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Electronic Grant Applications Streamline Award Process

Animal Feeding Operations Required to Control Runoff

Controlling polluted runoff from farms into Wisconsin’s water resources is a shared goal of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Notices of Discharge (NOD) are issued by the DNR under Chapter NR 243 (Animal Feeding Operations) to small and medium animal feeding operations that pose environmental threats to state water resources.

Grants Help Pay for Construction Costs

Farmers who receive a NOD from the DNR may be eligible for state cost-sharing for installation of agricultural best management practices to prevent and control pollutants in runoff from livestock operations. NOD Project Grants are provided to local units of government (typically counties) who use the funds to provide cost sharing to livestock operators. Counties apply to the DNR and DATCP for the NOD Project Grants.

Application Process Streamlined

To streamline the NOD Project Grants application process, the DNR and DATCP jointly developed an electronic application. The application is completed and submitted electronically to expedite the joint agency review process and save paper.

The new application process was very well received by county land conservation departments. In just 8 weeks, requests for NOD Project Grants exceeded available funding. The application filing process was closed on April 4, 2008. All NODs have been issued and all grant awards to install required best management practices have been made. A total of $500,000 was awarded for 6 projects. The agencies will re-open the application process in early 2009 when additional funds are made available.

For more information on NOD Project Grants, contact John Pfender of DNR (608-266-9266) or Lisa Schultz at DATCP (608-224-4604).