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Grants

Lake Protection and Classification Grants

(ss. 281.69 and 281.71, Wis. Stats.; ch. NR 191, Wis. Admin. Code)

Counties, towns, cities, villages, tribes, qualified lake associations, public inland lake districts, qualified nonprofit conservation organizations, town sanitary districts, and other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.0301 (1) )(a) Wis. Stats. established for lake management, are eligible to apply for funding to protect and improve the water quality of lakes and their ecosystems.

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.

Lake Protection Grants

Grant awards may fund up to 75 percent of project costs (maximum grant amount $200,000). Because of the size, complexity, and technical nature of many projects, a pre-application meeting with the DNR is highly recommended, especially if the project requires plan or permit approvals. This will ensure the application will be complete and can be evaluated and considered for funding. Eligible projects include:

  • Purchase of land or conservation easements that will significantly contribute to the protection or improvement of the natural ecosystem and water quality of a lake.
  • Restoration of wetlands and shorelands that will protect a lake's water quality or its natural ecosystem (these grants are limited to $100,000). Special wetland incentive grants of up to $10,000 are eligible for 100 percent state funding if the project is identified in the sponsor's comprehensive land use plan.
  • Development of local regulations or ordinances to protect lakes and the education activities necessary for them to be implemented (these grants are limited to $50,000)
  • Lake management plan implementation projects recommended in a plan and approved by DNR. These projects may include watershed management projects, lake restoration, diagnostic feasibility studies, or any other projects that will protect or improve lakes. Sponsors should submit a copy of their lake management plan and the recommendation(s) it wants to fund for DNR approval at least two months in advance of the May 1 deadline. Plans must have been officially adopted by the sponsor and made available for public comment prior to submittal. The DNR will review the plan and advise the sponsor on the project's eligibility and development of a lake protection grant application for its implementation.

The following projects are not eligible for funding through Lake Protection and Classification grants:

  • Dam repair, operation or removal.
  • Purchase of property on which a dam is located.
  • Water safety patrols.
  • Dredging.
  • Design, installation, operation or maintenance of sanitary sewers, or septic systems.
  • Most chemical treatments or mechanical harvesting of aquatic plants.
  • Maintenance and operation of equipment and facilities.
  • Water safety patrols, as defined in s. 30.79 (1) (b), Wis. Stats.

Applications are due in the DNR Regional offices by May 1.

Lake Classification Grants

Counties are eligible to apply for funding to develop and implement local land and water management programs that are targeted to specific classes of lakes in response to various development and recreational use pressures. Grant awards may fund up to 75 percent of eligible project costs (not to exceed $50,000). Funds are available for classification and management projects. Eligible projects include:

  • Classification
    • Setting objectives for the classification system
    • Preliminary investigation of management tools
    • Selection of classification criteria
    • Data collection and analysis necessary for water classification
  • Management
    • Public information and education
    • Setting objectives for individual lake classes
    • Ordinance development
    • Implementation of alternative management tools
    • Policy adoption that encourages managing waters based on the specific needs of each waterbody

Counties that have adopted a lake classification system are also eligible for implementation grants. Eligible implementation projects include:

  • Tracking/evaluating the enforcement/compliance with ordinance implementing the classification
  • Developing administrative forms, computer programs, and procedures
  • Conduct training/educational sessions or develop printed/electronic media regarding the lake classification system and/or new regulations
  • Support programs resulting from lake classification (such as shoreline restoration technical assistance)
  • Make revisions and/or amendments to the classification system (maps, GIS, and databases) or ordinances implementing them.

Applications are due in the DNR Regional offices by May 1st.

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: