NR 47.60(4) (4) Application procedures.

NR 47.60(4)(a) (a) A county may apply for project loans under this section for the purposes described in sub. (3). The application shall include but is not limited to:

NR 47.60(4)(a)1. 1. An approved county board resolution specifying the county’s decision to apply for a county forest project loan.

NR 47.60(4)(a)2. 2. The project specifications including: maps, a short narrative, and an estimated cost breakdown including any county contributions.

NR 47.60(4)(a)3. 3. Any other information the department feels necessary and requests within 20 days following receipt of the application.

NR 47.60(4)(a)4. 4. Applications shall be filed by the county with the department of natural resources, bureau of forestry.

NR 47.60 Note Note: The mailing address is WI DNR, Bureau of Forestry, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 Attn: County Forest Specialist.

NR 47.60(5) (5) Application deadline; decisions on applications.

NR 47.60(5)(a) (a) Project loans shall be awarded annually on a fiscal year basis and applications shall be accepted during the application periods in this section. The first application period shall be from July 1 to August 15. Decisions on those applications shall be made in accordance with sub. (6) no later than the following September 15.

NR 47.60(5)(b) (b) The second application period shall be from August 16 to December 1. Decisions on those applications shall be made no later than the following January 1.

NR 47.60(5)(c) (c) Notwithstanding sub. (6), all other applications received from December 2 to June 30 shall be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.

NR 47.60(5)(d) (d) A county may apply more than once in any given calendar year.

NR 47.60(6) (6) Selection criteria.

NR 47.60(6)(a) (a) Preference shall be given to projects as follows:

NR 47.60(6)(a)1. 1. First preference: Land acquisition

NR 47.60(6)(a)2. 2. Second preference: Land management activities including but not limited to:

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.a. a. Tree planting;

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.b. b. Direct seeding;

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.c. c. Site preparation for regeneration;

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.d. d. Noncommercial thinnings of forest stands;

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.e. e. Release from competing vegetation (conifers or hardwoods both artificially or naturally regenerated).

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.f. f. Land management equipment including tree planters, scarifier and other management equipment.

NR 47.60(6)(a)2.g. g. Pruning.

NR 47.60(6)(a)3. 3. Third preference: Land information activities including but not limited to:

NR 47.60(6)(a)3.a. a. Vegetative/animal inventories;

NR 47.60(6)(a)3.b. b. Geographic information systems including computer hardware, software and digitizing of forest management information;

NR 47.60(6)(a)3.c. c. Aerial photo purchases.

NR 47.60(6)(a)4. 4. Fourth preference: Capital purchases/improvements including but not limited to:

NR 47.60(6)(a)4.a. a. Roads/access construction and maintenance;