23.09(3)
(3) Interdepartmental cooperation. The department shall cooperate with the several state departments and officials in the conduct of matters in which the interests of the respective departments or officials overlap. The cooperating agencies may provide by agreement for the manner of sharing expenses and responsibilities under this subsection.
23.09(4)
(4) Rescues, emergencies and disasters. The department may on its own motion and shall, when so directed by the governor, assist other state, county, and local governmental agencies or do all things reasonably necessary in the rescue of persons lost in the forests of the state, or who may be otherwise in danger of loss of life, in the recovery of the bodies of drowned persons, and in cases of emergency or disaster, by assigning equipment and employes of the department to such rescue, recovery, emergency, and disaster relief missions.
23.09(6)
(6) Interpretation, limitations. This section shall not be construed as authorizing the department to change any penalty for violating any game law or regulation, or change the amount of any license established by the legislature, or to extend any open season or bag limit on migratory birds prescribed by federal law or regulations, or to contract any indebtedness or obligation beyond the appropriations made by the legislature.
23.09(7)
(7) Penalties. Any person violating any rule of the department under this chapter shall forfeit not more than $100.
23.09(8)
(8) Ways to waters. The county board of any county may condemn a right-of-way for any public highway to any navigable stream, lake or other navigable waters. Such right-of-way shall be not less than 60 feet in width, and may be condemned in the manner provided by
ch. 32; but the legality or constitutionality of this provision shall in nowise affect the legality or constitutionality of the rest of this section.
23.09(10)
(10) Conservation easements and rights in property. Confirming all the powers hereinabove granted to the department and in furtherance thereof, the department may acquire any and all easements in the furtherance of public rights, including the right of access and use of lands and waters for hunting and fishing and the enjoyment of scenic beauty, together with the right to acquire all negative easements, restrictive covenants, covenants running with the land, and all rights for use of property of any nature whatsoever, however denominated, which may be lawfully acquired for the benefit of the public. The department also may grant leases and easements to properties and other lands under its management and control under such covenants as will preserve and protect such properties and lands for the purposes for which they were acquired.
23.09(11)
(11) Aids to counties for the development of recreation facilities. 23.09(11)(a)(a) The county board of any county which, by resolution, indicates its desire to develop outdoor recreation facilities on county lands entered under
s. 28.11 may make application to the department for the apportionment of funds for state aids to counties for such purposes.
23.09(11)(b)
(b) In this subsection, "outdoor recreational facilities" includes picnic and camping grounds, hiking trails, trail-side campsites and shelters, cross-country ski trails, bridle trails, nature trails, snowmobile trails and areas, beaches and bath houses, toilets, shelters, wells and pumps, and fireplaces. Costs associated with the operation and maintenance of recreational facilities are not eligible for aids under this section. Costs associated with the development of facilities for spectator sports are not eligible for aids under this section.
23.09(11)(c)
(c) The state aids granted under this section shall be no greater than but may be less than one-half the cost of such project as determined by the department.
23.09(11)(d)
(d) Applications shall be made in the manner and on forms prescribed by the department. The department shall thereupon make such investigations as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the project will best serve the public interest and need. Upon approval of the project the department shall encumber a sum not more than one-half of the cost estimate of such project. When the project is completed, the department shall pay to the county not more than one-half the actual cost of such project. The department may inform itself and require any necessary evidence from the county to substantiate the cost before payment is made.
23.09(11)(e)
(e) The department in making its deliberations shall give careful consideration to whether or not the proposal is an integral part of an official comprehensive land and water use plan for the area as well as the relationship of the project to similar projects on other public lands. If requests for state aids exceed the funds allotted to the department for this program, those requests which form an integral part of a comprehensive plan shall be given first priority.
23.09(11)(f)
(f) Recreation facilities developed under the assistance of this section shall not be converted to uses which are inconsistent with the purposes of this section without the approval of the department. The department shall not issue such approval unless there is evidence that such other uses are essential to and in accordance with an official comprehensive plan for the area. The department shall require that the proceeds from the disposal of facilities developed under this section shall be used to further the objectives of this section.
23.09(12)
(12) County fish and game projects. 23.09(12)(a)(a) The county board of any county which, by resolution, indicates its desire to plan and carry out a program of coordinated fish management projects or game management projects may make application to the department for the allocation and apportionment of funds for state aids appropriated for such purposes by
s. 20.370 (5) (ar).
23.09(12)(b)
(b) Fish management projects and game management projects include but are not limited because of enumeration to: game food seeding; browse improvement cutting; prescribed burning for game habitat improvement; creating game cover brush piles; creation of impoundments, construction, nature trails; game and fish habitat creation or improvement; lake, stream and spring pond rehabilitation and improvement; construction of fish shelters; stream side fencing; rough fish control; and other approved fish and game management projects.
