281.63(4)(b)
(b)
Eligible projects. Only a project for construction necessary to abate combined sewer overflows identified in department-approved facilities plans as cost-effective and reasonably necessary for water quality improvements is eligible for financial assistance under the combined sewer overflow abatement financial assistance program, except that the department need not determine the cost-effectiveness of projects performed under a contract awarded under
s. 66.905.
281.63(4)(c)
(c)
Facility planning; engineering design. Only a municipality which has completed facility planning and engineering design requirements for a combined sewer overflow abatement project is eligible to receive financial assistance under the combined sewer overflow abatement financial assistance program.
281.63(5)
(5) Application. A municipality which seeks financial assistance under the combined sewer overflow abatement financial assistance program shall submit an application to the department. The application shall be in the form and include the information the department prescribes by rule. The department shall review all applications for financial assistance under this program. The department shall determine those applications which meet the eligibility requirements of this section.
281.63(6)
(6) Priority. Each municipality shall notify the department of its intent to apply for financial assistance under the combined sewer overflow abatement financial assistance program. For those municipalities that notify the department of their intention to apply for financial assistance under this program by December 31, the department shall establish annually a priority list which ranks these projects in the same order as they appear on the list prepared under
s. 281.57 (6) (a).
281.63(7)
(7) Payment. Upon the completion by the municipality of all application requirements, the department may enter into an agreement with the municipality for a grant of up to 50% of the eligible construction costs of a combined sewer overflow abatement project if the municipality can begin construction within 3 months after the department is ready to allocate funds.
281.63(8)
(8) Advance commitments for reimbursement of engineering design costs. The department may make an advance commitment to a municipality for the reimbursement of engineering design costs from funds appropriated under
s. 20.866 (2) (to) subject to all of the following requirements:
281.63(8)(a)
(a) The advance commitment shall include a provision making the reimbursement of engineering design costs conditional on the award of a construction grant.
281.63(8)(b)
(b) The advance commitment may be made only for engineering design activities commenced after the department makes the advance commitment.
281.63(8)(c)
(c) The advance commitment may be made only if the municipality has completed all facility planning requirements.
281.63(8)(d)
(d) The advance commitment may be made only for engineering design costs related to a project that is eligible for assistance under
sub. (4).
281.63(8)(e)
(e) The advance commitment shall be subject to a priority determination system consistent with
sub. (6).
281.63 History
History: 1981 c. 20,
317;
1983 a. 27;
1985 a. 29;
1995 a. 227 s.
427; Stats. 1995 s. 281.63.
281.65
281.65
Financial assistance; nonpoint source water pollution abatement. 281.65(1)(1) The purposes of the nonpoint source pollution abatement financial assistance program under this section are to:
281.65(1)(a)
(a) Provide the necessary administrative framework and financial assistance for the implementation of measures to meet nonpoint source water pollution abatement needs identified in areawide water quality management plans.
281.65(1)(b)
(b) Provide coordination with all elements of the state's water quality program in order to ensure that all activities and limited resources are optimally allocated in the achievement of this state's water quality goals.
281.65(1)(c)
(c) Provide technical and financial assistance for the application of necessary nonpoint source water pollution abatement measures.
281.65(1)(d)
(d) Focus limited technical and financial resources in critical geographic locations through the selection of priority lakes identified under
sub. (4) (cd) and priority watersheds where nonpoint source related water quality problems are the most severe and control is most feasible.
281.65(1)(e)
(e) Provide for program evaluation, subsequent modifications and recommendations.
281.65(2)(a)
(a) "Best management practices" means practices, techniques or measures, except for dredgings, identified in areawide water quality management plans, which are determined to be the most effective means of preventing or reducing pollutants generated from nonpoint sources, or from the sediments of inland lakes polluted by nonpoint sources, to a level compatible with water quality objectives established under this section and which do not have an adverse impact on fish and wildlife habitat. The practices, techniques or measures include land acquisition, storm sewer rerouting and the removal of structures necessary to install structural urban best management practices, facilities for the handling and treatment of milkhouse wastewater, repair of fences built using grants under this section and measures to prevent or reduce pollutants generated from mine tailings disposal sites for which the department has not approved a plan of operation under
s. 289.30.
