Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants

Total available funding for the urban forestry catastrophic storm grant program each year is up to 20% of the amount appropriated for urban forestry. At present, this is approximately $104,000. Individual grant awards may range from $4,000 to $50,000.

State of Emergency information may be found on the Office of the Governor web site at www.wisgov.state.wi.us or by calling the statewide Wisconsin Emergency Management office at 608-242-3232.

Application Deadline

To be considered for funding, eligible project sponsors must postmark an application no later than 60 days from the date of the Governor’s declaration of emergency for the catastrophic storm event for which funds are sought. In the event that funds are exhausted due to earlier awards during a fiscal year, the department shall hold the application and consider those applications when additional grant funds become available.

Eligible Costs

The following costs are eligible for reimbursement if incurred within 365 days of the Governer's state of emergency declaration.

• Rented, leased, or applicant-supplied equipment and facilities. Keep receipts. Receipts are required when requesting reimbursement
• Salaries and fringe benefits associated with project sponsor personnel engaged in removing, repairing and replacing storm-damaged trees. Keep timesheets
• Contractor and consultant service agreements to remove, repair and replace storm-damaged trees
• Tree removal, stump grinding, cleaning and filling holes left by tree removal, tree repair, replacement tree purchase and planting, soil amendment and mulching, and tree guards and other protective devices for new tree establishment
• Cost of processing wood and brush for other uses as a result of tree removal and repair
• Disposal of wood and brush from tree removal and repair
• Necessary supplies. Keep receipts
• Purchased equipment. For equipment whose useful life is one year or less, the full purchase cost may be an eligible expense.  For equipment whose useful life is greater than one year, eligible cost will be prorated and is equal to one year’s useful life as determined by dividing the purchase price by the number of years of useful life. Useful life of equipment is determined by the State Highway Maintenance Manual or contact the urban forestry grant coordinator for guidance

The costs listed above are eligible because they are related to the removal, repair, or replacement of trees in an urban forest that have been damaged by a catastrophic storm event as declared by the Wisconsin Governor and are not otherwise reimbursed by another source of funding, including Federal disasater assistance.

Ineligible Costs

• Costs incurred before or more than 365 days after a governor's declared state of emergency
• Equipment costing more than $5,000 per unit is not eligible for reimbursement
• Costs of routine urban forest management to trees unaffected by the storm
• Ordinary applicant operating costs, also called indirect costs
• Costs for the repair of structures, vehicles, fences, sidewalks or other objects damaged by damaged trees or their parts
• Costs incurred in a contract which creates a real or apparent conflict of interest
• Fines and penalties due to violations of, or failure to comply with federal, state or local laws or regulations
• Legal or settlement costs due to storm-related litigation

Application and Guidelines

• Application Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria [PDF, 56KB]
• Application [PDF, 106KB]
• Sample Authorizing Resolution [.doc]
• Procurement Guide for Local Governments Receiving DNR grants [PDF, 183KB]

Reimbursement Forms

• Reimbursement Claim Worksheet (Form 2400-139A) [PDF, 40KB]
• Reimbursement Request Summary (Form 2400-139) [PDF, 64KB]

Additional Information

Storm damage links and resources

Caution to Project Sponsors - Protect Confidential Data

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) takes seriously its responsibility to protect all confidential data that are collected as the DNR administers its programs. For DNR grant programs, “confidential data” typically includes:

• Personal -- Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, signature
• Financial -- Bank account numbers on cancelled checks and statements. Credit card numbers on submitted receipts. Account and credit balances or limits. Federal or Wisconsin tax returns.

If a grant is being issued to an individual, we need most of the personal data listed above before we can issue payments or reimbursements. This needed data comes to the DNR on completed W-9 forms. The DNR has a process to restrict access to and secure W-9 forms.

The DNR, however is often sent unnecessary confidential data that are attached to proofs of payment, receipts, or other documents in support of a reimbursement request. Please protect confidential data by blackening out – also called “redacting” – bank account numbers, credit card account numbers, and other confidential data before proofs of payment are sent to the DNR. Please do not redact check numbers from bank statements.

With each of us doing our part, we can protect confidential data and minimize identity theft.

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

Contact

Candice Sovinski, Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Bureau of Forest Management
101 South Webster Street, PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

Tel: 608-267-3775
Fax: 608-266-8576
E-mail: Candice.Sovinski@wisconsin.gov