Terms and Conditions of Use for the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Data Portal

Access to and use of this Internet site is subject to the following terms and conditions. PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY AS USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Are you an authorized user? You must have:

• a current License/Data Sharing Agreement and Security Protocol in place,
• paid the fee as outlined in NR 29.04,
• completed NHI Training,
• registered for a Wisconsin Web Access Management System (WAMS) ID (PDF, 210KB),
• given your WAMS user name to your Organization’s Data Coordinator, and
• approved access by the Endangered Resources Planning and Protection Specialist.

Responsibilities of an Authorized User:

1. Comply with the terms of your Organization’s License/Data Sharing Agreement and Security Protocol
To use the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) Data Portal (hereafter the NHI Portal), Authorized Users/License Holders agree to comply with the terms and conditions described in their Organization’s License/Data Sharing Agreement and Security Protocol. Your Organization’s Data Coordinator must provide these documents to you. If you need copies, contact your Data Coordinator.

The License/Data Sharing Agreement and Security Protocol describes the Terms and Conditions of Use, for example:

Authorized Use: The NHI Portal may only be used by Authorized/Licensed users and only for the purpose(s) stated in your License/Data Sharing Agreement. Access to the NHI database is most often authorized for endangered resource planning and protection efforts. See your License/Data Sharing Agreement for your Organization’s authorized use(s).

Distribution: Do not share the Data. Natural Heritage Inventory Data is exempt from State of Wisconsin Open Records Law [s. 23.27(3)(b) and subch. II, ch. 19, stats.]. The Wisconsin NHI Program maintains the responsibility for providing endangered resources data sets to users external to the Department of Natural Resources. NHI data are considered sensitive and thus not appropriate for distribution beyond the staff named in your Organization’s License/Data sharing Agreement.

Limitations of the data: The Wisconsin NHI Data Portal is a statewide inventory of KNOWN (documented) locations and conditions of rare and endangered species. Please be aware that although the NHI database is the most up-to-date and comprehensive database on the occurrences of rare species and natural communities available, there are many areas of the state that have not been inventoried. Similarly, the presence of a rare species at a location does not imply that all taxonomic groups have been surveyed at that site. As such, the data should be interpreted with caution and an "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence" philosophy followed.

Training: You are required to attend training. The Endangered Resources Program provides annual training on NHI methodology and screening. The training is required for an Organization’s authorized staff who use the NHI Portal for project review purposes that have the potential to impact lands, wetlands, or water-bodies that may support endangered resources. Please contact the Bureau of Endangered Resources for more information about NHI Training.

2. Do Not Share Your Password
To access the NHI Portal, you will need a username and password, which you will receive through the Wisconsin's Web Access Management System (WAMS) (exit DNR) registration process. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account, and for all activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and to ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. The Department cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your password or account information. Keep in mind, your WAMS username and password can also be used for other State business including: renewing your Wisconsin Driver’s License, applying for Hunting or Fishing Licenses, etc.

Please Note

• Your WAMS ID may be restricted from accessing certain materials otherwise available in the NHI Portal.
• Materials and features may be added to or withdrawn from the NHI Portal or otherwise changed without notice. Changes will be documented in the Release Announcements available from the NHI Portal Main Page.
• There can be no guarantee that the NHI Portal will always be available, or any warranty in respect of network uptime or connectivity. Please notify Endangered Resources of technical problems with the NHI Portal using the feedback links within the Application.