2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 23 - Conservation. › 23.0917 - Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program.

23.0917
Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program.
(1)
Definitions. In this section:
(a)
“Annual bonding authority" means the amount that may be obligated under a subprogram for a fiscal year.
(am)
“Available bonding authority" means the annual bonding authority as it may be adjusted under sub. (4g) (b), (4m) (k), (5) or (5m).
(b)
“Baraboo Hills" means the area that is within the boundaries of the Baraboo Range National Natural Landmark.
(c)
“Department land" means an area of land that is owned by the state, that is under the jurisdiction of the department and that is used for one of the purposes specified in s. 23.09 (2) (d).
(d)
“Land" means land in fee simple, conservation easements, other easements in land and development rights in land.
(dm)
“Nonprofit conservation organization" has the meaning given in s. 23.0955 (1).
(e)
“Obligate" means to encumber or otherwise commit or to expend without having previously encumbered or otherwise committed.
(f)
“Owner's acquisition price" means the amount equal to the price the owner paid for the land or if the owner acquired the land as a gift or devise, the amount equal to the appraised value of the land at the time it was transferred to the owner.
(g)
“Remaining bonding authority" means the amount of moneys that has not been obligated.
(i)
“Total bonding authority" means the total amount that may be obligated under a subprogram under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program over the entire duration of the program.
(2)
Establishment.
(a)
The department shall establish the following subprograms under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program:
1.
A subprogram for land acquisition for conservation and recreational purposes.
2.
A subprogram for property development and local assistance.
3.
A subprogram for bluff protection.
3m.
A subprogram for recreational boating aids.
4.
A subprogram for land acquisition in the Baraboo Hills for conservation purposes.
(b)
Except as provided in sub. (5m), no moneys may be obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) before July 1, 2000.
(3)
Land acquisition subprogram.
(a)
Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition to acquire land for the purposes specified in s. 23.09 (2) (d) and grants for these purposes under s. 23.096, except as provided under ss. 23.197 (2m), (3m) (b), (7m), and (8) and 23.198 (1) (a).
(b)
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside in each fiscal year $1,000,000 that may be obligated only for the department to acquire land for the ice age trail. The period of time during which the moneys shall be set aside in each fiscal year shall begin on the July 1 of the fiscal year and end on the June 30 of the same fiscal year.
(bm)
During the period beginning with fiscal year 2001-02 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, in obligating money under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside not less than a total of $2,000,000 that may be obligated only to provide matching funds for grants awarded to the department for the purchase of land or easements under 16 USC 2103c.
(br)
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside the following amounts that may be obligated only to provide for grants awarded to nonprofit conservation organizations under s. 23.096:
1.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2010-11 and ending with 2014-15, $12,000,000.
2.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with 2025-26, $7,000,000.
(bt)
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside the following amounts to be obligated only for the department to acquire land and to provide grants to counties under s. 23.0953:
1.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2014-15, $20,000,000.
2.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, $9,000,000.
3.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, $1,000,000 plus the amount transferred to the capital improvement fund under s. 20.370 (5) (hq) in that fiscal year.
(bw)
1.
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall set aside $5,000,000 for each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with 2021-22 to be obligated only to provide grants to counties under s. 23.0953.
2.
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, for each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, the department shall set aside the amount transferred to the capital improvement fund under s. 20.370 (5) (hr) in that fiscal year to be obligated only to provide grants to counties under s. 23.0953.
(c)
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for land acquisition, the department shall give priority to all of the following purposes and to awarding grants under s. 23.096 for all the following purposes:
1.
Acquisition of land that preserves or enhances the state's water resources, including land in and for the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway; land abutting wild rivers designated under s. 30.26, wild lakes and land along the shores of the Great Lakes.
2.
Acquisition of land for the stream bank protection program under s. 23.094.
3.
Acquisition of land for habitat areas and fisheries under s. 23.092.
4.
Acquisition of land for natural areas under ss. 23.27 and 23.29.
6.
Acquisition of land in the middle Kettle Moraine.
7.
