Back to WSNetwork News 110104

NR = "Nature Ravaged"
When you see the letters "NR" these days, pay attention!

This time it’s NR 326 (boat docks, wharves and rafts).

From the Oct 29 issue of CANOE Newsletter published by River Alliance of Wisconsin

The Department of Natural Resources creates administrative rules stemming from legislation, and usually tagged with the acronym “NR,” for Natural Resources.  These rules govern the use and care of land, water and wildlife. Many “NRs” are being revised these days, and the trend is not good: more and more, “revised” is translating into weakened, compromised, and watered down, all in the name of regulatory relief.

One “NR” rule has been under discussion for months and is now ready for public review. It is NR 326, and pertains to piers, boat shelters and swimming rafts.  How DNR regulates these and other structures edging our lakes and rivers is at the heart of NR 326.  Alarms have been sounded by allies and friends in the water conservation community about the proposed rule changes.

Inflatable rafts are floating to the top of the water recreation scene on northern Wisconsin lakes, causing concern among boaters that swimmers are putting themselves in harm’s way.  People question whether the rule adequately regulates these floating behemoths.  Many structures that used to require permits may no longer require under the proposed revisions.  It appears that the draft rules relax substantially what you can put on, for example, a boat dock, turning it, in effect, into a party deck.

People in northern Wisconsin see the rule revisions leading to unregulated cluttering of their shorelines. Observers in the Lower St. Croix Riverway see that the one-size-fits-all rule does not adequately address issues unique to that national scenic area.

If you are a lakeshore or riverbank owner, or if you recreate on Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes, this rule will be important to you and you should weigh in.

Next week, the DNR holds open houses and public hearings, starting next Monday, at which you can learn about the rules and offer your comments and critique. There’s an open house from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. before each public hearing. (But note that Madison’s open house is 10:00 to noon, with the public hearing noon to 2:00.) Click on a city for a map of the location.

Monday, November 1, 2004
Public Hearing will be at 6:00 pm with video conference participation between two locations:
Eau Claire - Room 130, Manufacturing Ed. Center , Chippewa Valley Technical College - Gateway Campus, 2320 Alpine Road

Green Bay - MAC137, Instructional Services Bldg., UW-Green Bay , 2420 Nicolet Drive

Wednesday, November 3, 2004
Public Hearing will be at 6:00 pm at:
Tomahawk - Banquet Room, Comfort Inn and Conference Center , 1738 Comfort Drive

Thursday, November 4, 2004
Public Hearing will be at 6:00 pm at:
Hayward - County Board Room, Sawyer Co. Courthouse, 10610 Main Street

Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Public Hearing will be at 6:00 pm at:
Waukesha - Room 151, State Office Building , 141 NW Barstow Street

Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Public Hearing will be at 12:00 pm at:
Madison - Room 027, GEF-2 Building, 101 South Webster Street