23.196(1)(b)
(b) "Willow flowage project" means the lands in the Willow flowage and surrounding lands in Oneida County that the department determines are necessary for the project.
23.196(2)(a)(a) The department may acquire and exchange lands for the establishment of the Willow flowage project. The priority and allocation requirements under
s. 23.09 (2dm) do not apply to any acquisition of land under this paragraph for which moneys appropriated under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) are expended.
23.196(2)(b)
(b) For the purpose of establishing the Willow flowage project, the department may expend up to an amount equal to the total amount available for the purchase of land. For purposes of
ss. 23.09 (2r) (a) and
23.0915 (1), moneys expended under this paragraph shall be treated as moneys expended for the lower Wisconsin state riverway acquisition.
23.196(2)(c)
(c) Section 23.15 does not apply to the exchange or other transfer of land by the department for the purpose of establishing the Willow flowage project.
23.196(3)(a)(a) The board of commissioners of public lands shall sell for cash, at fair market value, any of the lands under its jurisdiction that are determined by the department to be necessary to effect the sale of land for the Willow flowage project.
23.196(3)(b)
(b) The department shall contract for an independent appraisal to determine the fair market value of the land to be sold under
par. (a), and the sale of land under
par. (a) shall be concluded within 90 days after the determination of the fair market value.
23.196(3)(d)
(d) This subsection does not apply after June 30, 1999.
23.196 History
History: 1995 a. 27,
417.
23.20
23.20
Use of department gravel pits. The department may permit any town, county or state agency to obtain gravel, sand, fill dirt or other fill material needed for road purposes from any department-owned gravel pit or similar facility if this material is unavailable from private vendors within a reasonable distance of the worksite. The department may require environmental safeguards before permitting a town, county or state agency to obtain this material. The department shall charge a fee for this material commensurate with the fee charged by private vendors.
23.20 History
History: 1981 c. 131;
1985 a. 202.
23.23
23.23
Purple loosestrife. 23.23(1)(1) In this section, "purple loose-strife" means any nonnative member of the genus Lythrum.
23.23(2)
(2) The department shall make a reasonable effort to conduct research to determine alternative methods to contain and control purple loosestrife in the most environmentally sound manner.
23.23(3)(a)(a) The department shall make a reasonable effort to develop a statewide program to control purple loosestrife on both public and private lands, as provided in this subsection.
23.23(3)(b)
(b) The department shall make a reasonable effort to implement control and quarantine methods on public lands as soon as practicable. The department shall make a reasonable effort to employ the least environmentally harmful methods available that are effective, based on research conducted under
sub. (2).
23.23(3)(c)
(c) The department may conduct a pilot project using employes or other persons to engage in labor intensive efforts to control purple loosestrife on all public lands.
23.23(3)(d)
(d) The department shall request permission from private landowners to enter onto the land to control stands of purple loosestrife which significantly threaten environmental resources or which threaten to invade a nearby watershed or subwatershed. If the landowner denies the department permission to enter onto the land, the department may not enter the land but shall inform the landowner of the seminars available under
sub. (4) (c).
23.23(3)(e)
(e) The department may provide grants to other public agencies to allow the public agencies to control purple loosestrife on lands under their control.
23.23(4)(a)(a) The department shall make a reasonable effort to develop a statewide education program on the effects of purple loosestrife, as provided in this subsection.
23.23(4)(b)
(b) The department shall make a reasonable effort to educate the authorities in charge of the maintenance of all federal, state and county trunk highways and all forest and park land in this state on methods to identify and control purple loosestrife and multiflora rose. The department of transportation and all other authorities in charge of the maintenance of highways, forests and parks may cooperate with the department in efforts under this paragraph.
23.23(4)(c)
(c) The department shall make a reasonable effort to educate private landowners on methods to identify and control purple loosestrife. The department shall make a reasonable effort to conduct seminars periodically, at times determined by the department, to train private landowners in environmentally sound methods to identify and control purple loosestrife.
23.23 History
History: 1987 a. 41.
23.25
23.25
Geographic powers and duties. 23.25(1)(a)
(a) Determine the correct and most appropriate names of the lakes, streams, places and other geographic features in the state, and the spelling thereof;
23.25(1)(b)
(b) Pass upon and give names to lakes, streams, places and other geographic features in the state for which no single generally accepted name has been in use;
23.25(1)(c)
(c) In cooperation with county boards and with their approval, change the names of lakes, streams, places and other geographic features with the end in view of eliminating, as far as possible, duplication of names within the state;
23.25(1)(d)
(d) Prepare and publish an official state dictionary of geographic names and publish the same, either as a completed whole or in parts when ready;
23.25(1)(e)
(e) Serve as the state representative of the U.S. geographic board and cooperate with the said board to the end that there shall be no conflict between the state and federal designations of geographic features in the state.
23.25(2)
(2) Except as provided under
sub. (2m), whenever the department has given a name to any lake, stream, place or other geographic feature within the state, or determined the correct spelling of any such name, it shall be used on all maps and in all reports and other publications thereafter issued by the state or any of its political subdivisions, and it shall be the official name of the geographic feature.
23.25(2m)
(2m) Notwithstanding
subs. (1) and
(2), the portion of the Galena river located within the state is renamed the Fever river. That name shall be used on all maps and in all reports and other publications issued by the state or any of its political subdivisions on and after May 14, 1992, and it shall be the official name of this river.
23.25(3)
(3) No person shall in any advertisement or publication attempt to modify local usage or name unnamed geographic features without first obtaining the approval of the department. In case of a violation of this subsection, the department may announce its disapproval and thereafter adopt an official name for such feature.
23.25 History
History: 1991 a. 284.
23.26
23.26
Natural areas preservation council. The natural areas preservation council shall:
23.26(1)
(1) Make recommendations to the department concerning the suitability of natural areas offered as donations by individuals or organizations for inclusion in the state natural areas system, make recommendations to the department concerning the purchase of natural areas to be included in the state natural areas system and make recommendations concerning the suitability of natural areas offered as dedications by individuals or organizations for inclusion in the state natural areas system.
23.26(2)
(2) Make recommendations to appropriate federal agencies or national scientific organizations of natural areas in the state that are considered worthy to be listed as natural areas or scientific areas of national importance.
23.26(3)
(3) Advise the department and other agencies on matters pertaining to the acquisition, development, utilization, maintenance and withdrawal of state natural areas, including determinations as to the extent of multiple use that may be allowed on state natural areas that are a part of a state park, state forest, public hunting ground or similar areas under state ownership or control.
23.26(4)
(4) Prepare and publish an official list of research natural and other natural areas in the state natural area system available for research and the teaching of conservation and natural history, and recommend publication of studies made in connection with these areas.
23.26(5)
(5) Cooperate with federal agencies, other states, counties or organizations concerned with preservation of natural areas.
23.26(6)
(6) Take such other action as is deemed advisable to facilitate the administration, development, maintenance or protection of natural areas and the state natural areas system.
23.26 History
History: 1985 a. 29; Stats. 1985 s. 23.26.
23.27
23.27
Natural areas; definitions; importance; inventory; acquisition; sales. 23.27(1)(a)
(a) "Council" means the natural areas preservation council.
23.27(1)(b)
(b) "Dedicated state natural areas" means land accepted and recorded for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program as provided under
s. 23.29 (16).
23.27(1)(c)
(c) "Dedication" means the transfer of land or a permanent interest in land to the state of Wisconsin to be held in trust for the people of Wisconsin by the department in a manner which ensures the protection and stewardship of the area and natural values associated with the area. "Dedication" also means 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 Wisconsin by the department in a manner which ensures the protection and stewardship of the area and natural values associated with the area.
23.27(1)(d)
(d) "Designated state natural area" means a natural area designated as a state natural area under
s. 23.28 (1).
23.27(1)(e)
(e) "Natural area" means an area of land or water which has educational or scientific value or is important as a reservoir of the state's genetic or biologic diversity and includes any buffer area necessary to protect the area's natural values. Frequently, "natural areas" are important as a reserve for native biotic communities. Frequently, "natural areas" provide habitat for endangered, threatened or critical species or for species of special concern to scientists. In some cases, "natural areas" include areas with highly significant geological or archaeological features. Generally, "natural areas" are areas which largely escaped unnatural environmental disturbance or which exhibit little evidence of recent environmental disturbance so that recovery of natural conditions has occurred.
23.27(1)(f)
(f) "Natural values" includes any important values and characteristics listed under
sub. (2) (a) to
(i) which enable an area to be considered a natural area.
23.27(1)(g)
(g) "Research natural area" means all or part of a state natural area identified by the department, with the advice of the council, as a natural area especially suitable or important for scientific research.
23.27(1)(h)
(h) "State natural area", unless otherwise limited, means any designated state natural area or dedicated state natural area.
23.27(1)(i)
(i) "Stewardship" means the continuing obligation to provide the necessary maintenance, management, protection, husbandry and support for a natural area and natural values associated with that area.
23.27(2)
(2) Importance. The department, with the advice of the council, shall maintain a system to evaluate the importance of natural areas. The system shall include standards for determining low, high and critical levels of importance for natural areas. This system shall consider the following natural values:
23.27(2)(a)
(a) The value of the area as a preserve or reservoir which exhibits an outstanding or high quality example of a native plant or animal community.
23.27(2)(b)
(b) The value of the area as a preserve or reservoir for any endangered, threatened or critical species or for a species of special concern to scientists.
23.27(2)(c)
(c) The value of the area as a preserve or reservoir of genetic or biological diversity.
23.27(2)(d)
(d) The degree to which the area was subject to unnatural environmental disturbance and the degree of recovery.
23.27(2)(e)
(e) The value of the area for educational or scientific research purposes and as a reference site for comparison with areas subjected to environmental disturbance.
23.27(2)(f)
(f) The value of the area for educational or scientific research purposes because of important or unusual characteristics.
23.27(2)(g)
(g) The significance or uniqueness of the area in the locality, region and state.
23.27(2)(h)
(h) The existence of highly significant geological or archaeological features.
23.27(2)(i)
(i) The value of the area for public educational purposes, including the value of the area in promoting public awareness, appreciation, understanding and respect for the state's natural heritage.
23.27(3)
(3) Natural heritage inventory program. 23.27(3)(a)(a)
Duties. The department, with the advice of the council, shall conduct a natural heritage inventory program. The department shall cooperate with the land information board under
s. 16.967 in conducting this program. This program shall establish a system for determining the existence and location of natural areas, the degree of endangerment of natural areas, an evaluation of the importance of natural areas, information related to the associated natural values of natural areas and other information and data related to natural areas. This program shall establish a system for determining the existence and location of native plant and animal communities and endangered, threatened and critical species, the degree of endangerment of these communities and species, the existence and location of habitat areas associated with these communities and species and other information and data related to these communities and species. This program shall establish and coordinate standards for the collection, storage, recall and display of data related to the natural heritage inventory.
23.27(3)(b)
(b)
Access to information; fees. The department shall make information from the natural heritage inventory program available to any individual or public or private agency for research, educational, environmental, land management or similar authorized purposes. The department may establish a fee to be charged to recover the actual cost of compiling and providing this information. The department may reduce or waive the fee established under this paragraph if the department determines that a waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest. The natural heritage inventory and related data are not subject to
s. 19.35 and the department may refuse to release information for any purpose which is not authorized.
23.27(4)
(4) Natural areas land acquisition; continuing commitment. It is the intent of the legislature to continue natural areas land acquisition activities from moneys available from the appropriation under
ss. 20.370 (1) (kb) and
20.866 (2) (ts) and
(tz). This commitment is separate from and in addition to the commitment to acquire natural areas under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Except as provided in
s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $1,500,000 in each fiscal year for natural areas land acquisition activities under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under
s. 23.096.
23.27(5)
(5) Natural areas land acquisition; commitment under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. It is the intent of the legislature to initiate additional natural areas land acquisition activities with moneys available from the appropriations under
ss. 20.370 (1) (mg) and
20.866 (2) (tt) and
(tz) under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. This commitment is separate from and in addition to the continuing commitment under
sub. (4). Moneys available from the appropriations under
ss. 20.370 (1) (mg) and
20.866 (2) (tt) and
(tz) under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program may not be used to acquire land through condemnation. The department may not acquire land under this subsection unless the land is suitable for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program and upon purchase or as soon after purchase as practicable the department shall take all necessary action to dedicate the land under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Except as provided in
s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $500,000 in each fiscal year for natural areas land acquisition activities under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under
s. 23.096.
23.27(6)
(6) Sale; credit. Moneys received by the state from the sale of any area on state-owned land under the department's management or control which is withdrawn from the state natural areas system shall be credited to the appropriation under
s. 20.370 (1) (mg). An amount equal to the value of any area on state-owned land under the department's management or control which is withdrawn from the state natural areas system but remains in state ownership shall be credited to the appropriation under
s. 20.370 (1) (mg).
23.28
23.28
State natural areas; designated state natural areas. 23.28(1)(1)
Designation. The department, with the advice of the council, may designate any natural area with a high or critical level of importance on state-owned land under the department's management or control as a state natural area. The department, with the advice of the council, may designate any natural area with a high or critical level of importance on land other than state-owned land but under the department's management or control as a state natural area. The department, with the advice of the council, may designate a natural area with a high or critical level of importance on land under the management or control of another state agency, a federal, county, city, village, town or other public agency or a nonprofit organization as a state natural area if that area is protected by a voluntary, written stewardship agreement between the owner or manager and the department.
23.28(2)
(2) Stewardship. The department is responsible for the stewardship of designated state natural areas unless a written stewardship agreement specifies otherwise.
23.28(3)
(3) Protection of natural values; research natural areas. The department shall not permit any use of a designated state natural area which is inconsistent with or injurious to its natural values. The department may establish use zones, may control uses within a zone and may limit the number of persons using a zone in a designated state natural area. The department, with the advice of the council, may classify certain designated state natural areas as research natural areas and may establish special use regulations for these areas.
23.28 History
History: 1985 a. 29;
1987 a. 399.
23.29
23.29
Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. 23.29(1)(1)
Intent. It is the intent of the legislature to encourage private contributions and land dedications under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. It is the intent of the legislature to match private contributions and the value of land dedications with state funds in addition to funds normally appropriated for natural areas land acquisition activities.
23.29(2)
(2) Contributions; state match. The department may accept contributions and gifts for the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. The department shall convert donations of land which it determines, with the advice of the council, are not appropriate for the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program into cash. The department shall convert other noncash contributions into cash. These moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under
s. 20.370 (1) (mg). These moneys shall be matched by an equal amount released from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (tt) or
(tz) or both to be used for natural areas land acquisition activities under
s. 23.27 (5). The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990.
23.29(3)
(3) Land dedications; valuation; state match. The department shall determine the value of land accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage 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 shall be based on the fair market value of the land prior to the transfer. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in land to the state, the valuation 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 dedication shall be based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value. An amount equal to the value of land accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program shall be released from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (tt) or
(tz) or both to be used for natural areas land acquisition activities under
s. 23.27 (5). This subsection does not apply to dedications of land under the ownership of the state. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July l, 1990.
23.29(4)
(4) Land dedications; eligible land. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program unless the land is a natural area with a high or critical level of importance as determined by the department with the advice of the council.
23.29(5)
(5) Land dedications; transfer of interest. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage 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 by the department. This subsection does not apply to land under the ownership of the state.
23.29(6)
(6) 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 Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Land under the ownership of the state but under the management or control of another agency may be accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program if the appropriate agency transfers sufficient permanent and irrevocable authority over the management and control of that land to the department.
23.29(7)
(7) Land dedications; permanent and irrevocable. Except as permitted under this subsection, the department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program unless the land dedication is permanent and irrevocable. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage 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 revision or extinction if the land is withdrawn from the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program as provided under
subs. (19) and
(20). The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program if the articles of dedication allow for amendment or revision except as provided under
subs. (17) and
(18).
23.29(8)
(8) Land dedications; public trust. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage 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 by the department.
23.29(9)
(9) Land dedications; stewardship. The department may not accept land for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program unless adequate provisions for the stewardship are provided. If the land dedication involves the transfer of title in fee simple absolute or other arrangement for the transfer of all interest in the land to the state, the department has stewardship responsibility. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in the land to the state, stewardship responsibility shall be assigned to the person retaining an interest in the land and his or her successors or to the department. Even if stewardship responsibility is assigned to a person retaining an interest in the land and his or her successors, the department has ultimate responsibility to ensure that stewardship is provided and, if it is not, the department shall assume stewardship responsibility and shall recover the costs involved from the party originally responsible. If the land dedication involves state-owned land under the management or control of the department, the department has stewardship responsibility. 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 state natural area or to assume stewardship responsibility for a dedicated state natural area. In no case may the department abrogate its ultimate stewardship responsibility or its obligation as a trustee of the land.
