Section NR 325.03 - Definitions(1) "Abandoned" means the relinquishment of possession of a boathouse or fixed houseboat by the owner with indications of intent to terminate ownership, which may be evidenced by several factors such as the failure to act to maintain or repair boathouses or fixed houseboats that are in a major state of disrepair.(2) "Boathouse" means a permanent structure used for the storage of watercrafts and associated materials and includes all structures which are totally enclosed, have roofs or walls or any combination of structural parts. For purposes of this chapter, the term boathouse does not include shore stations or boathouses which are removed from a waterway on an annual basis.(3) "Constructed or placed" means:(a) The original erection of a boathouse or the original placement of a fixed houseboat beyond the ordinary highwater mark of any navigable waterway; or(b) The building of additions to existing boathouses or existing fixed houseboats; or(c) The relocation of a boathouse or a fixed houseboat beyond the ordinary highwater mark of any navigable waterway at a location different from its location at the date of this act; or(d) The conversion of a boathouse or fixed houseboat in a manner to allow permanent or temporary human habitation after December 15, 1979.(4) "Current value" means the equalized assessed value as determined by s. 70.32, Stats., or, if not assessed, its current fair market value as certified by a competent appraiser using standard real estate appraisal techniques. If assessed, but the assessment for the boathouse or fixed houseboat cannot be separately distinguished from the general property assessment, the current value shall be the current fair market value as set forth above.(5) "Fixed houseboat" means a structure not actually used for navigation which extends beyond the ordinary highwater mark of a navigable waterway and is retained in place either by cables attached to the shoreline or by anchors or spudpoles attached to the bed of the waterway.(5k) "Historic or cultural value" means a structure listed in or determined eligible for listing in the national registry of historical places or in a local municipal historical preservation ordinance by using procedures prescribed by the Wisconsin historical society.(6) "Major state of disrepair" means a state of damage or deterioration, such that the repair or replacement thereof would exceed 50% of its current value.(7) "Navigable waterway" means any body of water with defined bed and banks, which is navigable under the laws of the state. In Wisconsin, a navigable body of water is capable of floating the lightest boat or skiff used for recreation or any other purpose on a regularly recurring basis. Note: This incorporates the definition at s. 30.01(4m), Stats., and current case law, which requires a watercourse to have a bed and banks, Hoyt v. City of Hudson, 27 Wis. 656 (1871), and requires a navigable waterway to float on a regularly recurring basis the lightest boat or skiff, DeGayner & Co., Inc. v. DNR, 70 Wis. 2d 936 (1975); Village of Menomonee Falls v. DNR, 140 Wis. 2d 579 (Ct. App. 1987).
(8) "Not actually used for navigation" means that, while possibly floatable and maneuverable, the primary purpose is not navigation.(9) "Ordinary high water mark" means the point on the bank or shore up to which the presence and action of water is so continuous as to leave a distinct mark either by erosion, destruction of terrestrial vegetation or other easily recognizable characteristic.(10) "Tributary of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior" means a named river that flows directly into Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources § NR 325.03
Cr. Register, August, 1980, No. 296, eff. 9-1-80; emerg. cr. (7k) and (9), eff. 4-19-04; CR 04-063: renum. (7) to be (5k) and am., cr. (7), (9) and (10) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05.