281.68(3)(a)(a) The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of the lake management planning grant program which shall include all of the following:

281.68(3)(a)1.1. Eligible recipients to consist of nonprofit conservation organizations, as defined in s. 23.0955 (1), producer-led groups conducting producer-led group projects, counties, cities, towns, villages, qualified lake associations, town sanitary districts, qualified school districts, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, and other local governmental units, as defined in s. 66.0131 (1) (a), that are established for the purpose of lake management. If a producer-led group is not a legal entity, the eligible recipient shall be a legal entity on behalf of the producer-led group.

281.68(3)(a)2.2. Eligible activities, which shall include all of the following for lakes and natural lake ecosystems:

281.68(3)(a)2.f.f. Providing programs and materials that promote the monitoring of private on-site wastewater treatment systems, the reduction in the use of environmentally harmful chemicals, water safety, and the protection of natural lake ecosystems.

281.68(3)(bg)(bg) The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of the lake monitoring and protection contracts program, which shall specify the eligible activities and qualifications for participation in the statewide lake monitoring and protection network. Eligible activities shall include providing technical assistance to public or private entities that apply for, or have received, a grant under s. 23.22 (2) (c). Qualified participants shall include counties and public or private entities that manage aquatic invasive species under a management plan approved by the department.

281.68(3m)(a)1.1. Demonstrate that it is incorporated under ch. 181.

281.68(3m)(a)2.2. Specify in its articles of incorporation or bylaws that a substantial purpose of its being incorporated is to support the protection or improvement of one or more inland lakes for the benefit of the general public.

281.68(3m)(a)3.3. Demonstrate that the substantial purpose of its past actions was to support the protection or improvement of one or more inland lakes for the benefit of the general public.

281.68(3m)(a)4.4. Allow to be a member any individual who for at least one month each year resides on or within one mile of an inland lake for which the association was incorporated.

281.68(3m)(a)5.5. Allow to be a member any individual who owns real estate on or within one mile of an inland lake for which the association was incorporated.

281.68(3m)(a)6.6. Not have articles of incorporation or bylaws which limit or deny the right of any member or any class of members to vote as permitted under s. 181.0721 (1).

281.68(3m)(a)7.7. Demonstrate that it has been in existence for at least one year.

281.68(3m)(a)8.8. Demonstrate that it has at least 25 members.

281.68(3m)(a)9.9. Require payment of an annual membership fee as set by the department by rule under par. (b).

281.68(3m)(b)(b) For purposes of par. (a) 9., the department shall set by rule the maximum amount and the minimum amount that may be charged as an annual membership fee.

281.68(3m)(c)(c) To be a qualified school district, the board of the school district shall adopt a resolution to conduct a lake management planning project that will do all of the following:

281.68(3m)(c)1.1. Provide information or education on the use of lakes or natural lake ecosystems, on the quality of water in lakes, or on the quality of natural lake ecosystems.

281.68(3m)(c)2.2. Allow another eligible recipient of grants under this section to cooperate with the school district in the project.

281.68(4)(4) Eligibility for lake management planning grants. At the completion of a lake management planning project, upon request of the recipient of a grant under this section, the department may approve recommendations made as a result of the project as eligible activities for a lake management grant under s. 281.69.