30.203 Lake Winnebago comprehensive project.

(1) Authorization. The department may implement a project to place structures or fill or both on the beds of lakes Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan for any of the following purposes:

(a) To improve navigation or to provide navigation aids.

(b) To restore or protect wetland habitat or water quality.

(c) To create, restore or protect fish and wildlife habitat.

(d) To enhance the natural aesthetic value or improve the recreational use of these lakes.

(2) Location of structures and fill. Any structure or fill placed as part of the project authorized under sub. (1) shall be located in Winnebago County as follows:

(a) In Lake Winnebago within the area that consists of the S-1/2 of Sec. 14, T. 17 N., R. 17 E., and the N-1/2 of Sec. 23, T. 17 N., R. 17 E.

(b) In Lake Butte des Morts within an area that consists of the N-1/2 of Secs. 1 and 2, T. 18 N., R. 15 E., the S-1/2 of Secs. 25, 26 and 27, T. 19 N., R. 15 E., the E-1/2 of Sec. 34, T. 19 N., R. 15 E., and Secs. 35 and 36, T. 19 N., R. 15 E.

(c) In Lake Winneconne and Lake Poygan within an area that consists of the W-1/2 of Secs. 6 and 7, T. 19 N., R. 15 E.; the E-1/2 of Secs. 1 and 12 and the NE-1/4 of Sec. 2, T. 19 N., R. 14 E.; and the S-1/2 of Sec. 26, the SE-1/4 of Sec. 27, and the E-1/2 of Sec. 35, T. 20 N., R. 14 E.

(d) In Lake Poygan within an area that consists of the W-1/2 of Sec. 36, T. 20 N., R. 14 E.; the NW-1/4 of Sec. 1, T. 19 N., R. 14 E.; the E-1/2 of Sec. 33, all of Sec. 34, and the W-1/2 of Sec. 35, T. 20 N., R. 14 E.; and the N-1/2 of Sec. 4, T. 19 N., R. 14 E.

(3) Preliminary requirements.

(a) Before beginning any activity involving the placement of a structure or fill as part of the project authorized under sub. (1), the department shall do all of the following:

1. Comply with the requirements under s. 1.11.

2. Prepare plans and gather any other information necessary to effectively evaluate the structural and functional integrity of the structure or fill.

3. Hold a public informational meeting to discuss the plans prepared under subd. 2.

4. Approve the project if it finds that the structure or fill is structurally and functionally sound and that the structure or fill will comply with the requirements under sub. (4).

(b) The department shall determine the manner in which and to whom notice will be given of the public informational meeting held under par. (a) 3.

(4) Requirements for structures and fill. A structure or fill placed as part of the project authorized under sub. (1) shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) It may not reduce the effective flood flow capacity of the Wolf River or the Fox River above the point where the Fox River flows into Lake Butte des Morts.

(b) It may not materially obstruct navigation.

(c) It may not cause material injury to the rights of a riparian owner who owns land that abuts a navigable waterway that is affected by the project.

(d) It may not cause environmental pollution, as defined in s. 299.01 (4).

(e) It may not be detrimental to the public interest.

(f) It must further a purpose specified in sub. (1).

(5) Oversight and maintenance by the department.

(a) The department shall monitor the project authorized under sub. (1) to assure that the project is furthering a purpose specified in sub. (1).

(b) The department shall maintain the structures and the fill that are part of the project authorized under sub. (1) to assure that the structures and fill do not impair the safety of the public.

(c) The department shall maintain the structures and the fill that are part of the project authorized under sub. (1) in a manner that does not impair the natural aesthetic value of the area, to the extent practicable.

(d) The department shall maintain the structures and the fill that are part of the project authorized under sub. (1) so that they remain in compliance with the requirements listed under sub. (4).

(e) If the department determines that any structure or any fill that is part of the project authorized under sub. (1) does not comply with the requirements under sub. (4), the department shall modify the structure or fill to bring it into compliance. If the department cannot modify the structure or fill to bring it into compliance, the department shall remove the structure or fill.

(6) Use of structures or fill.

(a) Any structure or fill placed as part of the project authorized under sub. (1) may be used only for any of the following:

1. As a site for the placement of navigation aids approved by the department.

2. Activities to protect or improve wildlife or fish habitat, including the placement of fish or wildlife habitat structures approved by the department.

3. Open space for recreational activities.

(b) The department may promulgate rules to reasonably limit use by the public under par. (a) 3.

(7) Ownership; jurisdiction. The structures or fill that are part of the project authorized under sub. (1) are owned by the state and are under the jurisdiction of the department. The state may not transfer ownership of a structure or any fill that is part of the project authorized under sub. (1).

(8) Exemptions. Section 30.12 does not apply to activities that are necessary for the implementation or maintenance of the project authorized under sub. (1).

(9) Funding. Funding for this project shall be paid from the appropriations under ss. 20.370 (1) (mu) and 20.866 (2) (tr) and (tu).

History: 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27, 227; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20.