Chapter NR 199

NR 199.05(2)(b) (b) Design, installation, operation or maintenance of sanitary sewers, treatment plants or onsite sewerage systems.

NR 199.05(2)(c) (c) Projects which would adversely affect a watercourse by causing increases in flood heights, velocities, sedimentation or erosion, reducing the amount or complexity of fish and wildlife habitat, reducing natural shore cover, or restricting navigation, or any other negative impact, except temporary impacts caused by dam removal or other approved restoration activities.

NR 199.05(2)(d) (d) Projects which would dredge or channelize a stream or line a natural streambed with impervious materials.

NR 199.05(2)(e) (e) Projects which conflict with land use, watershed or other resource management plans.

NR 199.05(2)(f) (f) Projects or applicants which are not compliant with minimum state floodplain management requirements, as enumerated in ch. NR 116, or with minimum national flood insurance program requirements, as enumerated in 44 CFR Parts 59-78.

NR 199.05(2)(g) (g) Creation or enhancement of stormwater management plans.

NR 199.05(2)(h) (h) Projects for the purchase, installation or operation of mechanical pumping systems.

NR 199.05 History History: CR 01-014: Cr. Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01.

NR 199.06 NR 199.06 Applications.

NR 199.06(1) (1) An applicant shall apply for funding of projects on forms provided by the DNR bureau of community financial assistance and shall submit the application to the DNR bureau of watershed management, both located at PO Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921.

NR 199.06(2) (2) The department shall review the application for completeness and may return the application with a request for more detailed information. The application is not complete until the department receives all requested information.

NR 199.06(3) (3) To be eligible for grant awards, project applications shall be complete and received by the department, or postmarked, by July 15 for funding in the same fiscal year. The department shall publish the project priority list for funding by October 1 of each calendar year.

NR 199.06 History History: CR 01-014: Cr. Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01.

NR 199.07 NR 199.07 Determination of project eligibility. After receiving the application, the department shall determine eligible projects by considering the factors identified in ss. NR 199.01 and 199.05. The department may accept the application as eligible and score it based on priority projects identified in s. NR 199.05 (1) or deny the application as ineligible.

NR 199.07 History History: CR 01-014: Cr. Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01.

NR 199.08 NR 199.08 Eligible and ineligible costs.

NR 199.08(1) (1) Eligible costs. Costs eligible for funding under this chapter are those reasonable and necessary project costs which the department determines are consistent with the approved project. Eligible costs shall be incurred during the project period except costs identified in pars. (a) 3. and (b) 4. Applicants may apply for a local assistance grant, an acquisition and development grant or both. Local assistance grants provide funding for administrative costs; acquisition and development grants provide funding for purchase of land or easements and construction or other development costs. Eligible costs for the 2 grant types are as follows:

NR 199.08(1)(a) (a) Eligible costs for local assistance grants may include, but are not limited to:

NR 199.08(1)(a)1. 1. Labor costs, including force account labor, required for carrying out activities identified in the grant agreement. Costs shall be based on grant recipient rates for the position including salary, fringe benefits and other items determined to be appropriate by the department.

NR 199.08(1)(a)2. 2. Direct costs for laboratory analysis, surveys, publications, mailings, professional service contracts, development activities and similar items.

NR 199.08(1)(a)3. 3. Engineering or planning fees necessary to complete the project may be eligible, including costs incurred on or after October 29, 1999.

NR 199.08(1)(a)4. 4. The cost of necessary materials, supplies and equipment used exclusively for project-related purposes over its useful life or the cost of the portion of supplies or equipment used for the project.

NR 199.08(1)(a)5. 5. The costs of leased equipment and facilities used for project related purposes for the length of the project. The cost of the use of the equipment owned by the grant recipient may not exceed the county highway rates established annually by the Wisconsin department of transportation.

NR 199.08 Note Note: The county highway rates for equipment are formulated under s. 84.07, Stats., and can be found in chapter 5 of the State Highway Maintenance Manual published by the Wisconsin department of transportation, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, WI 53705.

NR 199.08(1)(b) (b) Eligible costs for acquisition and development grants may include, but are not limited to:

NR 199.08(1)(b)1. 1. Acquisition and removal costs.

NR 199.08(1)(b)2. 2. Costs to build facilities and structures for the collection, detention, retention, storage and transmission of stormwater and groundwater for flood control and riparian restoration projects.

NR 199.08(1)(b)3. 3. Structural floodproofing and elevation costs.

NR 199.08(1)(b)4. 4. Engineering or planning fees to complete the project may be eligible, including previously incurred costs.

NR 199.08(1)(b)5. 5. Relocation costs required in the property acquisition transaction.

NR 199.08(1)(b)6. 6. Acquisition costs to purchase conservation and flowage easements, subject to the following conditions:

NR 199.08(1)(b)6.a. a. Property encumbered by an easement may not be converted to uses inconsistent with the easement. All structural development, including residential, industrial or commercial development, is prohibited on those areas of easement property that are encumbered by a municipal flood control grant. Additional restrictions or conditions may be imposed by the easement or grant contract.

NR 199.08(1)(b)6.b. b. Agricultural, forestry, recreation and related open space uses may be permitted on property encumbered by an easement as long as those activities are compatible with the purposes of the municipal flood control program and the project.

NR 199.08(1)(b)6.c. c. Any agricultural use within the area encumbered by an easement shall be carried out in accordance with the conditions, standards and specifications of a soil and water conservation plan approved by the natural resources conservation service office located in each county.

NR 199.08(1)(b)6.d. d. Harvesting of timber within the area encumbered by an easement shall be carried out in accordance with the conditions of a forest management plan approved by the department.

NR 199.08(1)(b)6.e. e. Vegetative buffers shall be established and maintained along lakes, ponds, wetlands, marshes, rivers, streams and ditches. Department best management practices shall be employed to the greatest extent possible for the project. Whenever possible, the area of the vegetative buffer shall extend at least 75 feet from each edge of the surface water or wetland. There may be no activity that adversely affects the natural flow of surface or underground waters within the area of the easement.

NR 199.08(1)(b)6.f. f. If a grant application is submitted for a property as part of an acquisition of conservation and flowage easements and that property is subsequently withdrawn from consideration, another property may be substituted if inclusion of that property would result in the same or higher ranking as the application received with the original property.

NR 199.08(2) (2) Ineligible costs. Those costs which the department determines are not directly associated with or necessary to implement the project are ineligible for grants. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:

NR 199.08(2)(a) (a) Fines and penalties due to violations of federal, state or local laws and regulations.

NR 199.08(2)(b) (b) Ordinary operating expenses of local government applicants, such as salaries and expenses of public officials, that are not directly related to the project.

NR 199.08(2)(c) (c) Indirect costs including administrative costs and costs to purchase vehicles or other property not directly related to the project.

NR 199.08(2)(d) (d) Costs for which payment has been, or will be, received from any other funding source.

NR 199.08 History History: CR 01-014: Cr. Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01.

NR 199.09 NR 199.09 Grant awards and payment.

NR 199.09(1) (1) General provisions.

NR 199.09(1)(a) (a) The state share of the project cost may not be greater than 70% of the eligible project costs.

NR 199.09(1)(b) (b) A grant provided under this chapter for acquisition of easements or real property may not exceed the lesser of 70% of the purchase price by the municipality, or fair market value.

NR 199.09(1)(c) (c) In any fiscal year, the department may not provide to any applicant more than 20% of the funding available under this chapter.

NR 199.09(1)(d) (d) The applicant shall obtain all necessary permits and approvals for the project prior to grant award for acquisition or development.

NR 199.09(1)(e) (e) The grant period shall be for 2 years. The department may grant a one-year extension.

NR 199.09(2) (2) Match requirements.

NR 199.09(2)(a) (a) The local share of the project cost may not be less than 30% of the eligible project costs.

NR 199.09(2)(b) (b) The substantiated value of donated materials, equipment, services and labor may be used as all or part of the local share of the project cost subject to all of the following:

NR 199.09(2)(b)1. 1. All sources of local share donation shall be indicated when the grant application is submitted.

NR 199.09(2)(b)2. 2. The maximum value of donated, non-professional labor shall be equal to the prevailing federal minimum wage requirements.

NR 199.09(2)(b)3. 3. The value of donated equipment may not exceed the Wisconsin department of transportation highway rates for equipment.

NR 199.09(2)(b)4. 4. The value of donated materials and professional services shall conform to market rates and be established by invoice.

NR 199.09(2)(c) (c) For land acquisition projects, the substantiated value of donated contributions of real property may be used as part of the local share of the project cost subject to all of the following:

NR 199.09(2)(c)1. 1. Contributions of property are eligible as grant recipient match only if the donated property lies within the boundaries of a project which has been approved under the same component of the municipal flood control program as the property being acquired.

NR 199.09(2)(c)2. 2. The fair market value of a contribution of property may be used as local share. The amount of the property donation that can be used for match equals the value of the donation or the amount of cash needed by the applicant for the purchase, whichever is less, so there will be no cash back in excess of the moneys actually needed for the purchase.

NR 199.09(2)(c)3. 3. The contribution is made within 3 years of the land acquisition and is considered by the department to be part of the project or eligible for the project.

NR 199.09(3) (3) Amendments.

NR 199.09(3)(a) (a) The grant recipient may request, for good cause, a grant agreement amendment for expenditures in excess of those identified as estimated costs in the grant agreement prior to the end of the grant period. If funds are available, the department may issue a grant amendment.

