Section 51.09. Eligible costs and grant payments for development and habitat restoration projects.

 

(1)   Eligible costs. Reasonable and necessary project costs that are consistent with the project scope and incurred during the project period are eligible for grant funds. The amount the department agrees to reimburse for any land management practice may be based on an average cost determined as reasonable by the department. The department may request that the sponsor obtain quotes for land management practices and other development project expenses.

(a) Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to:

1. Labor costs directly related to and required for completing the project. Costs shall be based on the actual wage paid by the sponsor including salary and fringe benefits.

2. Direct costs for materials and equipment used for project-related purposes or the cost of the portion of materials or equipment time used for the project.

3. The cost of leased equipment used for project-related purposes.

4. Permit fees necessary for the completion for the project.

(b) Engineering or planning fees necessary to design and complete a project may be eligible and may be retroactive.

(c) The substantiated value of materials, equipment, services and labor donated for the project may be used as all or part of the sponsor`s share of the project cost subject to all of the following:

1. All known sources of the sponsor's share of project costs shall be indicated when the grant application is submitted.

2. The maximum value of donated, non-professional labor shall be equal to prevailing Wisconsin minimum wage requirements.

3. The value of donated materials and donated professional services shall conform to market rates and be established by invoice.

4. The value of donated equipment use shall conform to the Wisconsin department of transportation highway rates for equipment.

(2)   Ineligible costs. Costs not directly associated with or necessary for the implementation of the project are ineligible for grant funding. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:

(a) Fines and penalties due to violation of, or failure to comply with federal, state or local laws and regulations.

(b) Indirect costs including administrative costs.

(c) Costs for which payment has been or will be received from any other funding source.

(d) Costs associated with operation and maintenance of the property.

(3)   Grant payments.

(a) The department may provide an advance payment equal to 50 percent of the grant award if the sponsor provides proof that it has its share of the project costs.

(b) The sponsor may request interim payments instead of an advance payment.

(c) The sponsor shall submit the final payment request form within 90 days after project completion or after the project period end date, whichever is sooner.

(d) The sponsor shall return any unexpended grant advances to the department within 90 days after project completion or the project period end date, whichever is sooner.

(e) The department may withhold final payment of the grant amount until all project, legal and program requirements have been satisfied. The sponsor shall provide accounting for all stewardship grants in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices. The sponsor shall maintain financial records including documentation to support accounting records for review by the department for a period of 4 years after final payment.

(f) For projects that are not complete in one year, the department may require the sponsor to submit one or more interim reports that contain details of progress and other information regarding the status of the project.

Emerg. cr. eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135 : cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127 : cr. (1) (a) 4., am. (1) (b), (c) 2., (3) (a), (d), (e), (f) Register February 2012 No. 674 , eff. 3-1-12.

Note

The county highway rates for equipment are formulated under s. 84.07 , Stats., and can be found in chapter 5 of the State Highway Maintenance Manual published by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 4802 Sheboygan Ave., Madison 53705. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1