Section 281.51 - Financial assistance program; local water quality planning(1) DEFINITIONS. As used in this section: (a) "Designated local agency" means the designated local agency under section 208 of the federal act.(b) "Federal act" means the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, P.L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 816.(c) "Local governmental unit" means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of such a political subdivision or special purpose district, a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing or an instrumentality of the state and any of the foregoing.(2) STATE WATER QUALITY PLANNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; DESIGNATED LOCAL AGENCIES.(a) The department shall administer a program to provide state assistance to designated local agencies for water quality planning activities.(b) The department shall establish grant eligibility criteria for designated planning agencies seeking state assistance for water quality planning activities. The department shall consider the capacity of an agency to conduct areawide planning activities in establishing these eligibility criteria.(c) A designated planning agency may receive state assistance to conduct water quality planning activities if:1. The designated planning agency agrees to provide planning matching funds. At a minimum, the department shall require the designated planning agency to agree to provide planning matching funds in an amount equal to the state assistance. The department may require the designated planning agency to agree to provide local matching funds in a higher amount.2. The designated planning agency meets all grant eligibility criteria.(3) STATE WATER QUALITY PLANNING ASSISTANCE; OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS. The department may provide financial assistance for water quality planning activities to local governmental units that are not designated local agencies.1979 c. 221; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 227 s. 423; Stats. 1995 s. 281.51.