30.72 Watercraft use rules, Lower St. Croix River.

(1) Water surface use rules.

(a) The department shall promulgate rules to govern the operation of boats on the Lower St. Croix River. The rules may restrict any or all of the following:

1. The type of boats which may be used on the waters affected by the rules;

2. The areas of water which may be used by boats;

3. Speed of boats; or

4. The hours during which boating is permitted.

(b) In promulgating the rules required under par. (a), the department shall consider the physical characteristics of the waters affected, their historical uses, shoreland uses and classification, the classification of river segments under the Lower St. Croix national scenic riverway master plan, and any other features unique to the Lower St. Croix River, as well as the views of appropriate officials of counties, cities, villages and towns lying within the affected area, and of appropriate officials of agencies of the federal government and the state of Minnesota which have jurisdiction over the waters of the Lower St. Croix River.

(2) Concurrent regulations required. Rules promulgated under this section are effective upon adoption of laws, rules or regulations providing for similar limitations or prohibitions on the operation and use of boats on the same segments of the Lower St. Croix River by the state of Minnesota or its agencies. In exercising the authority granted by this section, the department may enter into necessary agreements with the federal government and its agencies, or with the state of Minnesota and its agencies under s. 66.0303.

(3) Enforcement. In addition to the enforcement powers granted to the department under s. 30.74 (3), the rules promulgated under this section may be enforceable by officers of water safety patrol units having jurisdiction on waters of the Lower St. Croix River under s. 30.79 (3). All officers so empowered by this section may exercise reciprocal powers which may be conferred upon them by the state of Minnesota or its agencies or political subdivisions relating to enforcement of regulations governing the use or operation of boats on the Lower St. Croix River.

History: 1975 c. 208; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (7); 1989 a. 159; 1999 a. 150 s. 672.

NOTE: Chapter 208, laws of 1975, which created this section, contains a statement of legislative purpose in section 1. See the 1975 session law volume.