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Grants to help pay for stormwater management planning or stormwater best management practices (BMPs) at project sites are available through the Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management (UNPS&SW) program.
What is the UNPS&SW program?
This program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), provides grants to control polluted runoff in urban areas. Funds can be awarded for planning or construction projects, which typically are site-specific, serve areas generally smaller in size than a subwatershed, and address high-priority problems. According to program rules, an urban project area must meet one of these criteria:
- Has a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile.
- Has a commercial land use.
- Is the non-permitted portion of a privately owned industrial site.
- Is a municipally owned industrial site (regardless of Chapter NR 216, Wisconsin Administrative Code permit requirements).
When are applications due?
Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2008, and projects may begin on January 1, 2009, or after. This is a reimbursement program, which means applicants pay all project costs and then request reimbursement for part of the eligible costs.
What are eligible planning grant activities?
UNPS&SW planning grants can pay for such activities as stormwater management planning, related information and education activities, and ordinance and utility development and enforcement. Projects are cost-shared at 70% up to $85,000. Eligible planning activities must occur in an urban area or area projected to be urban within 20 years.
What are eligible planning grant activities?
UNPS&SW construction grants may be used for such projects as stormwater detention ponds, filtration and infiltration practices, and streambank and shoreline stabilization. Eligible costs are cost-shared at 50% up to $150,000. Design costs are eligible as part of total project costs and can be reimbursed at 50% retroactively if the design is approved by WDNR regional staff and the construction project is selected for funding.
Construction projects involving land acquisition and permanent easements can receive up to an additional $50,000 in cost-share funds (50% cost-share rate). Land acquisition can be retroactively reimbursed if the parcel appraisal is approved by WDNR appraisal reviewers and the construction project is selected for funding.
What activities are ineligible?
According to the WDNR, UNPS&SW grants may not be used to fund:
- Construction site erosion control and post-construction structural BMPs for new development.
- Projects that are not water quality-based, such as projects designed solely to solve drainage or flooding problems.
- Dredging projects.
WDNR scoring factors include fiscal accountability and cost-effectiveness of the project, water quality, extent of pollutant control, extent of local support, and likelihood of project success. Comprehensive implementation or enforcement programs in the project area will increase those scores.
