Contact(s): Shelly Thomsen, DNR lakes and rivers team leader, 608-266-0502, Shelly.Thomsen@wisconsin.gov; Jennifer Sereno, DNR communications, 608-770-8084, Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov
April 19, 2016
MADISON -- Forty-one projects to restore wetland and waterfront habitat, control aquatic invasive species and implement lake and river management plans are receiving nearly $2.4 in fiscal 2016 surface water grants from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Surface water management grants are submitted to DNR each year in February and this year the department received 50 grant applications totaling approximately $3 million. The competitive grant funds originate from a tax on fuel used by boats in Wisconsin.
Shelly Thomsen, DNR lakes and rivers team leader with the DNR Bureau of Water Quality, said this year's grants to lake and river groups, nonprofit organizations and governments in 30 counties leveraged an additional $1.5 million in matching funds.
"These grants provide critical funding for projects that make a real difference in water quality in our state," Thomsen said. "We're excited to see the progress that is being made by public and private groups working in partnership to tackle these challenges."
FY16 Surface Water Grants | # Grants Awarded | Award |
---|---|---|
Lake Management Plan Implementation | 5 | $797,575.12 |
Healthy Lakes | 16 | $132,542.86 |
Wetland/Shoreland Habitat Restoration | 1 | $100,000.00 |
Lake Land/Easement Acquisition | 2 | $249,487.50 |
River Management | 5 | $159,824.50 |
AIS Control | 12 | $938,985.59 |
Total | 41 | $2,378,415.57 |
Highlights of the 2016 grants include projects for:
To learn more, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for "Surface Water Grants."