(1)    Designation. The department, with the advice of the council, may designate any natural area with a high or critical level of importance on state-owned land under the department’s management or control as a state natural area. The department, with the advice of the council, may designate any natural area with a high or critical level of importance on land other than state-owned land but under the department’s management or control as a state natural area. The department, with the advice of the council, may designate a natural area with a high or critical level of importance on land under the management or control of another state agency, a federal, county, city, village, town or other public agency or a nonprofit organization as a state natural area if that area is protected by a voluntary, written stewardship agreement between the owner or manager and the department.

   (2)   Stewardship. The department is responsible for the stewardship of designated state natural areas unless a written stewardship agreement specifies otherwise.

   (3)   Protection of natural values; research natural areas. The department shall not permit any use of a designated state natural area which is inconsistent with or injurious to its natural values. The department may establish use zones, may control uses within a zone and may limit the number of persons using a zone in a designated state natural area. The department, with the advice of the council, may classify certain designated state natural areas as research natural areas and may establish special use regulations for these areas.