A recent ruling by a Jefferson County judge that prohibits boaters, fishermen and other water recreationists from entering flooded private lands cannot be enforced outside the county and will likely face an appeal from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
That’s the opinion of former DNR Secretary George Meyer, who served as a water regulations lawyer for three decades at the agency, including from 1993 to 2002 as head of the agency. The DNR does not comment on U.S. District Judge Bennett J. Brantmeier’s June 24 ruling that limits public access to navigable waters on private lands, but Meyer said the agency is reviewing the matter.
A Jefferson County judge’s ruling regarding navigable waters will likely face an appeal from the Wisconsin DNR
