NR 193.09(1)(a)(a) An application may be submitted to the department at any time prior to the deadlines established by the department for each subprogram under this chapter. NR 193.09(1)(b)(b) To be considered for grant funding, complete applications shall be post-marked no later than the application deadline for applications that are mailed, or shall be sent via email to the department no later than 11:59:59 p.m. on the application deadline. NR 193.09(1)(c)(c) An applicant may request a pre-application meeting to review project eligibility and receive technical or project planning assistance at any time but no fewer than 30 days prior to the application deadline. NR 193.09(1)(d)(d) The department may require a grantee to complete a pre-proposal or to participate in a pre-application meeting in advance of the application deadline for projects proposed for funding under this chapter. NR 193.09 NoteNote: Application forms and guidance on deadlines are available from the Surface Water Grant Program website. Pre-application meetings should occur early in the project planning process, well in advance of the application deadline.
NR 193.09(1)(e)(e) The department may accept Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection grant applications year round. NR 193.09(2)(a)(a) The department will only score and rank complete applications. A complete application adheres to application instructions, provides all information requested on the application, and includes any other supporting documentation requested by the department. The department will review the application for completeness within 30 days of receipt and may request any additional information necessary to complete the application. The application is not considered complete until the additional information requested by the department has been received. If the application deadline has passed, the department may determine that an incomplete application is ineligible. NR 193.09(2)(b)(b) The department will review complete applications for eligibility. If the department determines an application is ineligible, the department will supply an explanation for the determination in writing. A grantee may request an eligibility review from the department no fewer than 30 days prior to the application deadline by submitting a request in writing along with a complete application. Prior to the application deadline, a grantee may address the eligibility concerns and submit a revised application for reconsideration. If the application deadline has passed, a revised application will only be considered during the next annual grant cycle. An application may be considered ineligible for any of the following: NR 193.09(2)(b)1.1. The application lacks information needed to evaluate and score the application. NR 193.09(2)(b)2.2. The application lacks the clarity needed to understand the justification, activities or likely outcomes of the project. NR 193.09(2)(b)3.3. The application proposes activities that are inconsistent or that would result in outcomes that are inconsistent with one or more of the goals and objectives for surface water planning and management as described in this chapter, its enabling statutes, or program guidance. NR 193.09(3)(3) Funding flexibility. The department may determine if an application fits into more than one subprogram under this chapter. Each application may be scored against criteria for all applicable subprograms for which it qualifies. NR 193.09(4)(a)(a) Following review for completeness and eligibility, department staff may evaluate the strengths of each application in consideration of funding priorities established under s. NR 193.11. Applications may be scored according to criteria published by the department and ranked by subprogram, from highest to lowest project score. NR 193.09(4)(b)(b) The department may establish a minimally acceptable score for applications submitted under each subprogram. NR 193.09 NoteNote: The department’s scoring criteria and minimally acceptable score are available on the Surface Water Grant Program website.
NR 193.09(5)(5) Applicant notice. The department will notify applicants of the status of their grant applications and the rank of their application when compared to all other applications. If the department is unable to provide the amount of grant funding requested by the applicant, the department may notify the applicant, in writing, of the basis for funding denial. NR 193.09(6)(a)(a) The department will prepare a new or update an existing project priority list following scoring and ranking of applications submitted to the department. The project priority list includes all applicants that will be offered grant funding, ranked in order of project score. Available funding will be offered to applications in the order they appear on the project priority list. NR 193.09 NoteNote: The department will publish the project priority list on the Surface Water Grant Program website.
NR 193.09(6)(b)(b) The department may offer financial assistance to an applicant in an amount less than requested for the following reasons: NR 193.09(6)(b)1.1. Available grant funding is insufficient to fully fund a project in that subprogram. In the event 2 or more applications have an identical score but the funding remaining is insufficient to fund both projects, the department shall offer the applicants an identical percentage of their projects’ total request. NR 193.09 NoteNote: Two projects with the same score request funding in the amounts of $200,000 and $10,000 but the available grant funding amounts to $20,000. Each of the projects shall be offered 9.52% of their total request, or $19,040 and $952 respectively.
