Land management classifications

Land management classifications. (1) General. The land management classifications described in this section and the recreational use setting subclassifications described in s. NR 44.07 shall be used in the master plan in a manner consistent with the management objective for the area. (2) Recreational use subclassifications. (a) A recreational use setting subclassification, described in s. NR 44.07 , shall be designated for each area designated as a recreation management area, scenic resources management area or wild resources management area. (b) Sites or areas permanently closed to public recreational use are not assigned a recreational use subclassification. (3) Plan components for each management area. For each designated management area on a property, except for a wild resources management area which shall follow the plan provisions in sub. (10) (e) , the master plan shall identify and explain the following: (a) The specific short-term and long-term management objectives; (b) The resource management and resource development activities authorized and the specific circumstances where, and the degree that, each management or development activity may be used; (c) The types of recreation management and recreation facility development authorized, and, when appropriate, the authorized size or use capacity of the facilities; (d) The specific types of public use or uses authorized on designated roads and trails, and any appropriate use restrictions, such as restrictions related to seasonal or environmental conditions; (e) Areas, if any, where specific management or development activities or techniques are prohibited or are limited and the rationale for any such limitation; (f) Where appropriate, time schedule guidelines, any special development, vegetation management and maintenance requirements or restrictions, and any requirements for public health, safety and welfare, or the protection of cultural resources; (g) The authorized management response to catastrophic events, including fire, disease, insect infestations or timber blowdowns; and (h) Other requirements, if any, that are specified in the statutory authority for that type of property. (4) Forest production area. In the master plan a forest production area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Management objective. The management objective of a forest production area is the sustainable production of timber and other forest products. The specific objective for any given forest production area may vary depending on site capability, timber types, markets, societal needs, desired associated benefits, the desired future forest conditions, adjacent land uses and local economic conditions. In addition, under limited, special circumstances, which shall be specified in the master plan, the following may be forest management objectives: 1. In areas of high recreational use and where site conditions allow, manage to produce timber on extended rotations in a manner that promotes long-term visual appeal. 2. While managing for timber products, promote the production and maintenance of certain ecological attributes that are characteristic of older forests. (b) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability and the practice of sustainable forestry. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued. (c) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components described in sub. (3) , the master plan shall identify the predominant timber types and the desired future timber types and stand conditions for the area. (5) Habitat management area. In the master plan a habitat management area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Management objective. The management objective for a habitat management area is to provide or enhance habitat, whether upland, wetland or aquatic, to support specific species of plants or animals. Habitats and communities in areas with this designation may be managed for a wide variety of purposes, including focused species production and protection. Areas that initially do not have desired habitat conditions but have a high potential to be restored to those conditions may be included under this classification. (b) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued. (c) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components in sub. (3) , the master plan shall identify the habitat objectives and species or communities being favored, and the desired conditions to be produced in the area. (6) Native community management area. In the master plan, a native community management area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Definition. For purposes of this subsection, “native community” means a distinct and reoccurring assemblage of populations of plants, animals, bacteria and fungi naturally associated with each other and their physical environment and which are indigenous to the area. (b) Management objective. The management objective of a native community management area is to represent, restore and perpetuate native plant and animal communities, whether upland, wetland or aquatic, and other aspects of native biological diversity. Areas that initially do not have the desired community conditions but have a reasonable potential to be restored to those conditions may be included under this classification. (c) Management. Management activities shall be designed to achieve land management objectives through natural processes and management techniques that mimic those processes whenever possible. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued. (d) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components described in sub. (3) , the master plan shall identify the specific native community types and the specific objective for the area. (7) Special management area. In the master plan a special management area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Management objective. The management objective of a special management area is to provide and maintain areas and facilities for special uses not included under other land management classifications described in this section. (b) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. (8) Recreation management area. In the master plan a recreation management area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Management objective. The management objective of a recreation management area is to provide and maintain land and water areas and facilities for outdoor public recreation or education. (b) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued. (c) Applicable recreational use setting subclassifications. The recreational use settings in s. NR 44.07 that are compatible with this classification are the Type 2, Type 3 or Type 4 settings. (d) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components described in sub. (3) , the master plan shall describe the desired future landscape conditions and identify any specific management activities or policies for the protection, maintenance, enhancement or restoration of the visual characteristics that are important to the recreational use of the management area. (9) Scenic resources management area. In the master plan a scenic resources management area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Management objective. The management objective of a scenic resources management area is to protect, maintain and enhance for long-term public enjoyment lands or waters having unique aesthetic qualities or outstanding scenic beauty and lands where managing for aesthetics is a primary concern due to significant or special public use of the area. (b) Management area. The scenic resources management area shall include, whenever possible, the department managed area that can readily be seen from the customary recreational use area or areas during the primary season or seasons of use. The designated management area, as specifically designated in the plan, shall, to the extent practicable, also include lands which are necessary to fully protect the scenic resource or to be effectively managed as an independent management unit. Development within a scenic resources management area shall be located and designed to be harmonious with the surrounding landscape and have minimal negative impact upon its scenic values. (c) Management. A master plan may authorize any management activity or technique that is consistent with the management objective specified in the master plan for the area, and is compatible with the site’s ecological capability. Only those management activities or techniques identified by the master plan for the management area may be pursued. All of the following management guidelines apply: 1. Where conspicuous management activities cannot be avoided, all reasonable measures shall be taken to mitigate the level and duration of the impacts for the viewing public; 2. New utility facilities, when permitted, shall be placed underground or be located in such a way as to be visually screened from the primary viewing areas; and 3. Trees that pose a significant hazard to public safety may be removed, and exotic or other species threatening the management objective for the area may be controlled as long as the control activities do not have significant adverse impacts on the scenic value of the area. (d) Applicable recreational use setting subclassifications. The recreational use settings in s. NR 44.07 that are compatible with this classification are the Type 2, Type 3 or Type 4 settings. (e) Master plan components. In addition to the plan components described in sub. (3) , the master plan shall identify the specific short-term and long-term scenic management objectives for the area, including any restoration and enhancement objectives, and a description of the desired future landscape conditions. (10) Wild resources management area. In the master plan a wild resources management area shall be consistent with the following: (a) Management objective. The management objective of the wild resources management area is to provide and maintain land and water areas where natural ecological processes predominate and evidence of human cultural impact is low; there is little or no visible resource management activity and facility development is limited to primitive recreational uses.