Section 191.07. Priorities.

 

(1)  The department shall prepare a project priority list each year. Projects to be included in the priority list will be those projects that have been determined to be eligible by the department. Any projects previously accepted but which were not funded due to a lack of funds may be included if the sponsor prior to May 1 of each year makes a request in writing.

(2)  Priorities shall be set on a statewide basis.

(3)  Applications for lakes which meet the minimum public boating access standards of s. NR 1.91 (4) (d) or where the department determines that existing facilities are sufficient to meet existing public demand for access, shall receive priority over lakes not meeting these standards. This subsection does not apply where completion of a project will result in providing public access, but not necessarily public boating access, where none currently exists.

(4)  The department may consider the following factors when developing a project priority list:

(a) The degree to which the project provides for the protection or improvement of water quality.

(b) The degree to which the project provides for protection or improvement of other aspects of the natural ecosystem such as fish and wildlife habitat, native vegetation or natural beauty.

(c) The availability of public access to, and public use of, the lake.

(d) The degree to which the proposed project complements other lake and watershed management efforts including local comprehensive plans developed pursuant to s. 66.1001 , Stats.

(e) The level of support for the project from other affected management units or organizations.

(f) The likelihood of the project to successfully meet the stated project objectives.

(g) The degree of detail in the application and the time frame within which it will be implemented.

(h) Whether it is a first-time protection project for the lake or first time classification project for the sponsor.

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