Lake Management Planning - Large Scale Lake

(s. 281.68, Wis. Stats., and ch. NR 190, Wis. Admin. Code)

Counties, towns, cities, villages, tribes, qualified non-profit conservation organizations, qualified lake associations, school districts (in partnership with another eligible party), public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, town sanitary districts, and other local governmental units as defined in Ch. 66.0301 (1) (a) that are established for the purpose of lake management, are eligible to apply for funding to collect and analyze information needed to protect and restore lakes and their watersheds.

In order for nonprofit conservation organizations and lake associations to apply, they must be a qualified organization. Please check with your appropriate DNR Regional Environmental Grant Specialist to see if your group is currently eligible to apply, otherwise please review the qualification requirements.

Funding for this program comes from a portion of the gas tax on boating fuel.

Grant awards may fund up to 75% of the cost of a lake planning project. Grant awards cannot exceed $10,000 per grant for large-scale projects.

Eligible projects include:

  • Gathering and analysis of physical, chemical, and biological information on lakes.
  • Describing present and potential land uses within lake watersheds and on shorelines.
  • Reviewing jurisdictional boundaries and evaluating ordinances that relate to zoning, sanitation, or pollution control or surface use.
  • Assessments of fish, aquatic life, wildlife, and their habitats. § Gathering and analyzing information from lake property owners, community residents, and lake users.
  • Developing, evaluating, publishing, and distributing alternative courses of action and recommendations in a lake management plan.

Applications must be received in DNR regional offices by February 1 (spring grant cycle) and August 1 (fall grant cycle).

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: