Chapter NR 60

NR 60.11(2)(a) (a) The department will act on the application for financial assistance when it approves or disapproves a proposed plan as provided in s. NR 60.10 (3) (d). Decisions on funding of eligible projects will be made on or about May 1 and November 1 of each year, consistent with the priority system established pursuant to sub. (3) and statutory direction in s. 33.16 (6), Stats. If aid is denied, the department shall indicate in writing the reasons for denial.

NR 60.11(2)(b) (b) A district shall accept or reject a grant offer within 60 days unless the department approves an extension. Extensions will only be granted where the district commissioners need annual meeting approval before acceptance or where strict adherence to the 60-day requirement would create undue hardship.

NR 60.11(3) (3) Priority and amount of grant.

NR 60.11(3)(a) (a) The department shall provide financial assistance to approved projects in a manner designed to improve and protect the quality of Wisconsin’s inland lakes in the most cost-effective and environmentally sound ways, and to provide a balanced program of research and demonstration, rehabilitation, and protection based on recommendations of the council. When financial assistance applications exceed funds available, projects shall be ranked so that the highest priority is assigned to the project which contributes most to further the following objectives:

NR 60.11(3)(a)1. 1. Protection and enhancement of environmental values by preventing degradation of fish and wildlife habitat, surface and groundwater quality, natural beauty and unique scientific values, land values, recreation values, air quality and the quality of life generally, and by improving and preserving the water quality of the lake through improvement measures in the lake and direct drainage basin.

NR 60.11(3)(a)2. 2. Preservation of the public rights in the navigable waters of the state by assuring adequate public access in relation to the lake’s carrying capacity and most beneficial uses.

NR 60.11(3)(a)3. 3. Comparison of cost-benefit in relation to other projects under consideration.

NR 60.11(3)(a)4. 4. Assurance of local involvement in the project and a commitment to future lake management.

NR 60.11(3)(a)5. 5. Consideration of the urgency of the need for lake protection and rehabilitation.

NR 60.11(3)(b) (b) Cost-sharing for project implementation work shall be determined on an individual basis, depending upon the availability of federal financial assistance and other pertinent factors. State cost-sharing shall not reduce the district share of costs below 10% (except where s. NR 60.12 applies), and a minimum district cost-share of 20% shall generally be required.

NR 60.11(3)(c) (c) Nonmonetary contributions may be applied toward the district’s share. When a district applies for financial assistance for implementation, it must specify the nonmonetary contributions, the manner in which the work will be performed, and the basis for calculating the value of such contributions.

NR 60.11(3)(d) (d) The department’s grant offer shall be based upon the reasonable and necessary costs of project implementation, including the cost of professional and consultant services; construction and equipment costs; acquisition of land or easements essential to the project, but excluding acquisition of public access; reclamation or landscape changes essential to the project, and any other protection or rehabilitation measures identified in the approved plan. The following, however, shall not be included in the basis for determining the state share of the project cost; interest on bonds or other forms of indebtedness; damage awards for personal injury arising out of the project; fines or penalties for violation of local, state or federal laws; bonus payments for early completion of contract work; routine operating expenses of any unit of government; costs paid by other state or federal assistance programs, or any costs determined to be outside the scope of the approved project.

NR 60.11(3)(e) (e) Retroactive funding shall only be available for project work done after the date an application under s. NR 60.03 (2) was filed requesting technical assistance in designing a feasibility study and determined to be consistent with the requirements and scope of the approved project.

NR 60.11(4) (4) Grant agreement. The following provisions shall apply to implementation of grant agreements:

NR 60.11(4)(a) (a) Method of payment. Grant payments for implementation projects shall be made on a reimbursement basis on a schedule mutually agreed to by the department and lake district, except that large capital outlays may qualify for advance payment of the state share. Copies of invoices and canceled checks documenting payment of such invoices must be submitted to the department when claims for reimbursement are filed.

NR 60.11(4)(b) (b) Progress reports. The department may require the district to submit progress, financial or other reports relating to the conduct of the approved project.

NR 60.11(4)(c) (c) Accounting by grantee. Accounting for all project funds shall be in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices. Supporting records of grant expenditures must be maintained in sufficient detail to show that the grant funds were used for the purpose for which the grant was made. Each grantee will be required to submit a satisfactory final accounting to the department following completion of the project or termination of the grant.

NR 60.11(4)(d) (d) Inspection and audit. The books, records, documents and accounting procedures of every grantee shall be subject at reasonable times to inspection and audit by the department or its authorized representative. In addition, the grantee shall permit the department access to the project site at reasonable times.

NR 60.11(4)(e) (e) Modification of agreement. The grantee shall notify the department by certified mail of any changes proposed in the scope or objective of the project as described in the grant agreement or final plan. The department will promptly advise the district whether or not state funds may be used for such modification. The department may require the execution of a written modification of the agreement prior to funding the proposed changes.

NR 60.11(4)(f) (f) Nondiscrimination. Every grant awarded under this chapter shall contain a provision that the recipient shall not use the grant funds in a manner which discriminates against any person because of sex, religion, race, color or national origin.

NR 60.11(4)(g) (g) Public use. The department shall require a commitment by the district to maintain an adequate level of public access. The grant agreement may provide that fees for use of public access be reviewed and approved by the department prior to taking effect.

NR 60.11(4)(h) (h) Annual meeting approval. The district shall submit to the department evidence that the annual meeting has approved any project costing the district more than $5,000.

NR 60.11(5) (5) Termination of the grant.

NR 60.11(5)(a) (a) The department may terminate a grant for any of the following reasons:

NR 60.11(5)(a)1. 1. The violation of any term or condition of the grant agreement by the grantee;

NR 60.11(5)(a)2. 2. The willful or bad faith refusal of the grantee to implement the project as described through the planning process, in the resolution adopting the final plan, and in the grant agreement;

NR 60.11(5)(a)3. 3. Any material misrepresentations made by the recipient on the application for financial assistance or at any stage of the planning process.

NR 60.11(5)(a)4. 4. Upon request of the grantee if the grantee can show good cause for termination of the grant prior to completion of the project.

NR 60.11(5)(b) (b) The department, through the secretary or designated representative, shall send a notice of intent to terminate to the grantee by certified mail prior to termination of any grant. Such notice shall operate as a stop-work order to the extent that grant funds would be used to pay for project work. The department may only issue a final notice of termination after consultation with the grantee and a discussion of the grounds for termination.

NR 60.11(5)(c) (c) Except where the department finds that good cause exists for termination of a project for which a grant has been awarded, the grantee shall be responsible for returning all state grant funds previously paid to the grantee. The department, however, may approve any equitable arrangement whereby the grantee substantially discharges that obligation. The department shall have the option of either accepting equipment and materials purchased under the grant agreement or requiring a private or public sale with proceeds returned to the department. In all cases, the grantee shall return any unexpended state funds as well as any state funds spent after receipt of the department’s notice of intent to terminate.

NR 60.11 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1979, No. 278, eff. 3-1-79.

NR 60.12 NR 60.12 Research and demonstration projects. Research and demonstration projects may be undertaken as a cooperative activity between lake districts and the department. Such projects shall be designed to assess experimental and innovative techniques of lake protection and rehabilitation. The department may provide up to 100% state funding of experimental projects where the eventual results are highly uncertain.

NR 60.12 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1979, No. 278, eff. 3-1-79.