(1) LAND ACQUISITION.
(a) The department may make grants to
nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire lands for a state trail if the
proposed state trail is first designated by the legislature or the department
under s.
NR 51.73.
(b)
If all conditions of s.
NR 51.73 are met, the department shall give higher
priority to projects for those trails that meet the following:
1. Provide connections between other state
trails.
2. Are of a length
sufficient to provide at least one day's recreational experience.
3. Provide connections to resource areas of
statewide significance or areas of outstanding natural scenery.
4. Provide for more than one use.
5. Contribute to a geographically balanced
system of trails.
6. Are related to
brownfields redevelopment as defined in s. 23.09(19)
(a) 1, Stats.
(c) The department may grant funds under s.
23.175, Stats., to
nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of scenic easements on
lands that provide exceptional scenic value adjacent to or in the vicinity of
state trails.
(d) In addition to
the provisions in sub. (1), the department may acquire lands for the Ice Age
Trail from monies appropriated under s.
20.866(2),
Stats., and dedicate them under the provisions of s.
23.293,
Stats. The department may acquire lands for the Ice Age Trail as provided for
in s.
23.293,
Stats., only in project areas approved by the natural resources
board.
(2)PURCHASE OF
EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ICE AGE TRAIL.
(a) The department may expend funds received
under s.
20.370(7) (fa), Stats., for the purchase of equipment
and materials for the maintenance of the Ice Age Trail. Purchase may include
leasing under the provisions of s.
16.754(1) (d), Stats.
(b) Portions of the Ice Age Trail eligible
for funding under this subsection are those under the ownership and management
of the department, or those dedicated to the department under the provisions of
s.
23.293,
Stats., and managed by another party under the provisions of a management
contract with the department, or recognized by the department, or certified by
the U.S. national park service. Portions eligible for funding shall also meet
the standards of the Ice Age national scenic trail. Sections where the trail
overlaps developed, multi-use trails are not eligible for funding.
Note: Standards for the Ice age national
scenic trail may be obtained from the DNR, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Box
7921, Madison, WI 53707.
(c) The department may expend the funds as
grants. Nonprofit conservation organizations or governmental units managing
portions of the Ice Age Trail under the provisions of par. (b) may nominate
maintenance projects on the appropriate department form, and include a cost
estimate supported by at least 2 quotes for items above $500.00. The grant
amount shall be 50 percent of eligible project costs. Eligible project costs
are defined in s.
NR 51.09.
Note: The appropriate department form may be
obtained from the Bureau of Community Financial Assistance, Department of
Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
(d) The department shall give priority to
those portions of the Ice Age Trail providing significant public use, or where
the maintenance expenditure will protect the resource or public safety or
comfort, or those portions under the ownership of a governmental unit or a
nonprofit conservation organization and managed by a governmental unit or a
nonprofit conservation organization and where the nonprofit conservation
organization has a recorded interest in the land.
(e) Sponsors shall apply for federal and
state permits, approvals, licenses and waivers necessary to implement the
project. If a project is on land not owned by the sponsor, the landowner shall
be a party to any permit application. Work on the project may not begin until
all applicable permits have been obtained.
(f) Upon signing the grant agreement, the
sponsor may request up to 50 percent of the grant amount. The department may
require proof that the sponsor has the remaining funds needed for the project.
Note: Other conditions for grant payments are
contained in s.
NR 51.09.
(g) If the sponsor fails to fulfill any terms
of the grant agreement, the department may seek reimbursement of all or a
portion of the state's share.
The appropriate department form may be obtained from the
Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921,
Madison, WI 53707.