Department property; mapping and access to roads
Wis. Stat. § 23.116
in effect(1) “Department property” means a property that is owned by the state, that is under the jurisdiction of the department, and that is used for one of the purposes specified in s. 23.09 (2) (d).
(2) The department shall inventory and map all roads that are located on each department property. Each map shall designate which roads are open to the public for the use of motorized vehicles and shall state when each road is open or closed for such use.
(3) For each department property, the department shall work with members of the public, governmental units, and other interested parties to prepare a plan for allowing the public to use motorized vehicles on the department property. Ecological, economic, and social criteria shall be considered in preparing each plan. Each plan shall include methods for implementing the plan, and each plan shall contain criteria to be used in determining when the use of motorized vehicles may be restricted or temporarily prohibited by the department due to logging or other activities.
(4) The department may not prohibit a person engaged in silviculture from crossing a recreational trail on department property. At the request of a person engaging in silviculture, the department shall temporarily close a portion of a recreational trail on department property. Before the recreational trail is reopened, the person engaging in silviculture affecting the recreational trail shall restore any portion of the recreational trail affected by the silvicultural activities to its condition prior to those activities. The department may not limit the scope of a silvicultural activity on department property based on the proximity of that activity to a recreational trail on department property.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/23.116Fetched: 10/7/2026