Acquisition of land in the Niagara Escarpment corridor.
(dm)
Except as provided in subs. (4g) (b), (4m) (k), (5) and (5m), the department may not obligate under the subprogram for land acquisition more than the following amounts:
1.
For fiscal year 2000-01, $28,500,000.
1m.
For fiscal year 2001-02, $34,500,000.
2.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2002-03 and ending with fiscal year 2006-07, $45,000,000.
3.
For fiscal year 2007-08, $43,500,000.
3m.
For fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10, $42,500,000 for each fiscal year.
4.
For fiscal year 2010-11, $62,000,000.
5.
For fiscal year 2011-12, $37,500,000.
6.
For fiscal year 2012-13, $36,500,000.
6g.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2014-15, $32,000,000.
7.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, $21,000,000.
8.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, $16,000,000.
(e)
For purposes of this subsection, the department by rule shall define “wild lake".
(4)
Property development and local assistance subprogram.
(a)
Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for property development and local assistance. Moneys obligated under this subprogram may be only used for nature-based outdoor recreation, except as provided under par. (cm).
(b)
The purposes for which moneys may be obligated for local assistance under the subprogram for property development and local assistance are the following:
1.
Grants for urban green space under ss. 23.09 (19) and 23.096.
2.
Grants for local parks under ss. 23.09 (20) and 23.096.
3.
Grants for acquisition of property development rights under ss. 23.09 (20m) and 23.096.
4.
Grants for urban rivers under ss. 23.096 and 30.277.
(c)
The purposes for which moneys may be obligated for property development under the subprogram for property development and local assistance are the following:
1.
Property development of department lands.
2.
Property development on conservation easements adjacent to department lands.
3.
Grants under ss. 23.098 and 23.099.
5.
Moneys for all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, and snowmobile projects as provided in ss. 23.33 (9) (bd) and 350.12 (4) (b).
(cm)
Notwithstanding the purposes for which the department is authorized to obligate moneys under pars. (a), (b), and (c), the department may obligate moneys under the subprogram for property development and local assistance for any of the following purposes:
1.
Construction of the Wisconsin agricultural stewardship initiative facility under s. 23.197 (7m).
1m.
Construction of a visitor center and administration building at the Kickapoo valley reserve under s. 23.197 (2m).
2.
Projects approved by the state fair park board under s. 23.197 (8).
3.
Reconstruction of the chalet at Rib Mountain State Park under s. 23.197 (3m) (b).
4.
Infrastructure improvements to the Kettle Moraine Springs fish hatchery. This subdivision does not apply after June 30, 2018.
5.
Repair or replacement of the Little Falls Dam at Willow River State Park in St. Croix County.
6.
Restoration of an area on the exposed bed of the former flowage on the Prairie River.
(d)
In obligating moneys under the subprogram for property development and local assistance, all of the following shall apply:
1.
The department may obligate not more than $11,500,000 in fiscal year 2000-01 and not more than $11,500,000 in fiscal year 2001-02 under the subprogram except as provided in sub. (5). For each fiscal year beginning with 2002-03 and ending with fiscal year 2009-10, the department may obligate not more than $15,000,000 under the subprogram except as provided in sub. (5). For fiscal year 2010-11 the department may obligate not more than $21,500,000 under the subprogram except as provided in sub. (5).
1m.
Except as provided in sub. (5), the department may not obligate under the subprogram more than the following amounts:
a.
For fiscal year, 2011-12, $20,000,000.
b.
For fiscal year 2012-13, $21,000,000.
c.
For fiscal year 2013-14, $13,000,000.
d.
For fiscal year 2014-15, $20,000,000.
e.
For each fiscal year beginning with 2015-16 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, $9,750,000.
f.
For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, $14,250,000.
2.
a.
Beginning with fiscal year 2000-01 and ending with fiscal year 2009-10, the department may obligate not more than $8,000,000 in each fiscal year for local assistance.
b.
For fiscal year 2010-11, the department may obligate not more than $11,500,000 for local assistance.
c.
In fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012-13, the department may obligate not more than $8,000,000 in each fiscal year for local assistance.
