Lake Management Planning - Small Scale Lake

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

Two types of Programs are available for small scale lake projects-Small Scale grants and Self-help Lake Trend Monitoring grants.

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.

Small Scale Grants

Counties, towns, cities, villages, tribes, qualified non-profit conservation organizations, qualified lake associations, school districts (partnered with another eligible party), and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, town sanitary districts, and other local governmental units as defined in Wis. Stats. 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. Grant awards may fund up to 75% of the cost of a lake planning project. Grant awards cannot exceed $3,000 per grant.

Eligible projects include:

• Lake Monitoring projects: Water quality, aquatic plant or other monitoring activities that do not fit into a large scale planning project. Ideal for issue specific investigations or post project evaluation. Organizations interested in basic lake water quality (trophic state) monitoring should first contact their Regional Lake Coordinator about opportunities under Self-Help Citizen Lake Monitoring program.
• Lake Education projects: Activities that will assist management units in collecting and disseminating existing information about lakes for the purpose of broadening the understanding of lake use, lake ecosystem conditions and lake management techniques.
• Organization development projects: Activities that will assist management units in the formation of goals and objectives for the management of a lake or lakes.
• Studies, assessments and other activities needed to develop management goals: Activities needed to implement or augment management goals or an existing plan for a lake or lakes; for expanded monitoring; or a combination of the activities listed above.
  Applications must be received in DNR regional offices and postmarked no later than February 1 (for the spring grant cycle) and August 1 (for the 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:

• 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.

Application Information

• Application Guidelines and Instructions (PDF, 314KB)
• 8700-283 Grant Application (PDF Fillable Form, 454KB)
• 8700-226 Lake Association Organizational Application (Prints Blank Forms only)
• 8700-226 Lake Association Organizational Application Fillable and Printable (PDF, 157KB)
• Choosing a Contractor (PDF, 724KB)
• Force Account Labor, Equipment and Materials Summary/Worksheets
• Financial Administration Instructions for Lake Management Grants (132KB)
• 1800-001 Environmental Hazard Assessment
• 8700-001 Grant Payment Request
• 8700-002 Grant Payment Worksheet (PDF Fillable Form 53KB)
• Donated Labor & Services Worksheets
• Wisconsin Association of Lakes (Exit DNR)
• UW Extension Lakes Program (Exit DNR)
• Sample Lake Planning Grant Reports
• People of the Lakes: A Guide for Wisconsin Lake Organizations (March 2006)

Contacts:

For questions about project eligibility, contact appropriate DNR Regional Lake Coordinator.

For eligible project costs, contact appropriate DNR

Last Revised: Monday July 14 2008