NR 193.63(2)(e)(e) The department may specify aquatic invasive species control measures and monitoring and reporting activities for a project funded with a grant awarded under this subsection.

NR 193.63(3)(3) Large-scale population management projects. Large-scale population management projects shall consist of aquatic invasive species control projects that will result in long-term, multi-season suppression of one or more established populations of aquatic invasive species in a substantial portion of a lake, stream reach, or wetland; or aquatic invasive species control projects that employ a strategic approach to address multiple populations within a defined region. Management projects shall implement activities recommended in a management plan following a determination of eligibility under s. NR 193.53.

NR 193.63(4)(4) Small-scale population management projects. Small-scale population management projects shall consist of aquatic invasive species control projects that will maintain low abundance or frequency of one or more small established aquatic invasive species populations or further reduce them in size. Grant funds awarded under this paragraph may be used to manage a small populations resulting from a successful large-scale population management project. Small-scale management projects shall implement management activities with the goal of continued suppression of the target species on a localized scale, where the management actions are unlikely to affect the entire lake, stream reach, or wetland. Management projects shall implement activities recommended in a management plan following a determination of eligibility under s. NR 193.53.

NR 193.63(5)(5) Research and demonstration projects. Aquatic invasive species research and demonstration projects are intended to be a cooperative activity between a grantee and the department. Such projects shall be designed to increase scientific understanding of the ecological and economic implications of aquatic invasive species and their management and to assess experimental and innovative techniques for their prevention, containment and control. Procedures for applications and grant awards include the following:

NR 193.63(5)(a)(a) Proposals for research projects shall include the goals and objectives of the project, a brief description of the methods for the project, the estimated costs and a timeline for completion of the project.

NR 193.63(5)(d)(d) The department has sole discretion to award a grant under this subprogram and will work with the grantee to develop a study design and grant application.

NR 193.63 HistoryHistory: CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (2) (intro.), (c), (e), (5) (a), (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773.

NR 193.64NR 193.64 Ineligible activities. Activities not eligible for grant funding under this subchapter include chemical treatment or mechanical harvesting of aquatic plants for the purpose of seasonal nuisance relief, management techniques that are not expected to result in effective control of the target species, or maintenance and operation of aeration systems or mechanical devices used to suppress aquatic plant growth. The department may deny a project if it determines the proposed management poses a significant risk to human health, nontarget organisms, or the environment or is determined to be inconsistent with the principles of an integrated pest management strategy as specified under s. NR 193.65 (1).

NR 193.65(1)(1) Integrated pest management. Projects funded with a grant awarded under this subchapter shall employ an integrated pest management strategy. Integrated pest management is an ecosystem-based management strategy that focuses on long-term suppression of pests or their damage and considers all of the available pest control practices. Integrated pest management projects shall be informed by current, comprehensive information on pest life cycles and the interactions among pests and the environment. A project that employs an integrated pest management strategy shall include more than one management practice.

NR 193.65(2)(2) Management practices. Practices eligible for inclusion in an integrated pest management strategy include prevention, biological control, biomanipulation, nutrient management, habitat manipulation, substantial modification of cultural practices, pesticide application, water level manipulation, mechanical removal, population monitoring, and other available pest control methods approved for grant-funded projects. Pesticide application may be approved only when other available pest control methods are considered and when pesticide applications are conducted with the goal of removing only the target species.

NR 193.65(3)(3) Monitoring and assessment. The department may require monitoring activities or an assessment of management outcomes as a condition of the grant award.

NR 193.65(4)(4) Public boating access. Management of a prohibited species or a pioneer population under this subchapter is considered a resource protection service and does not require public boating access under s. NR 1.91 (4). Large-scale and small-scale population management projects require minimum public boating access as set out in s. NR 1.91 (4).

NR 193.70NR 193.70 Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish eligible activities, qualifications, and procedures for the administration of contracts and cooperative agreements for the creation and support of a statewide Lake Monitoring and Protection Network. Contracts under this subchapter will be used to support the statewide coordination of lake protection activities, including the collection and reporting of data on the use and condition of lakes and lake ecosystems. Cooperative agreements under this subchapter will be used by network cooperators to coordinate and support the efforts of network participants to protect lakes, including through watercraft inspection, monitoring, and early detection of aquatic invasive species, and other activities related to lake protection and aquatic invasive species prevention.

NR 193.71(1)(1) “Contract” means an agreement between the department and a contracting entity detailing the activities, compensation, products, term, and conditions that restrict or require certain actions during the life of the agreement.

NR 193.71(2)(2) “Designated agent” means an entity that is designated in writing by a county to implement a project under this subchapter.

NR 193.71(3)(3) “Network” means the Lake Monitoring and Protection Network established by the department under s. NR 193.73 which includes network participants and network cooperators.

NR 193.71(4)(4) “Network cooperator” means an entity that enters into a contract or cooperative agreement with the department to provide cooperative network services as outlined under s. NR 193.74.

NR 193.71(5)(5) “Network participant” means a person who volunteers or receives compensation to conduct network activities under s. NR 193.76 and meets the criteria established under s. NR 193.75.