Jefferson County judge’s navigable water ruling faces likely appeal from Wisconsin DNR

A Jefferson County judge’s recent ruling that forbids boaters, anglers and other water-borne recreationists from entering flooded private lands can’t be enforced outside the county and faces a likely appeal by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
That’s the opinion of former DNR Secretary George Meyer, who was a water-regulations attorney throughout his three decades with the agency, including his 1993 through 2002 stint as agency head. The DNR won’t comment on Circuit Judge Bennett J. Brantmeier’s June 24 ruling that restricts public access to navigable waters over private land, but Meyer said the agency is reviewing the case.