Common Elements

Many elements of master plans are common to the majority of DNR properties. Examples include standard department policies and practices for habitat, recreation and property management, and descriptions of the kinds of recreational activities and facilities typical of department lands. To simplify the planning process and the resulting master plans, a set of documents has been developed to provide information on these Common Elements.

Master plans developed for DNR properties will reference the information in these documents rather than repeating it. Each master plan will focus on describing and explaining any proposed management actions, recreational opportunities, or anticipated impacts that differ from the standard practices described in the Common Elements.

The Common Elements are divided into two categories and each one has a portal. Within each portal, Common Elements documents are further divided into collections for ease of access. Information on these collections can be found on the landing page of each portal.

Management Common Elements Portal

The Management Common Elements Portal contains documents that identify and describe management activities. These management activities are authorized when referenced in an approved master plan. Typically, Common Elements are referenced in management prescriptions or other parts of the plan by stating “Follow the X Common Element”.

• All Documents: This contains the full collection of Common Elements management documents.
• General Habitat Management: This collection contains documents that describe general habitat management for fisheries, forests, state natural areas, and wildlife habitat.
• General Property Management: This collection contains documents that describe general administration and management of DNR properties, facilities and resources. It includes topics such as facility maintenance, inspection of designated use areas, property access, closures, general recreation and public use, and control of invasive species.
• Habitats and their Management: This collection contains documents describing the different habitats that are found on DNR lands and how they are managed.
• Taxa-specific Management: This collection contains documents describing management of specific habitat features for particular groups of animals, such as migrating birds and hibernating bats.

Reference Common Elements Portal

The Reference Common Elements Portal contains background and reference documents that provide guiding or supporting information relevant to department properties, master plans, and the planning process. These documents are informational only and do not authorize management on department properties when referenced in a master plan.

• All Documents: This contains the full collection of Common Elements reference documents.
• Habitat Management Practices: This collection contains documents that describe the different practices used to management habitats on DNR lands.
• Process and Supporting Information: This collection contains documents that provide background and reference information relevant to master plans, such as real estate management, climate change, a description of the planning process, and a glossary of planning-related terms.
• Recreation Activities: This collection contains documents that describe the different recreation activities available on DNR lands and the facilities that support them.

Common Elements Changes

Flexibility is important in maintaining a relevant and functional set of management and reference documents. Changes to Common Elements range from correcting typos, updating manual code references, adding clarifying information or additional details, or adjusting management that might impact existing master plans. Changes to Management Common Elements may be subject to plan change requirements defined in Ch. NR 44 Wis. Adm. Code.

All changes to Common Elements are recorded in a Common Elements Changelog and are completed through the NR 44 plan change process .