NR 51.72(4)(4) “State trail system” means the recreational trails designated by the legislature or the department pursuant to s. NR 51.73.

NR 51.72 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; emerg. r. (2), renum. (3) to (5) to be (2) to (4), eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: r. (2), renum. (3) to (5) to be (2) to (4), Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127: am. (2), cr. (2m) Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12.

NR 51.73(1)(1) The 400, Ahnapee, Badger, Bearskin, Buffalo River, Capital City, Cattail, Chippewa River, Devil’s River, Eisenbahn, Elroy-Sparta, Fox River, Friendship, Gandy Dancer, Glacial Drumlin, Great River, Great Sauk, Green Circle, Hank Aaron, Hillsboro, Ice Age Trail, La Crosse River, Mascoutin Valley, Military Ridge, Mound View, Mountain-Bay, Newton Blackmour, Nicolet, North Country, Oconto River, Old Abe, Pecatonica, Red Cedar, Saunders, Stower Seven Lakes, Sugar River, Tomorrow River, Tuscobia, White River, Wild Goose, Wild Rivers, Wiouwash, and Wolf River, trails are designated as state trails, and others as designated by the department.

NR 51.73(2)(2) The Lake Michigan State Water Trail is a designated state trail.

NR 51.73(3)(3) Nonprofit conservation organizations and governmental units may nominate, in writing, additional trails for state trail designation. Nominations shall document that nominated trails meet the purposes of this subchapter, and provide recreational opportunities for equestrians, bicyclists, cross country skiers or hikers, and that the trail is:

NR 51.73(3)(b)(b) Within or in close proximity to areas of significant natural beauty, historical or cultural significance, state or national parks, forests or recreational areas, or provides connections to existing state trails, and

NR 51.73(3)(c)(c) Of a width sufficient to provide the purposes for which acquired, generally not less than 33 feet wide in rural areas and not less than 10 feet wide in urban areas, nor have more than 25 acres per mile averaged over a 5 mile distance.

NR 51.73(3)(d)(d) Likely to receive significant use as determined by the state comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, or similar study, and

NR 51.73(3)(e)(e) There is a reasonable expectation of completing the necessary land acquisition and development, and of successful management and operation.

NR 51.73(4)(4) Upon finding that the conditions in sub. (3) are met, the department may designate the trail as a state trail.

NR 51.73(5)(5) The department may designate state trails on its own properties if they meet the criteria in sub. (3).

NR 51.73(6)(6) The department may remove a state trail, except the Ice Age Trail, from state trail designation upon finding that it is not being reasonably operated and maintained by the owner or operator, or is not reasonably likely to meet the purpose of the state trail system.

NR 51.73 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; am. (1), Register, June, 1994, No. 462, eff. 7-1-94; am. (1), Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; emerg. am. (1) and (3) (intro.), eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135: am. (1) and (3) (intro.), Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 04-092: am. (1) and (2) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; CR 07-026: am. (1) Register December 2007 No. 624, eff. 1-1-08; CR 10-127: am. (1) Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12; CR 16-007: am. (1), r. and recr. (2) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 23-060: am. (1) Register July 2024 No. 823, eff. 8-1-24.

NR 51.74(1)(1) Land acquisition.

NR 51.74(1)(a)(a) The department may make grants to nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire lands for a state trail if the proposed state trail is first designated by the legislature or the department under s. NR 51.73.

NR 51.74(1)(b)(b) If all conditions of s. NR 51.73 are met, the department shall give higher priority to projects for those trails that meet the following:

NR 51.74(1)(c)(c) The department may grant funds under s. 23.175, Stats., to nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of scenic easements on lands that provide exceptional scenic value adjacent to or in the vicinity of state trails.

NR 51.74(1)(d)(d) In addition to the provisions in sub. (1), the department may acquire lands for the Ice Age Trail from monies appropriated under s. 20.866 (2), Stats., and dedicate them under the provisions of s. 23.293, Stats. The department may acquire lands for the Ice Age Trail as provided for in s. 23.293, Stats., only in project areas approved by the natural resources board.