Section NR 1.40 - Acquisition of recreational land(1) In the acquisition of recreational lands, the department shall place principal emphasis on the acquisition of lands in the heavily populated areas of the state and in places readily accessible to such areas.(2) Projects under this section will be undertaken based on the following descending order of priority: (a) Consolidation and completion of existing projects.(b) New acquisition projects based on the following criteria listed in descending order of priority: 1. Land to protect rare and threatened natural resources; to protect genetic and biological diversity; and to protect, manage or restore critical fish and wildlife habitat.2. Unique, one-of-a-kind opportunities that may only be available once; projects of special scenic quality; and projects that are "irreplaceable"; an uncommonly large tract of unique natural resources of sufficient size to provide immediate and significant results in meeting program goals.3. Water-based resources that include land important to protect and improve the quality of the state's surface and ground water; and land for recreation and management along streams, rivers, lakes and flowages.4. Lands to accommodate broad, natural resource-based outdoor recreation and state recreational trails.5. Land within 40 miles of Wisconsin's 12 largest cities. If funding limits the ability to purchase available lands within existing urban areas, preference will be given to rural lands near population centers. Note: Wisconsin's 12 largest cities are: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, Kenosha, Appleton, West Allis, Waukesha, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Janesville and LaCrosse.
6. Protection of scenic lands that meet the department priorities in subds. 1. to 5.(c) Proposed new projects which fall within the following criteria will be given lower priority. Low priorities are not listed in order. 1. Wetland projects acquired primarily to provide additional protection beyond regulation and zoning that do not meet other recreational, water quality or resource management needs.2. Projects to protect and preserve natural resources not threatened with incompatible use.3. Projects not part of large, broad-based integrated management efforts to provide multiple outdoor recreational opportunities.4. Timber production areas that do not meet other recreational, water quality or resource management needs.5. Lands owned by another unit of government and not threatened with sale or incompatible use.(3) All new projects shall be subject to natural resources board approval.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 1.40
Cr. Register, April, 1975, No. 232, eff. 5-1-75; r. and recr. (2), Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96.