Storage of Watercraft in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve

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Policy Number:

UW-6051

Old Policy Number:

G-23

Responsible Office:

Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) is responsible for the upkeep and stewardship of the campus lands including the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. The lakeshore of the Preserve warrants proper stewardship in order to protect its fragile ecosystem.

Wis. Admin. Code UWS § 18.06 prescribes proper conduct on university lands. It prohibits docking, mooring, storage of boats, or similar equipment on university land except under conditions specified by the chief administrative officer.

For many years there were watercraft tie-up pins along the shoreline which were administered by the Wisconsin Union. The pins were removed and two watercraft storage areas were developed on hard surfaces so that the fragile shoreline could be protected.

The Wisconsin Union manages the watercraft storage areas with restrictions outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding with FP&M which operates the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

Definitions:

Beaching

Pulling a watercraft up out of the water onto shorelines and other land areas.

Policy:

1. Use of Shoreline by Watercraft in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve

   1. Beaching is allowed only in these specified areas and only if the watercraft is attended:
      1. Raymer’s Cove
      2. Willows Beach
      3. Picnic Point Beach
      4. The sandy beach from Picnic Point Beach to the bathhouse

2. Authorized Watercraft Storage

   1. Watercraft storage in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve is only authorized at the two watercraft storage areas located at Willows Beach and the Lot 60 boat ramp, or by an individual permit granted by the Lakeshore Nature Preserve manager.
   2. The Outdoor UW program administers watercraft storage at the Willows Beach and Lot 60 boat ramp locations. Storage is provided on racks or along a cable tether line. For more information, call 608-263-5181 or email recreation@union.wisc.edu.
   3. Enforcement of this watercraft storage policy outside of Willows Beach and the Lot 60 boat ramp is the responsibility of Lakeshore Nature Preserve management.
   4. Under special conditions, temporary watercraft storage may be allowed in areas outside of the Willows Beach and Lot 60 boat ramp area. Visit the Lakeshore Nature Preserve website for information.

3. Unauthorized Storage of Watercraft in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve 

   1. Watercraft will be removed if any of the following conditions are met:
      1. Watercraft is beached and unattended in the Preserve at a location other than those stated in section I.A (above).
      2. Watercraft is stored at a location other than those stated in section II.A (above).
      3. Watercraft is attached to trees or other vegetation.

Procedure:

Watercraft Removal Procedure

1. The watercraft shall be tagged with a notice specifying the violation and giving the owner 12 hours to remove the watercraft.
2. If the owner of the watercraft can be identified through the registration information on the watercraft an attempt will be made to contact the owner by telephone. (A record will be kept within Preserve administration of the placement of the tag and any attempt to contact the watercraft owner.)
3. If the watercraft has not been removed after an additional eight hours the watercraft is subject to removal by Physical Plant employees as soon as it can be scheduled. The watercraft will be placed in a storage compound.
4. If the mailing address of the owner can be obtained a letter will be sent to the owner informing them of the violation and removal to storage. e. The watercraft owner will be liable for any costs incurred by the Physical Plant during the removal and transportation of the watercraft. These costs must be repaid by the owner before they can reclaim their watercraft.
5. The Physical Plant accepts no responsibility for any damage to or loss from any watercraft stored on or removed from University property.
6. If the watercraft is not reclaimed by the owner within sixty (60) days from the date that it is put into storage, the watercraft will be transferred to the State Surplus Property warehouse for sale. The watercraft will be priced with the goal of recovering for the Physical Plant as much of the removal costs and storage fees as possible, as well as paying for expenses involved in the sale. As per state statute (20.909), money remaining after the expenses have been recovered shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the school fund.
7. The University reserves the right to remove the watercraft immediately if the owner is a repeat offender or for urgent or extraordinary circumstances.

External References:

Wis. Admin. Code UWS §18.06

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:

Associate Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning & Management

Policy Manager:

Interim Director, Campus Planning

Contact:

Assistant Director, Lakeshore Nature Preserve -- Laura Wyatt, laura.wyatt@wisc.edu, (608) 265-9275

Effective Date:

11-17-2015

Retrieved:

04-18-2024 19:10:26