30.24(2)(b)
(b) Award grants to nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire these lands or interests under
s. 23.096.
30.24(3)
(3) Ban on location restrictions. In exercising its authority under
sub. (2) (a), the department may not limit acquisitions of bluff lands to bluff lands that are within the boundaries of projects established by the department.
30.24(4)
(4) Limit on grants. A grant awarded under this section or under
s. 23.096 to protect bluffs may not exceed 50% of the acquisition costs.
30.24(5)
(5) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to administer and implement this section, including standards for awarding grants to protect bluffs under this section and under
s. 23.096 grants. The department by rule shall define "bluff land" for purposes of this section.
30.24 History
History: 1999 a. 9.
30.25
30.25
Wolf River protection. 30.25(1)
(1) Except as provided under
sub. (2), no person may make any effort to improve the navigation on the Wolf River north of the southern boundary of Shawano County nor shall any dam be authorized for construction in that portion of the Wolf River. Any permit issued or in effect by virtue of or under authority of any order or law authorizing the construction of any dam in the Wolf River in Langlade County is void. This declaration does not affect permits for or the operation or maintenance of any dam in existence on August 24, 1963.
30.25(2)
(2) A person may engage in a minor dredging project to improve access to or to improve the aesthetics of the Wolf River in Shawano County if a permit issued by the department under
s. 30.20 authorizes the project.
30.25 History
History: 1987 a. 374.
30.26(1)(1)
Legislative intent. In order to afford the people of this state an opportunity to enjoy natural streams, to attract out-of-state visitors and assure the well-being of our tourist industry, it is in the interest of this state to preserve some rivers in a free flowing condition and to protect them from development; and for this purpose a system of wild rivers is established, but no river shall be designated as wild without legislative act.
30.26(2)
(2) Designation. The Pike River in Marinette County, and the Pine River and its tributary Popple River in Florence and Forest counties are designated as wild rivers and shall receive special management to assure their preservation, protection and enhancement of their natural beauty, unique recreational and other inherent values in accordance with guidelines outlined in this section.
30.26(3)
(3) Duties of department. The department in connection with wild rivers shall:
30.26(3)(a)
(a) Provide active leadership in the development of a practical management policy.
30.26(3)(b)
(b) Consult other state agencies and planning committees.
30.26(3)(c)
(c) Collaborate with county and town boards and local development committees or boards in producing a mutually acceptable program for the preservation, protection and enhancement of the rivers.
30.26(3)(e)
(e) Seek the cooperation of the U.S. forest service, timber companies, county foresters and private landowners in implementing land use practices to accomplish the objectives of the management policy.
30.26(3)(f)
(f) Act as coordinator under this subsection.
30.26(4)(a)(a) The department may not prohibit the crossing of a bridge over a wild river by an all-terrain vehicle traveling on an all-terrain vehicle trail, as defined under
s. 23.33 (1) (d), or by a snowmobile traveling on a snowmobile trail, as defined under
s. 350.01 (17) that is constructed in any of the following locations:
30.26(4)(a)1.
1. Along the Nicolet State Trail where the trail crosses the existing railroad trestle over the Pine River and the Popple River.
30.26(4)(a)3.
3. In Florence County along County Highway N where the trail would cross the Pine River.
30.26(4)(b)
(b) The state shall permit all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to travel in a corridor across any state land that separates an all-terrain vehicle trail or a snowmobile trail and the bridges constructed at the locations listed under
par. (a).
30.26 History
History: 2003 a. 248.
30.265
30.265
Adopt a river program. The department shall establish an adopt a river program to encourage program volunteers to clean up a specified portion of a lake, river, wetland, or ravine. The department shall supply to the volunteers educational support and necessary supplies. The department shall keep records of information related to the program, including the pounds of rubbish collected, the number of volunteer hours provided, and descriptions of the debris found. The department shall publicly recognize volunteers who participate in the program.
30.265 History
History: 2001 a. 16,
104.
30.27
30.27
Lower St. Croix River preservation. 30.27(1)
(1)
Purpose. The Lower St. Croix River, between the dam near St. Croix Falls and its confluence with the Mississippi River, constitutes a relatively undeveloped scenic and recreational asset. The preservation of this unique scenic and recreational asset is in the public interest and will benefit the health and welfare of the citizens of Wisconsin. The state of Wisconsin is therefore determined that the Lower St. Croix River be included in the national wild and scenic rivers system under the wild and scenic rivers act, as amended,
16 USC 1271 to
1287, and the Lower St. Croix River act of 1972,
16 USC 1274 (a) (9). The purpose of this section is to ensure the continued eligibility of the Lower St. Croix River for inclusion in the national wild and scenic rivers system and to guarantee the protection of the wild, scenic and recreational qualities of the river for present and future generations.
