Section 51.74. Grants for state trails.

 

(1)   Land acquisition.

(a) The department may make grants to nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire lands for a state trail if the proposed state trail is first designated by the legislature or the department under s. NR 51.73 .

(b) If all conditions of s. NR 51.73 are met, the department shall give higher priority to projects for those trails that meet the following:

1. Provide connections between other state trails.

2. Are of a length sufficient to provide at least one day's recreational experience.

3. Provide connections to resource areas of statewide significance or areas of outstanding natural scenery.

4. Provide for more than one use.

5. Contribute to a geographically balanced system of trails.

6. Are related to brownfields redevelopment as defined in s. 23.09 (19) (a) 1. , Stats.

(c) The department may grant funds under s. 23.175 , Stats., to nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of scenic easements on lands that provide exceptional scenic value adjacent to or in the vicinity of state trails.

(d) In addition to the provisions in sub. (1) , the department may acquire lands for the Ice Age Trail from monies appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) , Stats., and dedicate them under the provisions of s. 23.293 , Stats. The department may acquire lands for the Ice Age Trail as provided for in s. 23.293 , Stats., only in project areas approved by the natural resources board.

(2)   Purchase of equipment and maintenance of the Ice Age Trail.

(a) The department may expend funds received under s. 20.370 (7) (fa) , Stats., for the purchase of equipment and materials for the maintenance of the Ice Age Trail. Purchase may include leasing under the provisions of s. 16.754 (1) (d) , Stats.

(b) Portions of the Ice Age Trail eligible for funding under this subsection are those under the ownership and management of the department, or those dedicated to the department under the provisions of s. 23.293 , Stats., and managed by another party under the provisions of a management contract with the department, or recognized by the department, or certified by the U.S. national park service. Portions eligible for funding shall also meet the standards of the Ice Age national scenic trail. Sections where the trail overlaps developed, multi-use trails are not eligible for funding.

(c) The department may expend the funds as grants. Nonprofit conservation organizations or governmental units managing portions of the Ice Age Trail under the provisions of par. (b) may nominate maintenance projects on the appropriate department form, and include a cost estimate supported by at least 2 quotes for items above $500.00. The grant amount shall be 50 percent of eligible project costs. Eligible project costs are defined in s. NR 51.09 .

(d) The department shall give priority to those portions of the Ice Age Trail providing significant public use, or where the maintenance expenditure will protect the resource or public safety or comfort, or those portions under the ownership of a governmental unit or a nonprofit conservation organization and managed by a governmental unit or a nonprofit conservation organization and where the nonprofit conservation organization has a recorded interest in the land.

(e) Sponsors shall apply for federal and state permits, approvals, licenses and waivers necessary to implement the project. If a project is on land not owned by the sponsor, the landowner shall be a party to any permit application. Work on the project may not begin until all applicable permits have been obtained.

(f) Upon signing the grant agreement, the sponsor may request up to 50 percent of the grant amount. The department may require proof that the sponsor has the remaining funds needed for the project.

(g) If the sponsor fails to fulfill any terms of the grant agreement, the department may seek reimbursement of all or a portion of the state's share.

Cr. Register, October, 1990, No. 418 , eff. 11-1-90; am. (6) (d), Register, February, 1996, No. 482 , eff. 3-1-96; emerg. am. (2) (intro.) to (d), (4) and (6) (b), cr. (2) (f) and (6) (e) to (g), r. (3) and (6) (c), renum. (6) (d) and (e) to be (6) (c) and (d) and am., eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135 : am. (2) (intro.) to (d), (4) and (6) (b), cr. (2) (f) and (6) (e) to (g), r. (3) and (6) (c), renum. (6) (d) and (e) to be (6) (c) and (d) and am., Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; correction in (6) (a) was made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register July 2001, No. 547 ; CR 10-127 : cr. (1) (title), (2) (title), renum. (5), (6) (a) to (c), (f) to be (1), (2) (a) to (c), (f) and am., renum (1), (2) (intro.), (a) to (f), (6) (d), (e), (g) to be (1) (a), (b) (intro.), 1. to 6., (c), (2) (d), (e), (g) Register February 2012 No. 674 , eff. 3-1-12.

Note

Standards for the Ice age national scenic trail may be obtained from the DNR, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 The appropriate department form may be obtained from the Bureau of Community Financial Assistance, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Other conditions for grant payments are contained in s. NR 51.09 . Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 The appropriate department form may be obtained from the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1