2m.
a.
Beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, the department shall obligate $6,000,000 in each fiscal year for local assistance.
b.
Beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, the department shall obligate $9,250,000 in each fiscal year for local assistance.
3.
The department shall obligate the following amounts for property development:
a.
Beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 and ending with fiscal year 2014-15, $7,000,000 in each fiscal year.
b.
Beginning with fiscal year 2015-16 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, $3,750,000 in each fiscal year.
c.
Beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, $5,000,000.
(e)
Beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, of the amounts obligated for property development, the department shall set aside the following amounts for the following purposes:
1. For grants under s. 23.098, $500,000 in each fiscal year.
(f)
For purposes of this subsection, the department by rule shall define “nature-based outdoor recreation".
(4g)
Bluff protection.
(a)
The department may not obligate more than $1,000,000 under the subprogram for bluff protection.
(b)
If the total amount obligated for the subprogram for bluff protection on June 30, 2004, is less than $1,000,000, the department shall calculate the unobligated amount by subtracting the total obligated amount from $1,000,000. The department shall then adjust the available bonding authority for the subprogram for land acquisition by increasing the available bonding authority in an amount equal to the unobligated amount.
(c)
The department may not obligate moneys for the subprogram for bluff protection after June 30, 2004.
(4j)
Recreational boating aids.
(a)
In this subsection “local governmental unit" means a city, village, town, or county, a lake sanitary district, as defined in s. 30.50 (4q), a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district organized under ch. 33, or any other local governmental unit, as defined in s. 66.0131 (1) (a), that is established for the purpose of lake management.
(b)
For fiscal year 2007-08, the department may not obligate more than $1,500,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for recreational boating projects under s. 30.92. For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2008-09 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, the department may not obligate more than $2,500,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for recreational boating projects under s. 30.92. For each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2022-23 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26, the department cannot obligate more than $3,000,000 for cost-sharing with local governmental units for recreational boating projects under s. 30.92.
(4m)
Baraboo Hills.
(a)
Definitions. In this subsection:
1.
“Assigned amount" means the sum of the amounts made available for expenditure under par. (g) and the amounts set aside by the department under par. (h) 1.
2.
“Federal nontransportation moneys" means moneys received from the federal government that are not deposited in the transportation fund and that are not credited to the appropriation under s. 20.115 (2) (m).
3.
“Local governmental unit" means a city, village, town, county, lake sanitary district, as defined in s. 30.50 (4q), or a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district.
(b)
Matching funding. The department shall provide funding under the subprogram for the Baraboo Hills to match the value of land acquisitions that are certified as qualifying matching land acquisitions under par. (e).
(c)
Overall requirements.
1.
The department may obligate not more than $5,000,000 under the subprogram for the Baraboo Hills.
2.
The amount of moneys, other than federal moneys, that may be used by local governmental units or nonprofit conservation organizations to make land acquisitions that are certified as qualifying matching land acquisitions under par. (e) may not exceed $2,500,000.
3.
Land that is either certified as a qualifying matching land acquisition under par. (e) or (h) 2. or acquired with moneys made available for expenditure under par. (g) or (h) 2. may not be department land or land that is otherwise owned or under the jurisdiction of the state on October 29, 1999.
(d)
Matching land acquisitions; requirements. The department may only certify as a qualifying matching land acquisition in the Baraboo Hills an acquisition to which all of the following apply:
1.
The land is being acquired for conservation purposes.
2.
The land is being acquired by the federal government, by a local governmental unit or by a nonprofit conservation organization.
3.
Any federal moneys being used for the acquisition are federal nontransportation moneys.
(e)
Matching land acquisitions; certification. The department shall certify which land acquisitions qualify as matching land acquisitions for the subprogram for the Baraboo Hills and shall determine the values of these matching land acquisitions as provided in par. (f).
(f)
Matching land acquisitions; valuation. The value of a land acquisition that is certified as a qualifying matching land acquisition under par. (e), shall be calculated as follows:
1.
