NR 193.54NR 193.54 Ineligible activities. Activities not eligible for funds awarded under this subchapter include those that are necessary to comply with a regulatory action, including wetland mitigation projects that implement the restoration, enhancement, or creation of wetlands or shoreline habitat to compensate for permitted adverse impacts to other wetlands or shoreline habitats, including the use of credits from a wetland mitigation bank; shoreland mitigation projects; AIS control and aquatic plant management projects; the installation of sanitary sewers; and the maintenance and operation of aeration systems, stormwater detention ponds and facilities, dams, sanitary sewers, or private onsite waste disposal systems.

NR 193.60NR 193.60 Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish procedures for awarding cost-sharing grants for integrated pest management of aquatic invasive species populations that threaten or cause adverse effects on surface waters and shorelands.

NR 193.61(1)(1) “Established population” means a reproducing population of aquatic invasive species that is not a pioneer population.

NR 193.61(2)(2) “Integrated pest management strategy” means a pest management strategy consistent with s. NR 193.65 (1).

NR 193.61(3)(3) “Person” has the meaning given in s. 990.01 (26), Stats.

NR 193.61(4)(4) “Pioneer population” means a small population of an aquatic invasive species in the early stages of colonization whose presence has been verified within the past 5 years.

NR 193.61(5)(5) “Prohibited species” has the meaning given in s. NR 40.02 (41).

NR 193.61(6)(6) “Restricted species” has the meaning given in s. NR 40.02 (46).

NR 193.61(7)(7) “Verified” means for an aquatic invasive species to have been identified and had its location confirmed through the department’s verification and response protocol.

NR 193.62NR 193.62 Eligible grantees. In addition to the eligible grantees under subch. I, any person owning property on which a verified prohibited species occurs or who has a waterbody located entirely on their property in which a verified prohibited species occurs is eligible to apply for an Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grant under this subchapter.

NR 193.63(1)(1) Prevention. Prevention projects are intended to prevent the introduction of new invasive species to a waterbody or control the spread of invasive species among waterbodies. Eligible projects include:

NR 193.63(1)(a)1.1. Watercraft inspectors shall be trained by attending a department-approved training workshop and receiving program materials approved by the department prior to the initiation of inspections.

NR 193.63(1)(a)2.2. Trained inspectors shall conduct inspections of watercraft or equipment at waterbody access points. Watercraft inspectors shall collect and report data, provide education, and collect or report specimens that may be aquatic invasive species.

NR 193.63(1)(a)3.3. Trained watercraft inspectors shall accumulate a minimum of 200 inspection hours. Hours may be spent at one waterbody access point or spent across 2 access points. Grantees shall prioritize spending grant-funded time when public activity on waterbodies is the highest, including weekends, holidays, fishing tournaments, and during other special events.

NR 193.63(1)(a)4.4. Data collected through watercraft and equipment inspection shall be reported through the department’s statewide database. Data uploaded to the statewide database shall serve as progress reports and the final report required under s. NR 193.19.

NR 193.63 NoteNote: “Clean Boats, Clean Waters” is the department-approved watercraft inspection program and the Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System is the department’s statewide database.

NR 193.63(1)(b)(b) Prevention projects intended to reduce the spread or risk of introduction of AIS as approved by the department. Eligible educational activities shall be limited to those that are directly related to the implementation of a prevention project funded under this subsection.

NR 193.63(2)(2) Early detection and response projects. Early detection and response projects will assist applicants in the planning and management of verified populations of prohibited species and of verified pioneer populations of restricted species. Pioneer populations are in the early stages of colonization. The department may use best professional judgement, considering the population extent, abundance, and spatial distribution, to determine whether the population may be qualified as a pioneer population eligible for funding under this subsection. For rooted invasive aquatic plant species, a pioneer population is one that covers a small area, is typically sparse, and will have been verified during the preceding 5 years. A pioneer population will cover an area that is less than 3 acres in size or has colonized less than 3% of the habitable area of the lake, stream reach, or wetland, whichever is greater.