30.13
30.13
Regulation of wharves, piers and swimming rafts; establishment of pierhead lines. 30.13(1)
(1)
Construction allowed without permit under certain circumstances. A riparian proprietor may construct a wharf or pier in a navigable waterway extending beyond the ordinary high-water mark or an established bulkhead line in aid of navigation without obtaining a permit under
s. 30.12 if all of the following conditions are met:
30.13(1)(a)
(a) The wharf or pier does not interfere with public rights in navigable waters.
30.13(1)(b)
(b) The wharf or pier does not interfere with rights of other riparian proprietors.
30.13(1)(c)
(c) The wharf or pier does not extend beyond any pierhead line which is established under
sub. (3).
30.13(1)(d)
(d) The wharf or pier does not violate any ordinances enacted under
sub. (2).
30.13(1)(e)
(e) The wharf or pier is constructed to allow the free movement of water underneath and in a manner which will not cause the formation of land upon the bed of the waterway.
30.13(1m)
(1m) Swimming rafts allowed without permit under certain circumstances. A riparian proprietor may place a swimming raft in a navigable waterway for swimming and diving purposes without obtaining a permit under
s. 30.12 if all of the following conditions are met:
30.13(1m)(a)
(a) The swimming raft does not interfere with public rights in navigable waters.
30.13(1m)(b)
(b) The swimming raft does not interfere with rights of other riparian proprietors.
30.13(1m)(c)
(c) The swimming raft is placed within 200 feet of shore.
30.13(2)
(2) Wharves, piers and swimming rafts regulated. A municipality may enact ordinances not inconsistent with this section regulating the construction and location of wharves, piers and swimming rafts located within or attached to land within that municipality.
30.13(3)
(3) Establishment of pierhead lines. 30.13(3)(a)(a) Any municipality authorized by
s. 30.11 to establish a bulkhead line may also establish a pierhead line in the same manner as it is authorized to establish a bulkhead line, except that a metes and bounds legal description is not required nor is the map required to be prepared by a registered land surveyor and except that if the municipality has created a board of harbor commissioners the municipality must obtain the approval of the board concerning the establishment of the pierhead line in addition to obtaining the approval of the department.
30.13(3)(b)
(b) Any pierhead line established by a municipality shall be established in the interest of the preservation and protection of its harbor or of public rights in navigable waters.
30.13(4)(a)(a)
Interferes with public rights. A wharf or pier which interferes with public rights in navigable waters constitutes an unlawful obstruction of navigable waters unless a permit is issued for the wharf or pier under
s. 30.12 or unless authorization for the wharf or pier is expressly provided.
30.13(4)(b)
(b)
Interferes with riparian rights. A wharf or pier which interferes with rights of other riparian proprietors constitutes an unlawful obstruction of navigable waters unless a permit is issued for the wharf or pier under
s. 30.12 or unless authorization for the wharf or pier is expressly provided.
30.13(4)(c)
(c)
Extends beyond pierhead line; exception. A wharf or pier which extends into navigable waters beyond any pierhead line established under
sub. (3) constitutes an unlawful obstruction of navigable waters unless a valid permit, license or authorization for the wharf or pier is granted or unless it is a permissible preexisting wharf or pier. A wharf or pier is a permissible preexisting wharf or pier if it existed prior to the establishment of the pierhead line, if it is not extended or expanded after that date and if the ownership of the land to which it is attached did not change after that date except that a wharf or pier continues its status as a permissible preexisting wharf or pier for one year after the date the change of ownership is recorded. The seasonal removal of a wharf or pier does not affect its status as a permissible preexisting wharf or pier if it is reestablished in substantially the same form. Status as a permissible preexisting wharf or pier does not imply that authorization for the wharf or pier is provided for the purposes of
par. (a) or
(b). The owner of a wharf or pier may submit evidence to the municipality that it is a permissible preexisting wharf or pier at any time after the municipality establishes the pierhead line.
30.13(4)(d)
(d)
Violates regulations. A wharf or pier which violates the regulations contained in
sub. (2) or in any ordinance enacted under
sub. (2) constitutes an unlawful obstruction of navigable waters.
30.13(5)
(5) Removal of wharves and piers extending beyond pierhead line. The governing body of a city, village or town may remove a wharf or pier which constitutes an unlawful obstruction of navigable waters under
sub. (4) as provided under
s. 66.0495.
30.13(6)
(6) Dock line not invalidated. A dock line lawfully established before January 1, 1960, is a lawfully established pierhead line.
30.13 History
History: 1981 c. 252;
1987 a. 374.
30.13 Annotation
See note to 30.12, citing Kosmatka v. DNR, 77 W (2d) 558, 253 NW (2d) 887.
30.131
30.131
Wharves and piers placed and maintained by persons other than riparian owners. 30.131(1)
(1) Notwithstanding
s. 30.133, a wharf or pier of the type which does not require a permit under
ss. 30.12 (1) and
30.13 that abuts riparian land and that is placed in a navigable water by a person other than the owner of the riparian land may not be considered to be an unlawful structure on the grounds that it is not placed and maintained by the owner if all of the following requirements are met:
30.131(1)(a)
(a) The owner of the riparian land or the owner's predecessor in interest entered into a written easement that was recorded before December 31, 1986, and that authorizes access to the shore to a person who is not an owner of the riparian land.
30.131(1)(b)
(b) The person to whom the easement was granted or that person's successor in interest is the person who places and maintains the wharf or pier.
30.131(1)(c)
(c) The placement and maintenance of the wharf or pier is not prohibited by and is not inconsistent with the terms of the written easement.
30.131(1)(d)
(d) The wharf or pier has been placed seasonally in the same location at least once every 4 years since the written easement described in
par. (a) was recorded.
30.131(1)(e)
(e) The wharf or pier is substantially the same size and configuration as it was on April 28, 1990, or during its last placement before April 28, 1990, whichever is later.
30.131(1)(f)
(f) The placement of the wharf or pier complies with the provisions of this chapter, with any rules promulgated under this chapter and with any applicable municipal regulations or ordinances.
30.131(2)
(2) Notwithstanding
s. 30.133, an easement under
sub. (1) may be conveyed if it is conveyed at the same time, and to the same person, that the land to which the easement is appurtenant is conveyed.
30.131 History
History: 1989 a. 217;
1993 a. 167.
30.131 Annotation
General discussion of application of s. 30.131. Godfrey Co. v. Lopardo, 164 W (2d) 352, 474 NW (2d) 786 (Ct. App. 1991).
30.133
30.133
Prohibition against conveyance of riparian rights. 30.133(1)(1) Beginning on April 9, 1994, no owner of riparian land that abuts a navigable water may convey, by easement or by a similar conveyance, any riparian right in the land to another person, except for the right to cross the land in order to have access to the navigable water. This right to cross the land may not include the right to place any structure or material in the navigable water.
30.133(2)
(2) This section does not apply to riparian land located within the boundary of any hydroelectric project licensed or exempted by the federal government, if the conveyance is authorized under any license, rule or order issued by the federal agency having jurisdiction over the project.
30.133 History
History: 1993 a. 167.
30.14
30.14
Reports of and hearings on violations. 30.14(1)(1)
Municipalities to report violations. The governing body of each municipality shall promptly report to the department every violation of
s. 30.12 or
30.13 which occurs or which it has reason to believe is likely to occur within the municipal boundaries.
30.14(2)
(2) Hearings by department. Upon complaint by any person to the department that any wharf, pier or other structure exists in navigable water in violation of
s. 30.12 or
30.13 or that any wharf, pier or other structure proposed to be built in navigable water will violate
s. 30.12 or
30.13, the department shall investigate and may hold a hearing to determine whether the wharf, pier, or other structure is or would be in violation of those sections. If no hearing is held, the complainant shall be informed of the results of the investigation.
30.14 History
History: 1987 a. 374.
30.15
30.15
Penalty for unlawful obstruction of navigable waters. 30.15(1)(1)
Obstructions penalized. Any person who does any of the following shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $500 for each offense:
30.15(1)(a)
(a) Unlawfully obstructs any navigable waters and thereby impairs the free navigation thereof.
30.15(1)(b)
(b) Unlawfully places in navigable waters or in any tributary thereof any substance that may float into and obstruct any such waters or impede their free navigation.
30.15(1)(c)
(c) Constructs or maintains in navigable waters, or aids in the construction or maintenance therein, of any boom not authorized by law.
30.15(1)(d)
(d) Constructs or places any structure or deposits any material in navigable waters in violation of
s. 30.12 or
30.13.
30.15(3)
(3) Each day a separate violation. Each day during which an obstruction, deposit or structure exists in violation of
sub. (1) is a separate offense.
30.15 History
History: 1987 a. 374.
30.15 Annotation
Where bridge obstructing navigation was necessary, reasonable, and existing before plaintiff moved into area, defendant city need not abate the nuisance. Capt. Soma Boat Line v. Wisconsin Dells, 79 W (2d) 10, 255 NW (2d) 441.
30.15 Annotation
If the unattended and anchored boat is left on navigable water for an unreasonable length of time, it constitutes a violation. 63 Atty. Gen. 601.
30.16
30.16
Removal of obstructions to navigation. 30.16(1)(a)(a)
Removal. The governing body of any municipality in this state may cause to be removed to a convenient and safe place any watercraft or float obstructing or interfering with the free navigation of any river, canal, water channel or slip within its harbor after having given reasonable notice to the master or owner or the agent of the master or owner, if known and a resident of this state, or to the person in charge thereof, to so remove such watercraft or float. The governing body of the municipality by ordinance or resolution may authorize any harbor master or other public officer over whom it has jurisdiction to remove such obstruction, and may prescribe the officer's duties with respect thereto and the mode of carrying them into effect and may prescribe penalties for violation of such ordinance or resolution.
30.16(1)(b)
(b)
Costs of removal. All costs, charges and expenses of such removal are a first lien on such watercraft or float, which lien may be enforced in the manner provided by law. The owner of any such watercraft or float is also personally liable for such costs, charges and expenses, to be recovered by the municipality by a personal action.
30.16(2)
(2) Removal of obstructions to navigation; wharves and piers; alternative. As an alternative to the procedure specified under
sub. (1), the governing body of a city, village or town may remove that portion of a wharf or pier which constitutes an unlawful obstruction to navigation as provided under
s. 66.0495.
30.18
30.18
Diversion of water from lakes and streams. 30.18(2)(a)(a)
Streams. No person may divert water from a stream in this state without a permit under this section if the diversion meets either of the following conditions:
30.18(2)(a)1.
1. The diversion is for the purpose of maintaining or restoring the normal level of a navigable lake or the normal flow of a navigable stream, regardless of whether the navigable lake or navigable stream is located within the watershed of the stream from which the water is diverted.
30.18(2)(a)2.
2. The diversion is for the purpose of agriculture or irrigation.
30.18(2)(b)
(b)
Streams or lakes. No person, except a person required to obtain an approval under
s. 281.41, may divert water from any lake or stream in this state without a permit under this section if the diversion will result in a water loss averaging 2,000,000 gallons per day in any 30-day period above the person's authorized base level of water loss.
30.18(3)(a)1.1. Except as provided in
par. (b), an applicant for a permit required under
sub. (2) (a) shall file the application with the department setting forth the name and post-office address of the applicant, the name of the stream from which the water will be diverted, the point in the stream from which it is proposed to divert the water, the name of the lake or stream or the location and riparian status of the land to which the water is to be diverted, the location and description of the canal, tunnel or pipes and other works through which the water is to be diverted, the amount of water to be diverted, the periods of time when it is proposed to divert such water, the time required for the completion of the canal and other structures necessary for the completed project and, if required by the department, 4 copies of plans showing cross sections and profiles for any canal, tunnel, pipes or other diversion works and any dam and control works at the point of diversion and at the point of discharge.
