A created rule prohibits the launching or removal of motorboats on those portions of waterbodies located within DNR properties when the property's master plan restricts the use of motorboats.
An amended rule reorganizes the list of fee areas at state forests and eliminates two fee areas from the list.
An amended rule repeals the fee waivers for state park admission for holders of the National Park Service pass program. Instead, waivers will be given utilizing general statutory authority and guidance found in internal policy documents.
An amended rule categorizes all state forest campgrounds as type “A" to allow for an increase in camping fees per s.
27.01 (10), Stats.
An amended rule increases camping fees by $3.00 due to local market conditions for Rock Island State Park and 5 state forest campgrounds as allowed by NR 45.12(2)(b)5.
An amended rule increases the fee for commercial use permits, and for use of the indoor group camp at Wyalusing State Park.
A created rule establishes fees, based on site amenities including the number of electrical pedestals, for the new outdoor group campground at Council Grounds State Park.
An amended rule repeals specified rates for renting entire campgrounds at Devil's Lake State Park.
A created rule establishes a slow-no-wake area in the “narrows" of the Dells of Wisconsin River State Natural Area for public safety reasons.
An amended rule establishes closed hours for the newly acquired Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area for safety reasons.
An amended rule allows the addition of state natural areas to areas where vehicle admission receipts are required, adds Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area to the list of properties requiring a vehicle admission fee, and allows people to explore beyond the end of the designated trail at Parfey's Glen State Natural Area in response to the loss of an established trail due to flooding.
A created Rule establishes rules of conduct at Yellowstone Lake Wildlife Area's shooting range and defines the term “range officer."
A created rule establishes rules to implement the master plan for Straight Lake State Park including a ban on glass containers, a motorboat prohibition on Straight and Rainbow Lake, and a prohibition of gasoline powered ice augers.
A created rule establishes special event and boat mooring fees at Lakeshore State Park and operations of the marina.
A created rule prohibits target shooting within the Thornapple River sturgeon spawning area in Rusk County for public safety reasons.
Comparison with federal regulations
These rules are consistent with the requirements for land that is acquired or managed all or in part with Pittman Roberts, Sport Fish Restoration, and Land and Water Conservation Act funding.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Information pertinent to camping fees in state forests:
Illinois:
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Family campsite fees range from $10 per night to $20 per night.
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Illinois pricing varies by location.
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There is no mention of fee differentials due to market forces.
Minnesota:
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Family campsite fees range from $12 per night to $18 per night.
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Minnesota sets a range of pricing for different types of state parks.
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Minnesota prices their "Familiar Favorites" campsites at the $18 fee.
Iowa:
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Family campsite fees in Iowa range from $11 to $16 per night.
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Iowa charges a camping differential fee based on the time of year.
Michigan:
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Family campsite fees in Michigan range from $10 to $33 per night.
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Campsite prices do not vary by season or day of the week.
Information pertinent to state park proposals:
Illinois:
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North Point Marina is a comparable facility to Lakeshore state park. Vessels visiting North Point Marina 30 feet and under are charged a minimum daily rate of $40. There is an additional per foot, per day charge not to exceed $2 for each foot of vessel over 30 feet. Each seventh consecutive day leased under a temporary permit is free. 17 Ill. Adm. Code 220.60(c)
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Rules allow the Department to evict campers and refuse to permit a person to re-enter the eviction site or park for a period of up to 365 days from such eviction. 17 Ill. Adm. Code 130.150
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Rates for adult outdoor group camps are $4 per day with a $40 minimum charge
Iowa:
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No Great Lakes moorages.
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Department of natural resources officers are given authority to refuse camping privileges and to rescind any and all camping permits for cause. 571 IAC 62.8(461A)
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Group camp fees are facility dependent with a wide range of fees depending on amenities and size. Some facilities require a deposit as well.
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Special events require a permit.
Minnesota:
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Does not charge moorage fees at state parks.
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People in violation of rules are subject to immediate removal and any other appropriate legal action, to include revocation of permits issued. Minn. R. 6100.0525
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Group camp fees are $50-$75 per night or $3 per camper per night, whichever is greater. A minimum non-refundable deposit of $50 per night reserved is charged for all class III group camps at the time the reservation is made. The balance of fees is due at time of arrival.