23.09(12)(c)
(c) State aid under this subsection to any county shall be distributed by the department according to the procedures adopted by the natural resources board. State aid granted to any county under this subsection shall be matched by the county and the state's share may not exceed one-half of the actual cost of the project. Personnel, equipment and materials furnished by the county may be included in computing the county share contribution.
23.09(12)(d)
(d) Application shall be made in the manner and on forms prescribed by the department. The department shall make such investigations as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the project will best serve the public interest and need and shall also consider the relationship of the project to similar projects on other public lands. Upon approval of the project the department shall encumber a sum not more than one-half of the cost estimate of such project. The department may inform itself and require any necessary evidence from the county to substantiate the cost before payment is made.
23.09(12)(e)
(e) Recreation facilities developed under the assistance of this subsection shall not be converted to uses which are inconsistent with the purposes of this subsection without the approval of the department. The department shall require that the proceeds from the disposal of facilities developed under this subsection shall be used to further the objectives of this subsection.
23.09(12)(f)
(f) Any county may cooperate with and participate in approved projects in any other county under this subsection.
23.09(13)
(13) Bong air base. The department may acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise the federally-owned lands, improvements and appurtenances thereto within the Bong air base in Kenosha county which may be disposed of by the federal government to be used by the department for any of the purposes in
sub. (2) (d). The department may establish zones within the boundaries of the Bong air base which offer a wide range of variable opportunities for active outdoor recreation consistent with
sub. (2) (d) and may promulgate rules to control the activities within the zones.
23.09(17m)
(17m) Grants to counties for the development of wildlife habitat on county forests. 23.09(17m)(a)(a) The county board of any county, which by resolution indicates its desire to improve the natural environment for wildlife on county lands entered under
s. 28.11, may make application to the department for the allocation of funds appropriated for such purposes by
s. 20.370 (5) (as).
23.09(17m)(b)
(b) The annual allocation for each county shall not exceed 10 cents for each acre entered under
s. 28.11, but any funds remaining from the appropriation made by
s. 20.370 (5) (as) and unallocated to the counties on March 31 of each year may be allotted to any county in an amount not to exceed an additional 10 cents per acre under the procedure established in this subsection. These aids shall be used to undertake wildlife management activities provided in the comprehensive county forest land use plan and included in the annual work plan and budget.
23.09(17m)(c)
(c) Wildlife management operations shall be limited to approved projects designed to benefit wildlife and the natural environment.
23.09(17m)(d)
(d) Application shall be made as part of the comprehensive county forest land use plan prepared under
s. 28.11. Before approving the plan, the department shall investigate all project proposals to make certain that the project is feasible, desirable and consistent with the plan. If the department approves the plan, the department shall pay the aids to the wildlife management fund account of the county. The county's wildlife management fund shall be a nonlapsing account except as provided in
pars. (h) and
(hg).
23.09(17m)(f)
(f) Completion of such projects authorized by the department shall be certified by a representative of the department. All records of receipts and expenditures from the county wildlife management fund account shall be available to the department for inspection and audit at any time.
23.09(17m)(g)
(g) Any unauthorized expenditures from the county wildlife management fund account shall be restored to such fund upon demand by the department and if not restored shall become a charge against the county and the secretary of state shall include such unpaid sums in the state tax levy of the respective counties in subsequent years.
23.09(17m)(h)
(h) If the amount of the unencumbered balance in a county's wildlife management fund account exceeds either of the following, the department may demand that the county repay the excess amount to the department:
23.09(17m)(h)1.
1. The amount that is equal to the sum of the allocations received by the county for the 3 previous years.
23.09(17m)(h)2.
2. The amount, as determined by the department, that is required for the purposes of this subsection.
23.09(17m)(hg)
(hg) If the unencumbered balance in a county's wildlife management fund exceeds both of the amounts specified in
par. (h) 1. and
2., the department may demand that the county repay either excess amount.
23.09(17m)(hr)
(hr) If the county fails to comply with the department's demand under
par. (h) or
(hg), the applicable excess amount shall become a charge against the county, and the secretary of state shall include the amount in the state tax levy of the county in subsequent years.
23.09(17m)(i)
(i) Expenditures under this subsection on any land withdrawn from
s. 28.11 and the title to which is transferred by the county to other than a public agency shall be reimbursed to the department in an amount not to exceed the prorated value of the remaining useful lifetime of the wildlife habitat development.
