Current through August 26, 2024
(1) ELIGIBLE COSTS. Reasonable and necessary
project costs that are consistent with the project scope and incurred during
the project period are eligible for grant funds. The amount the department
agrees to reimburse for any land management practice may be based on an average
cost determined as reasonable by the department. The department may request
that the sponsor obtain quotes for land management practices and other
development project expenses.
(a) Eligible
costs may include, but are not limited to:
1.
Labor costs directly related to and required for completing the project. Costs
shall be based on the actual wage paid by the sponsor including salary and
fringe benefits.
2. Direct costs
for materials and equipment used for project-related purposes or the cost of
the portion of materials or equipment time used for the project.
3. The cost of leased equipment used for
project-related purposes.
4. Permit
fees necessary for the completion for the project.
(b) Engineering or planning fees necessary to
design and complete a project may be eligible and may be retroactive.
(c) The substantiated value of materials,
equipment, services and labor donated for the project may be used as all or
part of the sponsor`s share of the project cost subject to all of the
following:
1. All known sources of the
sponsor's share of project costs shall be indicated when the grant application
is submitted.
2. The maximum value
of donated, non-professional labor shall be equal to prevailing Wisconsin
minimum wage requirements.
3. The
value of donated materials and donated professional services shall conform to
market rates and be established by invoice.
4. The value of donated equipment use shall
conform to the Wisconsin department of transportation highway rates for
equipment.
Note: The county highway rates for equipment
are formulated under s.
84.07,
Stats., and can be found in chapter 5 of the State Highway Maintenance Manual
published by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 4802 Sheboygan Ave.,
Madison 53705.
(2)INELIGIBLE COSTS. Costs not directly
associated with or necessary for the implementation of the project are
ineligible for grant funding. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:
(a) Fines and penalties due to violation of,
or failure to comply with federal, state or local laws and
regulations.
(b) Indirect costs
including administrative costs.
(c)
Costs for which payment has been or will be received from any other funding
source.
(d) Costs associated with
operation and maintenance of the property.
(3)GRANT PAYMENTS.
(a) The department may provide an advance
payment equal to 50 percent of the grant award if the sponsor provides proof
that it has its share of the project costs.
(b) The sponsor may request interim payments
instead of an advance payment.
(c)
The sponsor shall submit the final payment request form within 90 days after
project completion or after the project period end date, whichever is
sooner.
(d) The sponsor shall
return any unexpended grant advances to the department within 90 days after
project completion or the project period end date, whichever is
sooner.
(e) The department may
withhold final payment of the grant amount until all project, legal and program
requirements have been satisfied. The sponsor shall provide accounting for all
stewardship grants in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
and practices. The sponsor shall maintain financial records including
documentation to support accounting records for review by the department for a
period of 4 years after final payment.
(f) For projects that are not complete in one
year, the department may require the sponsor to submit one or more interim
reports that contain details of progress and other information regarding the
status of the project.