For land that is acquired by purchase at fair market value, the value shall equal the sum of the purchase price and the costs incurred by the federal government, local governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization in acquiring the land.
2.
For land that is acquired by gift or bequest or by purchase at less than fair market value, the value shall equal the sum of the appraised fair market value of the land at the time of the acquisition and the costs incurred by the acquiring entity in acquiring the land. The acquiring entity shall supply the appraisal upon which the appraised fair market value is based.
(g)
Matching land acquisitions; available moneys. For each land acquisition that is certified as a qualifying matching land acquisition under par. (e), the department shall make available for expenditure moneys in an amount that equals the value of the land acquisition, as calculated under par. (f). This paragraph does not apply to a land acquisition that is acquired with moneys committed by the federal government, local governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization under par. (h).
(h)
Matching land acquisitions; future commitments.
1.
In addition to the moneys made available for expenditure under par. (g), the department shall set aside moneys in amounts that equal amounts that the federal government, local governmental units or nonprofit conservation organizations commit for the acquisition of land in the Baraboo Hills for conservation purposes. Federal moneys that are committed under this paragraph shall be federal nontransportation moneys. The department may set aside moneys under this paragraph only for commitments that are made before January 1, 2006.
2.
For each land acquisition that is made by using moneys that are committed by the federal government, a local governmental unit or a nonprofit conservation organization under this paragraph and that is certified as a qualifying matching land acquisition under par. (e), the department shall make available for expenditure moneys in an amount that equals the value of the land acquisition, as calculated under par. (f), after the acquisition is certified.
(i)
Available moneys; uses. The moneys made available for expenditure under par. (g) or (h) 2. may be used by the department to acquire land in the Baraboo Hills for conservation purposes and to award grants to local governmental units and nonprofit conservation organizations.
(j)
Available moneys; grant requirements. A local governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization that receives a grant under par. (i) does not need to provide any matching funding. Land acquired with moneys from a grant awarded under par. (i) may not be certified by the department as a qualifying matching land acquisition under par. (e). Grants awarded under par. (i) shall be used to acquire land for conservation purposes in the Baraboo Hills.
(k)
Unassigned amount. If the assigned amount for the subprogram for the Baraboo Hills on January 1, 2006, is less than the available bonding authority, the department shall calculate the unassigned amount by subtracting the assigned amount from the available bonding authority. The department shall then adjust the annual bonding authority for the subprogram for land acquisition by increasing its annual bonding authority by an amount equal to this unassigned amount. The department shall expend any assigned amount that has not been expended before January 1, 2006, for acquisitions, by the department, of land for conservation purposes and for grants that meet the requirements under par. (j).
(L)
Highway construction required. No moneys may be obligated for the subprogram for the Baraboo Hills before the department of transportation certifies to the department of natural resources that highway construction that will result in at least 4 traffic lanes has begun on the portion of USH 12 between the city of Middleton and the village of Sauk City.
(5)
Adjustments for subsequent fiscal years.
(a)
If for a given fiscal year the department obligates an amount from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for a subprogram under sub. (3) or (4) that is less than the annual bonding authority for that subprogram for that given fiscal year, the department shall adjust the annual bonding authority for that subprogram by raising the annual bonding authority, as it may have been previously adjusted under this paragraph and par. (b), for the next fiscal year by the amount that equals the difference between the amount authorized for that subprogram and the obligated amount for that subprogram in that given fiscal year. This paragraph does not apply after fiscal year 2010-11.
(b)
If for a given fiscal year the department obligates an amount from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for a subprogram under sub. (3) or (4) that is more than the annual bonding authority for that subprogram for that given fiscal year, the department shall adjust the annual bonding authority for that subprogram by lowering the annual bonding authority, as it may have been previously adjusted under this paragraph and par. (a), for the next fiscal year by an amount equal to the remainder calculated by subtracting the amount authorized for that subprogram from the obligated amount, as it may be affected under par. (c) or (d), for that subprogram in that given fiscal year.
(c)
The department may not obligate for a fiscal year an amount from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for a subprogram under sub. (3) or (4) that exceeds the amount equal to the annual bonding authority for that subprogram as it may have been previously adjusted under pars. (a) and (b), except as provided in par. (d).
(d)
For a given fiscal year, in addition to obligating the amount of the annual bonding authority for a subprogram under sub. (3) or (4), or the amount equal to the annual bonding authority for that subprogram, as adjusted under pars. (a) and (b), whichever amount is applicable, the department may also obligate for that subprogram up to 100 percent of the annual bonding authority for that subprogram for that given fiscal year for a project or activity if the natural resources board determines that all of the following conditions apply:
1.
That moneys appropriated for that subprogram to the department under s. 20.370 and the moneys appropriated for that subprogram under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), (tp) to (tw), (ty) and (tz) do not provide sufficient funding for the project or activity.
2.
That any land involved in the project or activity covers a large area or the land is uniquely valuable in conserving the natural resources of the state.
3.
That delaying or deferring all or part of the cost to a subsequent fiscal year is not reasonably possible.
(5g)
Unused bonding authority.
(a)
Except as provided in pars. (b) to (j), if for a given fiscal year, the department obligates an amount from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for a subprogram under sub. (3) or (4) that is less than the annual bonding authority under that subprogram for that given fiscal year, the department may not obligate the unobligated amount in subsequent fiscal years. This subsection applies beginning with fiscal year 2011-12 and ending with fiscal year 2025-26.
(b)
If in a given fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 the amount that the department obligates from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) to provide grants to nonprofit conservation organizations under s. 23.096 is less than the amount set aside for that purpose under sub. (3) (br) in that fiscal year, the department may obligate the unobligated amount in the next fiscal year but only for the purpose of awarding a grant under s. 23.0953 to a county for the acquisition of land for a county forest under s. 28.11.
(c)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal years 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for those fiscal years, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal years 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
The department shall obligate the unobligated amount as follows:
a.
The amount necessary for the purpose under sub. (4) (cm) 4. but not more than $19,600,000.
b.
The amount necessary for the purpose under sub. (4) (cm) 5. but not more than $12,500,000.
c.
Subject to the limitation under s. 31.385 (7), the amount necessary for county dam safety grants under s. 31.385 (7) but not more than the difference between the amounts obligated under subd. 2. a. and b. and the unobligated amount.
(d)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for those fiscal years, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
The department shall obligate the unobligated amount as follows:
a.
The amount necessary for a grant to Iron County to rebuild the Saxon Harbor campground and marina but not more than $1,000,000.
b.
The amount necessary for the purpose under s. 23.0963 but not more than $1,000,000.
c.
The amount necessary for no more than 50 percent of the cost of reconstructing Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park but not more than $750,000.
d.
The amount necessary to enhance a shelter located near the Palmatory scenic overlook on the south side of the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area but not more than $500,000.
e.
The amount necessary for a grant to the cities of Neenah and Menasha for no more than 50 percent of the cost of constructing 2 pedestrian bridges across the Fox River and pedestrian trails to connect the bridges to existing pedestrian trails but not more than $415,300 and subject to the limitation that the total amount obligated under this subd. 2. e. and s. 23.197 (16) may not exceed $2,015,300.
(e)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal years 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for those fiscal years, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal years 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate an amount necessary for the purpose under s. 281.665 (4) (c), but not more than $14,600,000.
(f)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal year 2016-17 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for that fiscal year, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal year 2016-17 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate an amount necessary to fund critical health and safety-related water infrastructure projects in state parks, prioritizing projects in those state parks with the highest demand, but not more than $4,500,000.
(g)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the bonding authority under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) beginning in fiscal year 1999-2000 and ending in fiscal year 2019-20 exceeded the amounts that the department expended, obligated, or otherwise encumbered from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those fiscal years, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal year 2019-20 exceeded the amounts obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
Of the unobligated amount beginning in fiscal year 2020-21, the department may obligate amounts necessary for the purposes of the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j), but, for each subprogram, not more than the fiscal year 2019-20 obligation limit for that subprogram, and not more than a total of $33,250,000 in each fiscal year.
(h)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal years 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for those fiscal years, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal years 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate an amount necessary to fund critical health and safety-related water infrastructure projects and high-priority water infrastructure projects in state parks, prioritizing projects in those state parks with the highest demand, but not more than $5,200,000.
(i)
1.
In this paragraph:
a. “Bonding authority” means the bonding authority under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) beginning in fiscal year 1999-2000 and ending in fiscal year 2021-22.
b. “Excluded amount” means the amount by which the annual obligation authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) beginning in fiscal year 2019-20 and ending in fiscal year 2021-22 exceeded the amounts obligated for that purpose in those fiscal years.
c. “Obligated amount” means the amount that the department expended, obligated, or otherwise encumbered from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) beginning in fiscal year 1999-2000 and ending in fiscal year 2021-22.
d. “Unobligated amount” means the amount by which the bonding authority exceeded the obligated amount, not including the excluded amount.
2. Of the unobligated amount beginning in fiscal year 2022-23, the department may obligate amounts necessary for the purposes of the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j). For each subprogram, the department cannot obligate under this subdivision in a fiscal year more than the fiscal year 2022-23 obligation limit for each subprogram, and in total not more than the total annual obligation limit for that fiscal year.
(j)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal year 2019-20 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for that fiscal year, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal year 2019-20 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2. Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate $3,000,000 to fund the Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area restoration project.
(k)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) in fiscal year 2020-21 exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for those subprograms for that fiscal year, but not including the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the purpose under sub. (3) (br) in fiscal year 2020-21 exceeded the amount obligated for that purpose in that fiscal year.
2.
Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate an amount necessary to fund, in the following order of priority, high-priority water infrastructure projects in the state park system and medium-priority water infrastructure projects in the state park system, but not more than $5,600,000.
(L)
1.
In this paragraph, “ unobligated amount" means the amount by which the annual bonding authority for the subprograms under subs. (3), (4), and (4j) exceeded the amounts that the department obligated from the moneys appropriated under s. 20.866 (2) (ta).
2.
The unobligated amount, the department shall obligate. This includes drilling new wells, facility maintenance, upgrades and renovations, and construction of new buildings.
(5m)
Adjustments for land acquisitions.
(a)
Beginning in fiscal year 1999-2000, the department, subject to the approval of the governor and the joint committee on finance under sub. (6m), may obligate under the subprogram for land acquisition any amount not in excess of the total bonding authority for that subprogram for the acquisition of land.
(b)
For each land acquisition transaction under this subsection, all of the following apply:
1.
The department shall sell a portion of the acquired land.
2.
All proceeds from the sale of the land, up to the amount obligated under par. (a) as determined by the secretary of administration, shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (7) (ag). Notwithstanding s. 25.29 (1) (a), the proceeds in excess of the amount obligated under par. (a) shall be deposited in the general fund.
3.
For bonds that are retired from the proceeds of the sale of the acquired land within 3 years after the date on which the land was acquired by the department, the department shall adjust the available bonding authority for the subprogram for land acquisition by increasing the available bonding authority for the fiscal year in which the bonds are retired by an amount equal to the total amount of the bonds issued for the sale that have been retired in that fiscal year.
4.
For bonds that are not retired from the proceeds of the sale of the acquired land within 3 years after the date on which the land was acquired by the department, the department shall adjust the available bonding authority for the subprogram for land acquisition by decreasing the available bonding authority for the next fiscal year beginning after the end of that 3-year period by an amount equal to the total amount of the bonds that have not been retired from such proceeds in that fiscal year and, if necessary, shall decrease for each subsequent fiscal year the available bonding authority in an amount equal to that available bonding authority or equal to the amount still needed to equal the total amount of the bonds that have not been retired from such proceeds, whichever is less, until the available bonding authority has been decreased by an amount equal to the total of the bonds that have not been retired.
(c)
Notwithstanding sub. (2) (a) 1., land acquired under this subsection need not be for conservation or recreational purposes.
