Section 51.63. Priority stream identification.

  The department shall identify priority streams for department projects, using the following criteria, not listed in order of priority:

(1)  The extent to which the water quality and fish habitat of the stream are threatened by urban or agricultural runoff. Streams shall satisfy this criterion to a reasonable extent to be considered further.

(2)  The extent to which the threat to water quality and fish habitat of the stream can be protected through the acquisition of property. Streams shall satisfy this criterion to a reasonable extent to be considered further.

(3)  Streams satisfying subs. (1) and (2) shall be further prioritized based on the following:

(a) The extent to which the stream project provides protection of endangered or threatened resources including natural communities and habitat for rare species.

(b) The inclusion of the stream in or adjacent to other department projects.

(c) A determination by the department that the stream's riparian lands are enrolled in the federal or state programs specified in s. 23.094 (2) (c) , Stats., or other federal or state programs that protect or enhance water quality or fish habitat.

Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418 , eff. 11-1-90; r. and recr. Register, June, 1994, No. 462 , eff. 7-1-94; emerg. am. (2), eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135 : am. (2), Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127 : am. (intro.) Register February 2012 No. 674 , eff. 3-1-12.