30.18(3)(a)2.
2. For a diversion under
sub. (2) (a) 1., a map or maps shall accompany the application with a scale of not less than one inch per 2,000 feet, showing the land topography and the probable course of the proposed diversion canal and other works, and the ownership of all lands upon which will be located the canal, tunnel, pipes and all other works for the completed project.
30.18(3)(a)3.
3. For a diversion under
sub. (2) (a) 2., the application shall include written statements of consent to the diversion from all riparian owners who are making beneficial use of the water proposed to be diverted.
30.18(3)(a)4.
4. The department may require such additional information as may be pertinent.
30.18(3)(b)
(b)
Application; streams or lakes. An application for a permit required under
sub. (2) (b) shall be submitted in the form required under
s. 281.35 (5) (a). If the diversion also meets either condition specified under
sub. (2) (a), the application shall also comply with
par. (a).
30.18(4)
(4) Notice of hearing on application. 30.18(4)(a)(a) Upon receipt of a complete application, the department shall follow the notice and hearing procedures under
s. 30.02 (3) and
(4). In addition to the notice requirements under
s. 30.02 (3) and
(4), the department shall mail a copy of the notice to every person upon whose land any part of the canal or any other structure will be located, to the clerk of the next town downstream, to the clerk of any village or city in which the lake or stream is located and which is adjacent to any municipality in which the diversion will take place and to each person specified in
s. 281.35 (5) (b) or
(6) (f), if applicable.
30.18(4)(b)
(b) If a hearing on the application for a permit is conducted as a part of a hearing under
s. 293.43, the notice and hearing provisions in that section supersede the notice and hearing provisions of
par. (a).
30.18(5)(a)(a)
Streams. The department shall approve an application for a permit required under
sub. (2) (a) if the department determines both of the following:
30.18(5)(a)1.
1. That the proposed diversion will not injure any public rights in navigable waters.
30.18(5)(a)2.
2. That the water to be diverted is surplus water, or if it is not surplus water, that all riparians who may be adversely affected by the diversion have consented to the proposed diversion.
30.18(5)(b)
(b)
Streams or lakes. The department shall approve an application for a permit required under
sub. (2) (b) if the grounds for approval specified under
s. 281.35 (5) (d) are met and, if the permit is also required under
sub. (2) (a), if the department makes the determinations specified under
par. (a).
30.18(6)
(6) Permits; use of water; reporting; review. 30.18(6)(a)(a)
Contents of permit. The department shall specify on each permit issued under this section the quantity of water that may be diverted and the times during which water may be diverted. In addition, if the permit is one which is required under
sub. (2) (b), the permit shall comply with
s. 281.35 (6).
30.18(6)(b)
(b)
Use of water. A person issued a permit for the purpose of irrigation or agriculture may use the water on any land contiguous to the permittee's riparian land, but may not withdraw more water than it did before August 1, 1957, without applying to the department for a modification of the permit.
30.18(6)(c)
(c)
Reporting required. The department shall require each permittee under this section to report its volume and rate of withdrawal and its volume and rate of water loss, if any, in the form and at the times specified by the department.
30.18(6)(d)
(d)
Review of permits. If the permit is one that is required under
sub. (2) (a), but not under
sub. (2) (b), and the permit was issued on or after August 1, 1957, the department shall review the permit at least once every 5 years. If the permit is one that is required under
sub. (2) (b), the department shall review the permit as required under
s. 281.35 (6) (b).
30.18(6m)(a)(a) The department shall revoke a permit issued under
sub. (5) (a), which is not subject to
sub. (2) (b), if it finds any of the following:
30.18(6m)(a)1.
1. That the water being diverted is no longer surplus water, except that the department may allow the diversion to continue if all riparians adversely affected by the diversion continue to consent to it.
