Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Control Grants

Determining Local Cost Share Clarified

This cost share guidance [PDF] is provided for grant development purposes and clarifies the following:

  • Training vs. Education
  • GPS units

Clean Boats Clean Waters Grants Just Got Easier!

  • If you are an eligible grant sponsor looking for grant funding to help finance a basic Clean Boats Clean Water landing inspection program, we have developed a simplified process for you.
  • Look for the Clean Boats Clean Water Request for Funding under How to Apply and find our new fact sheet on the simplified grant process under Resources.
  • If you have questions you will find contacts listed on page 2 of the fact sheet.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Control Grants help prevent and control the spread of aquatic invasive species in the waters of the state. These grants can be used for education, prevention, planning, early detection, rapid response and established infestation control projects.

Who can apply

Counties, cities, towns, villages, tribes, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, and town sanitary districts and other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.0131(1)(a), Wis. Stats., [exit DNR] qualified lake associations as defined in s. 281.68(1)(b), Wis. Stats., [exit DNR] qualified school districts, private and public colleges, universities and technical schools, qualified nonprofit organizations, river management organizations, state and federal natural resource or land management agencies and FERC-licensed hydroelectric corporations are eligible to apply for funding for an aquatic invasive species prevention and control grant for any waters of the state including lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and the Great Lakes.

River management organizations and lake associations must be a qualified organization to be an eligible project sponsor. Qualified nonprofit organizations whose purpose includes the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species are eligible project sponsors. Check with your appropriate DNR Regional Environmental Grant Specialist [PDF] to see if your group is currently eligible to apply, or review the qualification requirements [PDF].

Eligibility

Education, prevention and planning projects

The maximum award shall be $150,000. Applications shall be separated into 2 classes - those requesting less than $50,000 in state share and those requesting $50,000 or more in state share. Each class of projects shall be evaluated separately and have equal priority for funding. For watercraft inspection program projects, state share is limited to $4,000 annually for each public boat launch facility not to exceed 75 percent of the total project cost up to the maximum grant amount.

Research and demonstration projects

The total available annual funding is limited to $500,000 for this category.

Maintenance and containment projects

The maximum award will be determined by the department and based on the project's applicable application fees and specified monitoring and reporting requirements in the permit or department approved plan. Award will not exceed reimbursement of permit fees.

Order of priority for funding projects

  1. Control pioneer populations of aquatic invasive species.
  2. Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to unpopulated waters.
  3. Control established infestations of aquatic invasive species and restore native aquatic species communities.
  4. Provide research and demonstration that advances the states knowledge and understanding of aquatic invasive species control.
  5. Ongoing maintenance to contain aquatic invasive populations within a waterbody.

Deadlines

Applications must be received in DNR regional offices by February 1 (spring grant cycle) and August 1 (fall grant cycle) for all projects except Early Detection and Response and Research and Demonstration projects. Applications are accepted throughout the year for Early Detection and Response and Research and Demonstration projects.

How to apply

Application materials

Reimbursement

Reimbursement materials

Resources

Grant resources

AIS resources

Help

Contact information
For questions about project eligibility, contact:
Your regional AIS/Lake coordinator [PDF]
For questions about eligible projects costs, contact:
Your regional environmental grants specialist [PDF]
Last revised: Wednesday May 01 2013