LRB-3154/1
RPN:jld:pg
2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE
September 23, 2003 - Introduced by
Joint Committee For Review of
Administrative Rules. Referred to Committee on Environment and Natural
Resources.
SB258,1,3
1An Act to create 30.26 (4) of the statutes;
relating to: suspending the
2Department of Natural Resources rule related to limits on bridges over wild
3rivers.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the legislature may designate rivers as part of the state's
wild river system. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers the
system to preserve, protect, and enhance the rivers' natural beauty and unique
recreational value. Currently portions of the Pike, Pine, and Popple rivers are
designated as wild rivers.
This bill prohibits DNR from promulgating a rule that prohibits the crossing
of a bridge constructed before September 16, 2003, across a wild river by an
all-terrain vehicle traveling on an all-terrain vehicle trail or by a snowmobile
traveling on a snowmobile trail.
This bill is introduced as required by s. 227.26 (2) (f), stats., in support of the
action of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules to suspend section
302.04 (5) (a) and (b), Wis. Adm. Code, a rule of DNR, on August 19, 2003. The
suspended rule provides that bridges, other than state and municipal highway
bridges, may only be constructed over scenic rivers if they meet certain conditions.
These conditions include requirements that the bridge is necessary for access to a
dwelling and that the bridge results in the least impact possible on the natural
condition and beauty of the river. The bridge must be limited to pedestrian use
unless there is a need, other than for convenience, that vehicles be allowed on the
bridge.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB258, s. 1
1Section
1. 30.26 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
SB258,2,62
30.26
(4) Restriction on department. The department may not prohibit the
3crossing of a bridge, constructed before September 16, 2003, over a wild river by an
4all-terrain vehicle traveling on an all-terrain vehicle trail, as defined under s. 23.33
5(1) (d), or by a snowmobile traveling on a snowmobile trail, as defined under s. 350.01
6(17).
