Environmental Review of Tentative Grant Awards

MILWAUKEE - The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is soliciting public comment on several outdoor recreational grant applications that have tentatively been selected as potential grant recipients. These potential recipients have been chosen from among more than 30 applications totaling nearly $3 million. Requests are submitted annually from numerous local units of government in southeastern Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources will eventually award approximately $1.1 million in grants to local governments for the acquisition of land for nature-based parks and trails or for the development of nature-based parks and trails through the following programs: Stewardship - Aids for the Acquisition and Development of Local Parks and the federal National Recreational Trails Act.

"DNR is proud to be able to provide resources to Southeastern Wisconsin communities so they can enhance recreational opportunities for their citizens," said Tom Blotz, Community Assistance Supervisor.

Grant awards are subject to acceptance by the local unit of government and may require additional reviews by state and federal agencies such as the Wisconsin State Historical Society, the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Office of the Governor.

The following park development projects have been tentatively offered grant awards at this time:

Ozaukee County

• Town of Grafton to construct a non-motorized boat launch facility on the Milwaukee River ($19,715).

Waukesha County

• City of Muskego to install a recreational trail bridge crossing over the Muskego canal located along STH 36 ($42,940).
• Town of Delafield to develop an off-road recreational trail along Cushing Park Road ($225,000).
• City of Delafield to develop an off road recreational trail along Cushing Park Road ($100,000).

Sheboygan County

• Village of Oostburg to develop a trail head facility on the Inter Urban recreation trail ($105,000.)
• Sheboygan County to reconstruct a portion of the Old Plank Road Trail ($150,000).
  Village of Random Lake to make access improvements to Library Bay Park ($200,000)

Racine County

• Village of Mt. Pleasant to develop Phase IV of the Pike River Trail ($65000).

Kenosha County

• Town of Salem for passive area development at new Community Park ($100,000).

Walworth County

• City of Whitewater for the development of a restroom/shelter building at Trippe Lake Park ($100,000).

These types of projects typically do not have the potential to cause significant adverse environmental impacts; therefore, the Department has made a preliminary determination that an environmental analysis will not be required for these projects.

Information regarding the Department's grant determinations can be reviewed at the DNR Southeast Region Headquarters. Contact Tom Blotz at (414) 263-8610 or Dan Kaemmerer at (414) 263-8704. Comments on the proposed projects are welcome and should be received by Mr. Blotz no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, December 12, 2008. Additional grants are planned for similar public outdoor recreation projects in other local communities in the Southeast Region. DNR makes grants available under State Law 23.09(20).

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources