Section 50.15. Wildlife habitat development on county forests.

 

(1)   Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for the implementation of a grant-in-aid program for forest wildlife habitat improvement on county forest lands entered under s. 28.11 , Stats., pursuant to s. 23.09 (17m) , Stats.

(2)   Applicability. Provisions of this section are applicable only to counties having county lands entered under s. 28.11 , Stats.

(3)   Eligible projects.

(a) Counties may receive aids on a priority basis for:

1. Maintenance of intolerant forest types in danger of being replaced through natural conversion to forest types of lower value to wildlife; maintenance of existing forest openings.

2. Deer yard improvement; creation of forest openings.

3. Trail seeding and maintenance road and trail construction.

(4)   Allowable costs, billings and audits.

(a) One hundred percent of approved eligible project costs will be funded.

(b) Fifty percent advance payments may be made at the time of project approval if requested by sponsor.

(5)  In addition to conditions listed in sub. (4) , the general provisions of s. NR 50.05 also apply.

(6)   Useful life.

(a) The maximum useful life of habitat development activities on lands withdrawn from s. 28.11 , Stats., and the title to which is transferred by the county to other than a public agency, may not exceed the following guidelines: - See PDF for table

(b) In the event a reimbursement is due the department, the calculation of such amount shall be based on a straight line depreciation of the original value of the development over its maximum useful life as specified in par. (a) .

Cr. Register, June, 1980, No. 294 , eff. 7-1-80; r. and recr. Register, May, 1983, No. 329 , eff. 6-1-83.