Section 191.45. Plan recommendation approval procedures and applications.

  Following completion of a lake management plan, the sponsor may select and propose a project for a grant based upon one, some or all of the plan's recommended alternatives. Plans may be submitted to the appropriate department regional office at any time for approval of recommendations and a determination of eligibility. Once the department has approved a recommendation, the sponsor may submit an application for a grant project.

(1)   Plan submittal. When submitting a plan for approval, the following conditions apply:

(a) The request for plan approval shall specify which plan recommendations the sponsor intends to implement with a grant application.

(b) The sponsor shall describe the process used to provide the public the opportunity to comment on the plan, provide a summary of the comments received and document the action by the sponsor in adopting the plan.

(c) Lake management plans completed under ch. NR 190 shall be submitted for approval as described in this subchapter. Plans approved for payment under ch. NR 190 do not constitute approval of recommendations for project funding under this subchapter.

(2)   Plan approval. In determining the eligibility of a plan's recommendation for a grant, the department shall consider the extent to which the content of the plan adequately addresses and supports the recommended action. The department shall complete its review within 45 days of receipt of the plan and may approve all, part or none of the plan recommendations or request additional information. The department shall state the basis for denying the approval of plan recommendations in writing to the sponsor. Depending on the types of activities in the recommendation proposed for a grant, the department may consider the extent to which the plan contains the following elements:

(a) An assessment of the lake's historical water quality, including at least one year of current base line limnological data.

(b) An identification of the water quality problems or threats to lake water quality including degradation of fish habitat and wetlands caused by nonpoint sources of pollution in the watershed.

(c) An assessment of the lake's fishery and aquatic habitat including the extent of the lake area covered by aquatic plants and a characterization of the shoreline habitat and any known ecological relationships.

(d) An identification of the need for the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, endangered resources, aesthetics or other natural resources.

(e) An assessment of the lake's watershed including:

1. A description of land uses listing each land use classification as a percentage of the whole and an estimate of the amount of nonpoint pollution loading produced by each category.

2. Identification and ranking of the most significant nonpoint source types and contributing areas.

3. A listing of known point sources of pollution affecting the lake or that have affected the lake.

4. A characterization of the habitat conditions and any known ecological relationships.

5. A description of the institutional framework affecting management of the lake including, local government jurisdictional boundaries, plans, ordinances including an analysis of the need for adoption of local ordinances for lake protection.

(f) A summary of the historical uses of the lake, including recreational uses up to the time of application, and how these uses may have changed because of water quality or habitat degradation.

(g) A description of any other problems or issues perceived to need management actions.

(h) A description of any management actions taken or are in progress.

(i) Identification of objectives to maintain or improve the lake's water quality, fisheries, aquatic habitat and recreational and other uses.

(j) Identification of target levels of control and resource protection needed to meet the objectives.

(k) Identification and discussion of the alternative management actions considered for pollution control, lake restoration or other management including expected results.

(L) An analysis of the need for and a list of the proposed management actions that will be implemented to achieve of the target level of pollution abatement or resource protection.

(m) A strategy for tracking, evaluating and revising the plan including water quality monitoring.

(n) A plan for operation and maintenance of any management practices.

(3)   Applications. Once the department has approved the eligibility of a lake management plan recommendation, the sponsor may submit a project application following the procedures in s. NR 191.05 . In addition to the requirements of s. NR 191.05 , each recommendation proposed for funding shall include a detailed description specifying exactly what activities are to be undertaken, how and where the activities will be implemented and an analysis of expected improvement.

CR 02-122 : cr. Register May 2003 No. 569 , eff. 6-1-03.