How to Submit a Restoration Project Proposal

The Restoration Plan identifies the geographic and resource priorities within the restoration area for utilization of the damages received under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). The Trustees, as resource managers are actively engaged in resource management activities within this area. Furthermore, the Trustees have established a broad network and history of relationships with potential partners that may be active in restoration project implementation.

The Trustees will work within their organizations and with partners to develop projects that are priority activities and comply with the goals established within the Restoration Plan. Trustee staff will cooperatively design and develop projects amongst the other Trustees and with other partners that advance the goals of the Restoration Plan. If a project advances the restoration, rehabilitation, or recovery of an injured resource, or if it contributes to the equivalent ecological value within the restoration area, and is supported by the resource managers as a priority, the trustees will consider the project for funding.

It is the desire of the Trustee Council to utilize existing management processes within trustee agencies for implementing restoration projects. The Trustee Council does not intend to create an NRDA-specific bureaucracy for the implementation of restoration projects. Proposals will be accepted continually and funded on a priority basis. Lower priority restoration project proposals will be retained for future consideration if desired.

The following is an example of how to submit a restoration project proposal:

"Specs" Pisces, member of Walleyes Now & Forever, wants to increase the recreational fishing opportunities for walleye in the stretch of the Lower Fox River between the Little Kaukauna and Rapide Croche Locks. His organization wants NRDA funds to pay for additional stocking of walleye in this river segment and may have funds to cost-share some of the work. What should he do?

Specs should get in touch with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist working in the Lower Fox River basin. The biologist can discuss a multitude of issues relating to this stretch of the river that relate to Specs's idea. It may be that the most limiting factor is not stocking, it may be a lack of suitable habitat. It may be that historically walleye have been stocked, but there is no self-sustaining reproduction because of lack of suitable spawning structure. It may be that there are plenty of fish, but access is limiting. Specs may learn that the Department has a project idea that needs non-governmental sponsorship to make it happen.

Through discussions with the fisheries biologist, a project is proposed to address the limiting ecological factors, and in partnership, the Department and Specs have a project that is technically and ecologically-based, and financially viable that is supported by technical staff.

The Restoration Technical Representatives Team will review proposals and select restoration projects in conformance with the direction provided by the Fox River/Green Bay Natural Resource Trustee Council. The Trustee Council will provide the administrative oversight of these efforts.

Last Revised: Tuesday November 21 2006