Jul 01, 2010
Stewardship Access Rule Finalized
The rulemaking process for Administrative Rule NR 52 – also known as the Stewardship public access rule – finally passed its last administrative hurdle in June, and the rule will now take effect August 1st, 2010.
Background on the Rule
When the Stewardship Program was reauthorized in 2007, new public access requirements were added to the program. These requirements stipulate how public use of newly acquired Stewardship lands should be permitted and under what circumstances public access can be limited to protect public safety, protect unique plant and animal communities, and to accommodate “usership patterns.”
As a result of these statutory changes to the Stewardship Program, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began to develop an administrative rule -- NR 52. The rulemaking process for NR 52 was long and time consuming -- spanning over two years -- and after signficant public input the final rule has now been approved by the DNR, the Natural Resources Board (NRB), and the legislature.
Parts of the final rule are also the result of negotiations among several different organizations including Gathering Waters Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, and the Hunters Rights Coalition, among others. These organizations were able to agree upon language for NR 52 that will protect the interests of land trust while accommodating many of the concerns that were voiced by leaders of hunting and sporting advocacy organizations.
What’s Next
As with any new bureaucratic process, there are reasonable concerns that NR 52 may delay the grant application and review process. We are focused closely on this issue, and are working to ensure that the Stewardship grants program remains as efficient and predictable as possible. In the coming months, we will be available to answer questions about the new rule, and will help facilitate communication between DNR staff and land trusts.
We also want to spend the coming months celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Stewardship Program and working to broaden the support of the Stewardship Program throughout the state.
