Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Workshop Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Overview

Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program Purpose: Award cost-sharing grants to local governments and other interests to help prevent and control the spread of aquatic invasive specie in the waters of the state. Purpose: Award cost-sharing grants to local governments and other interests to help prevent and control the spread of aquatic invasive specie in the waters of the state.

Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program Funded at $1,500,000/year Funded at $1,500,000/year Available to gov’ts, lake associations, NPOs Available to gov’ts, lake associations, NPOs 50% cost share 50% cost share Eligible projects Eligible projects –Education, prevention, planning –Control established infestations –Early detection and rapid response

Eligible Recipients Priority - Local units of government Priority - Local units of government –Municipalities –Counties –Lake districts –School districts –Tribes

Eligible Recipients 2 nd Tier - Other qualified applicants 2 nd Tier - Other qualified applicants –Lake associations –Non-profit conservation organizations Tip – If organization is not a local unit of government, then apply through one, e.g., Town or County

Education, Prevention, Planning Eligible projects Eligible projects –Watercraft inspections –Surveys and monitoring –Prevention and control plans –Information and education –Studies and assessments Up to $75,000 state share Up to $75,000 state share Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 application deadlines Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 application deadlines

Education, Prevention, Planning Watercraft inspection (“Clean Boats, Clean Waters” Program) limited to $2,500 in state share per landing Watercraft inspection (“Clean Boats, Clean Waters” Program) limited to $2,500 in state share per landing –Inspectors must staff landing minimum of 200 hours May 1 – Oct. 30 Publications: Existing DNR and UW- Extension publications should be used/modified before creating new publications Publications: Existing DNR and UW- Extension publications should be used/modified before creating new publications

Early Detection & Rapid Response Collect specimen & submit to DNR for ID Collect specimen & submit to DNR for ID DNR verifies ID DNR verifies ID Propose control strategy Propose control strategy DNR authorizes control, issues permits if needed DNR authorizes control, issues permits if needed Complete grant application Complete grant application Conduct control / treatment Conduct control / treatment Reimburse up to $10,000 Reimburse up to $10,000 First come - first served First come - first served

Early Detection & Rapid Response Applicable to “pioneer infestations”: Applicable to “pioneer infestations”: Small population of AIS in the early stages of colonization, or re-colonization, in a particular water body, or portion thereof. For rooted aquatic plants, a pioneer infestation is a localized bed that has been present less than 5 years, or is a re-colonization following the completion of an established infestation control project, and is less than 5 acres in size or less than 5% of the lake area, whichever is greater.

Early Detection & Rapid Response Pre- and post-control monitoring required Pre- and post-control monitoring required Follow-up control required Follow-up control required –Response strategy for controlling reappearance –Prevention plan to prevent re-introduction No differentiation between local units of government and lake/conservation associations in processing ED&RR applications No differentiation between local units of government and lake/conservation associations in processing ED&RR applications Public boat access is not required Public boat access is not required

Control of Established Infestations Eligible projects Eligible projects –Implementation of a DNR approved project recommendation included in a management plan adopted by the sponsor for AIS control –Research or demonstration projects as approved by DNR –Purple loosestrife bio-control –Other projects authorized under statewide management plan for AIS control Adequate public access is required Adequate public access is required Up to $75,000 state share Up to $75,000 state share Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 application deadlines Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 application deadlines

Control of Established Infestations Ineligible projects Ineligible projects –Dredging –Routine operation and maintenance Annual nuisance control - plant harvesting and chemical treatments Annual nuisance control - plant harvesting and chemical treatments Pumps, aeration system maintenance Pumps, aeration system maintenance Weed rollers Weed rollers –Harvesters, boats –Boat wash structures or infrastructure

Control of Established Infestations Management plan requirements Management plan requirements a)ID problems/threats to the ecosystem posed by AIS b)Describe historical control actions c)Thorough characterization of ecosystem’s historical and current condition Including at least 1 year of data quantifying extent of infestation Including at least 1 year of data quantifying extent of infestation d)Assessment of fishery, wildlife and plant communities

Control of Established Infestations Management plan requirements (con’t) Management plan requirements (con’t) e)ID need for protection of fish/wildlife habitat, endangered resources, and other natural resource concerns f)ID management objectives needed to maintain or restore beneficial uses of the ecosystem g)ID target levels of control needed to meet objectives

Control of Established Infestations Management plan requirements (con’t) Management plan requirements (con’t) h)ID and discussion of alternative mgmt. actions considered and proposed Including expected results Including expected results i)Analysis of the need for and a list of the proposed control actions that will be implemented to achieve the target level of control j)Discussion of potential adverse impacts Non-target species Non-target species Beneficial uses Beneficial uses

Control of Established Infestations Management plan requirements (con’t) Management plan requirements (con’t) k)Strategy to prevent new introductions of AIS l)Contingency strategy to monitor and prevent re-introduction of AIS after initial control m)Sufficient information for determining feasibility of alternative control measures Costs Costs Relative permanence Relative permanence Potential for long-term control Potential for long-term control Baseline data required to measure subsequent change Baseline data required to measure subsequent change

Control of Established Infestations Management plan shall be submitted to DNR a minimum of 60 days prior to application deadline Management plan shall be submitted to DNR a minimum of 60 days prior to application deadline Request for plan approval shall specify which plan recommendation(s) sponsor intends to implement Request for plan approval shall specify which plan recommendation(s) sponsor intends to implement Sponsor shall describe process used to provide the public opportunity to comment on the plan, provide a summary of the comments received and document action by sponsor in adopting plan Sponsor shall describe process used to provide the public opportunity to comment on the plan, provide a summary of the comments received and document action by sponsor in adopting plan

Control of Established Infestations Lake management plans approved for payment under a Lake Planning Grant do not constitute approval for project funding under an AIS Grant. Sponsor may submit such a plan for approval for AIS Grant funding. Lake management plans approved for payment under a Lake Planning Grant do not constitute approval for project funding under an AIS Grant. Sponsor may submit such a plan for approval for AIS Grant funding. DNR to complete its review within 45 days of plan receipt DNR to complete its review within 45 days of plan receipt

Winnebago System AIS Grant

Grant Overview Total Project Cost = $156,484 Total Project Cost = $156,484 State Share = $75,000 State Share = $75,000 Timeline: April 2006 to December 2007 Timeline: April 2006 to December 2007 Partners: UW-Extension, UW-Oshkosh, Winnebago Lakes Council Partners: UW-Extension, UW-Oshkosh, Winnebago Lakes Council

Grant Deliverables Strategic plan for AIS prevention and control in the Winnebago Pool Lakes Strategic plan for AIS prevention and control in the Winnebago Pool Lakes –Led by a grant funded coordinator hired by the Winnebago Lakes Council –Diverse committee will do most of the planning –Public participation will be key

Grant Deliverables Implementation of existing statewide programs Implementation of existing statewide programs –Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) volunteer watercraft inspection program –Citizen-based AIS monitoring

Grant Deliverables Scientific studies Scientific studies –Map current infestations –Assess potential risks/likelihood of invasion Develop targeted monitoring strategy Develop targeted monitoring strategy Focus resources Focus resources

Grant Deliverables Outreach Outreach –Summer Teacher Institutes (UWO) –Public events –Presentation and visual products