NR 47.75(9)(c)(c) All grant records shall be audited with the normal departmental audit of the county forest program. NR 47.75(9)(d)(d) An approved project may not exceed 2 years in length unless written approval is obtained from the department. NR 47.75(9)(e)(e) Any grant funds not spent on project identified costs or not used by the termination date of the project shall be returned to the department. Failure to return the funds shall render a county ineligible for any future grants under this section. NR 47.75 HistoryHistory: CR 01-146: cr. Register May 2002 No. 557, eff. 6-1-02. NR 47.80NR 47.80 Purpose and scope. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish procedures and standards for the administration of the private forest landowner grant program as authorized under s. 26.38, Stats., and to distribute other available state, federal, and nonprofit organization funds for the purpose of encouraging private forest landowners to manage their lands in a manner that benefits the state’s forest and related resources and the people of the state. NR 47.81NR 47.81 Applicability. This subchapter is applicable to private, non-industrial forest landowners applying for or receiving grants under this subchapter. NR 47.81 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, March, 1999, No. 519, eff. 4-1-99. NR 47.82NR 47.82 Definitions. In addition to definitions in s. NR 47.002, the following definitions apply to this subchapter: NR 47.82(1)(1) “Afforestation” means establishing a forest on land not previously forested due to past land use, e.g., agricultural use. NR 47.82(2)(2) “Landowner forest stewardship plan” means the plan prescribing forest stewardship measures to be used on a particular site to achieve multiple natural resource goals. NR 47.82(2m)(2m) “Nonprofit organization” means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) to (7) of the internal revenue code and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the internal revenue code. NR 47.82(3m)(3m) “Practice” means a stewardship activity or conservation measure consistent with the landowner forest stewardship plan to accomplish the landowner’s desired management objectives. NR 47.82(4)(4) “Program” means the private forest landowner grant program authorized under s. 26.38, Stats. NR 47.82(5)(5) “Reforestation” means establishing a forest on lands that were previously forested but where cover has been lost due to recent harvesting, land conversions, natural disasters or other destructive agents. NR 47.82(6)(6) “Riparian area” means the area or zone adjacent to a navigable stream or other body of water. NR 47.82(7)(7) “Wetlands” means an area where water is at, near or above the land surface long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation and which has soils indicative of wet conditions. NR 47.82 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, March, 1999, No. 519, eff. 4-1-99; CR 12-029: cr. (2m), am. (4) Register June 2013 No. 690, eff. 7-1-13. NR 47.83NR 47.83 Program administration. The department shall administer the program, within the guidance provided by the authorizing statute. Additional guidance may accompany federal funding, nonprofit organization funding and state funding other than that provided through s. 20.370 (5) (av), Stats. NR 47.84(1)(a)(a) All nonindustrial private forest lands that meet the program requirements as herein stated are eligible for assistance under the program. NR 47.84(1)(b)(b) The owner of any nonindustrial private forest land which consists of at least 10 contiguous acres and not more than 500 acres of non-industrial private forest land in the state may apply for a grant under this subchapter. NR 47.84(1)(c)(c) Eligibility for federal funding or nonprofit organization funding may be defined in the grant agreement through which the funding is provided. Further, additional eligibility criteria may accompany state funding other than that provided through s. 20.370 (5) (av), Stats. NR 47.84(1m)(1m) Ineligible applicants. The following applicants shall be ineligible for a grant awarded under this subchapter: NR 47.84(1m)(a)(a) An owner who did not receive any payment under s. NR 47.87 for a grant awarded under this subchapter which ended within the 24 months prior to the date the application was submitted, unless the owner ended that grant within 12 months of the award. NR 47.84(2)(a)(a) Plan development. Landowner forest stewardship plan development which identifies landowner objectives and multiple resource management decisions. The plan shall meet the following minimum standards: NR 47.84(2)(a)4.4. Map or aerial photograph showing the property with stands delineated and uniquely labeled. NR 47.84(2)(a)5.5. Property overview, i.e., general location, major forest types, general landforms, relevant description of the landscape, etc. Also include discussion of any known threatened or endangered species. (Usually one paragraph). NR 47.84(2)(a)6.6. General discussion of landowner goals and the expected effects of achieving these goals on the soil and water, wildlife, recreation/aesthetics, timber and other natural resources. This may be included either as a separate item or as part of the stand recommendations. NR 47.84(2)(a)7.7. Stand descriptions and recommendations including: Unique stand identification keyed to the map: vegetation cover type; size class; size (acres); soil characteristics and erodibility (may be covered in a general paragraph if the description is applicable to the whole property); stand objective and its relationship to the landowner goals for the property; recommendations and a short discussion of the effects of such actions on the soil and water, wildlife, recreation/aesthetics and timber resources. Discussion of the effects is not necessary on a stand-by-stand basis if covered in the general discussion. NR 47.84(2)(a)8.8. Activity schedule showing all stands and approximate year of recommended actions for a 5-year period. Include all stands, even if no action is recommended. NR 47.84(2)(a)9.9. Contain practices that protect and enhance soil and water quality; threatened, rare or endangered species or communities; sustainable forestry; habitat for fish and wildlife; and the recreational, aesthetic and environmental benefits that the forest land provides. NR 47.84(2)(b)(b) Practices. The following practices are eligible for grants under this subchapter if the land is subject to a department approved forest stewardship landowner management plan. However, additional restrictions on eligible practices may accompany funding for this program other than that provided through s. 20.370 (5) (av), Stats. NR 47.84 NoteNote: All practices will strongly encourage the use of native plant and animal species where practical.
NR 47.84(2)(b)1.1. Reforestation and afforestation which includes establishment or reestablishment of diverse stands of native forest trees through natural regeneration, planting or direct seeding for conservation purposes and sustainable timber production. NR 47.84(2)(b)2.2. Forest improvement which includes practices to increase tree growth, tree quality, biological diversity, tree vigor and forest health. NR 47.84(2)(b)3.3. Soil and water protection and improvement which includes the maintenance or improvement of water quality and soil productivity, and the reduction of erosion on forest and related land. NR 47.84(2)(b)4.4. Wetland and riparian protection and improvement which includes the management, protection, and improvement of wetlands and riparian areas to maintain water quality, protect and improve wetlands and riparian areas, reduce sedimentation, and enhance or improve habitat for fish or wildlife species. NR 47.84(2)(b)5.5. Terrestrial wildlife and habitat enhancement which includes the establishment, management, and enhancement of permanent habitat for game and non-game wildlife species. NR 47.84(2)(b)7.7. Endangered, threatened, or rare natural resource protection, management, restoration, and enhancement targeted at threatened or endangered species habitat maintenance or enhancement and management of significant natural communities or rare native vegetation. NR 47.84 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, March, 1999, No. 519, eff. 4-1-99; CR 02-074: cr. (1) (c), am. (2) (b) Register November 2002 No. 563, eff. 12-1-02; CR 12-029: am. (1) (c), cr. (1m), r. and recr. (2) (b) 4. to 7., r. (2) (b) 8. Register June 2013 No. 690, eff. 7-1-13. NR 47.85(1)(a)(a) Grants under the program shall be used to prepare management plans or manage the following lands under an approved landowner forest stewardship plan: NR 47.85(1)(a)1.1. All of the nonindustrial private forest land with existing tree cover within a contiguous tract. NR 47.85(1)(a)2.2. Other nonindustrial private forest land within the same contiguous tract which is identified by the landowner and approved by the department as suitable for the approved program practice scheduled. NR 47.85(1)(a)3.3. Other contiguous related lands included in the forest stewardship plan, such as water, streams and stream corridors, wetlands, marshes, savannas, barrens and prairies. NR 47.85(1)(b)(b) To be eligible for a grant under this program, one or more eligible practices shall be identified in the forest stewardship plan, except that a grant may be awarded for the development of a forest stewardship plan. NR 47.85 NoteNote: See s. NR 47.86 for eligible practices. NR 47.85(1)(c)(c) Eligible costs are all those associated with the preparation or installation of a specific practice as approved by the state forester. NR 47.85(2)(a)(a) No person may use grant funds under this subchapter for any of the following: NR 47.85(2)(a)1.1. Costs incurred before an application for grant assistance is approved. NR 47.85(2)(a)2.2. The implementation of any practice already required by law, rule, regulation or other authority, except for those practices required in the managed forest law program under ch. 77, Stats. NR 47.85(2)(a)3.3. Repairs or normal upkeep or maintenance of any practice, except those necessary to ensure seedling or shrub survival, restore prairies, barrens or savannas, control invasive species or other instances where several years of practice implementation are necessary to properly establish a practice, as determined by the department. NR 47.85(2)(a)5.5. Practices not approved by the department in writing, or changes to a previously approved practice, unless authorized by the department in writing. NR 47.85(2)(b)(b) Except as authorized by the department, grant assistance may not be paid for repeating practices on the same site by the same landowner which have been implemented under the forestry incentives program or any other federal, state or local government programs, except where the practices are repeated due to a failure of a prior practice without fault of the landowner. NR 47.85 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, March, 1999, No. 519, eff. 4-1-99; CR 02-074: cr. (2) (a) 4. and 5. Register November 2002 No. 563, eff. 12-1-02; emerg. am. (2) (a) 2., eff. 10-4-05; CR 05-087: am. (2) (a) 2. Register May 2006 No. 605, eff. 6-1-06. NR 47.86(1)(a)(a) A matching grant provided through s. 20.370 (5) (av), Stats., or other state funds may not be more than 75% of the actual eligible costs depending on availability of funds. If a federal or nonprofit organization grant agreement provides for cost-share limitations different from those specified in this subsection, the cost-share rate from funds provided through the federal or nonprofit organization grant agreement may apply. NR 47.86(1)(b)(b) An annual grant under the program may not exceed $10,000 or be less than $100 for any individual, person, or project. NR 47.86(2)(a)(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: NR 47.86(2)(a)1.1. Establish or reestablish forests through various methods of regeneration, including planting, direct seeding or natural regeneration. NR 47.86(2)(a)2.2. Improve forest stand productivity, stand vigor, forest health, and the value and quality of wood products. NR 47.86(2)(a)5.5. Include additional land under written forest stewardship management plans. NR 47.86(2)(a)6.6. Provide protection and enhancement of riparian area and wetlands. NR 47.86(2)(a)7.7. Provide protection and enhancement of terrestrial wildlife habitat. NR 47.86(2)(a)8.8. Provide endangered, threatened or rare species habitat enhancement and natural community habitat maintenance and enhancement. NR 47.86(3)(a)(a) Application deadlines are as follows unless otherwise provided on the application, and are contingent upon availability of funds: May 1 and August 1. State funds for this program other than those provided through s. 20.370 (5) (av), Stats., federal funds awarded pursuant to a federal grant agreement and nonprofit organization funds awarded pursuant to a nonprofit organization grant agreement may specify other application deadlines. NR 47.86 NoteNote: Applications can be obtained from the local department of natural resources forester or from the State Forester, P.O. 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
NR 47.86(3)(b)(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. NR 47.86(3)(c)1.1. Annually, the department may designate a percentage of the total annual funds for any of the following:
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