash. These moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (7) (gg). An amount equal to the value of all contributions and gifts shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tw) or (tz) or from any combination of these appropriations to be used for land acquisition and development activities under s. 23.17. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations.

23.293(5) (5) Land dedications; valuation; state match. The department shall determine the value of land accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program. If the land dedication involves the transfer of the title in fee simple absolute or other arrangement for the transfer of all interest in the land to the state, the valuation of the land shall be based on the fair market value of the land before the transfer. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in land to the state, the valuation of the land shall be based on the extent to which the fair market value of the land is diminished by that transfer and the associated articles of dedication. If the land dedication involves a sale of land to the department at less than the fair market value, the valuation of the land shall be based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value. An amount equal to the valuation of the land accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tw) or (tz) or from any combination of these appropriations to be used for ice age trail acquisition activities under s. 23.17. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. This subsection does not apply to dedications of land under the ownership of the state.

23.293(6) (6) Land dedications; eligibility and acceptance. The department shall accept land except as provided by sub. (7), (8), (9), (10) or (12), within the state ice age trail area for dedication unless the long-term stewardship of the dedicated land cannot reasonably be assured.

23.293(7) (7) Land dedications; transfer of interest. The department may not accept land for dedication under the ice age trail program unless all interest in the land or a partial interest in the land is transferred to the state to be held in trust for the people of this state by the department. This subsection does not apply to land under the ownership of the state.

23.293(8) (8) Land dedications; state land. Land under the ownership of the state and under the control or management of the department may be accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program. Land under the ownership of the state but under the management or control of another agency may be accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program if the appropriate agency transfers sufficient permanent and irrevocable authority over the management and control of that land to the department.

23.293(9) (9) Land dedications; permanent and irrevocable. Except as permitted under this subsection, the department may not accept land for dedication under the ice age trail program unless the land dedication is permanent and irrevocable. The department may not accept land for dedication under the ice age trail program if the dedication or any provision in the articles of dedication include any reversionary right or any provision which extinguishes the dedication at a certain time or upon the development of certain conditions, except that the department may authorize a reversion or extinction if the land is withdrawn from the ice age trail program as provided under subs. (16) and (17). The department may not accept land for dedication under the ice age trail program if the articles of dedication allow for amendment or revision except as provided under subs. (14) and (15).

23.293(10) (10) Land dedications; public trust. The department may not accept land for dedication under the ice age trail program unless the land dedication provides that the interest in land which is transferred to or held by the state is to be held in trust for the people of this state by the department.

23.293(11) (11) Land dedications; stewardship. The department may enter into contracts or agreements with other agencies or persons to act as its agent and to ensure that stewardship is provided for a dedicated ice age trail area or to assume stewardship responsibility for a dedicated ice age trail area. In no case may the department abrogate its ultimate stewardship responsibility or its obligation as a trustee of the land.

23.293(12) (12) Land dedication; partial interest; land of other state agencies; notice prior to sale or transfer. The department may not accept land for dedication under the ice age trail program if the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in the land to the state unless adequate provisions for notice are provided. Land under the ownership of the state but under the management and control of another state agency may not be accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program unless adequate provisions for notice are provided. At a minimum, adequate provisions for notice shall require 30 days’ notice to the department before any sale, transfer or conveyance of the land or an interest in the land. The department may not regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer or conveyance of a dedicated ice age trail area or an interest in a dedicated ice age trail area but the department may ensure that the grantee, lessee or other party is informed of the dedication and understands that restrictions, conditions, obligations, covenants and other provisions in the dedication and articles of dedication run with the land and are binding on subsequent grantees, lessees and similar parties. No sale, transfer or conveyance of a dedicated ice age trail area may violate the dedication or the articles of dedication. The register of deeds shall notify the department if a dedicated ice age trail area is transferred by will or as part of an estate.

23.293(13) (13) Articles of dedication; form. Articles of dedication are not in proper form unless they are prepared as a conservation easement under s. 700.40 or in another form acceptable to the department. Articles of dedication are not in proper form unless they run with the land and are binding on all subsequent purchasers or any other successor to an interest in the land. Articles of dedication are not in proper form unless the articles qualify as an instrument which is valid and meets the requirements for recording under s. 706.04.

23.293(14) (14) Articles of dedication; amendment; justification. The articles of dedication may not be amended or revised unless the amendment or revision serves a valid public purpose, no prudent alternative exists and the amendment or revision would not significantly injure or damage the ice age trail.

23.293(15) (15) Articles of dedication; amendment; procedure. The articles of dedication may not be amended or revised until and unless:

23.293(15)(a) (a) Agreement. The department and any other party with a property interest in the dedicated ice age trail area agree to the proposed amendment or revision.

23.293(15)(b) (b) Findings. The department issues written findings justifying the proposed amendment or revision under sub. (14).

23.293(15)(c) (c) Notice and hearing. A public hearing is conducted in the county where the dedicated ice age trail area is located following publication of a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, which announces the hearing and summarizes the department’s findings.

23.293(15)(d) (d) Standing committee approval. The appropriate standing committee in each house of the legislature, as determined by each presiding officer, approves the proposed amendment or revision.

23.293(15)(e) (e) Approval by governor. The governor approves the proposed amendment or revision.

23.293(15)(f) (f) Recording. The amendment or revision is recorded in the office of the register of deeds.

23.293(16) (16) Withdrawal; justification. The department may not withdraw a state ice age trail area from the state ice age trail areas system unless:

23.293(16)(a) (a) Extinction of value. The value which enabled the area to be considered a dedicated ice age trail area no longer exists or was destroyed or damaged to such an extent that the area has no importance or has a low level of importance as determined by the department.

23.293(16)(b) (b) Superseding public purpose. The withdrawal serves a superseding and imperative public purpose and no prudent alternative exists.

23.293(17) (17) Withdrawal; procedure. The department may not withdraw a dedicated ice age trail area from the state ice age trail areas system until and unless:

23.293(17)(a) (a) Findings. The department issues written findings justifying the proposed withdrawal under sub. (16) (a) or (b).

23.293(17)(b) (b) Notice and hearing. A public hearing is conducted in the county where the dedicated ice age trail area is located following publication of a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, which announces the hearing and summarizes the department’s findings.

23.293(17)(c) (c) Standing committee approval. The appropriate standing committee in each house of the legislature, as determined by each presiding officer, approves the proposed withdrawal.

23.293(17)(d) (d) Approval by governor. The governor approves the proposed withdrawal.

23.293(17)(e) (e) Recording. The withdrawal is recorded with the register of deeds.

23.293(18) (18) Department authority. The department shall administer this section and shall encourage and facilitate the voluntary dedication of lands under the ice age trail program. The department may promulgate rules and establish procedures to aid in the administration and enforcement of this section. The department may provide legal advice and may prepare model articles of dedication to facilitate the dedication of lands under the ice age trail program.

23.293(19) (19) Enforcement. The department and its agents, the department of justice, and peace officers, as defined under s. 939.22 (22), but not including commission wardens, as defined under s. 939.22 (5), have jurisdiction on dedicated ice age trail areas.

23.293(20) (20) Injunctive relief. The department, or the department of justice on its own initiative or at the request of the department, may initiate an action seeking injunctive relief against any person violating the articles of dedication of a dedicated ice age trail area.

23.293 History History: 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2007 a. 27; 2013 a. 165.

23.295 23.295 Ice age trail area grants.

23.295(1) (1) In this section:

23.295(1)(a) (a) “Ice age trail area” means the trail designated under s. 23.17 (2).

23.295(1)(b) (b) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of the political subdivision or special purpose district or a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing.

23.295(2) (2) The department shall provide one grant of $75,000 in each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1999-2000, to a nonstock, nonprofit corporation that meets all of the following requirements:

23.295(2)(a) (a) The corporation is organized in this state.

23.295(2)(b) (b) The corporation is described under section 501 (c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

23.295(2)(c) (c) The corporation has a board of directors or an advisory council or both whose members represent different geographic areas of the ice age trail area, and at least one-third of whom are current or former ice age trail volunteers.

23.295(2)(d) (d) The board of directors or an advisory council of the corporation or both collectively have an interest or expertise in all of the following: