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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOREST ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN CHAPTER 12 Funding Section Page 12.0 Funding 12.1 County Forest Road 12.2 All-Terrain Vehicle Trails 12.3 Snowmobile Trail 12.4 General Purpose Revenues of Douglas 12.5 Conservation 12 - 1 12 - 1 12 - 1 12 - 2 12 - 2 12 - 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 12 FUNDING 12.0 FUNDING The major sources of potential funding available to Douglas County to implement of the Access Management Plan are State and Federal aids and grants, revenue from the sale of timber stumpage, conservation organization grants, tax levies, user fees, and donations from clubs and users. It may also be possible to use funds from other sources to implement, maintain, and enforce the Plan. The following are the primary potential funding sources: 12.1 County Forest Road Aids (per statutory authority 86.315 County Forest Road Aid is available through the State to help defray costs for the improvement and maintenance of public roads within the County Forest. The County is to receive $336 per mile of qualifying forest road to be paid each year on March 10th. The aid is prorated if the amount appropriated in the State budget is insufficient to support the $336 per mile payment. To quality, the road must be: Within the County Forest. At least 20 feet wide with a surface width of at least 16 feet. Open and used for travel. Part of a Comprehensive County Forest Land-Use Plan approved by the County Board or Supervisors the WDNR (see section 3.10) County Forest Roads are not eligible for General Transportation Aid. 12.2 All-Terrain Vehicle Trails (per statutory authority 23.33 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 64) State funding is available to the County to acquire, insure, develop, and maintain ATV trails, areas, and routes. Levels of reimbursement vary according to the project and trail type. The following are eligible levels of reimbursement: ATV trails available for spring, summer, and fall riding may be reimbursed up to 100 percent of eligible maintenance costs (up to $450 per mile). ATV trails available for winter riding may be reimbursed up to 100 percent of eligible maintenance costs (up to $100 per mile). Development of ATV trails and areas may be reimbursed up to 100 percent of eligible costs. Major rehabilitation of bridge structures or trails may be reimbursed up to 100 percent of eligible ---PAGE BREAK--- ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN costs. Maintenance of ATV intensive use areas may be reimbursed up to 50 percent of eligible costs. The WDNR allocates funds in accordance with the following ranked priorities: Maintenance of existing, approved trails, areas, and routes. Liability insurance acquisition. Easement acquisition. Major rehabilitation of bridge structures or trails. Land acquisition and development of new ATV trails and areas. 12.3 Snowmobile Trail Aids (per statutory authority 23.09 and chap. 350 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 6) State funding is available to the County for well-signed and well-groomed snowmobile trails for public use and enjoyment. Eligible projects include: Maintenance of trails (includes signing, brushing and grooming of snowmobile trails, purchase of liability insurance, and purchase of short-term easements). Development of trails (includes general trail construction, bridges, gates, and signs). Major rehabilitation of existing snowmobile bridges. Rehabilitation of existing trail segments. The County is eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 100 percent of: Approved maintenance costs (up to $250 per mile). Development costs. Major bridge rehabilitation costs. Trail rehabilitation costs. 12.4 General Purpose Revenues of Douglas County Funding also is available through the general purpose revenues of Douglas County. Needs are incorporated into budget requests as part of the annual budgeting process. The County adopts an annual budget in accordance with Chapter 65 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The DCFD is responsible for developing its budget, which then is submitted for approval by the FPRC, Administration Committee, and the County Board of Supervisors. 12 - 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 12: FUNDING 12 - 3 12.5 Conservation Organizations National conservation organizations provide grant funds for the management and protection of natural resources. The Ruffed Grouse Society is an example of an organization that has provided project funding to Douglas County. Grant objectives typically are to conserve, restore, or enhance wildlife habitats. Funding also can be used to manage invasive, nonnative species, support comprehensive information on wildlife management and mapping, and assess impacts of land management actions on wildlife habitats.