NR 47.55(1)(a)
(a) Municipal governments, towns, counties and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for a federally funded grant under this subchapter.
NR 47.55(1)(b)
(b) Municipal governments are eligible to apply for a state funded grant under this subchapter.
NR 47.55(1)(c)
(c) Municipal governments, counties and not-for-profit organizations may apply jointly for assistance under this subchapter.
NR 47.55(1)(d)
(d) The department may require county, town and municipal governments to have on file with the department a comprehensive urban forestry management plan, approved by the department, to be eligible for grants for all projects except for the development of an urban forestry management plan.
NR 47.55(1)(e)
(e) The department may require not-for-profit organizations to have on file with the department a constitution, bylaws or similar document, approved by the department, detailing the organization's interest and activities in urban and community forestry.
NR 47.55(2)
(2)
Eligible projects. Requests for grant assistance shall relate to urban forestry and may include, but are not limited to:
NR 47.55(2)(a)
(a) Development of comprehensive urban forestry management plans;
NR 47.55(2)(c)
(c) Performing inventories of existing trees and tree planting needs;
NR 47.55(2)(e)
(e) Development of integrated pest management or other urban forest maintenance plans;
NR 47.55(2)(f)
(f) Training programs for community employees or volunteers;
NR 47.55(2)(g)
(g) Development and implementation of urban forest management public information or involvement programs;
NR 47.55(2)(h)
(h) Demonstration planting or maintenance projects whose primary purpose is to provide education, technology transfer or information exchange in urban and community forestry management.
NR 47.55(2)(i)
(i) Urban forestry operations projects such as planting, pruning, removal and other tree maintenance.
NR 47.55(3)
(3)
Ineligible projects. The following projects are ineligible for grants under this subchapter:
NR 47.55(3)(c)
(c) Appraisals involving sale or exchange of real property.
NR 47.55 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; am. (1) (d),
Register, May, 1994, No. 461, eff. 6-1-94; am. (1) (a), (2) (intro.), (g) and (3) (a), cr. (2) (i),
Register, May, 1999, No. 521, eff. 6-1-99.
NR 47.56
NR 47.56 Eligible and ineligible costs. NR 47.56(1)(1)
Eligible costs, reimbursable. Reasonable and necessary project costs which are consistent with the approved project scope and incurred during the project period are eligible for grant funding. Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to:
NR 47.56(1)(a)
(a) Salaries and fringe benefit costs of personnel engaged in the project;
NR 47.56(1)(b)
(b) The cost of necessary supplies and equipment. Equipment costing more than $5,000 per unit is not eligible. To be fully eligible project costs under the grant, a capital purchase shall be used exclusively for project-related purposes over its useful life. Nonexclusive capital purchases may be charged as project costs only for that portion of depreciation equitably related to use in project activities.
NR 47.56(1)(c)
(c) The costs of leased equipment and facilities for the length of the project;
NR 47.56(1)(d)
(d) The reasonable value of in-kind contributions by the applicant of labor, equipment or facilities. Direct costs shall be supported by time sheets, vouchers or similar documentation reflecting specific assignment to the project. Actual fringe benefits may not exceed the current department fringe rate percentage of the direct labor costs claimed. The rate is established biennially by the department of administration and is available from the department urban forestry coordinators. Equipment rental rates may not exceed the county equipment rates established annually by the department of transportation and published in chapter 5 of the state highway maintenance manual. These rates are also available from the department urban forestry coordinators.
NR 47.56(1)(e)
(e) Contract costs of qualified vendors to perform project activities.
NR 47.56(2)
(2)
Eligible costs, non-reimbursable. Reasonable value of donated labor, equipment, supplies, facilities or services are eligible project costs for the purposes of match, but are not eligible for reimbursement. To be fully eligible project costs under the grant, a capital donation shall be used exclusively for project-related purposes over its useful life. Nonexclusive capital donations may be charged as project costs only for that portion of depreciation equitably related to use in project activities. Value of donated labor will be calculated using rates established by the department.
NR 47.56(3)
(3)
Ineligible costs. Costs not directly associated with or necessary for the implementation of the project as determined by the department are ineligible for grant funding. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:
NR 47.56(3)(a)
(a) Fines and penalties due to violations of, or failure to comply with, federal, state or local laws or regulations;
NR 47.56(3)(b)
(b) Ordinary operating expenses of local government applicants, also known as indirect costs, such as salaries and expenses of a mayor or city council members, that are not directly related to the project;
NR 47.56(3)(c)
(c) Costs for which payment has been or will be received under another federal or state financial assistance program except that community development block grants may be used to match urban forestry grants only when it can be demonstrated to the department's satisfaction that there is a local commitment to, and involvement in, the project;
NR 47.56(3)(d)
(d) Costs incurred in a contract which creates a real or apparent conflict of interest. An apparent conflict of interest arises when an official or employee of a grantee participates in the selection, awarding or administration of a contract supported by this project and:
NR 47.56(3)(d)1.
1. The official or employee, or his or her spouse or partner, has an ownership interest in the firm selected for the contract; or
NR 47.56(3)(d)2.
2. A person identified in subd.
1. receives a contract, gratuity or favor from the award of the contract.
NR 47.56(3)(e)
(e) Program costs incurred before or after the project period.
NR 47.56 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; am. (1) (b), (d) and (2), renum. (3) (a) and (b) to be (3) (intro.) to (d) and (e) and am. (3) (b) and (c), cr. (3) (f), Register. May, 1999, No. 521, eff. 6-1-99.
NR 47.57
NR 47.57 Grant selection process. Projects selected for grants under this subchapter, shall relate to urban forestry. When selecting projects, the department may give priority to the following listed in no particular order:
NR 47.57(1)
(1) Applicants with an administrative unit, board or commission charged with the development and administration of a comprehensive tree care program.
NR 47.57(2)
(2) Applicants with a tree ordinance, plan or administrative rule which describes public policies for tree planting, protection, maintenance and removal.
NR 47.57(3)
(3) Applicants with an ongoing forestry program budget. This funding need not be a line item amount in the budget but could include for example expenditures for tree removal, administration expenses, volunteer labor and other activity involved in managing trees.
NR 47.57(4)
(4) Applicants that have not received urban forestry assistance grants in the past.
NR 47.57(5)
(5) Projects that maximize benefits to the urban forest resource.
NR 47.57(7)
(7) Projects that involve the community in the development or implementation of the project.
NR 47.57(8)
(8) Projects that maximize benefits to the public.
NR 47.57(12)
(12) Projects that involve or stimulate cooperation with other local governments, organizations, schools or businesses.
NR 47.57 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; am. (intro), cr. (12),
Register, May, 1994, No. 461, eff. 6-1-94; am. (intro.) and (1),
Register, May, 1999, No. 521, eff. 6-1-99.
NR 47.58
NR 47.58 Grant awards; payment. NR 47.58(1)(1)
Grant awards. Grants shall be awarded subject to execution of the department's project agreement.
NR 47.58(2)(a)(a) Not-for-profit organizations may request an advance payment of no more than 50% of the grant upon the awarding of the grant.
NR 47.58(2)(b)
(b) Each grantee shall submit to the department a final accounting claim for reimbursement, supported by evidence of cost, within 90 days after the grant expiration date.
NR 47.58(2)(c)
(c) Final balance payments for not-for-profit organizations that received an advance, and grant payments for all other grantees, shall be made upon approval of the final report and the final accounting claim.
NR 47.58(3)
(3)
Final audit. All payments are contingent upon final audit. Financial records including all documentation to support entries in the accounting records to substantiate charges for each project shall be kept available for review by state or federal officials for a period of 3 years after final payment.
NR 47.58 History
History: Cr.
Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; r. and recr. (2),
Register, May, 1999, No. 521, eff. 6-1-99.
NR 47.60
NR 47.60 County forest project loans. NR 47.60(1)(1)
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to implement and administer project loans under s.
28.11 (8) (b) 2., Stats., pertaining to county forest operations.
NR 47.60(2)
(2)
Applicability. This section is applicable to those counties which have land entered under s.
28.11 (4), Stats., as county forest and which apply for a county forest project loan.
NR 47.60(3)
(3)
Eligibility. To be eligible for a county forest project loan:
NR 47.60(3)(a)
(a) Projects shall be economically productive forest operations, including land acquisition.
NR 47.60(3)(b)
(b) Projects shall be consistent with the county's 10 year comprehensive land use plan under s.
28.11, Stats.
NR 47.60(3)(c)
(c) Loans may not be used for construction of recreational facilities or for fish or wildlife management projects.
NR 47.60(4)(a)(a) A county may apply for project loans under this section for the purposes described in sub.
(3). The application shall include but is not limited to:
NR 47.60(4)(a)1.
1. An approved county board resolution specifying the county's decision to apply for a county forest project loan.
NR 47.60(4)(a)2.
2. The project specifications including: maps, a short narrative, and an estimated cost breakdown including any county contributions.
NR 47.60(4)(a)3.
3. Any other information the department feels necessary and requests within 20 days following receipt of the application.
NR 47.60(4)(a)4.
4. Applications shall be filed by the county with the department of natural resources, bureau of forestry.
NR 47.60 Note
Note: The mailing address is WI DNR, Bureau of Forestry, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 Attn: County Forest Specialist.
NR 47.60(5)
(5)
Application deadline; decisions on applications. NR 47.60(5)(a)
(a) Project loans shall be awarded annually on a fiscal year basis and applications shall be accepted during the application periods in this section. The first application period shall be from July 1 to August 15. Decisions on those applications shall be made in accordance with sub.
(6) no later than the following September 15.
NR 47.60(5)(b)
(b) The second application period shall be from August 16 to December 1. Decisions on those applications shall be made no later than the following January 1.
NR 47.60(5)(c)
(c) Notwithstanding sub.
(6), all other applications received from December 2 to June 30 shall be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
NR 47.60(5)(d)
(d) A county may apply more than once in any given calendar year.
NR 47.60(6)(a)2.
2. Second preference: Land management activities including but not limited to:
