Section 51.004. Grants to conservation organizations.

 

(1)  Under s. 23.197 (4) , Stats., the department may award one stewardship grant per group to conservation organizations that have entered into a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit organization to apply for the grant. The cooperative agreement shall be on a form approved by the department.

(2)  Stewardship grants to conservation organizations shall be for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. A grant shall be at least $2,500 and may not exceed $20,000, which may be paid in multiple installments during the duration of the stewardship program under s. 23.197 (4) , Stats.

(3)  The stewardship grant may be used for habitat restoration projects under s. NR 51.46 or for property acquisition for the purposes described in s. NR 51.05 , except that conservation organizations may not receive grants for the Baraboo hills under subch. X or bluff protection under subch. IV .

(4)  A conservation organization and nonprofit organization that enter into a cooperative agreement to apply for a stewardship grant shall also enter into a grant contract with the department if a grant is awarded. The grant contract shall contain restrictions and conditions on the use of stewardship grant funds and on any property acquired with those funds.

(5)  Title to property acquired with a stewardship grant awarded to a conservation organization shall vest in the nonprofit organization. If the nonprofit organization or conservation organization violates any essential provision of the grant contract, as described in s. NR 51.07 (3) , title to the land shall vest in the state.

(6)  Conservation organizations applying for grants for property acquisition shall meet all the requirements of this chapter. The department shall evaluate the property according to the eligibility criteria and priorities in ss. NR 51.05 and 51.06 .

(7)  The department shall evaluate applications for grants for habitat restoration projects according to the standards in s. NR 51.46 .

(8)  The department may delegate to a nonprofit organization receiving the grant under s. 23.0956 , Stats., administration of stewardship grants to conservation organizations, as set forth in s. 23.197 (4) , Stats.

Emerg. cr. eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135 : cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127 : am. (6) Register February 2012 No. 674 , eff. 3-1-12.