(1) The
legislature has indicated its intent to acquire, establish and preserve natural areas and scientific areas by creating ss.
15.347(4),
23.27 and
23.092, Stats. The natural resources board agrees that
such areas, by their preservation, protect the state's natural diversity, provide sites for research and environmental education, and serve as
benchmarks for assessing and guiding use of other lands in the state.
Note: Section
23.27, Stats., defines "natural areas" to include tracts
of land or water which have native biotic communities, unique natural features or significant geological or archeological sites. Generally, natural
areas are remnant areas which largely have escaped disturbance since settlement or which exhibit little recent disturbance so that recovery has
occurred and presettlement conditions are approached. Generally, scientific areas are natural areas of at least statewide significance and useful for
education or research.
(2) The department, with the advice and assistance of the scientific areas
preservation council, shall:
(a) Conduct inventories of natural areas statewide including department controlled
properties.
(b) Recommend for natural resources board approval sites on department properties as
scientific areas.
(c) Recommend for natural resources board approval the acquisition of natural areas and
designation of appropriate tracts as additions to the scientific areas system.
(d) Manage natural areas
and scientific areas to perpetuate the native biotic communities, unique natural features and geological or archaeological sites.
(e) Encourage research and educational use by groups and persons on department controlled scientific areas,
consistent with the individual site management guidelines.
(3) Prior to any change in status
of a scientific area located on lands owned or controlled by the department, the natural resources board, with the advice of the scientific areas
preservation council, shall determine in each instance that:
(a) The site is no longer suitable and no longer
needed for the scientific area use for which it was established; or
(b) Other public uses are required
due to unavoidable public necessity, but then only after notice to concerned groups and individuals and opportunity for public comment.
