Section 155.16. Aids for local assistance activities.

 

(1)   Eligible costs.

(a) The department may provide cost sharing under s. NR 155.26 for activities in projects selected by the department under this chapter that are in an urban area or area expected to become urban within 20 years of the application submittal date.

(b) The cost-share rates for eligible activities in par. (c) may not exceed 70% of the cost of the activities for which the grant is provided.

(c) The activities identified in this paragraph are eligible for cost sharing.

1. Urban runoff control planning activities, for all or part of a municipality or University of Wisconsin System campus identified in s. NR 155.13 (2) . Activities include:

a. Developing comprehensive urban runoff control plans for existing development, new development, and redevelopment, including planning, pre-design, and general engineering feasibility studies. Planning includes activities necessary to develop a storm water management program consistent with the program elements identified under s. NR 216.07 . Urban storm water planning activities for industrial sites subject to subch. II of ch. NR 216 are not eligible for reimbursement under this chapter except for facilities owned or operated by a governmental unit.

b. Preparing local ordinances including urban runoff control ordinances, construction site erosion control ordinances, pet waste management ordinances, illicit discharge management ordinances and other environmental resource conservation ordinances that the department determines can further the intent of this chapter.

c. Evaluating alternatives for local financing of urban runoff control programs, including storm water utilities.

d. Other urban runoff control planning activities determined by the department to further the intent of this chapter.

2. Urban runoff control implementation activities, to include:

b. Administration associated with initial establishment of local funding programs such as storm water utilities.

c. Conducting detailed engineering designs and detailed site engineering feasibility studies for projects in existing urban areas and areas of urban redevelopment. The department may also provide reimbursement for detailed engineering designs and detailed engineering feasibility studies for projects in new development where the practices are to be owned and operated by a governmental unit or the Board of Regents.

g. Contacting landowners and land operators of urban runoff sources described in the project.

h. Developing, reviewing and implementing cost-share agreements with the cost-share recipient.

i. Illicit discharge detection and elimination.

j. Pollution prevention and good housekeeping measures for municipal facilities or operations.

k. Project evaluation activities identified in the project application and required by the runoff management grant agreement, including monitoring.

L. Other storm water management implementation activities determined by the department to be necessary to implement the project.

4. Public participation, education and outreach activities to include:

a. Forming partnerships to cost-effectively manage urban runoff.

b. Preparing and using educational materials and strategies.

c. Developing and conducting demonstrations, tours and activities that incorporate citizen involvement.

d. Other education activities determined by the department to be necessary to implement the project.

5. Professional services contracts for necessary activities the grantee lacks expertise or staff to complete.

(d) The following staff support costs are eligible for cost-sharing, including:

1. Information and education activities approved by the department.

2. Training of staff approved by the department.

4. The cost of testing materials for use in urban best management practice design, installation or operation or in project evaluation, including monitoring.

5. Travel expenses including personal vehicle mileage charges, meals, lodging and other reasonable travel expenses necessary to the project.

8. Field equipment necessary for the project.

10. Other direct costs necessary for the project and approved by the department.

(e) The participating governmental unit and Board of Regents shall provide to the department an accounting of hours spent on the project by staff.

(2)   Ineligible costs. The following costs are not eligible for funding under this section:

(a) Direct costs for other items not listed as eligible for up to 70% cost-sharing.

(b) Indirect project costs.

CR 00-025 : cr. Register September 2002 No. 561 , eff. 10-1-02; CR 09-112 : am. (1) (b), (c) (intro.), 1. a., 2. c., (e), r. (1) (c) 2. a., d., e., f., 3., (d) 3., 6., 7., 9., (f) Register December 2010 No. 660 , eff. 1-1-11; 2015 Wis. Act 330 s. 20 : am. (1) (c) 1. (intro.), 2. c., (e) Register April 2016 No. 724 , eff. 5-1-16.