23.09(17m)(j)
(j) To the greatest extent practicable, the department shall encourage and utilize the Wisconsin conservation corps for appropriate projects.
23.09(18)
(18) Forest croplands and managed forest lands aids. 23.09(18)(a)(a) In each fiscal year, the department shall make payments to each county that has more than 40,000 acres within its boundaries that are entered on the tax roll under
s. 77.04 (1) or
77.84 (1) on July 1 of that fiscal year.
23.09(18)(b)
(b) The amount of the payment made in a fiscal year to an eligible county shall equal the county's proportionate share of the moneys appropriated under
s. 20.370 (5) (br) for the fiscal year. An eligible county's proportionate share shall equal the number of acres within its boundaries that are entered on the tax roll under
s. 77.04 (1) or
77.84 (1) on July 1 of the fiscal year divided by the total number of acres that are entered on the tax roll under
s. 77.04 (1) or
77.84 (1) on that same date and that are within the boundaries of counties that are eligible for payments under this section, multiplied by the amount appropriated under
s. 20.370 (5) (br) for the fiscal year.
23.09(18)(c)
(c) The department shall calculate and issue the payment for each eligible county by October 1 following each fiscal year.
23.09(19)
(19) Aids for the acquisition of urban green space. 23.09(19)(a)(a) In this subsection, "local governmental unit" means a city, village, town, county, lake sanitary district, as defined in
s. 30.50 (4q), or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district.
23.09(19)(b)
(b) Any local governmental unit may apply for state aid for the acquisition of lands and rights in lands for urban green space. Each application shall include a comprehensive description of the proposal for urban green space acquisition, plans for development and management of the land and any other information required by the department.
23.09(19)(c)
(c) The department may approve grants for the acquisition of land or rights in land for urban green space under this subsection for the following purposes:
23.09(19)(c)1.
1. To provide an open natural space within or in proximity to urban development.
23.09(19)(c)2.
2. To protect from urban development an area or naturally formed feature that is within or in proximity to an urban area and that has scenic, ecological or other natural value.
23.09(19)(c)5.
5. To provide land for noncommercial gardening to be used by inhabitants of an urbanized area.
23.09(19)(d)
(d) Grants under this subsection shall be for 50% of the cost of acquiring the land or the rights in land for the urban green space. The local governmental unit is responsible for the remainder of the acquisition cost.
23.09(19)(e)
(e) As part of its approval of a grant, the department shall specify for which of the purposes listed in
par. (c) the local governmental unit may use the land or the rights in the land acquired with the grant. The local governmental unit may not convert the land or the rights in the land acquired under this subsection to a use that is inconsistent with the uses as approved by the department.
23.09(19)(f)
(f) Title to land or to rights in land acquired under this subsection shall vest in the local governmental unit.
23.09(19)(g)
(g) The department may not approve a grant for costs associated with development, operation and maintenance of urban green space acquired under this subsection or for administrative costs of acquiring lands or rights in lands.
23.09(19)(h)
(h) The department may not approve a grant under this subsection unless the urban green space is identified in any master plan that the local governmental unit may have.
23.09(19)(j)
(j) Any local governmental unit that acquires an area for gardening with a grant under this subsection may charge fees for use of the garden that are sufficient to recover the costs of maintaining the area. The local governmental unit may reduce or waive any fee charged based on the user's inability to pay.
23.09(19)(k)
(k) Except as provided in
s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend more than $750,000 in each fiscal year for urban green space under this subsection and for grants for urban green space under
s. 23.096.
23.09(20)
(20) Aid for the acquisition and development of local parks. 23.09(20)(a)(a) Any city, village, town or county may apply for state aids for the acquisition and development of recreational lands and rights in lands for the development of its park system in accordance with priorities based on comprehensive plans submitted with the application and consistent with the outdoor recreation program under
s. 23.30. The application shall be made in the manner the department prescribes.
23.09(20)(b)
(b) State aid under this subsection is limited to no more than 50% of the cost of acquiring and developing recreation lands and other outdoor recreation facilities. Costs associated with operation and maintenance of parks and other outdoor recreational facilities established under this subsection are not eligible for state aid. Administrative costs of acquiring lands or land rights are not included in the "cost of land" eligible for state aid under this subsection. Title to lands or rights in lands acquired under this subsection shall vest in the local unit of government, but such land shall not be converted to uses inconsistent with this subsection without prior approval of the state and proceeds from the sale or other disposal of such lands shall be used to promote the objectives of this subsection.
23.09(20)(d)
(d) Except as provided in
s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $2,250,000 each fiscal year for local park aids under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under
s. 23.096.
23.09(21)
(21) Creation of new lakes. The department may create new lakes on lands under its supervision and control.
23.09(21m)
(21m) Environmental cleanup. The department may engage in environmental clean-up activities on the lands under its ownership, management, supervision or control.
23.09(25)
(25) Motorcycle recreational program. 23.09(25)(a)(a) The department shall administer an off-the-road Type 1 motorcycle recreational aid program from moneys appropriated under
s. 20.370 (5) (cv). The department shall distribute these funds to towns, villages, cities, counties and federal agencies for the acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of off-the-road Type 1 motorcycle trails and facilities. The department may distribute these funds before July 1, 1989, to towns, villages, cities, counties and federal agencies for the acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of all-terrain vehicle areas and trails if these areas and trails are also available for use by off-the-road Type 1 motorcycles. In addition, the department may expend moneys appropriated under
s. 20.370 (5) (cv) for the development and maintenance of existing off-the-road Type 1 motorcycle trails at the Black River state forest and the Bong state recreation area.
23.09(25)(b)
(b) The department shall promulgate rules and develop guidelines to administer this subsection.
23.09(25)(c)
(c) The state or its agencies shall not be liable for any injury to any person or damage to any property in connection with or arising out of the use of any lands acquired, developed or operated under this subsection by a town, village, city or county.
23.09(25)(d)
(d) The off-the-road vehicle council shall carry out studies and make recommendations to the department concerning the implementation of the program authorized under
par. (a).
23.09(26)
(26) Aids to counties for snowmobile purposes. 23.09(26)(a)2.2. The procedures in
sub. (11) (a),
(d),
(e) and
(f) shall apply to this subsection except that the department shall consult with the snowmobile recreational council before adopting snowmobile trail construction standards, the restriction in
sub. (11) (a) as to county lands is not applicable, the restriction in
sub. (11) (d) as to encumbrance of funds is not applicable and the restriction in
sub. (11) (e) as to requests for state aids exceeding available funds is not applicable.
23.09(26)(am)
(am) Counties may receive aids under this subsection distributed in accordance with
s. 350.12 (4) to:
23.09(26)(am)1.
1. Purchase lands or secure easements, leases, permits or other appropriate agreements, written or oral, permitting use of private property for snowmobile trails, facilities and areas, if such easements, leases, permits or other agreements provide public access to the trail, facility or area. No lands purchased or leases, easements, permits or agreements secured under authority of this section may be acquired by the county through condemnation. Counties shall certify to the department that such lands, easements, leases, permits or other appropriate agreements have been secured. However, when bridges, culverts, toilet facilities, parking lots or shelters are to be constructed under this section and the improvements are estimated to cost in excess of $3,000, the land underlying such improvements must be purchased by the county or secured by the county by written easements or leases having a term of not less than 3 years.
23.09(26)(am)2.
2. Enter into agreements with the department to use for snowmobile trails, facilities or areas lands owned or leased by the department. No lands of the department to be used for snowmobiling purposes within the meaning of this subsection may be obtained through condemnation.
23.09(26)(am)3.
3. Develop and maintain snowmobile trails, facilities and areas on public lands designated by the county board or trails or areas under
subd. 1. or
2.
23.09(26)(am)4.
4. Enforce laws in or on snowmobile trails, facilities or areas. As used in this subdivision, "facility" means a parking area, shelter or toilet.
23.09(26)(am)5.
5. Undertake major reconstruction or rehabilitation projects to improve bridges on existing approved trails.
23.09(26)(b)
(b) The county board of any county, which, by resolution, indicates its desire to receive aids under this subsection shall apply to the department on forms prescribed by the department and submit required documentation as set forth by rule on or before April 15, beginning in 1978. A decision on an aid application shall be made by the department on or before July 1, beginning in 1978.
23.09(26)(c)
(c) Distribution of snowmobile trail funds shall be made on the basis of a priority system according to the following priority-ranked purposes:
23.09(26)(cg)2.
2. The acquisition of interests in land, by lease, easement, permit or other agreement if the term of the acquisition is for a period of less than 3 years.
23.09(26)(cr)2.
2. The acquisition of interests in land by lease, easement, permit, or other agreement if the term of the acquisition is for a period of 3 years or longer.
23.09(26)(d)
(d) Distribution of snowmobile trail development funds shall be limited to trails which provide a primary access route through one county and connect with another county's trails, provide access from population centers to main access trails or support a high volume of use. Counties applying for aid for snowmobile trail development shall identify the type of trail for which aid is being sought on the forms under
par. (b).
23.09(26)(e)
(e) Distribution of snowmobile trail development funds shall be made on the basis of a priority system according to the following priority-ranked criteria:
