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 51.74NR 51.74 Grants for state trails. 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)(b)2.2. Are of a length sufficient to provide at least one day’s recreational experience. NR 51.74(1)(b)3.3. Provide connections to resource areas of statewide significance or areas of outstanding natural scenery. 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. NR 51.74(2)(2) Purchase of equipment and maintenance of the Ice Age Trail. NR 51.74(2)(a)(a) The department may expend funds received under s. 20.370 (7) (fa), Stats., for the purchase of equipment and materials for the maintenance of the Ice Age Trail. Purchase may include leasing under the provisions of s. 16.754 (1) (d), Stats. NR 51.74(2)(b)(b) Portions of the Ice Age Trail eligible for funding under this subsection are those under the ownership and management of the department, or those dedicated to the department under the provisions of s. 23.293, Stats., and managed by another party under the provisions of a management contract with the department, or recognized by the department, or certified by the U.S. national park service. Portions eligible for funding shall also meet the standards of the Ice Age national scenic trail. Sections where the trail overlaps developed, multi-use trails are not eligible for funding. NR 51.74 NoteNote: Standards for the Ice age national scenic trail may be obtained from the DNR, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
NR 51.74(2)(c)(c) The department may expend the funds as grants. Nonprofit conservation organizations or governmental units managing portions of the Ice Age Trail under the provisions of par. (b) may nominate maintenance projects on the appropriate department form, and include a cost estimate supported by at least 2 quotes for items above $500.00. The grant amount shall be 50 percent of eligible project costs. Eligible project costs are defined in s. NR 51.09. NR 51.74 NoteNote: The appropriate department form may be obtained from the Bureau of Community Financial Assistance, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
NR 51.74(2)(d)(d) The department shall give priority to those portions of the Ice Age Trail providing significant public use, or where the maintenance expenditure will protect the resource or public safety or comfort, or those portions under the ownership of a governmental unit or a nonprofit conservation organization and managed by a governmental unit or a nonprofit conservation organization and where the nonprofit conservation organization has a recorded interest in the land. NR 51.74(2)(e)(e) Sponsors shall apply for federal and state permits, approvals, licenses and waivers necessary to implement the project. If a project is on land not owned by the sponsor, the landowner shall be a party to any permit application. Work on the project may not begin until all applicable permits have been obtained. NR 51.74(2)(f)(f) Upon signing the grant agreement, the sponsor may request up to 50 percent of the grant amount. The department may require proof that the sponsor has the remaining funds needed for the project.