DNR accepting grants to improve, protect surface water

MADISON, Wis. -- Want to make a difference in improving surface water?

Interested and eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for a surface water grant. A pre-application must be submitted by Sept 15, 2024 to compete for a grant in November.

The grant program uses money from the state's conservation fund's water resources account to help local communities quicken water protection and restoration efforts across Wisconsin.

The following activities are eligible for funding

• Organizational capacity building
• Educational programs on surface water
• Data collection and ecological assessments
• Lake and river management planning
• Water quality improvement
• Habitat restoration projects
• Aquatic invasive species prevention and control
• Conservation easements and land acquisition

Who is eligible to apply for grant funding

Eligible organizations include countries, municipalities, local government units, lake and sanitary districts, natural resource agencies, tribal governing bodies, colleges, and school districts, lake associations, non profit conservation organizations, river and surface management organizations and producer-led groups.

Individuals are not eligible for grants (with a few exceptions) but may partner with an eligible organization willing to sponsor a project.

What funding is available?

The amount of funding available varies by project. Education projects are eligible for up to $5,000 in state support, while planning grants are available for up to $10,000 and larger management plan implementation grants can provide up to $200,000 per project. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis and require matching funds from 25% to 33%.

How to apply

Submit a pre-application by Sept 15. This will contact you to local assistance and ensure you are eligible to submit a final application by Nov. 15.

Pre-application forms can be found under the applying tab on the DNR's Surface Water Grants website . Right-click the link to Surface Water Grant application form 8700-284 and download or save as to create a copy of the form on your computer. Open the form from your local drive and fill out the sections labeled pre-application.

Email the form by Sept 15 to DNRSurfaceWaterGrants@wisconsin.gov.

More information on applying for and managing a grant project can be found on the DNR's Surface Water Grants Program website.

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