(a) The corporation is organized in this state.
(b) The corporation is described under section 501 (c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(c) The corporation has a board of directors or an advisory council or both with members who represent one or more urban or urbanizing areas and who collectively have an interest or expertise in all of the following:
1. Nonprofit organizations.
2. Business.
3. Social services.
4. Land development.
5. Architecture.
6. Landscape architecture.
7. Conservation.
(d) The corporation contributes $25,000 in funds annually to be used with the grant under this subsection.
(3) A corporation receiving a grant under sub. (2) may use the grant for urban forest protection, water resource enhancement or other urban open space objectives and shall do all of the following with the grant:
(a) Provide to interested groups technical assistance, especially in the areas of urban open space real estate transactions, reclaiming and restoring the natural values of urban parks, urban forests and open space areas, designing and constructing amenities in open space areas, cultivating citizen participation in acquiring, developing and maintaining open space areas and securing public financing for open space areas.
(b) Conduct conferences on the topics listed in par. (a).
(c) Assist community groups, nonprofit organizations and local governmental units in acquiring urban property for open space purposes and in restoring urban property acquired for conservation, recreation and other open space purposes.
(d) For each fiscal year, prepare a report detailing the activities for which a grant under sub. (2) is expended. Copies of the report shall be submitted to the department and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, as determined by the speaker of the assembly or the president of the senate.
(4) A corporation receiving a grant under sub. (2) may acquire urban property for conservation, recreation and other open space purposes.
SECTION 665s. 23.096 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 23.096 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:
23.096 (1) (intro.) In this section, "property":
(b) "Property" means land or an interest in land.
SECTION 665t. 23.096 (1) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
23.096 (1) (ag) "Nonprofit conservation organization" has the meaning given in s. 23.0955 (1).
SECTION 665u. 23.096 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 23.096 (2) (a) and amended to read:
23.096 (2) (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) to nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire property for all of the purposes described in ss. 23.09 (2) (d) 1. to 7., 9., 11., 12. and 15., (19) and, (20) and (20m), 23.092, 23.094, 23.17, 23.175, 23.27, 23.29, 23.293, 30.24 and 30.277 (2) (a).
SECTION 665v. 23.096 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
23.096 (2) (b) A grant awarded under this section may not exceed 50% of the acquisition costs of the property.
SECTION 665w. 23.098 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
23.098 (1) (c) "Nonprofit conservation organization" has the meaning given in s. 23.0955 (1).
SECTION 665x. 23.098 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.098 (2) The department shall establish a program to expend make grants from the appropriation appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz) moneys for grants to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations for projects for property development activities on department properties. The department may not encumber more than $200,000 $250,000 in each fiscal year for these grants.
SECTION 665y. 23.098 (4) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
23.098 (4) (am) In awarding grants under this section for eligible projects, the department shall establish a system under which the grants are offered to eligible friends groups before being offered to eligible nonprofit conservation organizations.
SECTION 665z. 23.098 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.098 (5) Each friends group and nonprofit conservation organization receiving a grant under this section shall provide matching funds that are equal to at least 50% of the estimated cost of the project for which a grant is being provided.
SECTION 671b. 23.175 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.175 (3) (b) (intro.) Beginning July 1, 1990, expend Expend an amount from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both that equals any of the following:
SECTION 671d. 23.175 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
23.175 (3m) ALLOCATION BETWEEN APPROPRIATIONS. For purposes of sub. (3) (b), the department shall determine how the moneys being expended are to be allocated from the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). The department may not allocate or expend any moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) before July 1, 2000.
SECTION 671e. 23.175 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.175 (4) LIMITS ON SPENDING. Except as provided in s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $1,000,000 under this section for trails and for grants for this purpose under s. 23.096 in each fiscal year. Of this amount, the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $500,000 under sub. (3) (b) in each fiscal year.
SECTION 671g. 23.175 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 1999 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:
23.175 (4) LIMIT ON SPENDING. Except as provided in s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $1,000,000 under this section for trails and for grants for this purpose under s. 23.096 in each fiscal year.
SECTION 671h. 23.192 of the statutes is created to read:
23.192 Mead Wildlife Area public interpretive center. From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tr), the department shall provide not more than $112,000 for a public interpretive center at the Mead Wildlife Area in Portage, Marathon and Wood counties. Expenditures under this section shall be made in a manner that, for every $2 received by the department from private grants, gifts or bequests for the project, $3 will be expended from the moneys under this section.
SECTION 671m. 23.197 of the statutes is created to read:
23.197 Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship programs; specific projects or activities. (1) ROOT RIVER; MULTIPURPOSE PATHWAY. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide funding to the city of Racine for a multipurpose pathway along the Root River. The amount provided by the department may not exceed the amount that equals the matching contribution for the pathway made by the city of Racine or $500,000, whichever is less.
(b) The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under par. (a) will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for any of the purposes specified under s. 23.0915 (1) (a) to (k) or any combination of those purposes. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated from either or both of the subprograms under s. 23.0917 (3) and (4).
(2) ROCK RIVER; RIVER WALL. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide funding to the city of Fort Atkinson for the restoration of a river wall along the Rock River. The amount provided by the department may not exceed the amount that equals the matching contribution made for the river wall by the city of Fort Atkinson or $96,500, whichever is less. The requirements for matching contributions under s. 30.277 (5) shall apply.
(b) The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under par. (a) will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for urban river grants. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated under the subprogram for property development and local assistance.
(3) KEYES LAKE; RECREATIONAL AREA. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) or both, the department shall provide the amount necessary for the development of a recreational area on Keyes Lake in Florence County, but the amount may not exceed $100,000.
(b) The department shall determine how the moneys being provided under par. (a) will be allocated between the appropriations under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and (tz). For purposes of s. 23.0915 (1), moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) shall be treated as moneys expended for any of the purposes specified under s 23.0915 (1) (a) to (k) or any combination of those purposes. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys provided from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) shall be treated as moneys obligated from either or both of the subprograms under s. 23.0917 (3) and (4).
(4) GRANT FOR LAND ACQUISITION AND HABITAT RESTORATION. (a) In this subsection:
1. "Nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit corporation, a charitable trust or other nonprofit association that is described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. "Land" has the meaning given in s. 23.0917 (1) (d).
(b) From the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), the department may award a single grant of $20,000 to an organization that is not a nonprofit organization but that has entered into an agreement with a nonprofit organization in order to apply for the grant. The grant may be used for land acquisition for conservation or recreation purposes or for habitat restoration or both. For purposes of s. 23.0917, moneys obligated for this grant shall be treated as moneys obligated under the subprogram for land acquisition.
(c) In order to receive the grant under this section, the nonprofit organization and the other organization who are parties to the agreement specified under par. (b) shall enter into a contract with the department that contains conditions imposed by the department on the use of the grant, on any land acquired with moneys from the grant and on any transfer to a 3rd party of any such acquired land.
(d) Title to the land acquired with moneys from the grant under this section shall vest in the nonprofit organization. If the nonprofit organization or the other organization violates any essential provision of the contract entered into under par. (c), title to the land shall vest in the state.
SECTION 671n. 23.22 of the statutes is created to read:
23.22 MacKenzie environmental center staffing. The department shall maintain a staffing level for the performance of facilities repair work functions at the MacKenzie environmental center in Poynette that is at least 1.0 position greater than the level that existed on April 29, 1999.
SECTION 671p. 23.27 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.27 (4) NATURAL AREAS LAND ACQUISITION; CONTINUING COMMITMENT. It is the intent of the legislature to continue natural areas land acquisition activities from moneys available from the appropriation appropriations under ss. 20.370 (7) (fa) and 20.866 (2) (ta), (ts) and (tz). This commitment is separate from and in addition to the commitment to acquire natural areas under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Except as provided in s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $1,500,000 in each fiscal year for natural areas land acquisition activities under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under s. 23.096.
SECTION 672d. 23.27 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.27 (5) NATURAL AREAS LAND ACQUISITION; COMMITMENT UNDER THE WISCONSIN NATURAL AREAS HERITAGE PROGRAM. It is the intent of the legislature to initiate additional natural areas land acquisition activities with moneys available from the appropriations under ss. 20.370 (1) (mg) and 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) and (tz) under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. This commitment is separate from and in addition to the continuing commitment under sub. (4). Moneys available from the appropriations under ss. 20.370 (1) (mg) and 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) and (tz) under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program may not be used to acquire land through condemnation. The department may not acquire land under this subsection unless the land is suitable for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program and upon purchase or as soon after purchase as practicable the department shall take all necessary action to dedicate the land under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. Except as provided in s. 23.0915 (2), the department may not expend from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) more than $500,000 in each fiscal year for natural areas land acquisition activities under this subsection and for grants for this purpose under s. 23.096.
SECTION 672f. 23.29 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.29 (2) CONTRIBUTIONS; STATE MATCH. The department may accept contributions and gifts for the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. The department shall convert donations of land which it determines, with the advice of the council, are not appropriate for the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program into cash. The department shall convert other noncash contributions into cash. These moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1) (mg). These moneys shall be matched by an equal amount released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for natural areas land acquisition activities under s. 23.27 (5). The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990.
SECTION 672g. 23.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.29 (3) LAND DEDICATIONS; VALUATION; STATE MATCH. The department shall determine the value of land accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program. If the land dedication involves the transfer of the title in fee simple absolute or other arrangement for the transfer of all interest in the land to the state, the valuation shall be based on the fair market value of the land prior to the transfer. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in land to the state, the valuation shall be based on the extent to which the fair market value of the land is diminished by that transfer and the associated articles of dedication. If the land dedication involves a sale of land to the department at less than the fair market value, the valuation of the dedication shall be based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value. An amount equal to the value of land accepted for dedication under the Wisconsin natural areas heritage program shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tt) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for natural areas land acquisition activities under s. 23.27 (5). This subsection does not apply to dedications of land under the ownership of the state. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July l, 1990.
SECTION 672j. 23.293 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.293 (4) CONTRIBUTIONS AND GIFTS; STATE MATCH. The department may accept contributions and gifts for the ice age trail program. The department may convert gifts of land which it determines are not appropriate for the ice age trail program into cash. The department may convert other noncash contributions and gifts into cash. These moneys shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under s. 20.370 (7) (gg). An amount equal to the value of all contributions and gifts shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tw) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for land acquisition and development activities under s. 23.17. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990.
SECTION 672k. 23.293 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.293 (5) LAND DEDICATIONS; VALUATION; STATE MATCH. The department shall determine the value of land accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program. If the land dedication involves the transfer of the title in fee simple absolute or other arrangement for the transfer of all interest in the land to the state, the valuation of the land shall be based on the fair market value of the land before the transfer. If the land dedication involves the transfer of a partial interest in land to the state, the valuation of the land shall be based on the extent to which the fair market value of the land is diminished by that transfer and the associated articles of dedication. If the land dedication involves a sale of land to the department at less than the fair market value, the valuation of the land shall be based on the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value. An amount equal to the valuation of the land accepted for dedication under the ice age trail program shall be released from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tw) or (tz) or both from any combination of these appropriations to be used for ice age trail acquisition activities under s. 23.17. The department shall determine how the moneys being released are to be allocated from these appropriations. No moneys may be released under s. 20.866 (2) (tz) before July 1, 1990. This subsection does not apply to dedications of land under the ownership of the state.
SECTION 672m. 23.295 of the statutes is created to read:
23.295 Ice age trail area grants. (1) In this section:
(a) "Ice age trail area" means the trail designated under s. 23.17 (2).
(b) "Local governmental unit" means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of the political subdivision or special purpose district or a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing.
(2) The department shall provide one grant of $75,000 in each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1999-2000, to a nonstock, nonprofit corporation that meets all of the following requirements:
(a) The corporation is organized in this state.
(b) The corporation is described under section 501 (c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(c) The corporation has a board of directors or an advisory council or both whose members represent different geographic areas of the ice age trail area, and at least one-third of whom are current or former ice age trail volunteers.
(d) The board of directors or an advisory council of the corporation or both collectively have an interest or expertise in all of the following:
1. Recruiting and training volunteers.
2. Land conservation.
3. Trails and outdoor recreation.
4. Tourism.
5. This state's glacial geology.
6. This state's cultural history.
(e) The corporation contributes $25,000 in funds annually to be used with the grant under this section.
(3) A corporation receiving a grant under sub. (2) may use the grant for activities related to the development, maintenance, protection and promotion of the ice age trail area and shall do all of the following with the grant:
(a) Support the work of volunteers who develop, maintain and promote the ice age trail area.