NR 193.09 Note$10,000x+$200,000x=$20,000 where x =9.52%
NR 193.09(6)(b)2.2. The department determines a proposed activity is not necessary to meet the goals of the Surface Water Grant Program. NR 193.09 HistoryHistory: CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (1) (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773. NR 193.10(1)(1) Each grant application for a project on a public waterbody shall include a description of the existing and, if applicable, proposed public access. The description shall include current and future public use at all access sites, a map of the waterbody or project area, the location and numbers of carry-in sites and boat landings, numbers of car and trailer parking spaces or street parking options, and the location or proximity of public parks or other public access features. NR 193.10(2)(2) The department may not provide grant awards for natural resources enhancement services on waterbodies that do not meet the minimum public boating access standards provided in s. NR 1.91 (4) or the alternative public boating access standards provided in s. NR 1.91 (6). NR 193.10(3)(3) The department may provide grant awards for resource protection services under s. NR 1.91 (4) (c) if public boating access is not available on a waterbody. NR 193.10 NoteNote: Early detection and response projects funded with a grant awarded under subchapter VI for prohibited species identified in ch. NR 40 are considered resource protection services. NR 193.10 HistoryHistory: CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (1) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773. NR 193.11(1)(1) The department will establish grant funding priorities for each subprogram under this chapter, which may include a consideration of the degree to which the project will do any of the following: NR 193.11(1)(a)(a) Enhance knowledge and understanding of surface waters and aquatic invasive species. NR 193.11(1)(b)(b) Build an organization’s capacity to carry out planning and management projects. NR 193.11(1)(c)(c) Protect or restore water quality or an aquatic ecosystem’s quality, integrity, or provision of services. NR 193.11(1)(d)(d) Execute the priorities or recommendations of a management plan. NR 193.11(1)(g)(g) Implement a strategic prevention and control strategy for an AIS population. NR 193.11(1)(i)(i) Make efficient use of resources or leverage additional funding. NR 193.11(1)(j)(j) Provide aid to ecosystems that are high quality or have critical restoration or protection needs. NR 193.11(1)(k)(k) Successfully meet project objectives and accomplish project goals. NR 193.11(1)(L)(L) Contribute to a first-time planning or management effort for the waterbody or grantee. NR 193.11(1)(m)(m) Satisfy other funding priorities consistent with the purpose of this chapter and established by the department. NR 193.11 NoteNote: The department’s priorities for grant funding are posted on the department’s Surface Water Grant Program website. The department will use a variety of platforms to conduct outreach and notify potential applicants of program priorities. Outreach efforts may include publication on the department’s website, email notification, social media announcements, and other platforms of communication.
NR 193.11(2)(2) Applications on waterbodies that meet the minimum public boating access standards under s. NR 1.91 (4) (d) or where the department determines that existing facilities are sufficient to meet existing demand for public access have funding priority. If public boating access does not exist on a waterbody and a grant application will establish public boating access, then the department will include the application in the project priority list and rank it as if the project had public boating access. Project eligibility is subject to public access requirements under s. NR 193.10. NR 193.11 HistoryHistory: CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (1) (m) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773; renum. (1) (g) to (n) to (1) (f) to (m) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773. NR 193.12NR 193.12 Grant awards and grant agreements. NR 193.12(1)(1) General procedures. A grant award for costs of a project as estimated in the grant application and approved by the department may not exceed the maximum amount of the DNR cost-share percentage identified under s. NR 193.05. Applicants may include in-kind contributions in their grant application budget. The department may use that budget to calculate the grant award. The department may not issue a grant award that exceeds a grantee’s cash costs necessary to complete the project. The department may award a grant under this chapter while the grantee is in the process of acquiring the required permits for the project. NR 193.12 NoteExample: An applicant submits a planning grant application, selecting the standard cost-share percentage of 67%. The application budget indicates cash costs of $20,000 and in-kind contributions of $20,000 for a total project cost of $40,000. The DNR cost-share rate of 67% would yield a potential grant award of $26,800 based on the cash costs and in-kind contributions. However, $26,800 is higher than actual cash costs identified in the budget of $20,000. As a result, the maximum grant award the department may provide is $20,000.
NR 193.12(2)(2) Awards and agreements. All grant awards will result in the issuance of a grant agreement that is subject to s. NR 193.13. The grant agreement is a contract between the department and the grantee, and the grantee’s receipt of the grant award is conditional upon its execution of the grant agreement. The grant agreement will contain the terms and conditions of the grant award, including a project scope describing what the project will accomplish. A project scope may include a summary of the specific goals and objectives, deliverables, products, tasks and timeline for a project funded under this chapter. A project scope may incorporate information submitted by the applicant in the grant application. A grant application for a project becomes part of the grant agreement by reference. The department and the grantee shall mutually agree to implement the grant agreement in accordance with the project proposal, application, terms, promises, conditions, plans, specifications, estimates, procedures, maps, and any assurances attached. The project proposal, application, terms, promises, conditions, plans, specifications, estimates, procedures, maps, and any assurances attached shall be a part of the agreement. NR 193.12(3)(3) Amendments. A grantee may request, in writing and during the life of the grant agreement, an amendment to the grant agreement for expenditures that deviate from those which appear in the original grant agreement, for changes to the project scope, or for an extension of the grant period. The grantee shall provide to the department written justification for the amendment request. The department may consider the justification and the availability of grant funds. Amendments to the cost or project scope of the original agreement must be signed by the department and the grantee prior to the end date of the agreement. The department may require requests for cost amendment to be submitted during a subsequent application process to be ranked with new applications. Time extensions to the original agreement may be granted by the department in writing without the grantee’s signature. Time extensions are not available for department-approved watercraft inspection programs. The department shall provide notification of the decision to approve or deny the amendment to the grantee in writing. NR 193.12 NoteNote: To increase the likelihood of a successful amendment request, it is recommended that the grantee submit the request at least 2 weeks prior to the end date of the grant agreement.
NR 193.12 HistoryHistory: CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (1) to (3) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773. NR 193.13NR 193.13 Conditions for grant agreements. NR 193.13(1)(1) General. The department may include conditions in a grant agreement related to any of the following: NR 193.13(1)(a)(a) Mandatory compliance with all applicable provisions of the Wisconsin statutes and the Wisconsin administrative code and all applicable federal, state, and local contract and bidding requirements in fulfilling terms of the grant agreement. NR 193.13 NoteNote: The grantee should consult its legal counsel with questions concerning contracts and bidding.
NR 193.13 NoteNote: The department has developed the Procurement Guide for Local Governments Receiving DNR Grants, available on the department website.
NR 193.13(1)(b)(b) Requirements for the grantee to obtain and comply with permits. NR 193.13(1)(c)(c) The range of elements that constitute the grant agreement. NR 193.13(1)(d)(d) That the grantee is bound to implement the grant agreement in its entirety. NR 193.13(1)(e)(e) Circumstances under which a grant agreement may be amended. NR 193.13(1)(f)(f) The expectation that the grantee use generally accepted accounting principles and practices. NR 193.13(1)(g)(g) A grantee’s status as an independent contractor and ability to exert sole control over its employees and contractors. NR 193.13(1)(h)(h) The expectation that the grantee develop and enforce a written code of conduct for its employees or agents. NR 193.13(1)(j)(j) The methods, protocols, procedures, laboratory or analyses employed by a grantee to implement a grant agreement. NR 193.13(1)(m)(m) The expectation that a grantee will hire a contractor or agent using a professional service agreement. NR 193.13(1)(p)(p) The expectation that a grantee will record the grant agreement on the property title. NR 193.13(1)(q)(q) Restrictions of final payments and the timing of request. NR 193.13(1)(r)(r) The percentage of the grant award retained by the department for final payment. NR 193.13(1)(s)(s) The expectation that a grantee will make a project site available for inspection by the department. NR 193.13(1)(t)(t) Circumstances for grant agreement termination by the department related to grantee performance. NR 193.13(1)(u)(u) Circumstances under which a grantee must repay grant funds to the department for failure to comply with one or more conditions of the grant agreement. NR 193.13(1)(v)(v) Disposition of supplies, equipment, and capital assets by the grantee. NR 193.13(1)(w)(w) The obligation of a grantee to retain and disclose project financial records. NR 193.13(1)(x)(x) The responsibility of a grantee to have an annual audit performed on federal funds received from a state or federal agency in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, also known as “Uniform Guidance,” and WI State Single Audit Guidelines issued by Wisconsin department of administration, state controller’s office, if the total of all federal of state grant funds received by the grantee is at least $750,000 during the grantee’s fiscal year. NR 193.13(2)(2) Special conditions. The department may include special conditions in a grant agreement for a grant awarded under this chapter. Special conditions typically include requirements that a federal agency has placed on the department through a federal grant and that are passed through to third parties that receive and use those federal funds. Special conditions may also include unique water quality or biological requirements or reporting requirements that are deemed appropriate by the department. A grant project that includes fee simple or easement land acquisition will also include special conditions related to the department’s evaluation of offers to purchase, appraisals, land surveys, and other real estate costs approved by the department. NR 193.13(3)(3) Essential conditions for land acquisition. Essential conditions for land acquisition projects are specified in s. 281.71 (1), (2), (3), and (5), Stats., and apply to any applicant approved to acquire land with a grant under this chapter. The department shall include all essential conditions in a land acquisition grant agreement. Failure to comply with any essential condition will result in the title of the subject property being vested in the state. NR 193.13 HistoryHistory: CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (1) (f), (h), (k), (m), (n), (p), (r), (s), (w), (x), (3) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773.
