R657-56-5. Walk-In Access Program Requirements

(1) Private property enrolled in the WIA program must provide suitable habitat that can support the wildlife dependent recreational lease activity described in the WIA recreational lease agreement, and:

(a) contain no less than an 80 acre contiguous block of land for hunting or trapping;

(b) contain no less than a 40 acre contiguous block of wetland or riparian land for hunting or trapping;

(c) contain a minimum of .25 miles of stream or river;

(d) contain a minimum 5 acres of pond;

(e) the property provides an access corridor to comparable tracts of isolated public land or fishing waters open to free wildlife dependent recreational activities.

(2) If two or more landowners are joining private property to form a landowner association for the WIA program the property must:

(a) contain no less than a 320 acre contiguous block of land for hunting or trapping;

(b) contain no less than a 160 acre contiguous block of wetland or riparian land for hunting or trapping;

(c) contain a minimum of 1 mile of stream or river.

(3) No land parcel may be included in more than one WIA.

(4)(a) Division personnel shall evaluate proposed WIA property to determine if the property provides suitable wildlife or fish populations and habitat for the designated recreational lease activity.

(b) The property must be capable of independently maintaining the respective species and harboring them during the period of the designated recreational lease.

(c) If the property is approved for the designated wildlife dependent recreational lease activity, the division and private landowner may enter into the WIA recreational lease agreement as provided in Section R657-56-4.