Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 51 - