NR 51.26(2) (2) A project that is not within the boundary of a current state natural area or listed on the current state natural areas priority site list shall be reviewed for natural area designation pursuant to s. 23.27 (1) (e) and (f), Stats. The criteria used to evaluate natural values of proposed project are as follows:

NR 51.26(2)(a) (a) The quality of the natural values to be protected, including a comparison of the project with others and a consideration of the size, maturity, and unique attributes of the natural values.

NR 51.26(2)(b) (b) The condition of the natural values to be protected, including an analysis of the degree to which the natural values have been damaged or altered from their optimal condition and character.

NR 51.26(2)(c) (c) The long-term viability of the natural values to be protected, including the extent to which the project meets the minimum size required by area-dependent species of concern; the adequacy of the project to maintain community function and dynamics; the impacts that fragmentation, isolation and size of community may have on its longevity; and the ability of the project to support minimum viable populations of species to be protected.

NR 51.26(2)(d) (d) The defensibility of the natural values and the project from adverse effects, both natural and anthropogenic, that threaten it.

NR 51.26(3) (3) The criteria used to evaluate and rank proposed projects are as follows:

NR 51.26(3)(a) (a) The rarity of the natural values to be protected as rated by the natural heritage inventory or other authority recognized by the scientific community.

NR 51.26(3)(b) (b) The number of natural values to be protected and their areal extent.

NR 51.26(3)(c) (c) The degree to which the natural values and the project are threatened.

NR 51.26(3)(d) (d) The value of the area for scientific research and conservation education.

NR 51.26(3)(e) (e) The degree to which acquisition, as opposed to other protection tools, will protect the natural values.

NR 51.26(3)(f) (f) The degree to which these types of natural values are already protected in the state.

NR 51.26(3)(g) (g) The value of the site as an ecological benchmark or reference area.

NR 51.26 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; renum. (1), r. (2), Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; emerg. renum. from NR 51.27, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: renum. from NR 51.27, Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. (intro.), (1) to (3), cr. (3) (g) Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

NR 51.27 NR 51.27 Approval of parcels. In a given fiscal year, parcels within an approved project or projects on the current state natural areas priority site list shall be given a higher priority for funding by the department.

NR 51.27 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; am. (1) (intro.), r. (1) (a) to (c) and (2), Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; emerg. renum. from NR 51.28, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: renum. from NR 51.28, Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

subch. IV of ch. NR 51 Subchapter IV — Bluff Protection

NR 51.30 NR 51.30 Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish the administrative framework for the implementation of the bluff protection program to preserve Great Lakes bluff land in Wisconsin under s. 30.24, Stats.

NR 51.30 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.

NR 51.31 NR 51.31 Applicability. This subchapter applies to the department program to acquire Great Lakes bluff land under s. 30.24, Stats., and to bluff land protection grants to nonprofit conservation organizations pursuant to s. 23.096, Stats.

NR 51.31 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.

NR 51.32 NR 51.32 Definitions. In addition to the definitions in s. NR 51.002, the following definition applies to this subchapter: “Bluff” means a hill, ridge or similar landform significantly elevated above the surrounding landscape, having a broad, steep face or cliff, and adjoining the shoreline or coastal lowlands of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior. “Bluff” includes an elevated landform having a steep face or bedrock cliff associated with the escarpment of Niagara dolomite within 6 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline in Door and Brown counties.

NR 51.32 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

NR 51.33 NR 51.33 Priorities. The department shall select bluff lands for protection in the following order of priority:

NR 51.33(1) (1) Bluffs harboring unique or unusual natural features, including high quality biotic communities, rare plant and animal species or significant geological formations.

NR 51.33(2) (2) Bluffs containing or representing significant historical or Native American archaeological features.

NR 51.33(3) (3) Bluffs affording significant scenic views of surrounding landscapes and waterscapes, or bluffs that are themselves an important scenic component of the landscape as observed from afar.

NR 51.33(4) (4) Bluffs providing opportunities for low-impact public recreation, including hiking and nature study.

NR 51.33 History History: Emerg. cr. Register, eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.