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WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
CHAPTER NR 47 FORESTRY GRANT AND STATE AID ADMINISTRATION
SUBCHAPTER VII -- THE PRIVATE FOREST LANDOWNER GRANT PROGRAM
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
NR 47.86 Grants
(1) GRANT CALCULATION. (a) A matching grant provided through s. 20.370 (5) (av). Stats., or other stale funds shall be not less than 50% nor more than 65% of the actual eligible costs depending on availability of funds. If a federal grant agreement provides for cost-share limitations different from those specified in this subsection, the cost-share rate from funds provided through the federal grant agreement may apply.
(b) An annual grant under the program may not exceed $ 10,000 for any individual, person or project.
(2) GRANT SELECTION SYSTEM. (a) In selecting practices for grant assistance, the department shall give preference to projects which are directed to accomplish one or more of the following; these are not listed in order of priority:
1. Establish or reestablish forests through various methods of regeneration, including planting, direct seeding or natural regeneration.
2. Improve forest stand productivity, stand vigor, forest health, and the value and quality of wood products.
3. Encourage sustainability of forest lands.
4. Provide protection of soil and water resources.
5. Include additional land under written forest stewardship management plans.
6. Provide protection and enhancement of riparian area and wetlands.
7. Provide protection and enhancement of terrestrial wildlife habitat.
8. Provide endangered, threatened or rare species habitat enhancement and natural community habitat maintenance and enhancement.
(3) APPLICATION AND APPROVAL. (a) Application deadlines are as follows and are contingent upon availability of funds: February 1. May 1, August I and November 1. State funds for this program other than those provided through s, 20.370 (5) (av). stats., and federal funds awarded pursuant to a federal grant agreement may specify other application deadlines.
Note: Applications can be obtained from the local department of natural resources forester or from the State Forester. P.O. 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
(b) The department shall make basic eligibility determinations, including whether the applicant meets nonindustrial private forest land ownership criteria and minimum and maximum acreage criteria.
(c) Grants under s. 26.38, Stats., shall be awarded for eligible projects on a priority basis based on the following criteria:
1. Up to 20% of the total annual funds may be designated towards a statewide forestry emergency, as designated by the chief state forester.
Note: A statewide forestry emergency includes, but is limited to natural and map-made events which cause large areas of forest mortality due to wind, ice, hail, flooding, forest fires, forest insect or disease.
2. a. No more than 50% of the remaining funds may be designated for forest stewardship plan development.
b. No more than 10% of available funds may be designated for practices that accomplish objectives identified in sub. (2) (a) 4., 6., 7. and 8.
3. The remaining funds may be designated for practices that accomplish objectives identified in sub. (2) (a) 1. and 2.
4. If funds are available following distribution under subds. 1. to 3., they may be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis to any approved applications awaiting funding.
(d) Applications not able to be funded during one application period will be held until the subsequent application period unless the landowner requests the application be canceled.
(e) The department shall review applications to determine practice eligibility, based on the following:
1. Consistency with a department approved landowner forest stewardship plan unless the applicant is applying for a grant to develop one.
2. The practice is needed and feasible.
3. The practice is eligible under this subchapter.
4. The practice cost is determined to be at least $ 200 or more.
5. Applications will be approved provided grant funds are available. Department approval of an application shall constitute an agreement between the state and the landowner.
6. Upon approval of a practice, the department shall prepare a practice outline that identifies the needed technical practices, specifications, and approximate time frames for the implementation of the practice, to achieve the objectives of the practice. The outline shall be attached to and become part of the landowner forest stewardship plan and shall be effective for the duration of the practice. The requirements in the practice outline shall constitute the basis for determining acceptable performance upon practice completion.
7. Upon approval of a practice, the landowner shall be notified in writing by the department or its agent. The notice shall state that the landowner can begin implementing the approved practice.
8. Within 8 weeks of the end of the batching period, the department shall notify the landowner in writing as to the status of his or her application.
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