Section 51.934. General provisions.

 

(1)  Sponsors may only use grant funds provided under this subchapter to provide or enhance nature-based outdoor recreation as specified under s. 30.277 (2) , Stats.

(2)  To be eligible for a grant under this subchapter, a sponsor shall fund at least 50 percent of the cost of the project from private, local, or federal funding, by donations or by state funding. For purposes of this subchapter, state funding may not include grants under this subchapter, moneys appropriated to the department under s. 20.370 , Stats., or money appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) , (tp) to (tw) , (ty) , or (tz) , Stats.

(3)  Donations shall meet all eligibility requirements of subchapter XI and s. NR 51.006 .

(4)  Projects shall, either alone or in conjunction with other supporting plans, restore, enhance or preserve the environmental and natural resource values of an urban river or riverfront.

(5)  Projects shall enhance or preserve diverse outdoor natural resource related recreation opportunities for all segments of the population.

(6)  Projects shall be supported by a town, village, city, tribe, or county comprehensive outdoor recreation plan that is consistent with the outdoor recreation program under s. 23.30 , Stats., and s. NR 51.904 (4) .

(7)  The application shall include a copy of any relevant local comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, local green space plan, integrated resource management plan, riverfront restoration plan or appropriate sections of a comprehensive plan pursuant to s. 66.1001 , Stats.

(8)  Riparian flowage lands may be eligible for a grant under this subchapter, if the project overall is more riverine in character than lake and if it is part of a comprehensive riverway plan, or if the acquisition is for the purpose of the removing the flowage and restoring the area to a natural river condition.

(9)  Non–urban riverfront lands that are lying adjacent to an urban area or that are likely to be urbanized may be eligible for a grant under this subchapter if the department determines acquisition of the land would contribute significantly to the overall success of an urban river project or comprehensive riverway plan of which it is a part.

(10)  The following shoreline enhancements, not listed in priority order, are eligible for stewardship grants:

(a) Projects that support nature-based outdoor recreation as defined in s. NR 51.002 (19) .

(b) Riparian buffer rehabilitation including establishment of native vegetation, which may include slope and site preparation, and control of exotic plant species.

(c) Shoreline stabilization, which may employ bioengineering practices, and other environmentally beneficial stabilization techniques.

(d) Engineering and design costs for approved shoreline enhancement projects.

(e) Removal of seawalls, retaining walls, overhead wires, roads, buildings and levees.

(f) Open shelters, multi-purpose shelter buildings and primitive campsites.

(g) Fences for protection of park users.

(h) Lighting for public safety.

(i) Park signs.

(j) Shoreline access.

(11)  Shoreline enhancement projects associated with river corridor restoration following dam removal shall receive a priority for funding.

(12)  Construction or repair of seawalls and lagoons, and environmental remediation or clean-up of site contamination are ineligible projects. Dredging projects are also ineligible unless the dredging is incidental to the overall project.

Emerg. cr. eff. 9-1-00; CR 00-135 : cr. Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01; CR 10-127 : am. (2), (3), (6), (8), (9), (10) (a) Register February 2012 No. 674 , eff. 3-1-12.