NR 199.09(3)(b) (b) The grant recipient may request, for good cause, a grant agreement amendment for changes to the project scope or an extension of the grant period prior to the end of the grant period. The department may amend the grant agreement or extend the grant period based on a grant recipient’s request.

NR 199.09(4) (4) Audit.

NR 199.09(4)(a) (a) The grant recipient shall account for all project funds in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices and shall retain the funds in a separate account. The grant recipient shall maintain detailed records of grant expenditures to show that grant funds were used for the purposes for which the grant was made. The grant recipient shall keep all financial records, including invoices and canceled checks or bank statements that support all project costs claimed by the grant recipient, and the records shall be available for inspection by the department for 4 years after final payment.

NR 199.09(4)(b) (b) The department may audit all of the grant recipient’s records pertaining to the project. The department audit may result in an adjustment in the grant amount.

NR 199.09(5) (5) Payment.

NR 199.09(5)(a) (a) The grant recipient shall submit to the department claims for payment of actual and eligible expenses on forms provided by the department. All costs claimed for payment shall be documented and shall be consistent with the eligibility provisions of this chapter and with the grant agreement.

NR 199.09(5)(b) (b) The grant recipient shall submit the final claim for payment no later than 3 months following the grant ending date. The grant recipient may submit a written request for an extension of the final claim period no later than 3 months after the grant ending date, showing good cause for the extension. If the grant recipient fails to submit the final claim prior to 3 months following the project ending date and does not receive department approval to extend the final claim period, the final claim payment may be denied.

NR 199.09(5)(c) (c) The department may approve final grant payments when the grant recipient has submitted a claim supported by appropriate evidence of project expenditures within the timeframe in this chapter.

NR 199.09(6) (6) Enforcement.

NR 199.09(6)(a) (a) The department may terminate any grant awarded under this chapter for violation of any term or condition of the grant agreement and the department may seek reimbursement of the state share previously distributed to the grant recipient.

NR 199.09(6)(b) (b) The department may withhold final payment of the grant amount until all project, legal and program requirements have been complied with.

NR 199.09(6)(c) (c) The department may withhold 25% of the state share for final payment and may withhold final payment until the department determines that the project and any required audits have been satisfactorily completed.

NR 199.09 History History: CR 01-014: Cr. Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01.

NR 199.10 NR 199.10 Grant awards for acquisition of property.

NR 199.10(1) (1) Property transactions shall be subject to approval by the department and all of the following provisions:

NR 199.10(1)(a) (a) Property transactions shall be subject to ss. 32.19 to 32.27, Stats., and relocation assistance shall be subject to ch. Adm 92.

NR 199.10 Note Note: Under s. Adm 92.01 (14), “an owner occupant who voluntarily sells a property to a displacing agency not vested with eminent domain power” is not a displaced person and is not entitled to relocation assistance. Tenants who occupy a property are entitled to relocation assistance even if the owner is voluntarily selling the property.

NR 199.10 Note Under s. Adm 92.01 (14) (b) 4., a “tenant-occupant of a dwelling who has been promptly notified that he or she will not be displaced by the project” but who can remain permanently on the property subject to normal rental conditions and provisions may not be a displaced person who qualifies for relocation assistance so long as they are not required by the sponsor to move.

NR 199.10 Note Under s. Adm 92.01 (33), relocation assistance shall apply to all stewardship grants where the total of stewardship grants and all other public financial assistance or direct government acquisition costs in a project are at least $5,000 for a project with total costs of less than $50,000; or at least 10% in a project having total costs of $50,000 or more.

NR 199.10(1)(b) (b) Grant recipients are required to obtain appraisals for all property acquisitions funded by grants under this chapter.

NR 199.10(1)(c) (c) Appraisals of property required for grant eligibility under this chapter shall be subject to department review and approval according to department appraisal guidelines.

NR 199.10 Note Note: The department’s appraisal guidelines are available from any DNR regional office or from the DNR Bureau of Community Financial Assistance, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.

NR 199.10(1)(d) (d) Appraisers shall be state licensed, certified “residential” or certified “general” appraisers and meet all applicable state laws and rules for appraisers.

NR 199.10(1)(e) (e) Acquisitions with a fair market value of more than $200,000 require 2 appraisals. The department may require a second appraisal for property valued under $200,000 if the property presents a difficult appraisal problem or if the first appraisal is unacceptable under department guidelines.

NR 199.10(1)(f) (f) Grant recipients and subsequent owners shall acquire and manage property acquired with a grant in accordance with all applicable state, local and federal laws, rules and regulations.

NR 199.10(1)(g) (g) Property acquired with a grant shall be maintained and managed in accordance with the provisions, conditions and descriptions in the grant agreement.