When preparing an annual grant allocation plan under s.
ATCP
50.28, the department shall consider all of the
following:
(1) COUNTY PRIORITIES. The
department shall give high priority to maintaining county staff and project
continuity. The department shall consider county priorities identified in the
county grant application under s.
ATCP 50.26 and
in the county's approved land and water resource management plan under s.
ATCP
50.12, and shall balance funding these priorities with
those in sub. (2).
(2) STATEWIDE
PRIORITIES. The department shall give priority to county or non-county projects
that address statewide priorities identified by the department and DNR. These
priorities may include:
(a) Farms that
discharge pollutants to waters that DNR has listed pursuant to
33 USC
1313 and
40
CFR 130.7
Note: The list of waters under par. (a) is
also known as the "303(d) list of impaired waters."
(b) Farms that pose significant environmental
risks based on failure to comply with nutrient management and other farm
conservation standards.
(c) Farms
discharging substantial pollution to waters of the state, including farms
issued a DNR notice of intent under s.
281.20,
Stats., or a DNR notice of discharge under ch. NR 243.
(d) Farms claiming farmland preservation tax
credits under subch. IX of ch. 71, Stats., and subject to the soil and water
conservation requirements under subch. V of ch. 91, Stats.
(e) Projects related to the control of soil
erosion and nonpoint source pollution in which funding is based on the
contribution of the activity to the overall pollution problem.
(f) Projects in which funding is coordinated
among state agencies to maximize impacts in targeted areas.
Note: The department may work with the DNR and
other funding entities to identify sources of financial support to address
locally-identified priorities that may not be adequately funded based on
statewide priorities in sub. (2). The department may, for example, pursue grant
priorities that do not adequately support installment of conservation practices
on non-farm or forested land or the control of invasive species.
(3) OTHER FACTORS. The
department may consider the following factors when determining grant allocation
priorities:
(a) A county's demonstrated
commitment to implementing the approved land and water resource management plan
under s.
ATCP
50.12, and the strength of the documentation
supporting that plan.
(b) A
county's demonstrated commitment and capacity to implement and maintain the
farm conservation practices required under s.
ATCP
50.04.
(c)
The likelihood that funded activities will address and resolve high priority
problems identified in approved county land and water resource management
plans.
(d) The relative severity
and priority of the soil erosion and water quality problems
addressed.
(e) The relative
cost-effectiveness of funded activities in addressing and resolving high
priority problems.
(f) The extent
to which funded activities are part of a systematic and comprehensive approach
to soil erosion and water quality problems.
(g) The timeliness and completeness of plans,
applications, and reports.
(h) The
degree to which plans, applications, and reports meet applicable criteria,
including the adequacy of performance measures.
(i) A county's demonstrated cooperation and
commitment, including its commitment of staff and financial
resources.
(j) A county's
demonstrated ability to manage and implement funded projects.
(k) The degree to which funded projects
contribute to a coordinated soil and water resource management program and
avoid duplication of effort.
(L)
The degree to which funded projects meet county soil and water resource
management needs and state program requirements.
(m) The degree to which county activities
implement the county's approved land and water resource management
plan.
(n) The county's annual
financial contribution for soil and water resource management programs, as last
reported under s.
ATCP 50.18(1)
(c).
(o) The need for award caps or other cost
control measures to maximize funding available to meet conservation priorities
or needs on agricultural lands.
(p)
A county's commitment to meet department targets implementing the conservation
practices established in the annual grant application.
(r) Other factors relevant to the
administration of this chapter.
Notes
Wis. Admin.
Code Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection
§
ATCP
50.30
CR 01-090: cr.
Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02; CR 13-016: am. (1) (2) (intro.),
(b) to (d), cr. (2) (e), (f), am. (3) (b), (g), (h), (m), renum. (3) (o) to (3)
(r), cr. (3) (o), (p) Register February 2014 No. 698, eff.
5-1-14.