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Special use requires a permit with proof of insurance.
Michigan:
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People in violation of rules are subject to eviction and revocation of camping permit in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law. Mich. Admin. Code R 299.929
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Campground fees range dependent on amenities and location. For groups rustic cabins are available for $60-$80 a night.
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Permit is required for commercial operations. Land use permit is dependent on the event and the volume of people. Minimum of $50 is required for permit on medium intensity and for ranges depending on services for all intensity of use. Permit review, staff monitoring, and land use fees are all add-ons for the permit. The permit may range from free ($0) to a maximum of $950.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
Information pertinent to camping fees in state forests:
Five northern state forest campgrounds are added to the current fifteen state parks where fees will be raised by $3 per night from $12 to $15 in response to market conditions . The new Northern state forest campgrounds added to this list are: Crystal Lake, Clear Lake, Firefly Lake and Musky Lake campgrounds in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest (NHAL) and Castle Mound campground in the Black River state forest. The locations of these state forests include popular tourism destinations.
All other state forest campgrounds in six northern state forests are added to the Class “A" category where fees will be raised by $3 per night from $9 to $12.
A survey of the markets surrounding the Northern State Forest campgrounds being adjusted for market conditions reveals that prices are much higher for non-state forest campsites per night compared to state forest sites. The increase brings the Northern State Forests in line with current public camping facilities.
Surrounding market prices:
Campground Ownership
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Fee Range
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Wisconsin State Parks
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$12 - $15
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National Forests
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$12 – $15
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County Parks
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$10 - $22
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Private Campgrounds
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$18 - $50
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Information pertinent to other state park proposals:
The fee structures being set up in most of the park areas are specific to the area and facilities.
Wyalusing is the only WSPS property with indoor group dormitory style camping, and the current rate is well below the existing market for accommodations of like type. Charging a rate that is close to market-based of $6 a person a day and $300 minimum will help to close the existing price and expense gap while simultaneously providing a cost effective option for groups. Current capacity for the indoor group camp is 108; with the $200 minimum rate set based upon a 50 person occupancy. Property staff report that it is not uncommon for groups as small as 10 to reserve the group campground. This still only results in costs of $20/night/person that is significantly lower than what exists in the private sector given amenities at the location. The DNR recently upgraded this facility without increasing the cost to rent; consequently, an increase is warranted at this time and is unlikely to significantly affect demand for this group camp. While these fees are higher for this campground, the fee is lower than rates charged in the private sector and remains an economical choice for groups or families to utilize.
Devil's Lake is the only property that specifies a rate for renting the entire campground in ch.
NR 45, Admin. Code.
The current rate is well below the existing market for accommodations of like type in the market area and significantly lower than if the sites were reserved separately. Deleting this code provision will allow the department to charge a more market based rate as authorized by s.
27.01(10)(f) Stats., and help to close the existing fiscal gap to operate the campground.
There is precedent for charging a special rate for particular campsites or campgrounds based upon amenities offered. Council Grounds state park recently opened three new group campsites, and the existing group camping fees are well below the market value for accommodations of like type in the market area. These sites include electrical hookups, dedicated toilet buildings and other amenities. By charging the existing group camping rate the Department believes these sites are under-valued. The new fees were calculated utilizing the current camping fee structure, plus the cost of the electrical pedestals with a premium for the amenities. These changes are unlikely to affect demand for these campsites and the change will make rates competitive based upon the amenities offered. While the fees are higher for these select campsites, the fee is competitive with rates charged in the private sector and still remains an economical choice for groups or families to utilize.
The Commercial Use Permit is required for common or recurring, property master plan-compatible, commercial uses of parks, recreation areas, and southern forest lands. Typically, these uses involve a service that is purchased and arranged off a property but performed on the property. This fee has not been updated in over 8 years. The fee is significantly lower than the perceived value to those who use parks, trails, and southern forests commercially because of the profit generated by the commercial use. All of the surrounding states require a commercial use permit and the cost is dependent on the activity.
