NR 153.29(2)(b)2. 2. For a longer period if required by statute or contract.

NR 153.29(2)(b)3. 3. For 3 years after the date of termination of a grant agreement. If a grant is partially terminated, records shall be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of final settlement.

NR 153.29(2)(b)4. 4. For 3 years after the date of settlement of any dispute.

NR 153.29(2)(b)5. 5. Cost-share agreement records shall be kept for the duration of the operation and maintenance period of the cost-share agreement with the longest operation and maintenance period to enable the governmental unit to fulfill its responsibility under this chapter.

NR 153.29(3) (3) Auditing.

NR 153.29(3)(a) (a) The department may perform, or cause to be performed, interim audits on all grants.

NR 153.29(3)(b) (b) The department may conduct a final audit after the submission of the final payment request. The department shall determine the time of the final audit. Any payments made prior to the final audit are subject to adjustment based on the audit.

NR 153.29(3)(c) (c) All audits shall include review of fiscal accountability and consistency with grants or grant amendments.

NR 153.29(4) (4) Open records requirements.

NR 153.29(4)(a) (a) All project-related records are subject to the state’s open records law.

NR 153.29(4)(b) (b) The grantee will keep any confidential information that is not subject to the open records law, such as social security numbers that is required for income tax purposes for the cost-share funding, safe from unauthorized access.

NR 153.29 History History: CR 00-025: cr. Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02; CR 09-112: cr. (1) (e) 3. g. Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11.

NR 153.30 NR 153.30 Project evaluation and reporting.

NR 153.30(1) (1) Grantees shall report to the department an annual accounting for accomplishments regarding its activities funded under the grant.

NR 153.30(2) (2) The department may require more frequent reports than those required under sub. (1) from a grantee which document accomplishments regarding activities funded under the grant.

NR 153.30(3) (3) The grantee shall submit a final report after project completion. At a minimum, the report shall include project evaluation and monitoring information consistent with the commitments made in the project application submitted under s. NR 153.17. The department may require the grantee to submit other information in the final report.

NR 153.30 History History: CR 00-025: cr. Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02.

NR 153.31 NR 153.31 Variances. The department may approve in writing a variance from a requirement of this chapter upon written request from the grantee if the department determines that a variance is essential to effect necessary grant actions or water quality objectives and where special circumstances make a variance in the best interest of the program. A grantee’s written variance request shall clearly explain the circumstances justifying the variance. Before approving a variance, the department shall take into account factors such as good cause, circumstances beyond the control of the grantee and financial hardship. The department may not grant variances from statutory requirements.

NR 153.31 History History: CR 00-025: cr. Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02.

NR 153.32 NR 153.32 Grant evaluation and enforcement.

NR 153.32(1) (1) On an annual basis, the department shall evaluate the progress of projects. During the evaluation, the department shall examine the progress of the project toward project goals and water quality objectives specified in the grant application, grant or grant amendment. Upon consulting with the project sponsor, the department may take appropriate action to improve the progress of the project. Department action may include, but is not limited to, more frequent project evaluation, the use of interim project goals, changes to project funding, and the adoption of sanctions in sub. (2).

NR 153.32(2) (2) The following sanctions may be imposed by the department for noncompliance with the provisions of s. 281.65, Stats., this chapter or any grant agreement entered into or amended in accordance with this chapter:

NR 153.32(2)(a) (a) The grant may be terminated or annulled under sub. (4).

NR 153.32(2)(b) (b) Project costs directly related to noncompliance may be declared ineligible.

NR 153.32(2)(c) (c) Up to 10% of the payment otherwise due the grantee may be withheld if the conditions of par. (f) are met.

NR 153.32(2)(d) (d) Project work may be suspended under sub. (3).

NR 153.32(2)(e) (e) Other administrative or judicial remedies may be instituted as legally available and appropriate.

NR 153.32(2)(f) (f) The department may authorize the withholding or recovery of a grant payment if the department determines, in writing, that a grantee has failed to comply with project objectives, grant award conditions or reporting requirements or has not expended all funds it has received under this chapter on eligible activities. The department may recover payments made to grantees when it determines that the governmental unit will not complete the eligible activities on its grant within the current grant project budgeting period. Withholding and recovery shall be limited to only that amount necessary to assure compliance.

NR 153.32(3) (3) Suspension of grants.