30.11 Annotation
A bulkhead line is not merely the natural shoreline, but one legislatively established by a municipality. It may differ from the existing shoreline and is also distinguishable from the low- and high-water marks previously judicially defined. State v. McFarren,
62 Wis. 2d 492,
215 N.W.2d 459 (1974).
30.11 Annotation
The private right to fill lakebeds granted under this section does not preempt the zoning power of a county over shorelands under s. 59.971 [now 59.692]. State v. Land Concepts, Ltd.
177 Wis. 2d 24,
501 N.W.2d 817 (Ct. App. 1993).
30.11 Annotation
When a bulkhead line has been established, a riparian owner must nonetheless obtain a permit or contract pursuant to s. 30.20 prior to removing material from the bed of a navigable water landward of the bulkhead line, but within the original ordinary high water mark. 63 Atty. Gen. 445.
30.11 Annotation
A bulkhead line is not legally established until the filing requirements of sub. (3) are met. A bulkhead line established by a town on lands subsequently annexed to a municipality that has not established such line, remains in effect. 64 Atty. Gen. 112.
30.12
30.12
Structures and deposits in navigable waters. 30.12(1)(1)
Permits required. Unless an individual or a general permit has been issued under this section or authorization has been granted by the legislature, no person may do any of the following:
30.12(1)(a)
(a) Deposit any material or place any structure upon the bed of any navigable water where no bulkhead line has been established.
30.12(1)(b)
(b) Deposit any material or place any structure upon the bed of any navigable water beyond a lawfully established bulkhead line.
30.12(1g)
(1g) Exemptions. A riparian owner is exempt from the permit requirements under this section for the placement of a structure or the deposit of material if the structure or material is located in an area other than an area of special natural resource interest, does not interfere with the riparian rights of other riparian owners, and is any of the following:
30.12(1g)(a)
(a) A deposit of sand, gravel, or stone that totals less than 2 cubic yards and that is associated with any activity or project that is exempt from an individual permit or a general permit under this subchapter.
30.12(1g)(b)
(b) A structure, other than a pier or a wharf, that is placed on a seasonal basis in accordance with rules promulgated by the department.
30.12(1g)(c)
(c) A fish crib, spawning reef, wing deflector, or similar device that is placed on the bed of navigable waters for the purpose of improving fish habitat.
30.12(1g)(d)
(d) A bird nesting platform, wood duck house, or similar structure that is placed on the bed of a navigable water for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat.
30.12(1g)(e)
(e) A boat shelter, boat hoist, or boat lift that is placed on a seasonal basis adjacent to the riparian owner's pier or wharf or to the shoreline on the riparian owner's property, in accordance with rules promulgated by the department.
30.12(1g)(f)
(f) A pier or wharf that is no more than 6 feet wide, that extends no further than to a point where the water is 3 feet at its maximum depth, or to the point where there is adequate depth for mooring a boat or using a boat hoist or boat lift, whichever is farther from the shoreline, and that has no more than 2 boat slips for the first 50 feet of riparian owner's shoreline footage and no more than one additional boat slip for each additional 50 feet of the riparian owner's shoreline. Notwithstanding the width limitation in this paragraph, a pier may have an area as a loading platform that is more than 6 feet wide if the platform is not more than 8 feet wide, it extends perpendicular to one or both sides of the pier, and it is located at the lakeward end of the pier or at the end of the pier that extends into a stream.
30.12(1g)(g)
(g) An intake structure and pipe that is placed on the bed of a navigable water for the purpose of constructing a dry fire hydrant to supply water for fire protection.
30.12(1g)(h)
(h) A piling that is driven into the bed of a navigable water adjacent to the owner's property for the purpose of deflecting ice, protecting an existing or proposed structure, or providing a pivot point for turning watercraft.
30.12(1g)(i)
(i) Riprap in an amount not to exceed 100 linear feet that is placed to replace existing riprap located in an inland lake or Great Lakes water body and that includes the replacement of filter fabric or base substrate.
30.12(1g)(j)
(j) Riprap in an amount not to exceed 300 linear feet that is placed to repair existing riprap located in an inland lake or Great Lakes water body, and that consists only of the placement of additional rock or the redistribution of existing rock within the footprint of the existing riprap.
30.12(1g)(k)
(k) A biological shore erosion control structure, as defined by rule by the department.
30.12(1g)(km)
(km) An intake or outfall structure that is less than 6 feet from the water side of the ordinary high-water mark and that is less than 25 percent of the width of the channel in which it is placed.
30.12(1j)
(1j) Boat slips for certain piers and wharves. 30.12(1j)(a)(a) Subject to
pars. (b) and
(c), the riparian owner or owners of a property that is adjacent to a lake of 50 acres or more and on which there are 3 or more dwelling units or on which there are commercial structures may, in lieu of placing a pier or wharf described under
sub. (1g) (f), place a pier or wharf that has either of the following number of boat slips, whichever is smaller:
30.12(1j)(a)1.
1. Four boat slips for the first 50 feet of the property's shoreline footage and no more than 2 boat slips for each additional 50 feet of the property's shoreline footage.
30.12(1j)(a)2.
2. One boat slip for each dwelling unit, plus an additional number of boat slips if the additional slips are open to the public and the use of the additional slips is limited to the transient docking of boats for less than 24 hours.
30.12(1j)(b)
(b) If the riparian owner or owners of a property described in
par. (a) are eligible to place a pier or wharf with the number of boat slips specified in
par. (a), the pier or wharf must be located in an area other than an area of special natural resource interest, may not interfere with the riparian rights of other riparian owners, and must meet all of the requirements for the placement of the pier or wharf specified under
sub. (1g) (f) except for the limitation on the number of boat slips allowed under
sub. (1g) (f).
30.12(1j)(c)
(c) If the riparian owner or owners of a property described in
par. (a) are eligible and propose to place a pier or wharf with the number of boat slips specified in
par. (a), the riparian owner or owners shall apply to the department for an individual permit under
s. 30.208 authorizing the configuration of the pier or wharf unless the configuration is authorized by the department under a general permit under
s. 30.206 (1g). The department may not deny the permit on the basis of the number of slips proposed by the riparian owner or owners if the number of slips proposed does not exceed the number allowed under
par. (a). A riparian owner or owners who apply for a permit under this paragraph shall be presumed to be entitled to the number of slips allowed under
par. (a).
30.12(1k)
(1k) Exemption for certain structures. 30.12(1k)(a)(a) In this subsection, "structure" means a pier, wharf, boat shelter, boat hoist, or boat lift.
30.12(1k)(b)
(b) In addition to the exemptions under
sub. (1g), a riparian owner of a pier or wharf that was placed on the bed of a navigable water on or before February 6, 2004, is exempt from the permit requirements under this section if all of the following apply:
30.12(1k)(b)1.
1. The pier or wharf is not more than 8 feet wide as measured across the shortest horizontal distance of any portion of the pier or wharf surface, except that a pier may have an area as a loading platform that is more than 8 feet wide if the platform is located at the lakeward end of the pier, or located at the end of the pier that extends into a stream, does not have more than 300 square feet in surface area, and meets the following width requirements:
30.12(1k)(b)1.a.
a. If the platform has a surface area of 200 square feet or less, the platform may be of any width.
30.12(1k)(b)1.b.
b. If the platform has a surface area of more than 200 square feet but not more than 300 square feet, the platform may not be more than 10 feet wide.
30.12(1k)(b)2.
2. The pier or wharf does not interfere with the riparian rights of other riparian owners.
30.12(1k)(b)3.
3. The riparian owner registers the pier or wharf with the department, in the manner and form required by the department, no later than April 1, 2011.
30.12(1k)(c)
(c) The department shall make available to riparian owners a form for registration of a pier or wharf under
par. (b) 3. that is designed so that it may be recorded with the register of deeds. A riparian owner may, but is not required to, record the registration form with the register of deeds of the county where the pier or wharf is located. The register of deeds may charge the fee under
s. 59.43 (2) (ag) for the recording of a pier or wharf registration under
par. (b) 3. The department may not charge a fee for the registration of a pier or wharf under
par. (b) 3.
30.12(1k)(cm)
(cm) Except as provided in
par. (d), the department may not take any enforcement action under this chapter against a riparian owner for the placement of any of the following:
30.12(1k)(cm)1.
1. A structure for which the department has issued a permit under this section on or before February 6, 2004, if the structure is in compliance with that permit.
30.12(1k)(cm)2.
2. A structure for which the department has issued a written authorization on or before February 6, 2004, if the structure is in compliance with that written authorization.
30.12(1k)(d)
(d) The prohibition on enforcement action under
par. (cm) does not apply to enforcement action initiated by the department before February 6, 2004, if the enforcement action remains pending on April 16, 2008.
30.12(1k)(e)
(e) A riparian owner who is exempt under
par. (b) from the permit requirements under this section or who is exempt under
par. (cm) from enforcement action under this chapter may do all of the following:
30.12(1k)(e)1.
1. Repair and maintain the exempt structure without obtaining a permit from the department under this section unless the owner enlarges the structure.
30.12(1k)(e)2.
2. If the exempt structure is a pier or wharf, relocate or reconfigure the pier or wharf if the riparian owner does not enlarge the pier or wharf, the riparian owner registered the pier or wharf with the department under
par. (b) 3. and, before relocating or reconfiguring the pier or wharf, the riparian owner registers the reconfigured or relocated pier or wharf with the department under this subdivision.
30.12(1k)(f)
(f) A decision of the department against the owner of a structure for which an exemption is claimed under this subsection is subject to a trial de novo.
30.12(1m)
(1m) Duck Creek Drainage District structures and deposits. A structure or deposit that the drainage board for the Duck Creek Drainage District places in a drain that the board operates in the Duck Creek Drainage District is exempt from the permit requirements under this section if either of the following applies:
30.12(1m)(a)
(a) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, after consulting with the department of natural resources, specifically approves the structure or deposit.
30.12(1m)(b)
(b) The structure or deposit is required, under rules promulgated by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, in order to conform the drain to specifications approved by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection after consulting with the department of natural resources.
30.12(1p)(a)(a) The department may promulgate rules concerning the exempt activities under
sub. (1g) and concerning piers and wharves under
sub. (1j) that only do any of the following:
30.12(1p)(a)1.
1. Establish reasonable installation practices for the placement of structures or the deposit of material to minimize environmental impacts.
30.12(1p)(a)2.
2. Establish reasonable construction and design requirements for the placement of structures under
sub. (1g) (c),
(d),
(f),
(g),
(h), and
(km) that are consistent with the purpose of the activity and for piers and wharves under
sub. (1j).
30.12(1p)(a)3.
3. Establish reasonable limitations on the location of the placement of structures or the deposit of material at the site affected by the activity.
30.12(1p)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
par. (a), the rules under
par. (a) 1. and
2. may not establish practices or requirements that prohibit the placement of structures or the deposit of material or that render the placement of structures or the deposit of material economically cost-prohibitive.
30.12(2m)
(2m) Permits in lieu of exemptions. The department may decide to require that a person engaged in an activity that is exempt under
sub. (1g) apply for an individual permit or seek authorization under a general permit if the department has conducted an investigation and visited the site of the activity and has determined that conditions specific to the site require restrictions on the activity in order to prevent any of the following:
30.12(2m)(a)
(a) Significant adverse impacts to the public rights and interests.
30.12(2m)(c)
(c) Material injury to the riparian rights of any riparian owner.
30.12(2r)(a)(a) A person may submit to the department a written statement requesting that the department determine whether a proposed activity is exempt under
sub. (1g). The statement shall contain a description of the proposed activity and site and shall give the department consent to enter and inspect the site.
30.12(2r)(b)
(b) The department shall do all of the following within 15 days after receipt of a statement under
par. (a):
30.12(2r)(b)1.
1. Enter and inspect the site on which the activity is located, subject to
s. 30.291, if the department determines such an inspection is necessary.
30.12(2r)(b)2.
2. Make a determination as to whether the activity is exempt.
30.12(2r)(b)3.
3. Notify in writing the person submitting the statement which general or individual permit will be required for the activity, if the department determines that the activity is not exempt.
30.12(2r)(c)
(c) If the department does not take action under
par. (b), the department may not require at any time that the person proposing to engage in the activity apply for an individual permit or seek authorization under a general permit unless required to do so by a court or hearing examiner.
30.12(2r)(d)
(d) If a statement under
par. (a) is not given or if the statement does not give consent to inspect, the 15-day time limit under
par. (b) does not apply.
30.12(3)(a)(a) The department shall issue statewide general permits under
s. 30.206 that authorize riparian owners to do all of the following:
30.12(3)(a)1.
1. Place a layer of sand or similar material on the bed of a lake adjacent to the owner's property for the purpose of improving recreational use.
30.12(3)(a)3c.
3c. Place riprap in order to replace or repair existing riprap, other than riprap that is exempt under
sub. (1g) (i) or
(j).
30.12(3)(a)3g.
3g. Place riprap on the bed or bank of a navigable water adjacent to an owner's property in an amount up to and including 100 continuous feet in an inland lake of 300 acres or more.
30.12(3)(a)3r.
3r. Place riprap on the bed or bank of a navigable water adjacent to an owner's property in an amount up to and including 300 continuous feet in a Great Lakes water body.
30.12(3)(a)4.
4. Place crushed rock or gravel, reinforced concrete planks, adequately secured treated timbers, cast in place concrete or similar material on the bed of a navigable stream for the purpose of developing a ford if an equal amount of material is removed from the stream bed.
30.12(3)(a)5.
5. Place crushed rock or gravel, reinforced concrete planks, cast in place concrete or similar material on the bed of navigable waters adjacent to the owner's property for the purpose of building a boat landing.
30.12(3)(a)6.
6. Place a permanent boat shelter adjacent to the owner's property for the purpose of storing or protecting watercraft and associated materials, except that no general or individual permit may be issued for a permanent boat shelter that is constructed after May 3, 1988, if the property on which the permanent boat shelter is to be located also contains a boathouse within 75 feet of the ordinary high-water mark or if there is a boathouse over navigable waters adjacent to the owner's property.
30.12(3)(a)13.
13. Place a seawall to replace an existing seawall for which a permit has been issued under this chapter. The replacement may not exceed 100 continuous feet in an inland lake of 300 or more acres and may not exceed 300 continuous feet in a Great Lakes water body.
30.12(3)(br)
(br) The department may promulgate rules that specify structures or deposits, in addition to those listed in
par. (a), that may be authorized by statewide general permits.
30.12(3)(c)
(c) The department may impose conditions on general permits issued under
par. (a) 6. to govern the architectural features of boat shelters and the number of boat shelters that may be constructed adjacent to a parcel of land. The conditions may not govern the aesthetic features or color of boat shelters. The conditions shall be designed to ensure the structural soundness and durability of boat shelters. A municipality may enact ordinances that are consistent with this paragraph and with any conditions imposed on general permits issued to regulate the architectural features of boat shelters that are under the jurisdiction of the municipality.
30.12(3m)(a)(a) For a structure or deposit that is not exempt under
sub. (1g) and that is not subject to a general permit under
sub. (3), and for a structure or deposit for which the department requires an individual permit under
sub. (2m) or
s. 30.206 (3r), a riparian owner may apply to the department for the individual permit that is required under
sub. (1) in order to place the structure for the owner's use or to deposit the material.
30.12(3m)(am)1.1. Except as provided under
subd. 2., the department may not refuse to allow a riparian owner to apply for an individual permit for the placement of a pier or wharf, including a solid pier, that exceeds the number of boat slips authorized under
sub. (1g) (f) or
(1j). The department shall evaluate permit applications under this paragraph on an individual basis and shall grant such applications if the department finds that the pier or wharf meets the requirements under
par. (c) 1. to
3.
30.12(3m)(am)2.
2. The department may deny an individual permit to the riparian owner or owners of a property that is adjacent to a lake of 50 acres or more and on which there are 3 or more dwelling units if the riparian owner or owners apply for an individual permit for the placement of a pier or wharf with a number of boat slips that exceeds the number of boat slips specified in
sub. (1j) (a) 2.
30.12(3m)(ar)
(ar) The department shall issue an individual permit under this subsection to a riparian owner for a pier or wharf that was placed on the bed of a navigable water on or before February 6, 2004, unless the department demonstrates that one or more of the conditions under
s. 30.13 (1) (a) to
(e) has not been met. The department may not charge a riparian owner described under this paragraph a fee for an individual permit issued under this subsection.
30.12(3m)(c)
(c) The department shall issue an individual permit to a riparian owner for a structure or a deposit pursuant to an application under
par. (a) if the department finds that all of the following apply:
30.12(3m)(c)1.
1. The structure or deposit will not materially obstruct navigation.
30.12(3m)(c)2.
2. The structure or deposit will not be detrimental to the public interest.
30.12(3m)(c)3.
3. The structure or deposit will not materially reduce the flood flow capacity of a stream.
