NR 44.07(2)(q)(q) “Visual quality management” means actions to produce or maintain a specific state of landscape aesthetic conditions and minimize or mitigate any negative visual impacts from land management activities or development.

NR 44.07(3)(a)(a) Primitive road. A primitive road shall be a temporary or permanent seasonal road with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 12 feet, little or no roadbed grading, minimal cut and fill, a surface of primitive or native material.

NR 44.07 NoteNote: Due to their unimproved, rough condition, primitive roads commonly are only suitable for H/OHV’s and other off-highway vehicles, and may not be negotiable by ordinary highway vehicles.

NR 44.07(3)(b)(b) Lightly developed road. A lightly developed road shall be a temporary road, a permanent seasonal road or a permanent all-season road which is primarily a single lane with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 16 feet, is lightly to well-graded with minimal cut and fill, is surfaced with primitive, native or aggregate materials except in limited special use situations where asphalt may be used, and has a maximum speed design of 15 mph.

NR 44.07 NoteNote: Due to the variability of roadbed conditions at different times and places, some lightly developed roads might not be negotiable by ordinary highway vehicles.

NR 44.07(3)(c)(c) Moderately developed road. A moderately developed road shall be a permanent seasonal road or a permanent all-season road which typically is 2-lane, but may be one-lane, have a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 45 feet for 2-lane and 30 feet for one-lane, a well-graded roadbed and may have moderate cuts and fills and shallow ditching, has a surface of aggregate, asphalt or native material, and a maximum design speed of 25 mph.

NR 44.07(3)(d)(d) Fully developed road. A fully developed road shall be a permanent all-season road with a cleared width normally of 50 feet or more, a roadbed with cuts and fills as needed, an aggregate, asphalt or other paved surface and be designed for speeds exceeding 25 mph.

NR 44.07(3)(e)(e) Primitive trail. A primitive trail shall be a minimally developed single-file trail with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 8 feet and a minimal tread width for the intended use, have a rough, ungraded bed where large rocks, stumps and downed logs may be present. It primarily follows the natural topography, has no or few shallow cuts and fills, and is surfaced with primitive or native materials, except for limited distances where environmental conditions require the use of other materials. Modifications to the natural trail surface are limited to that which is minimally necessary to provide essential environmental protection.

NR 44.07(3)(f)(f) Lightly developed trail. A lightly developed trail shall be a trail with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 16 feet, a moderately wide tread width for the designated uses, a rough-graded base to remove stumps and large rocks, and a surface of primitive or native materials, except where other materials are required due to environmental conditions or where the trail also serves as a lightly developed road where other types of surfacing materials are used.

NR 44.07(3)(g)(g) Moderately developed trail. A moderately developed trail shall be a trail with a maximum sustained cleared width normally not exceeding 8 feet, a minimal tread width for the intended use, a relatively smooth graded base with a compacted surface composed of stable materials such as aggregate. Where practicable and feasible, a moderately developed trail shall, at a minimum, meet the standards for recreational trails accessible to persons with a disability.

NR 44.07(3)(h)(h) Fully developed trail. A fully developed trail shall be a trail with a smoothly graded base and a stable, hard surface composed of materials such as asphalt, aggregate or frozen earth. The trail’s cleared width, tread width and cuts and fills are not limited, but shall be appropriate for the trail’s intended use. To the degree practicable and feasible, fully developed pedestrian trails shall be fully accessible by persons with physical disabilities.

NR 44.07(4)(4) Type 1 recreational use setting. In the master plan a Type 1 recreational use area shall be consistent with the following:

NR 44.07(4)(a)(a) Management objective. The objective of this setting is to provide a remote, wild area where the recreational user has opportunities to experience solitude, challenge, independence and self-reliance.

NR 44.07(4)(b)(b) Perceived remoteness. An area designated as a Type 1 setting shall be substantially isolated from development and be managed to maintain or enhance a perception of remoteness from human activity. Occasional sights and sounds of motors and other human activity may be present but are typically distant, except during hunting seasons. The designated area shall be of a size and configuration so as to offer a substantial opportunity for the public to experience solitude, substantially free of conflicting influences from adjacent land uses, with a majority of the area meeting one or more of the following minimum criteria:

NR 44.07(4)(b)1.1. An area that is approximately 2,000 acres or more in size and 1/2 mile or more from a federal, state or county highway or frequently used rail line, and at least 1/4 mile from any other public highway, department road open to motor vehicle use by the public, motorized trail or infrequently used rail line.

NR 44.07(4)(b)2.2. A river or stream, or river or stream segment that is approximately 6 miles or more in length with little or no evident development and no road crossings. It is generally not less than 1/4 mile from the river or stream to the nearest motorized trail or road open to public vehicles, except when unique physical characteristics or use patterns allow the river or stream to be closer or demand it be further from a route used by motor vehicles to meet the objectives of the classification.

NR 44.07 NoteNote: Topography and vegetation conditions may largely determine the minimum size necessary to achieve the objectives of this setting. Unique local conditions, such as rugged topography, may allow some areas that are closer to open roads and motorized trails to be appropriately designated as Type 1 settings. Conversely, larger separation distances would be required in relatively flat, open areas or areas near highways with heavy traffic.

NR 44.07(4)(c)(c) Social contact. Typically, the level of recreational use in the area is low, resulting in little contact with others outside one’s own group when traveling and, when camping, other camper groups are not seen and generally may not be heard.

NR 44.07(4)(d)(d) Access. Internal access is highly limited and travel may be difficult, as the area is essentially without roads and trails and access by watercraft is hard due to long distances from access points or to obstructions to navigation. The following criteria shall apply:

NR 44.07(4)(d)1.1. Public vehicle access and motorized recreational use is prohibited and the use of motorized watercraft in the area shall be restricted to the maximum degree possible, except for:

NR 44.07(4)(d)1.b.b. The incidental use of motorized watercraft if, and only to the extent that, such use may not be prohibited due to the public’s right of navigation; and

NR 44.07(4)(d)1.c.c. A person with a disability may use a manually or electrically powered wheelchair or an electrically powered watercraft operated at slow-no-wake speed as a mode of personal conveyance; or may be authorized, by a permit issued by the property manager, to use a low-powered mechanically propelled vehicle designed specifically for use by a person with a disability.

NR 44.07(4)(d)2.2. The development and maintenance of limited, primitive hiking and portage trails may be authorized by the master plan, and trails may not exceed a density of one mile per square mile. Trail maintenance shall be for essential resource protection only. Areas with non-conforming roads and trails may be classified as a Type 1 setting if the master plan provides measures to assure their closure and restoration to a natural appearing condition or their redevelopment to conform to the setting standards. A limited number of small off-road public parking areas located on the periphery may be authorized by the master plan.

NR 44.07 NoteNote: Authorized motor vehicle access for restoration or other land management activities is described under s. NR 44.06 (10) (c) 7.

NR 44.07(4)(e)(e) Recreational facility development. Facility developments or modifications to vegetation or the physical landscape are not authorized, except for those that are minimally necessary to accommodate limited primitive camping and authorized trails. The following development standards shall apply:

NR 44.07(4)(e)1.1. Trails, when authorized by the master plan, shall be minimally developed and maintained primitive trails that are restricted to hiking or portage uses, and shall be consistent with par. (d).