Section 1.29. Ice Age and North Country trails.

 

(1)   Footpaths. The Ice Age Trail and North Country Trail shall be managed primarily as footpaths for pedestrian use: walking, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and ungroomed cross-country skiing.

(2)   Purpose.

(a) The purpose of the Ice Age Trail is to provide premier hiking and backpacking experiences and to preserve and interpret Wisconsin's glacial landscape and other natural and cultural resources in areas through which the trail passes.

(b) The purpose of the North Country Trail is to provide premier hiking and backpacking experiences as it meanders through a variety of northern landscapes, linking scenic, natural, historic, and cultural areas in seven states from New York to North Dakota.

(3)   Definitions. In this section:

(a) "Dispersed camping area" has the meaning given in s. NR 45.03 (9c) .

(b) "Ice Age Trail" has the meaning given in s. 23.17 (2) , Stats. When the Ice Age Trail is within a property other than a State Ice Age Trail Area, the Ice Age Trail for management purposes shall be the treadway, which is the trail tread and the land 25 feet adjacent to both sides of the trail tread.

(c) "Master plan" has the meaning given in s. NR 44.03 (8) .

(d) "State Ice Age Trail Areas" mean lands purchased by the department for the Ice Age Trail under the authority of s. 23.09 (2) (d) 10. , Stats., except when purchased as part of another department project.

(4)   Dispersed Camping And Trail Construction. On State Ice Age Trail Areas and on lands purchased for the North Country Trail, construction of the Ice Age and North Country trails and dispersed camping areas are authorized prior to the approval of a master plan for the property as allowed by department criteria and approval processes.

(5)   Vehicles.

(a) Vehicles shall be prohibited on the Ice Age trail except as provided for in s. NR 45.14 (1) , which shall also apply to this section, and except for snowmobiles where deemed appropriate by the secretary of the department of the interior and the managing authority responsible for the segment as permitted by 16 U.S.C. 1241 .

(b) Vehicles shall be prohibited on the North Country Trail except as provided for in s. NR 45.14 (1) , which shall also apply to this section.

(6)   State Ice Age Trail Areas — Purpose. Ice Age Trail Areas permanently protect lands to provide for segments of the Ice Age Trail; preserve Wisconsin's glacial landscape features and other natural and cultural resources associated with the trail route; and, where possible, offer a primitive atmosphere of relative solitude and perceived remoteness where visitors may experience a quiet connection with nature. In suburban areas or other developed areas, and on smaller parcels of land, not all of the Ice Age Trail Area purposes may be realized; however, they shall be maximized to the degree practicable at the site.

(7)   State Ice Age Trail Areas — Recreational Use And Management.

(a) Objectives. The purpose of the Ice Age Trail as provided in sub. (2) (a) , and further defined by the Ice Age Trail Vision Statement and Attributes, shall receive primary consideration in the master planning for State Ice Age Trail Areas. All uses included in sub. (1) and sub. (2) (a) , and facilities that directly support these uses shall be allowed. Compatible, non-Ice Age Trail related objectives may be accommodated; however, they may be limited in scope of time and location to avoid interference with primary Ice Age Trail purpose.

(b) Allowable non-Ice Age Trail related recreational uses and facility development.

1. To determine the suitability of secondary uses as listed in subds. 2. to 4. on a State Ice Age Trail Area, the specific characteristics of each Ice Age Trail Area, including the size, topography, vegetation, and sustainability, shall be considered. Conditions specific to funding sources used for the property shall also be upheld.

2. Depending on conditions including topography and sight lines, bicycling and horse riding may take place on a State Ice Age Trail Area. Location of these trails shall not detract from the purpose of the property as provided in sub. (6) . In general, such use shall take place not less than 200 - 500 feet away from the Ice Age Trail tread.

3. Snowmobile, and ATV and similar motorized recreational use may be established if conditions including topography and sight lines allow the use to exist without detracting from the purpose of the property as provided in sub. (6) , provided that use is more than ¼ mile from Ice Age Trail tread, and if the solitude and quiet experience of the Ice Age Trail user is not compromised by that use.

4. Intersections of motorized trails and the Ice Age Trail may not be allowed, except as provided in sub. (5) . Intersections of non-motorized, non-hiking trails and the Ice Age Trail are avoided; exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis when necessary to accommodate or maintain a larger, regional trail system.

5. Hunting as authorized pursuant to s. 29.089 , Stats., and natural resources board determinations under s. 29.089 (1m) , Stats., and s. NR 45.09 (11) .

6. No coincident use of the Ice Age Trail tread may be allowed for any uses other than those primary uses listed in sub. (1) and sub. (2) (a) .

(c) Vegetation Management. The desired future vegetation condition is natural communities composed of native plants and animals. Prescriptive management plans shall be designed to meet the goals of the desired future condition. When developing the vegetation management component of the property master plan, the specific characteristics of each State Ice Age Trail Area shall be considered, including the pre-settlement vegetation, soil types, and feasibility of the department and its partners to maintain the ecosystem.

(d) Pre-master plan. Prior to the approval of the property master plan, management activities and uses on State Ice Age Trail Areas shall be limited to the following:

1. `Recreational Use and Facility Development.'

a. All uses and activities allowed in subs. (1) and (4) .

b. Pre-existing crossings of the Ice Age Trail by designated state or county trails.

c. Hunting in accordance with s. NR 10.275 (4) and s. NR 45.09 (11) .

d. Motorized vehicles use as described in sub. (5) .

e. Small, lightly developed parking areas, such as a gravel parking lot, may be constructed.

f. Signage may be installed for marking the Ice Age Trail; regulatory uses; property management, including boundaries; and general property or Ice Age Trail information, such as a kiosk.

2. `Vegetation Management.' Native community types existing at the time of acquisition shall be retained or enhanced.

a. Vegetative management shall focus on enhancing the scenic and natural values along the Ice Age Trail. Cropped lands may be planted with a permanent grass cover. Tree plantations may be thinned to create a more natural appearing condition.

b. Invasive species may be removed or controlled.

c. Any proposed forest management requires consultation with the managing bureau of the property to ensure that scenic values along the Ice Age Trail are being preserved or enhanced.

History: CR 04-092 : cr. Register April 2005 No. 592 , eff. 5-1-05; CR 07-026 : am. (1) Register December 2007 No. 624 , eff. 1-1-08. CR 10-118 : r. and recr., Register May 2011 No. 665 , eff. 6-1-11; renum. (6) (a) and (b) to be (6) and (7) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., correction of (6) and (7) (titles), as renumbered, under 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., corrections in (7) (b) 1. to 3. under s. 13.92 (1) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2011 No. 665 , eff. 6-1-11; CR 13-108 : am. (7) (b) 5. Register August 2014 No. 704 , eff. 9-1-14; correction in (7) (b) 5. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register August 2014 No. 704 , eff. 9-1-14 .

Note

Note: The Vision Statement and Attributes is part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service, Ice Age Trail Alliance (née Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation), and the department concerning the Ice Age Trail. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Section NR 10.275 (4) was repealed by CR 13-108 Register August 2014 No 704, eff. 9-1-14. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1