Section 198.44. Applications and grant awards.

  A sponsor may propose a project for a grant based on recommended activities in a management plan approved by the department under s. NR 198.43 or for other activities identified in s. NR 198.42 .

(1)  Applications shall be made on forms provided by the department. Applications shall be submitted to the region director for the region in which the project is located by August 1 or February 1 of each year for a project to be eligible for a grant award in the subsequent 6-month period.

(2)  A complete application shall contain the following information:

(a) A clear description of the project's goals and objectives including a description of the waters on which the project will take place, the targeted aquatic invasive species, the problems or threats the species pose to the waterbody and how the results of the project will lead to its control. If the targeted species is a plant or plants, a site map clearly depicting the locations of all existing vegetation types and the area proposed for control.

(b) Complete descriptions of the project methods including follow up activities necessary to maximize and extend the effectiveness of the project. Activities shall be conducted when it is most effective in controlling the target aquatic invasive species and protecting native species.

(c) Identification of the threat the infestation poses to adjacent waters.

(d) An itemized budget for the full costs of the project including a calculation of the department's share of the project that will ultimately be reimbursed and a statement of the sponsor's capacity for financing its completion.

(e) A general time line for project completion.

(f) A signed and dated resolution from the sponsor authorizing the application and identifying a representative to act on its behalf.

(g) Copies of all permits or pending permit applications necessary to complete the project. No grant may be awarded until all the necessary permits and approvals for the project have been obtained. For multiple year projects, the provisions of this section only apply to the first year of permitted activity.

(h) A description of the existing and proposed availability of public access to and public use of, the waterbody including a map of the project waterbody identifying boat landings, public parks, platted access sites and road ends or rights of way providing public access to the water.

(i) A description of how the project is consistent with existing plans or management efforts for the waterbody.

(j) Other information as may be required by the department to evaluate the project.

(k) If the sponsor is a state, federal, hydroelectric corporation sponsor, university, college or school sufficient information to determine that they are a majority owner of shorelands adjacent to the public water with an established population, an owner of a wetland with an established population or that all other potential sponsors have declined sponsorship of the project.

(3)  All required application material in sub. (2) that is not included on a department-provided form shall be submitted in an electronic format specified by the department.

(4)  The department shall review the application for completeness and may return the application with a request in writing for more detailed information. The application is not considered complete until the additional information requested by the department has been received.

(5)  The department shall issue grant awards based upon the priority list established in s. NR 198.15 .

(6)  The state share of the cost of the project may not exceed 75% of the total project costs up to a maximum state share of $200,000.

History: CR 04-060 : cr. Register April 2005 No. 592 , eff. 5-1-05; CR 08-063 : am. (2) (g) and (h), cr. (2) (k) and (3), renum. (3) to (5) to be (4) to (6) and am. (6) Register June 2009 No. 642 , eff. 7-1-09.

Note

Forms may be obtained free of charge by contacting the department at [phone], or at the following DNR region headquarters located at: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 1. Southeast — 2300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Box 12436, Milwaukee 53212 Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 2. South Central — 3911 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg 53711 Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 3. Northeast — 2984 Shawano Ave., Green Bay, WI 54313 Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 4. Northern/Rhinelander — 107 Sutliff Ave., Rhinelander 54501 Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 5. Northern/Spooner — 810 West Maple St., Spooner 54801 Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 6. West Central — 1300 W. Clairemont Ave., Call Box 4001, Eau Claire 54702 Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1