281.65(2)(am)
(am) "Governmental unit" means any governmental unit including, but not limited to, a county, city, village, town, metropolitan sewerage district created under
ss. 66.20 to
66.26 or
66.88 to
66.918, town sanitary district, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, regional planning commission or drainage district operating under ch.
89, 1961 stats., or
ch. 88. "Governmental unit" does not include the state or any state agency.
281.65(2)(b)
(b) "Nonpoint source" means a land management activity which contributes to runoff, seepage or percolation which adversely affects or threatens the quality of waters of this state and which is not a point source as defined under
s. 283.01 (12).
281.65(2)(bs)
(bs) "Priority lake area" means a priority lake and the area surrounding the priority lake designated by the department for the implementation of the nonpoint source pollution abatement project for the priority lake.
281.65(2)(d)
(d) "Structural urban best management practices" means detention basins, wet basins, infiltration basins and trenches and wetland basins.
281.65(3)
(3) The land and water conservation board shall do all of the following:
281.65(3)(am)
(am) Designate priority watersheds and priority lakes based on reports submitted under
sub. (4) (c) and
(cd).
281.65(3)(ap)
(ap) Review and approve priority lake and priority watershed plans prepared under
sub. (5m) and modifications to those plans prepared under
sub. (5s). The board may exempt minor plan modifications from the requirement of board approval.
281.65(3)(at)
(at) Review rules drafted under this section and make recommendations regarding the rules before final approval of the rules by the natural resources board.
281.65(3)(b)
(b) Before September 1 of each even-numbered year, submit to the governor and the department a report that includes all of the following:
281.65(3)(b)1.
1. Recommendations for the amount to be appropriated for the program under this section for the following fiscal biennium.
281.65(3)(b)5.
5. Any changes that the board determines would improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the program under this section.
281.65(3)(bm)
(bm) Whenever the board determines necessary, submit to the governor and the department recommendations concerning changes to the amounts appropriated for the program under this section or recommendations concerning any changes that would improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the program under this section.
281.65(3)(c)
(c) Assist counties and the department to resolve concerns about the program under this section.
281.65(3)(d)
(d) Establish priorities for the allocation of funds in the event that program needs exceed available funding in any fiscal biennium.
281.65(3)(e)
(e) After reviewing a plan submitted under
sub. (4) (k), request the building commission to authorize public debt to be contracted in the amount that the board determines to be necessary for the purposes of the program under this section.
281.65(3)(f)
(f) Require the department and the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection to conduct or contract for another person to conduct any evaluation or audit of the program under this section and of individual priority watershed or priority lake projects that the board determines is necessary.
281.65(4)(a)
(a) Administer the nonpoint source water pollution program under this section.
281.65(4)(am)
(am) Be responsible for the integration of the nonpoint source water pollution abatement program into the state's overall water quality management program.
281.65(4)(ar)
(ar) Serve as the designated state agency with the federal environmental protection agency on all aspects related to the nonpoint source program management requirements of
P.L. 100-4, including the development and submittal of the nonpoint source assessment report and management program required under
P.L. 100-4, section 316 and preparation of the annual grant application for federal funding from the environmental protection agency to implement that program.
281.65(4)(as)
(as) Consult with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection in developing any federal grant application under
par. (ar). Every application is subject to
s. 16.54 and shall include the proposed expenditures of federal nonpoint source water pollution abatement grant moneys and the allocation of such moneys between the department and the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.
281.65(4)(b)
(b) Identify through the areawide water quality management plans provided for under section 208 of the federal water pollution control act,
P.L. 92-500, as amended, the designated local management agencies.
281.65(4)(c)
(c) Through the continuing planning process under
s. 283.83, identify those watersheds where the need for nonpoint source water pollution abatement is most critical and, before July 1 of each even-numbered year, submit its recommendations for designating additional watersheds under
sub. (3) (am) to the land and water conservation board.