(d)
The department of administration shall monitor all transactions under this subsection to ensure compliance with federal law and to ensure that interest on the bonds is tax-exempt for the holders of the bonds.
(5t)
Local governmental resolutions. Each city, village, town, or county may adopt a nonbinding resolution that supports or opposes the proposed acquisition of land to be funded by moneys obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) if all or a portion of the land is located in the city, village, town, or county. The department shall provide written notification of the proposed acquisition to each city, village, town, or county in which the land is located. A city, village, town, or county that adopts a resolution under this subsection shall provide the department with a copy of the resolution. All of the following apply to a resolution under this subsection:
(a)
For the proposed acquisition of land located south of USH 8, if the department receives the copy within 30 days after the date that the city, village, town, or county received the notification of the proposed acquisition, the department shall take the resolution into consideration before approving or denying the obligation of moneys for the acquisition from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta).
(b)
For the proposed acquisition of land located north of USH 8, the department may not approve the obligation of moneys for the acquisition from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) and may not notify the joint committee on finance of the proposal, if required under sub. (6m), unless every city, village, town, or county in which the land is located adopts a resolution under this subsection approving the acquisition by a simple majority vote of the governing body.
(6m)
Review by joint committee on finance.
(a)
The department may not obligate from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for a given project or activity any moneys unless it first notifies the joint committee on finance in writing of the proposal. If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the department within 14 working days after the date of the department's notification that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposal, the department may obligate the moneys. If, within 14 working days after the date of the notification by the department, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the department that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposal, the department may obligate the moneys only upon approval of the committee.
(c)
The procedures under par. (a) apply only to an amount for a project or activity that exceeds $250,000, except as provided in pars. (d), (dg), (dm), and (dr).
(d)
The procedures under par. (a) apply to any land acquisition under sub. (5m).
(dg)
1.
Notwithstanding sub. (1) (d), in this paragraph, “land" means land in fee simple.
2.
The procedures under par. (a) apply to any acquisition of land by the department under this section, regardless of the amount obligated for the acquisition, if at the time that the amount is obligated the amount of land owned by this state that is under the department's jurisdiction exceeds 1.9 million acres.
(dm)
The procedures under par. (a) apply to an amount for a project or activity that is less than or equal to $250,000 if all of the following apply:
1.
The project or activity is so closely related to one or more other department projects or activities for which the department has proposed to obligate or has obligated moneys under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) that the projects or activities, if combined, would constitute a larger project or activity that exceeds $250,000.
2.
The project or activity was separated from a larger project or activity by the department primarily to avoid the procedures under par. (a).
(dr)
The procedures under par. (a) apply to any acquisition of land in fee simple, regardless of the amount obligated for the acquisition, if the land is located north of STH 64.
(e)
This subsection does not apply to moneys obligated for the purpose of property development as described under sub. (4), to moneys obligated for land acquired by the department under s. 24.59 (1), or to moneys obligated for the acquisition of land for which the approval of the joint committee on finance is required under sub. (8) (g) 3.
(7)
Calculation of grant amounts; appraisals.
(a)
Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), for purposes of calculating the acquisition costs for acquisition of land under ss. 23.09 (19), (20) and (20m), 23.092 (4), 23.094 (3g), 23.0953, 23.096, 30.24 (4) and 30.277 from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), the buyer's acquisition price shall equal the sum of the land's current fair market value and other acquisition costs of the buyer, as determined by rule by the department.
(b)
For land that has been owned by the current owner for less than one year, the buyer's acquisition price of the land shall equal the sum of the land's current fair market value and other acquisition costs of the buyer, as determined by rule by the department, or the current owner's acquisition price, whichever is lower.
(c)
For land that has been owned by the current owner for one year or more but for less than 3 years, the buyer's acquisition price shall equal the lower of the following:
1.
The land's current fair market value and other acquisition costs of the buyer as determined by rule by the department.
2.
The sum of the current owner's acquisition price and the annual adjustment increase.
(d)
For purposes of par. (c) 2., the annual adjustment increase shall be calculated by multiplying the current owner's acquisition price by 5 percent and by then multiplying that product by one of the following numbers:
1.
By one if the land has been owned by the current owner for one year or more but for less than 2 years.
2.
By 2 if the land has been owned by the current owner for 2 years or more but for less than 3 years.
(e)
1.
For any land for which moneys are proposed to be obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) in order to provide a grant, state aid, or other funding to a governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization under s. 23.09 (19), (20), or (20m), 23.092 (4), 23.094 (3g), 23.0953, 23.096, 30.24 (2), or 30.277, the department shall use at least 2 appraisals to determine the current fair market value of the land. The governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization shall submit to the department one appraisal that is paid for by the governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization. The department shall obtain its own independent appraisal. The department may also require that the governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization submit a 3rd independent appraisal. The department shall reimburse the governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization up to 50 percent of the costs of the 3rd appraisal as part of the acquisition costs of the land if the land is acquired by the governmental unit or nonprofit conservation organization with moneys obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta).
2.
Subdivision 1. does not apply if the current fair market value of the land is estimated by the department to be $350,000 or less.
(f)
1.
In this paragraph, “ taxation district" has the meaning given in s. 70.114 (1) (e).
2.
For any acquisition of any land that is funded with moneys obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta), the department, within 30 days after the moneys are obligated, shall submit to the clerk and the assessor of each taxation district in which the land is located a copy of every appraisal in the department's possession that was prepared in order to determine the current fair market value of the land involved. An assessor who receives a copy of an appraisal under this subdivision shall consider the appraisal in valuing the land as provided under s. 70.32 (1).
(8)
Prohibitions and limitations.
(a)
The department may not obligate moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for the acquisition of land for golf courses or for the development of golf courses.
(b)
The department may not obligate moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for the acquisition or development of land by a county or other local governmental unit or political subdivision if the county, local governmental unit, or political subdivision acquires the land involved by condemnation.
(c)
The department may not obligate moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for the acquisition by a city, village or town of land that is outside the boundaries of the city, village or town unless the city, village or town acquiring the land and the city, village or town in which the land is located approve the acquisition.
(d)
The department may not acquire land using moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) without the prior approval of a majority of the members-elect, as defined in s. 59.001 (2m), of the county board of supervisors of the county in which the land is located if at least 66 percent of the land in the county is owned or under the jurisdiction of the state, the federal government, or a local governmental unit, as defined in s. 66.0131 (1) (a). Before determining whether to approve the acquisition, the county in which the land is located shall post notices that inform the residents of the community surrounding the land of the possible acquisitions.
(e)
Beginning with fiscal year 2007-08, the department may not obligate from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) more than 20 percent of the available bonding authority in a fiscal year for the acquisition of parcels of lands that are less than 10 acres in size.
(f)
1.
Notwithstanding sub. (1) (d), in this paragraph, “land" means land in fee simple.
2.
Beginning with fiscal year 2013-14, of the amount set aside for a given fiscal year under sub. (3) (bt), not more than one-third of that amount may be obligated for the purpose of the acquisition of land by the department.
(g)
1.
In this paragraph, “ project boundary" means the boundary of a project established by the department on or before May 1, 2013.
2.
Except as provided in subd. 3., beginning with fiscal year 2013-14, the department may not obligate any moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for the department to acquire land that is outside of a project boundary.
3.
The department may obligate moneys from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) for the department to acquire land that is outside of a project boundary if the joint committee on finance approves the land acquisition. A land acquisition is approved by the joint committee on finance under this subdivision if 12 members of the joint committee on finance vote to approve the land acquisition.
(12)
Expenditures after 2026. No moneys may be obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) after June 30, 2026.
History:  1999 a. 9, 185; 2001 a. 16, 30, 109; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32, 250; 2013 a. 20, 166; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59, 71, 183; 2017 a. 364 ss. 3, 49; 2019 a. 9, 93; 2021 a. 58, 173; 2021 a. 239 s. 74; 2021 a. 240 s. 29; 2023 a. 12, 19.