Grants
Assistance Catalogs
Financial Assistance Programs
All programs are administered by the Bureau of Community Financial Assistance unless otherwise noted.
| A B C D E F G I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
Funds are available to provide funds to accommodate all-terrain vehicles through the acquiring, insuring, developing and maintaining of all-terrain vehicle trails and areas, including routes as per s. 23.33, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities and villages are eligible to apply by April 15 on forms provided by the Department. Up to 100% of costs up to $125 pre mile if ATV trail is available for spring, summer and fall riding. Up to 100% of costs up to $60 per mile if the trail is available for winter riding opportunity. Up to 50% of the approved eligible costs for maintaining an all-terrain vehicle area. Up to 100% of the approved eligible costs to develop ATV trails and areas. Assistance is provided for the following, in priority order: 1) maintenance of existing approved trails and areas, including routes; 2) purchase of liability insurance; 3) acquisition of easements; 4) major rehabilitation of bridge structures or trails; and 5) acquisition of land in fee and development of new trails and areas. Link to Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page. Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Enforcement Patrol
Funds are available as per s.23.22(9), Wis. Stats. and NR 64.15, Wis. Adm. Code. A county must file a Notice of Intent to Patrol form with the Department on or before July 1 of each year. Claim forms shall be filed with the Department on or before September 1 of the year following the 12-month period for which the claim is made. Notice of Intent to Patrol and Claim forms are provided by the Department Bureau of Law Enforcement. Counties may receive up to 100% of their net costs for the enforcement of ch. 23.33, Wis. Adm. Code, at a rate no more than the regular straight-time rate. Fringe benefits cannot exceed 29% of the gross salary. Salaries of officers engaged in the enforcement of Chapter NR 23.33, Wis. Adm. Code, at a rate no more than the regular straight-time rate. Fringe benefits cannot exceed 29% of the gross salary. Travel, materials and supplies are reimbursable. Depreciation is calculated at a rate of 12% annually on all equipment over $100 except ATV's, which is figured at the rate of 20% annually. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Thomas N. Thoresen at (608) 266-7820
ATV -- see All-Terrain Vehicle
Brownfields -- see Land Recycling Loan
Brownfields Green Space and Public Facilities Grant Program
Funds are available per s.292.79, Wis. Stats. to promote the cleanup of brownfields where the end-use has a long-term public benefit, including preservation of green space, development of recreational areas or use by a local government. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Michael Prager at (608) 261-4927
Clean Water Fund Program
Funds are available to protect water quality by correcting existing wastewater treatment and urban storm water problems and preventing future problems as per s. 281.58 and 281.59, Wis. Stats. Cities, towns, villages, counties, town sanitary districts, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, metropolitan sewerage districts, and federally-recognized tribal governments are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. A Notice of Intent to Apply Form and Priority Evaluation & Ranking Form must be filed with the Department by December 31. Eligible projects include construction of treatment works, sewer systems and interceptors necessary to prevent violation of discharge permits, meet new or changed discharge limits, correct water quality or human health problems in unsewered areas, or projects for the treatment of urban storm water runoff. Low interest loans are available for planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment projects and urban storm water runoff projects approved by the Department. Further reduction in interest rates to as low as 0% and, if needed, grants up to an amount equal to 70% of wastewater project costs to municipalities that qualify for hardship financial assistance is available.
Contact Bob Ramharter at (608) 266-3915
County Conservation Aids
Funds are available to enhance county fish and wildlife programs as per s. 23.09(12), Wis. Stats. And NR 50, Wis. Adm. Code. County and tribal governing bodies participating in the county fish and wildlife programs are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match.
Contact: Regional Government Outreach Team Supervisors
County Forest Acreage Payments
Aids are paid to towns in lieu of taxes of 30 cents per acre of lands enrolled under the County Forest Law per year as per s. 20.370(5)(bv) and 28.11(8)(a), Wis. Stats. Towns in counties having lands enrolled under the County Forest Law are eligible to receive payments from the Bureau of Forestry. Towns receive payment based on acreage in the town enrolled under the County Forest Law. Each town determines how payment will be used. Payments are made as soon as possible after April 20 of each year.
Contact Robert J. Mather at (608) 266-7662
County Forest Administrator Grants
Funds are available to provide for up to one half the salary of a county employed professional forester as County Forest Administrator or Assistant County Forest Administrator as per s. 20.370(5)(bw) and 28.11(5m), Wis. Stats., and NR 47.70, Wis. Adm. Code. Counties having lands enrolled under the County Forest Law who presently do not have a Department cost shared position as County Forest Administrator are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Forestry. Grant amounts go toward one half the salary up to a maximum of $14,000 for a forest having less than 50,000 acres and $16,000 for a forest having 50,000 acres or more under the County Forest Law. Payments are made on a calendar year basis and must have a Department approved annual work plan. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Robert J. Mather at (608) 266-7662
County Forest Project Loans
Funds are available for interest-free loans to counties with County Forest Law lands as per s. 20.370(5)(bq) and (bs), 28.11(8)(b) and 28.11(90, Wis. Stats., and NR 47.70, Wis. Adm. Code. Counties having lands enrolled under the County Forest Law are eligible on applications provided by the Bureau of Forestry. Matching requirements are determined by the Department of Natural Resources based on an application and approved County board Resolution requesting the loan. Priorities are: 1) Land acquisition within the County Forest Boundary for lands to be entered under the County Forest Law; 2) Forestry Land Management activities; 3) Forestry Land Information; and, 4) Forest Capitol Improvements. Meritorious and economically productive forestry projects on County Forests are eligible projects. No wildlife or recreation projects are eligible.
Contact Robert J. Mather at (608) 266-7662
County Forest Variable Acre and Project Loans
Funds are available for interest-free loans to counties for forestry operations with County Forest Law lands as per s. 20.730(5)(bq)(bs) and 28.11(8)(b), Wis. Stats. Counties which have lands enrolled under the County Forest Law are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Forestry. Matching requirements are determined by Department of Natural Resources after December 31 each year based on dollar amounts requested. A county may request up to 50 cents per acre of county forest lands. Requests in excess of the budget amount will require prorating available monies. Payments are made on or before March 31 of each year. Forestry projects on County Forest Law lands are eligible. The county determines the project priority.
Contact Robert J. Mather at (608) 266-7662
County Snowmobile Enforcement Patrols
Funds are available to encourage county snowmobile patrols to function as a law enforcement unit for the enforcement of State Statute 350 as per s. 350.12(4)(a)(4), Wis. Stats. and NR 50.12, 20.370(4)(ft), Wis. Adm. Code. Counties are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Law Enforcement. A county must file a Notice of Intent to Patrol form with the Department on or before July 1 of each year. Claim forms shall be filed with the Department on or before June 1 of the year following the 12-month period for which the claim is made. Salaries of officers engaged in the enforcement of ch. 350, Wis. Stats., at a rate no more than the regular straight-time rate are eligible. Fringe benefits cannot exceed 29% of the gross salary. Travel, materials and supplies are reimbursable. Depreciation is calculated at a rate of 20% annually on all equipment over $1,000. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Thomas N. Thoresen at (608) 266-7820
Dam Maintenance Repair, Modification, Abandonment, and Removal
Funds are available to municipalities and public inland lake districts to conduct dam maintenance, repair, modification, abandonment and removal as per s. 31.385, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages and public inland lake protection districts that have received an order under s. 31.19(5), Wis. Stats., to repair or abandon a dam are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. Dam repair, reconstruction, modification or abandonment and removal are eligible projects. Funding priority is determined by the dam's size, hazard rating, downstream zoning, repair costs and the municipality's financial need. A local match of 50% is required, with a maximum grant award of $200,000 per project. Completed applications must be received by the Department by April 1 of each year. Link to Grant Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Eileen Trainor
Dry Cleaning Environmental Response Program
Funds are available to reimburse owners and operators of dry cleaning facilities for a portion of their costs associated with responding to, investigating, and remediating contamination caused by releases of dry cleaning solvents. The maximum reimbursement for immediate and remedial response action costs is $500,000 per facility. The reimbursement of interim remedial response actions is made on a 50% cost share basis and has a maximum of $3,000 for preliminary site screening and $20,000 for the purchase and installation of interim remedial equipment. In order for costs to be eligible for reimbursement, applicants must have complied with the Chapter NR 700, Wis. Adm. Code, clean up rule series. There is a December 31, 1999 application deadline for reimbursement of clean up costs incurred between January 1, 1991 and October 14, 1997. Clean up costs incurred after October 14, 1997 will be reimbursed on a "first come first serve" basis. Link to Grant Forms Page.
Contact: Robin Schmidt at (608) 267-7569 or Jeff Soellner
Federal Clean Vessel Act
Funds are available to construct pump-out and dump stations to dispose of sewage from recreational boaters as per Section 5604 of the Clean Vessel Act of 1992. An agency of the State designated by the Governor (WDNR) is available to apply. Contracts and use agreements may be negotiated with local units of government and private marinas. To receive funds, an applicant sends a letter of application including 1) description of the project; 2) explanation of why the project is needed; 3) a detailed cost breakdown; 4) a proposed timetable for completion of the project; and 5) a site map and location map of the project. There is a 25% local match required. Priority is given to projects located on the Great Lakes or ocean shores. Eligible projects include education/information materials and construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout and dump stations, including floating restrooms, not connected to land or structures connected to land or structures connected to the land, used solely by boaters.
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Forest Fire Protection Grant
Funds are available to increase forest fire protection and suppression capabilities through cooperative efforts with local fire departments as per s. 26.145, Stats. Priority factors include 1) fire departments serving areas within organized forest fire control areas established under ss. NR 30.01 and 30.02, Wis. Admin. Code; 2) fire departments respond to wild fires within their jurisdiction at no cost to the DNR; and 3) fire departments with a majority of members meeting NFPA 1051 standards for wildland fire fighting training. Municipal fire departments that have executed a forest fire suppression agreement acceptable to the Department are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Eligible fire departments can receive a maximum grant award of $10,000. Eligible county fire associations can receive a maximum grant award of $25,000. Link to Grant Forms Page.
Contact Eileen Trainor or Kathy Wells
Forest Stewardship Grant
The primary objective of the Wisconsin Forest Stewardship Program is to encourage private non-industrial forest landowners to consider all resources in the management of their forest lands. Secondary objectives are to encourage landowners to obtain a Forest Stewardship Plan to help meet their management objectives, to protect forest resources for future generations, and to educate landowners and the general public to the importance of non-industrial private (NIPF) lands. Eligible applicants are groups, organizations, and various government agencies. Although a dollar for dollar match is required, grant funds may be matched with cash (non-federal funds), in-kind services, or donated equipment necessary for the project. DNR employee time, facilities or contributions may not be used as a match. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Nicole Potvin at (608) 266-2388: E-mail: nicole.potvin@wisconsin.gov
Forest Stewardship Incentives (SIP)
Funds are available to private forest landowners to implement practices that protect, maintain, and enhance forest resources including wetlands, lakes and streams as per U.S. Public Law 101-624, Title XII, and NR 47, Wis. Adm. Code. Private non-industrial forest owners of at least ten acres, but not more than 1,000 acres who have an approved forest stewardship management plan are eligible to apply. Eligible landowners include: individuals, foreign owners, joint owners, American Indian Tribes or other native American groups, groups and associations, corporations without publicly traded stock and other private legal entities. There is a local match of up to 35% of the project costs with a maximum level stipulated in each specific practice. Application may be made at any time but are subject to a two month batching period for prioritization and funding of the highest priorities. Applications are available either from the Consolidated Farm Services Agency Office serving their county or the local DNR Forester's Office. Priorities are set by local DNR offices. The available practices are: 1) preparation of landowner Forest Stewardship plans; 2) tree planting; 3) forest stand improvement; 4) windbreak and shelterbelt planting; 5) soil and water protection and improvement; 6) riparian and wetland protection and improvement; 7) fisheries habitat improvement; and 8) wildlife habitat enhancement. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact your county DNR Forester, or Linda DePaul at (608) 266-2388
Forestry Aids to Counties
Funds are available to provide payments to counties having more than 40,000 acres enrolled in the Forest Crop and Managed Forest Laws as per s. 23.09(18), Wis. Stats. Aid is apportioned to each county on the basis of their share of the eligible acreage. No application necessary. Eligibility and level of assistance are calculated by DNR's Forest Tax Section. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Carol Nielsen at (608) 266-8019
Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
The opportunity to participate in a state aerial spray project and cost sharing for this treatment are available for suppression of outbreaking populations of gypsy moth under NR 47.9 Wis. Adm. Code. This suppression program is offered to Wisconsin residents through counties. Gypsy moth is a foreign pest of trees that periodically increases to very high numbers in an event called an outbreak. During outbreaks foliage is stripped from both deciduous and coniferous trees causing stress and mortality. Outbreaks of gypsy moth that would qualify for the suppression program could occur within the 23 counties where gypsy moth is established, along the Lake Michigan and Green Bay shorelines, west to Shawano and Dodge counties. The goal of the suppression program is to reduce outbreaking populations of the pest below levels where they can cause significant damage to trees. The program is voluntary, spray blocks are proposed only where local landowners have requested that their area be treated. In addition, landowners within the proposed block that object to treatment may have their property excluded from the spray block. The aerial spray program offered by the state will use the bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) in spring 2001. Cost sharing for the spray and associated administration is provided by the USDA Forest Service through the DNR. The Forest Service will provide up to 50% of costs for privately owned lands under 500 acres, up to 33% for privately owned lands over 500 acres, and up to 25% for publicly owned lands. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Andrea Diss at 264-9247 or Sue Kocken
Ice Age Trail Maintenance
Funds are available for maintenance of the Ice Age Trail as per s. 20.370(1)(kb), Wis. Stats. and NR 51.74(6), Wis. Adm. Code. Counties, towns, cities, villages, and private non-profit groups are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Priorities include projects that provide for significant public use, protect the resource or public safety or comfort, or portions of the trail owned by a local government or nonprofit conservation organization.
Eligible activities include brush clearing, mowing, signs, bridge and boardwalk replacement and repairs, surface repairs, winter grooming, etc. on Ice Age Trail segments owned or managed by the DNR, dedicated to the DNR and managed under contract with DNR or recognized by DNR and certified by the National Park Service. Funds are for maintenance and development of the trail. Matching funds of up to 50% for purchase or lease of equipment and materials are available. Labor is not an eligible expense and in-kind contributions are not eligible for match. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact Kimberlee Wright
Lake Management Planning Grant
(Small Scale Lake) or
(Big Scale Lake)
Funds are available to collect and analyze information needed to protect and restore lakes and their watersheds as per s. 281.68, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, non-profit groups and qualified lake associations, as defined in s.30.92(1)(br) and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state cost shares up to 75% up to a maximum of $10,000 per grant. Applications due in region offices by February 1 and August 1 of each year. Types of projects include physical, chemical, biological, and sociological data collection, water quality assessment, and watershed evaluation including county-wide or regional initiatives. Link to Grant Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact your Regional Lakes Program Coordinator
Lake Protection Grant
Funds are available to protect and improve the water quality of lakes and their ecosystems as per s. 281.69, Wis. Stats. Grants are available for purchasing land or easements, restoration of wetlands, development of local regulations to protect water quality, lake improvement activities called for in a Department approved plan, and countywide lake classification. Counties, towns, cities, villages, public authorities and qualified lake associations as defined in s. 30.92(1)(br), Wis. Stats., public inland lake districts, non-profit groups, and other local governmental units established for lake management are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state cost shares up to 75% of project costs not to exceed $200,000. Applications are due in the Regional offices by May 1 of each year.
Priorities are set on a statewide basis (see ch. NR 191.08, Wis. Adm. Code) and consider the following factors: 1) lakes which have not previously received a lake protection grant; 2) the degree to which the project provides for the protection or improvement of water quality; 3) the degree to which the project provides for protection or improvement of other aspects of the natural ecosystem such as fish, wildlife or natural beauty; 4) the availability of public access to, and public use of the lakes; 5) the degree to which the proposed project complements other lake and watershed management efforts; 6) the level of support for the project from other affected management units; and 7) the level of financial support provided by the sponsor. Link to Grant Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact your Regional Lakes Program Coordinator
Land Recycling Loan (Brownfields) Program
Loans with a 0% interest rate are available to remedy environmental contamination of sites or facilities at which environmental contamination has affected groundwater or surface water or threatens to affect groundwater or surface water as per s. 281.60, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, and villages are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. A municipality must send the department a notice of its intent to apply for assistance to be in the application process. Applications are approved following a project priority ranking, eligibility determination and a determination by the Department of Administration that the applicant meets financial conditions. Applications are funded as they appear on a funding list that ranks projects based on their priority ranking.
Contact Maureen Hubeler
Light Utility Vehicle Program
Grants are available to Counties for up to $2,000, to accommodate light utility vehicles by covering the cost of maintenance and developing light utility vehicle trails and areas, including routes. Proposed trails must be located in one or more of the following counties: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Sawyer and Washburn. Participation in this program is optional. Municipalities in these counties wanting to participate must notify their county coordinator and pass a resolution and notifying the Department of Natural Resources. Currently, the pilot is scheduled to end on September 30, 2009.
Local Water Quality Management Planning Aids
Funds are available to assist in the development and implementation of areawide water quality management planning activities as per s. 604(b), Federal Clean Water Act, s. 281.51, Wis. Stats., and ch. NR 121, Wis. Adm. Code. Local, county, and regional planning agencies, commissions, and departments and other local government units with water quality management planning responsibilities are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Watershed Management. Matching local funds may be required depending upon proposed water quality priorities, work plans, cost estimates, and fund source. Proposals must be received by October 31 to be considered for funding in the next calendar year. Eligible projects include local and regional water resource management and watershed planning activities; sewer service area plans and amendments; regional wastewater facility planning initiatives; and, identification and protection of water quality sensitive areas known as environmental corridors. The Department negotiates annual contracts with planning agencies and commissions. Project proposals may be submitted through regional DNR watershed management planning staff on a continuous basis. The Department, in cooperation with regional planning agencies, sets annual priorities to assist with areawide water quality management planning activities.
Contact Lisa Helmuth at (608) 266-7768
Moth -- see Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
Municipal Flood Control Grant Program
Provide 70% cost-sharing grants to cities, villages, towns, tribal government and metropolitan sewerage districts. Assistance is provided with the availability of Acquisition and Development grants to purchase property or vacant land, structure removal, construction or other development costs and with Local Assistance Grants for providing administrative support activities. Projects are ranked according to Wis. Adm. Code NR 199.
Contact Barbara Ingram, Grant Manager, at (608) 267-7152 or E-mail: Barbara.Ingram@wisconsin.gov
Municipal Water Safety Patrols State Assistance
Funds are available for the cost of operation of a Boating Law Enforcement program, and to provide professional and uniform enforcement of boating laws at the local level as per s. 30.79, Wis. Stats. and NR 50.13, Wis. Adm. Code. Municipalities, Inland Lake Rehabilitation and Protection Districts, and Sanitary Districts are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Law Enforcement. There is a local match required of up to 75% of the net cost for enforcement of s. 30.50 to 30.80, Wis. Stats., and local regulation adopted under s. 30.77, Wis. Stats. An Intent to Patrol form must be filed with the DNR prior to March 1 of each year. Maintain daily and monthly records and file the annual claim prior to January 31 for the previous calendar year. Eligible projects include reimbursement for salaries, supplies and equipment. Capital items over $1,000 will be prorated at the rate of 20% for 5 years. Priorities include: 1) Provide active and productive enforcement of the boating laws; 2) conduct boating education programs; and, 3) provide search and rescue for live persons. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact William G. Engfer at (608) 266-0859
Nonpoint Pollution Abatement Program (a.k.a. Runoff Pollution)
Funds are available to improve water quality by limiting or ending sources of nonpoint source (run-off) water pollution by providing financial and technical assistance to landowners, land operators, municipalities, and other governmental units as per s. 281.65, Wis. Stats. and NR 120, Wis. Adm. Code. Governmental units within designated priority watersheds and priority lakes are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. Cost sharing is provided of up to 70-100% for local administration and 50-70% for installing best management practices to reduce water pollution. Eligible projects are watersheds and lakes where: 1) the water quality improvement or protection will be great in relation to funds expended; 2) the installation of best management practices is feasible to abate water pollution caused by nonpoint source pollution; and 3) the local governmental units and agencies involved are willing to carry out program responsibilities. Efforts are focused statewide in critical watersheds and lakes where nonpoint source related water quality problems are most severe and control is most feasible. Rural landowners and land operators located in selected priority watersheds and priority lakes can contact their county land conservation departments to explain the program and have the landowner/land operator sign for cost sharing best management practices. Non-rural landowners and land operators can contact their municipal government offices. A watershed or lake project normally has a 10-12 year time frame: two years for planning and eight to ten years to implement best management practices. Link to Grant Forms Page.
Contact your Regional Environmental Grant Specialist
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Contaminated Sediment
Provide financial assistance aid to certain responsible parties for the difference between costs associated with transporting and disposing of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated sediments at out-of-state hazardous waste disposal facilities and the cost of disposing of the PCB contaminated sediment in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources is currently developing ch. NR 560, Wis. Adm. Code, for the implementation and administration of this financial aid program. http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/Grants/pcbsediment.html
Contact: Barbara Ingram, Grant Manager, at (608) 267-7152 or via email at barbara.ingram@wisconsin.gov
Recreational Boating Facilities
Funds are available for the construction of capital improvements to provide safe recreational boating facilities and for feasibility studies related to the development of safe recreational facilities as per s. 30.92, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, sanitary districts, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, and qualified lake associations are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. Cost sharing is provided up to 50% for feasibility studies, construction costs, and certain types of acquisition costs. An additional 10% may be available if a municipality conducts a boating safety enforcement and education program approved by the Department. Eligible projects include: 1) Facilities such as ramps and service docks required to gain access to the water; 2) structures such as bulkheads and breakwaters necessary to provide safe water conditions for boaters; 3) activities such as dredging to provide safe water depths for recreational boating. (Dredging is an eligible project only when it is associated with project development at the project site; maintenance dredging is not eligible.); 4) support facilities limited to parking lots, sanitary facilities and security lighting; 5) acquisition of equipment to cut and remove aquatic plants; 6) acquisition of equipment to collect and remove floating trash and debris from a waterway; 7) dredging of channels in waterways for recreational boating purposes (not more than once in ten years)(inland waters); and 8) acquisition of aids to navigation and regulatory markers. These factors are considered in establishing priorities - distance of proposed project from other recreational boating facilities, demand for safe boating facilities, existing facilities, projects underway, commitment of funds, location of proposed project within the region identified in s. 25.29(7), Wis. Stats. Link Grant Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Recreational Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to local units of government through the transfer of federal gas excise taxes paid on fuel used in off-highway vehicles. Eligible sponsors may receive a grant for up to 80% of the total project costs of a recreational trail project. Eligible projects include maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, construction of new trails (with certain restrictions on Federal lands), and acquisition of easement or property for trails. Application forms are available from the Department. Funding priorities for motorized, non-motorized or compatible/multiple use trails is (in order of descending priority): rehabilitation of existing trails, trail maintenance, trail development, and trail acquisition. Link to Grant Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Recycling Grants to Responsible Units
Funds are available to provide financial assistance to local units of government to establish and operate effective recycling programs as per s. 287.23, Wis. Stats. "Responsible units" (the local unit of government responsible for implementing its recycling program) are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. Applications must be submitted by October 1 in the year preceding the year for which assistance is sought. The recycling program costs of a responsible unit with an effective recycling program, minus the revenues derived from the sale of recovered materials, that are reasonable and necessary for planning or operating a recycling and yard waste management program are eligible for grant assistance.
Grants are calculated according to a statutory formula. Grant amounts have averaged 20-40% of eligible recycling and yardwaste expenses. Link to Grant Forms Page. See also Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grants
Contact Sandy Chancellor
River Management Grants
River Protection Management grants provide state cost sharing assistance to eligible sponsors for implementing a specific activity or set of activities, other than planning activities, to protect or improve a river ecosystem as per s. 181.70 Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, non-profit groups and qualified river management organizations, and other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.0131, Wis. Stats., are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state cost shares up to 75% of project costs not to exceed $50,000. Activities eligible for funding include: 1) purchase of land or of an easement subject to certain requirements, 2) development of local ordinances, and 3) restoration of in-stream or shoreland habitat. Applications are due in the Regional offices by May 1 of each year. Link to Grant Forms Page.
Contact your Regional River Coodinator
River Planning
River Planning grants provide state cost sharing assistance to eligible sponsors for the collection, assessment and dissemination of information on riverine ecosystems, to assist in developing organizations to help manage rivers, to assist the public in understanding riverine ecosystems and to create management plans for the long term protection and improvement of riverine ecosystems as per s. 281.70, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, non-profit groups and qualified river management organizations, and other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.0131, Wis. Stats., are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state cost shares up to 75% up to a maximum of $10,000 per grant. Some eligible activities include (in priority order): 1) river organization development, 2) information and education, 3) assessments of water quality, fish, and aquatic life, and 4) nonpoint source evaluations. Applications due in region offices by May 1 of each year. Link to Grant Forms Page.
Contact your Regional River Coodinator
Runoff Pollution -- see Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement Program
Runoff Pollution -- see Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement Program
Safe Drinking Water Loan Program
Funds are available to plan, design, construct, or modify public water systems as per s. 281.59 and 281.61, Wis. Stats, and ch. NR 166, Wis. Adm. Code. Counties, towns, cities, and villages are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. Low interest loans are provided at 55% of the Clean Water Fund Program market interest rate. Under certain circumstances, a municipality may be eligible for a loan at 33% of the Clean Water Fund Program's market interest rate. A municipality must send the department a notice of its intent to apply for assistance by December 31 of the fiscal year preceding its application. Applications must be submitted on or before April 30. Applications are approved following a project priority ranking, eligibility determination, and a determination by the Department of Administration that the applicant meets financial conditions. Applications are funded as they appear on a funding list that ranks projects based on their priority ranking.
Contact Jeanne Cargill at (608) 267-7587
SIP -- see Forest Stewardship Incentives
Snowmobile Club Signs
Funds are available to provide free cardboard trail signs and reflective material to snowmobile clubs agreeing to open their trails to public use as per s. 23.09(26) and Chapter 350, Wis. Stats. Funds are limited to no more than $15,000 per year for the purchase of signs and reflective material. Applications are due in the Region offices by April 15 of each year for the following season. Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Snowmobile Route Signs
Funds are available to provide costs for initial signing of snowmobile routes and trail crossing warning signs as per s. 23.09(26) and Chapter 350, Wis. Stats. Towns, cities, and villages are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. No local match is required, but state funding is limited to no more than $30,000 per year for the route sign program. Applications are due in the Region offices by April 15 of each year for the following season. Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Snowmobile Trail Aids
Funds are available to provide a statewide system of well-signed and well-groomed snowmobile trails for public use and enjoyment as per s. 23.09(26), and Chapter 350, Wis. Stats. Counties are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. 100% cost sharing is provided with limits on maintenance costs of $250, and development costs of $500 per mile. Applications are due in the appropriate Region Office by April 15 of each year. Eligible projects include maintenance of trails, which includes signing, brushing, and grooming of snowmobile trails, purchase of liability insurance and acquisition of short term easements, development of trails which may include general trail construction, bridges, gates and signs, major rehabilitation of existing snowmobile bridges and rehabilitation of existing trail segments. Link to Grant Forms Page Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Spear Fishing Law Enforcement Assistance
Funds are available for law enforcement services provided during the Chippewa spear fishing season as per s. 29.599, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, and villages are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of law Enforcement. There is no local match required. Applications must be submitted by July 1 of the calendar year in which the additional law enforcement services are provided. Eligible types of projects include salaries, supplies and support services directly attributable to providing additional law enforcement services during spearfishing season.
Contact Rick Rislet at (715) 834-8541
Stewardship Grants
Stewardship Grants for Local Governments
Funds are available for the acquisition of land or easements, and development projects for outdoor recreation purposes per s. 23.09(19), 23.09(20), 23.09(20m), 23.0917, and 30.277, Wis. Stats. and NR 51, Wis. Adm. Code. There is a 50% local match required. Funds may be used for both land acquisition projects and development projects for nature-based outdoor recreation, such as fishing piers, hiking trails and picnic facilities. Funds are not available for non nature-based activities such as baseball and soccer fields. Costs associated with operation and maintenance of parks and other outdoor recreation facilities are not eligible for Stewardship funds. Local governments are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. Link to Grant Forms Page.Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Service Specialist
Stewardship Grants for Nonprofit Conservation Organizations
Funds are available for the acquisition of land or easements for conservation purposes, and restoration of wildlife habitat as per s. 23.096, 23.092, 23.094, 23.17, 23.175, and 23.27, Wis. Stats. and NR 51, Wis. Adm. Code. Nonprofit conservation organizations are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Priorities include acquisition of wildlife habitat, acquisition of lands with special scientific or ecological value, rare and endangered habitats and species, acquisition of stream corridors, acquisition of land for state trails including the Ice Age Trail and North Country Trail and restoration of wetlands and grasslands. Eligible types of projects include fee simple and easement acquisitions and habitat restoration projects. Link to Grant Forms Page.Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Service Specialist
Urban Forestry
Funds are available to provide technical service and financial assistance to communities for developing urban forestry programs as per U.S. Public Law 95-313, s. 6(b), s. 23.070(1)(bw) and 23.097, Wis. Stats., and NR 47, Wis. Adm. Code. Towns, Cities, Villages, County and Tribal Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations either residing or performing projects in Wisconsin are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Priorities include 1) Communities needing to develop an urban forestry plan; 2) Communities needing worker training; and 3) Communities needing to conduct a street tree inventory. Eligible projects include 1) Undertaking street tree inventories; 2) Training for city tree workers; 3) Developing urban open space programs; 4) Developing urban forestry plans; 5) Developing a tree ordinance; 6) Developing a public awareness program; and, 7) Tree planting and maintenance. Link to Statutes Page
Contact Tracey Teodecki
Urban Green Space
Funds are available to provide open natural space in proximity to urban development, to protect from development land with scenic, ecological or natural values in urban areas, and to provide land for noncommercial gardening in urban areas as per s. 23.09(19) Wis. Stats. Counties, Towns, Cities, Villages, lake districts, Indian tribes and nonprofit conservation organizations under s. 23.096 Wis. Stats. are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Applications are due in the appropriate Region office by May 1 of each year. Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Urban Rivers Grant
Funds are available to improve outdoor recreation opportunities by increasing access to urban rivers for a variety of public uses, economic revitalization through the improvement of the environmental quality in urban river corridors, and preserving and revitalizing historical, cultural, or natural areas as per s. 30.277, Wis. Stats. Counties, Towns, Cities, Villages, and Tribal units of government are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Applications are due in the Region office by May 1 of each year. Eligible projects include acquisition of urban riverfront land that is part of an outdoor recreation plan adopted by the local unit of government. Land which is specifically identified in a river corridor plan for economic revitalization and outdoor recreation. Link to Statutes Page
Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist
Urban Wildlife Damage and Abatement Control Grant
Funds are available to urban municipalities for a variety of cost-effective wildlife damage and control measures for white-tailed deer and Canada geese as per ss. 20.370(5)(fr) and 29.887, Wis. Stats. Urban communities can receive a 50% cost share grant up to a maximum grant award of $5,000. The application deadline is December 1 of each year on forms provided by the Department. The program requires that participating communities gather public input on solving their wildlife damage problems, monitor and establish population goals, and describe control methods. A community must have a DNR approved, or apply to prepare, an urban wildlife damage and abatement control plan which will be approvable by the DNR. Each year $25,000 of grant funds are available. Link to Grant Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page
Contact Eileen Trainor
Volunteer Fire Assistance
Funds are available to organize, train and support county fire associations which serve the cooperative fire protection area of the State as authorized by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act as amended by the Forest Stewardship Act of 1990. Application forms are provided by the DNR Bureau of Community Financial Assistance. A local match of 50% is required up to a maximum grant award of $5,000. Link to Grant Forms Page
Contact Eileen Trainor
Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grants
Funds are available under s. 287.25, Wis. Stats., to implement the demonstration of innovative waste reduction, reuse and recycling ideas which could potentially be expanded to have a major impact on reducing the amount of solid waste being landfilled or treated. Wisconsin businesses, counties, municipalities, public entities, non-profit organizations and schools are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The maximum grant amount is $150,000, or 50% of the total eligible costs of a project, whichever is less (exception: a special category, community wide waste reduction projects, can now receive 75% of total eligible costs). The applicant must match the grant in cash or in-kind contributions. Applications are due August 1 each year with grants being awarded by November 1. Applicants must provide evidence of having the technical ability, experience and financial support necessary to carry out the project. Under the Request for Proposal component of the program, projects may be submitted that, although not innovative, target special and hard-to-recycle wastes that may significantly impact the reduction or reuse of Wisconsin solid waste.
Contact Sandy Chancellor
Well Abandonment Grant
Financial assistance is available to individuals to provide 75% of the DNR approved eligible cost to properly abandon unused private well(s) on the claimant’s property. To be eligible for this grant, the claimant must be the landowner or landowner’s spouse, heir, assignee/legal representative, or renter of the property where the unused private well(s) are located. In addition, the prior calendar year family income must be less than $65,000. (Note an income reduction of 30 cents applies toward the grant payment for each dollar over $45,000.)
See web site for complete details: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/Grants/wellabnd.html
Contact: Barbara Ingram, Grant Manager, at (608) 267-7152
Well Compensation Grant
Financial assistance is available for individuals to replace, reconstruct, or treat contaminated private water supplies. The landowner (or renter) and shared well owners may be eligible for a portion of the grant award maximum of $9,000 or 75% of eligible cost per contaminated well if the contamination is a substance that exceeds a health related state or federal drinking water standard for contaminants other than bacteria or nitrate (see exceptions listed on the web site). The family income of an eligible claimant must be less than $65,000 in the prior year to completing the application claim.
See web site for complete details: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cfa/Grants/wellcomp.html
Contact: Barbara Ingram, Grant Manager, at (608) 267-7152
Wildlife Damage
Funds are available to establish a locally administered wildlife damage abatement and claims program to assist landowners with excessive levels of crop damage from wild deer, geese, bear, or turkeys as per s. 29.598, Wis. Stats. Counties, after passing a resolution endorsing participation and completing a DNR approved plan of administration, are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Community Wildlife Management. Applications are due by November 1 for the following year. County administration and abatement costs have funding priority with claims funded only after these costs are paid for the previous calendar year. Abatement monies are allocated based on statewide priorities with known abatement projects receiving priority over anticipated projects. Eligible projects include fencing (temporary or permanent) of crop fields, orchards, etc., purchase of scare devised and repellents, analysis of hunting effects, special damage, patterns, shooting permit assistance, crop damage appraisal. Link to Statutes Page
Contact Laurie Fike at (608) 267-7974 or Sarah Carter at (608) 266-2151
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