281.65(4)(cd)
(cd) Identify, through the continuing planning process under
s. 283.83, the lakes where the need for nonpoint source water pollution abatement is most critical and, before July 1 of each even-numbered year, submit its recommendations for designating additional lakes under
sub. (3) (am) to the land and water conservation board.
281.65(4)(cg)
(cg) Before July 1 of each even-numbered year, submit its recommendations on the matters under
sub. (3) (b) 1. and
5. to the land and water conservation board.
281.65(4)(cm)
(cm) Identify watershed areas in the Milwaukee river basin as priority watershed areas, notwithstanding
par. (c), and identify the best management practices necessary to meet water quality objectives in those watershed areas. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Kinnickinnic river shall be treated as being within a watershed area in the Milwaukee river basin. The department shall appoint an advisory committee which represents appropriate local interests to assist it in the planning and implementation of projects and best management practices in these watershed areas. The advisory committee shall include a member of the county board from each county with any area in the Milwaukee river basin.
281.65(4)(d)
(d) Review and approve the detailed program for implementation prepared by the designated local management agencies identified under
par. (b).
281.65(4)(dm)
(dm) Establish water quality objectives for each priority watershed and priority lake and identify the best management practices to achieve the water quality objectives.
281.65(4)(dr)
(dr) Appoint a committee for each priority watershed and priority lake, to advise the department, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and the counties, cities and villages concerning all aspects of the nonpoint source pollution abatement financial assistance program. Each committee shall include at least 2 farmers as members if the priority watershed or priority lake area includes property in agricultural use. Each committee shall include at least 2 representatives of a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district that is within the priority watershed or priority lake area or, if one does not exist, of riparian property owners. Each committee for a priority watershed or priority lake area with any area in the Milwaukee river basin shall include a member of the county board from each county with any area in that priority watershed or priority lake area.
281.65(4)(e)
(e) Promulgate rules, in consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, as are necessary for the proper execution and administration of the program under this section. Before promulgating rules under this paragraph, the department shall submit the rules to the land and water conservation board for review under
sub. (3) (at). The rules shall include standards and specifications concerning best management practices which are required for eligibility for cost-sharing grants under this section. The department may waive the standards and specifications in exceptional cases. Only persons involved in the administration of the program under this section, persons who are grant recipients or applicants and persons who receive notices of intent to issue orders under
s. 281.20 (1) (b) are subject to the rules promulgated under this paragraph. Any rule promulgated under this paragraph which relates or pertains to agricultural practices relating to animal waste handling and treatment is subject to
s. 13.565.
281.65(4)(f)
(f) Administer the distribution of grants and aids to governmental units for local administration and implementation of the program under this section. A grant awarded under this section may be used for technical assistance, educational and training assistance, ordinance development and administration, cost-sharing for management practices and capital improvements, plan preparation under
par. (g), easements or other activities determined by the department to satisfy the requirements of this section.
281.65(4)(g)
(g) In cooperation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and the appropriate governmental unit, prepare priority watershed and priority lakes plans to implement nonpoint source water pollution abatement projects and storm water control activities described in
sub. (8c) in priority watersheds and priority lake areas, as designated under
sub. (3) (am) or
(4) (cm). In preparing the plans, the department shall:
281.65(4)(g)1.
1. Conduct the planning process in a cost-effective and timely manner and scale the planning process in accordance with the scale and nature of the pollution problem addressed in the plan.
281.65(4)(g)2.
2. Promote significant participation from the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and other state agencies, governmental units and other persons located in any priority watershed or in any priority lake area that is the subject of the plan.
281.65(4)(g)3.
3. Prepare a water resource assessment, set water quality goals and analyze alternative management practices for the area which is the subject of the plan.
281.65(4)(g)4.
4. In cooperation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, incorporate the appropriate best management practices into the plan.
281.65(4)(g)5.
5. Determine whether any county, city, village or town within the area which is the subject of the plan, as a condition of a grant under this section, should be required to develop a construction site erosion control ordinance under
s. 59.693,
60.627,
61.354 or
62.234 or a manure storage ordinance under
s. 92.16 in order to meet the water quality goals established in the plan.
281.65(4)(g)6.
6. Determine the specific plan components to be prepared by any appropriate governmental units in the watershed or in the area of the project affecting the priority lake, after determining the technical, financial and staffing capability of that governmental unit.
281.65(4)(g)8.
8. Establish an implementation plan for each priority watershed and priority lake, including all of the following:
281.65(4)(g)8.a.
a. A list of the best management practices identified under
par. (dm) that are most critically needed to achieve water quality objectives in the priority watershed or priority lake.
281.65(4)(g)8.am.
am. Designation as critical sites those sites that are significant sources of nonpoint source pollution upon which best management practices must be implemented in order to obtain a reasonable likelihood that the water quality objectives established under
par. (dm) can be achieved.
281.65(4)(g)8.b.
b. A procedure for establishing implementation priorities to meet the needs identified in
subd. 8. a. with the highest priority given to significant sources of nonpoint pollution that substantially inhibit the achievement of water quality objectives.
281.65(4)(g)8.c.
c. Consultation with the committee appointed under
par. (dr) concerning the implementation plan.
281.65(4)(g)8.d.
d. A requirement to review the implementation plan periodically and to modify the implementation plan to reflect the agreements entered into by landowners and operators to implement best management practices.
281.65(4)(g)8.e.
e. Provisions for public notice and education concerning the implementation plan in the period during which grants are available to governmental units and landowners and operators, in order to achieve the greatest level of voluntary participation.
281.65(4)(g)9.
9. Complete the planning process in all priority watersheds by December 31, 2015.
281.65(4)(h)
(h) Designate a governmental unit to perform the inventory required under
sub. (4m) (a).
281.65(4)(i)
(i) Cooperate with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under
s. 92.14 (6).
281.65(4)(j)
(j) A governmental unit may use a grant under this section for training required under
s. 92.18 or for any other training necessary to prepare personnel to perform job duties related to this section.
281.65(4)(k)
(k) Before public debt is contracted for projects under this section, prepare a plan for the expenditure of the proceeds of that debt and submit the plan to the land and water conservation board.
281.65(4)(o)
(o) Annually, in cooperation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, submit a report on the progress of the program under this section to the land and water conservation board.
281.65(4)(p)
(p) Jointly with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, prepare the plan required under
s. 92.14 (13). The department shall review and approve or disapprove the plan and shall notify the land and water conservation board of its final action on the plan. The department shall implement any part of the plan for which the plan gives it responsibility.
281.65(4)(pm)
(pm) Jointly with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, develop the forms required under
s. 92.14 (14).
281.65(4)(q)
(q) Include the report submitted under
sub. (3) (b), along with a request for all resources and any changes necessary to implement each recommendation in the report, in the information that it submits to the department of administration under
s. 16.42 for the program under this section.
281.65(4)(r)
(r) Jointly with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, develop the standards under
sub. (5) (c).
281.65(4)(s)
(s) Provide staff services to the land and water conservation board.
281.65(4)(t)
(t) Transfer funds from the appropriation account under
s. 20.370 (6) (aa) or
(aq) to the appropriation account under
s. 20.115 (7) (km) at the request of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, after the land and water conservation board approves the transfer, under
s. 92.14 (5) (b).
281.65(4g)
(4g) The department may contract with any person from the appropriations under
s. 20.370 (6) (aa) and
(at) for services to administer or implement this section, including information and education and training services.
281.65(4m)(a)(a) Any governmental unit or regional planning commission designated by the department under
sub. (4) (h) shall prepare an inventory of nonpoint source water pollution in the watershed which is the subject of the plan under
sub. (4) (g) and submit the inventory to the department for incorporation into the plan.
281.65(4m)(b)
(b) Every plan prepared for an area under
sub. (4) (g) shall include all of the following:
281.65(4m)(b)3.
3. The identification of critical surface water and groundwater protection management areas within that area and the agricultural and nonagricultural best management practices to be applied to that area.
