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Financial Assistance

Urban Nonpoint Source Grant Programs

Storm water pond Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management (UNPS&SW) grant funds are used to control polluted runoff in urban project areas. Funds are awarded for either planning or construction projects. The grant period is 2 years. Projects funded by these grants are site-specific, serve areas generally smaller in size than a subwatershed, and are targeted to address high-priority problems. An "urban project area" must meet one of these criteria:
  • has a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile,
  • has a commercial land use,
  • is the non-permitted portion of a privately owned industrial site, or
  • is a municipally-owned industrial site (regardless of ch. NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code, permit requirements).
Governmental units are eligible for a grant even if the governmental unit is covered by a storm water permit under ch. NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code.

Planning Grants

Infiltration area

UNPS&SW planning grants can be used to pay for a variety of technical assistance activities. Eligible activities such as stormwater management planning, related information and education activities, ordinance and utility development and enforcement are cost shared at 70 percent. The cap on the total state share for UNPS&SW planning projects is $85,000. For a technical assistance activity to be eligible for funding under this program, the project must currently be in an urban area or an area projected to be urban within 20 years.

Construction Grants

Eligible UNPS&SW construction grant costs may include such projects as storm water detention ponds, filtration and infiltration practices, streambank stabilization, and shoreline stabilization. Eligible costs are cost shared at 50 percent up to a maximum of $150,000. Design costs are also eligible as part of the total project costs and can be reimbursed at 50 percent. Design costs can be retroactively reimbursed provided the design is approved by the DNR regional staff and the construction project is selected for funding.

Construction projects involving land acquisition and permanent easements can be awarded up to an additional $50,000 in cost-share funds (50 percent cost-share rate). Land acquisition can be retroactively reimbursed provided the parcel appraisal is approved by the DNR appraisal reviewers and the construction project is selected for funding. If you are considering land acquisition as part of your project, please contact your Regional Nonpoint Source Coordinator for specific guidance.

What projects are not funded by the UNPS&SW Grant Program?

UNPS&SW grants may not be used to fund the following:
  • Construction site erosion control and post-construction structural BMPs for new development,
  • Projects that are not water quality-based, such as projects designed solely to solve drainage or flooding problems, and
  • Dredging projects.

Application Forms and Instructions

Contact Information

For more information about this page, please contact: Kathy Thompson
608-267-7568
Last Revised: Monday April 06 2009