Lakeshore state park recently opened its boat slips, and the rates charged mirror those for accommodations of like type provided by Milwaukee county as well as those at private marinas in the area. The fee is competitive with rates charged in the public and private sector, remains an economical choice for groups or families, and is unlikely to affect demand for this facility. Lakeshore state park is an urban park that regularly hosts various special events for visitors and local businesses. This event fee structure is similar to what Milwaukee county charges. Without this fee structure, the DNR is only authorized to charge its current special event fees, which are not applicable for events of this size and at this location. Lakeshore state park is uniquely poised to host large and small-scale events, contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Milwaukee. These events could range in size from 50 to 500,000 in attendance and span multiple days. The flexible fees will be decided in advance by the manager at Lakeshore state park in conjunction with the event holder, based upon the expected attendance, activities planned and impacts to other users of the property. The fee would be mutually established well in advance of an event, thus enabling groups to budget and plan effectively for their event on the Lakeshore grounds. Under this scenario, fees for special events at Lakeshore state park would remain an economical choice for everyone from corporations to families are unlikely to affect demand for this facility, and would provide the funds necessary to staff events of this magnitude.
Anticipated private sector costs
Fees are increased for certain uses of department lands and those increased costs will be incurred by the users. Because most users camp on a relatively infrequent basis, and the increases are modest, the fee increases are not anticipated to be burdensome. Regarding the slow-no-wake proposal at the “narrows", there is one private property landowner with frontage in the section of Wisconsin River encompassed by the regulation. There is no anticipated negative effect on his property values. In a personal contact with the landowner, he expressed support for a slow no wake rule. Since his property sits on the blind corner of the Narrows, he has a long history of providing access to the river for a flagman to monitor boat traffic and signal tour boats when it was safe to proceed.
Small Business Impact
One rule provision creates a slow-no-wake area on a stretch of the Wisconsin river. There are four commercial enterprises that operate boat tours in the Upper Dells on the Wisconsin river; two run both traditional tour (cruise) boats and jet boats, one runs exclusively jet boats and one only operates a tour/dinner boat. When contacted by the department, all the tour boat operators said their normal practice is to go slowly through the area anyway, so there would be no impact to them on their scheduling. They expressed support for a slow-no-wake regulation because their ability to navigate is often jeopardized by recreational watercraft attempting to jump the wakes of their boats or trying to maneuver around the larger boats at high speed. The distance of the slow-no-wake area is approximately 3,100 linear feet.
This rule does not impose performance standards, or compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses. Small business impacts from the commercial use permit fee increase will be minor as the permit fee increase is $20 per year. Even for a very small-scale business, the cost is likely to be easily absorbed the business, and offset by revenues generated from the business conducted on the state property. This change is not expected to dramatically increase revenues to the system; rather it updates the fee relative to the value businesses receive from doing business on system properties, and the impact their work may have on the resources or facilities at the property. The current fee is significantly below market value, remains an economical choice for businesses or families to utilize, and is unlikely to affect demand.
The Corporate Event fee at Lakeshore State Park is $500 for less than 500 attendees and is intended to offset the additional expenses associated with sponsoring the event. The businesses impact is anticipated to be minimal for many small businesses.
The campground fee increases will not have a negative effect on nearby private campground owners. Private campground may see a small increase in visitation and associated revenue if some campers select the private provider rather than paying the increased fee. The slow-no-wake proposal is not anticipated to have a measurable effect on commercial boat operators.
Small business regulatory coordinator
Environmental Analysis
This is a type III action under Chapter
NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code, and neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental assessment is required.
Fiscal Estimate
The fee increases will increase state revenues by approximately $246,670. A printed copy of the full fiscal estimate may be obtained by contacting Kathryn Fitzgerald, listed below.
Agency Contact Person
Kathryn Fitzgerald, Chief
Land Management Section
Bureau of Facilities and Lands
Phone: (608) 267-2764
Notice of Hearing
Natural Resources
Fish, Game, etc., Chs.
NR 1—
