Section NR 193.63 - Eligible projects(1) PREVENTION. Prevention projects are intended to prevent the introduction of new invasive species to a waterbody or control the spread of invasive species among waterbodies. Eligible projects include:(a) Watercraft inspection projects, which shall comply with all of the following: 1. Watercraft inspectors shall be trained by attending a department-approved training workshop and receiving program materials approved by the department prior to the initiation of inspections.2. Trained inspectors shall conduct inspections of watercraft or equipment at waterbody access points. Watercraft inspectors shall collect and report data, provide education, and collect or report specimens that may be aquatic invasive species.3. Trained watercraft inspectors shall accumulate a minimum of 200 inspection hours. Hours may be spent at one waterbody access point or spent across 2 access points. Grantees shall prioritize spending grant-funded time when public activity on waterbodies is the highest, including weekends, holidays, fishing tournaments, and during other special events.4. Data collected through watercraft and equipment inspection shall be reported through the department's statewide database. Data uploaded to the statewide database shall serve as progress reports and the final report required under s. NR 193.19. Note: "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" is the department-approved watercraft inspection program and the Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System is the department's statewide database.
(b) Prevention projects intended to reduce the spread or risk of introduction of AIS as approved by the department. Eligible educational activities shall be limited to those that are directly related to the implementation of a prevention project funded under this subsection. Note: AIS Education grants available under this chapter are outlined in s. NR 193.31(2).
(2) EARLY DETECTION AND RESPONSE PROJECTS. Early detection and response projects will assist applicants in the planning and management of verified populations of prohibited species and of verified pioneer populations of restricted species. Pioneer populations are in the early stages of colonization. The department may use best professional judgement, considering the population extent, abundance, and spatial distribution, to determine whether the population may be qualified as a pioneer population eligible for funding under this subsection. For rooted invasive aquatic plant species, a pioneer population is one that covers a small area, is typically sparse, and will have been verified during the preceding 5 years. A pioneer population will cover an area that is less than 3 acres in size or has colonized less than 3% of the habitable area of the lake, stream reach, or wetland, whichever is greater. (a) For a restricted aquatic invasive species, one grant for any one population may be awarded for an early detection and response project under this section.(b) The grant period for early detection and response projects shall begin on the date the project is authorized by the department.(c) Projects may include work to develop a management plan, carrying out a department-approved watercraft inspection initiative in accordance with sub. (1) (a), the purchase of portable boat washing stations, and other activities approved by the department.(d) Notwithstanding s. NR 193.65(1), aquatic invasive species control activities proposed under this subprogram should be developed in coordination with the department and shall be subject to department approval considering the projected risks and likely outcomes of control activities. Eligible control activities are those that are likely to result in population removal or significant reduction such that the population may be managed in the future at a small size.(e) The department may specify aquatic invasive species control measures and monitoring and reporting activities for a project funded with a grant awarded under this subsection.(3) LARGE-SCALE POPULATION MANAGEMENT PROJECTS. Large-scale population management projects shall consist of aquatic invasive species control projects that will result in long-term, multi-season suppression of one or more established populations of aquatic invasive species in a substantial portion of a lake, stream reach, or wetland; or aquatic invasive species control projects that employ a strategic approach to address multiple populations within a defined region. Management projects shall implement activities recommended in a management plan following a determination of eligibility under s. NR 193.53.(4) SMALL-SCALE POPULATION MANAGEMENT PROJECTS. Small-scale population management projects shall consist of aquatic invasive species control projects that will maintain low abundance or frequency of one or more small established aquatic invasive species populations or further reduce them in size. Grant funds awarded under this paragraph may be used to manage a small populations resulting from a successful large-scale population management project. Small-scale management projects shall implement management activities with the goal of continued suppression of the target species on a localized scale, where the management actions are unlikely to affect the entire lake, stream reach, or wetland. Management projects shall implement activities recommended in a management plan following a determination of eligibility under s. NR 193.53.(5) RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS. Aquatic invasive species research and demonstration projects are intended to be a cooperative activity between a grantee and the department. Such projects shall be designed to increase scientific understanding of the ecological and economic implications of aquatic invasive species and their management and to assess experimental and innovative techniques for their prevention, containment and control. Procedures for applications and grant awards include the following: (a) Proposals for research projects shall include the goals and objectives of the project, a brief description of the methods for the project, the estimated costs and a timeline for completion of the project.(b) The department may solicit research proposals through a request for proposal process.(c) Prior to each biennium the department may consult with the invasive species council regarding priority aquatic invasive species research.(d) The department has sole discretion to award a grant under this subprogram and will work with the grantee to develop a study design and grant application.(e) No more than $500,000 shall be awarded annually for projects under this section.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 193.63
Adopted by, CR 19-078: cr. Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (2) (intro.), (c), (e), (5) (a), (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6/1/2020