30.27(2)(a)(a) As soon as possible after May 7, 1974, the department shall adopt, by rule, guidelines and specific standards for local zoning ordinances which apply to the banks, bluffs and bluff tops of the Lower St. Croix River. The guidelines shall designate the boundaries of the areas to which they apply. In drafting the guidelines and standards, the department shall consult with appropriate officials of counties, cities, villages and towns lying within the affected area. The standards specified in the guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
30.27(2)(a)1.
1. Prohibition of new residential, commercial and industrial uses, and the issuance of building permits therefor, where such uses are inconsistent with the purposes of this section.
30.27(2)(a)2.
2. Establishment of acreage, frontage and setback requirements where compliance with such requirements will result in residential, commercial or industrial uses which are consistent with the purposes of this section.
30.27(2)(b)
(b) The standards established under
par. (a) shall be consistent with but may be more restrictive than any pertinent guidelines and standards promulgated by the secretary of the interior under the wild and scenic rivers act. If it appears to the department that the purposes of this section may be thwarted or the wild, scenic or recreational values of the river adversely affected prior to the implementation of rules under this section, the department may exercise its emergency rule-making authority under
s. 227.24, and such rules shall be effective and implemented and enforced under
sub. (3) until permanent rules are implemented under
sub. (3).
30.27(2)(c)
(c) The guidelines and standards established under
par. (a) for nonconforming structures that are subject to a city, village or town zoning ordinance adopted under
sub. (3) shall be the same as the guidelines and standards for nonconforming structures that are subject to a county zoning ordinance adopted under
sub. (3). The guidelines and standards established under
par. (a) shall allow a county, city, village or town zoning ordinance adopted under
sub. (3) to differentiate between nonconforming structures and nonconforming uses.
30.27(3)
(3) Implementation. Counties, cities, villages and towns lying, in whole or in part, within the areas affected by the guidelines adopted under
sub. (2) are empowered to and shall adopt zoning ordinances complying with the guidelines and standards adopted under
sub. (2) within 30 days after their effective date. If any county, city, village or town does not adopt an ordinance within the time limit prescribed, or if the department determines that an adopted ordinance does not satisfy the requirements of the guidelines and standards, the department shall immediately adopt such an ordinance. An ordinance adopted by the department shall be of the same effect as if adopted by the county, city, village or town, and the local authorities shall administer and enforce the ordinance in the same manner as if the county, city, village or town had adopted it. No zoning ordinance so adopted may be modified nor may any variance therefrom be granted by the county, city, village or town without the written consent of the department, except nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a county, city, village or town from adopting an ordinance more restrictive than that adopted by the department.
30.27 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
NR 118, Wis. adm. code.
30.27 Annotation
The federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act did not preempt state and local governmental regulation of the Lower St. Croix River. The state has authority to exercise its police power in the federal zone, and this section remains in full force and effect. State v. St. Croix County, 2003 WI App 173,
266 Wis. 2d 498,
668 N.W.2d 743,
02-1645.
30.275
30.275
Scenic urban waterways. 30.275(1)
(1)
Legislative intent. In order to afford the people of this state an opportunity to enjoy water-based recreational activities in close proximity to urban areas, to attract out-of-state visitors and to improve the status of the state's tourist industry, it is the intent of the legislature to improve some rivers and their watersheds. For this purpose a system of scenic urban waterways is established, but no river shall be designated as a scenic urban waterway without legislative act.
30.275(2)
(2) Designation. The following waters are designated scenic urban waterways and shall receive special management as provided under this section:
30.275(2)(a)
(a) The Illinois Fox River and its watershed and the Fox River, extending from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay, and its watershed.
30.275(2)(b)
(b) The Rock River consisting of all of the following:
30.275(2)(b)1.
1. The river from the point that the river flows into the city of Watertown to the point that it flows out of the city of Watertown.
30.275(2)(b)2.
2. The river from the point it flows into the city of Jefferson to the point it flows out of the city of Fort Atkinson.
30.275(2)(b)3.
3. The river from the point it flows into the city of Janesville to the Illinois border.
30.275(3)
(3) Duties of department. The department in connection with scenic urban waterways shall:
30.275(3)(a)
(a) Provide active leadership in the development of a practical management policy.
30.275(3)(b)
(b) Consult with other state agencies and planning committees and organizations.
30.275(3)(c)
(c) Collaborate with municipal governing bodies and their development committees or boards in producing a mutually acceptable program for the preservation, protection and enhancement of the rivers and watersheds.
30.275(3)(e)
(e) Seek the cooperation of municipal officials and private landowners in implementing land use practices to accomplish the objectives of the management policy.
30.275(3)(g)
(g) Develop the Wisconsin Fox River scenic urban waterway, as designated in
sub. (2), as a historic and recreational site.
30.275(4)
(4) Department authority. The department in connection with scenic urban waterways may:
30.275(4)(a)
(a) Acquire and develop land for parks, open spaces, scenic easements, public access, automobile parking, fish and wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands and trails.
30.275(4)(c)
(c) Undertake projects to improve surface water quality and surface water flow.
30.275(4)(d)
(d) Provide grants to municipalities, lake sanitary districts, as defined in
s. 30.50 (4q), and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts to undertake any of the activities under
pars. (a) to
(c).
30.275 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
NR 50, Wis. adm. code.
30.277
30.277
Urban rivers grant program. 30.277(1b)(a)
(a) "Governmental unit" means a city, village, town, county or the Kickapoo reserve management board.
30.277(1m)
(1m) Funding. Beginning in fiscal year 1992-93, from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz), the department shall award grants to governmental units to assist them in projects on or adjacent to rivers that flow through urban areas. The department may award these grants from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (ta) beginning on July 1, 2000.
30.277(2)(a)(a) Grants awarded under this section from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be used for projects that emphasize the preservation or restoration of urban rivers or riverfronts for the purposes of economic revitalization and encouraging outdoor recreation activities that involve the enjoyment of the state's natural resources. These outdoor recreation activities include, but are not limited to fishing, wildlife observation, enjoyment of scenic beauty, canoeing, boating, hiking and bicycling.
30.277(2)(b)
(b) A grant awarded to a governmental unit under this section may be used to acquire land and may be used for a shoreline enhancement project. For purposes of this paragraph, "land" includes rights in land.
30.277(2)(c)
(c) Grants awarded under this section from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall only be used for nature-based outdoor recreation.
30.277(3)
(3) Criteria for grants. The department shall consider all of the following criteria in awarding grants for projects under this section:
30.277(3)(a)
(a) The extent to which diverse outdoor recreational opportunities will be made available to all segments of the population.
30.277(3)(b)
(b) The extent of preservation or restoration, under the project, of an urban riverfront.
30.277(3)(d)
(d) The project's potential for increasing tourism.
30.277(3)(e)
(e) Whether significant planning has occurred in the area subject to the jurisdiction of the governmental unit prior to its request for a grant under this section.
30.277(3)(f)
(f) The level of support for the project demonstrated by the governmental unit, including financial support.
30.277(3)(g)
(g) Whether the project involves a joint effort by 2 or more governmental units.
30.277(3)(h)
(h) The potential benefits of the project to the overall economy of the area subject to the jurisdiction of the governmental unit.
30.277(3)(i)
(i) The extent to which the project preserves or highlights an area with significant historical or cultural value.
30.277(3)(j)
(j) The extent to which access by the public to the riverfront will be improved.
30.277(4)
(4) Cap on grants. No governmental unit may receive in any fiscal year more than 20% of the funds that are available for grants under this section.
30.277(4m)
(4m) Grants for Kickapoo. The department may not award a grant under this section from the appropriation under
s. 20.866 (2) (tz) to the Kickapoo reserve management board.
30.277(5)
(5) Contribution by governmental unit. To be eligible for a grant under this section, at least 50% of the acquisition costs for land or of the project costs shall be funded by private, local or federal funding, by in-kind contributions or by state funding. For purposes of this subsection, state funding may not include grants under this section, moneys appropriated to the department under
s. 20.370 or money appropriated under
s. 20.866 (2) (ta),
(tp) to
(tw),
(ty) or
(tz).
30.277(6)
(6) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this section, including rules that specify the weight to be assigned to each criterion under
sub. (3) and the minimum number of criteria under
sub. (3) in which an applicant must perform satisfactorily in order to be awarded a grant. In specifying the weight to be assigned to the criteria under
sub. (3), the department shall assign the greatest weight to the criterion under
sub. (3) (k). The department shall promulgate a rule specifying the types of projects that qualify as a shoreline enhancement project under this section.
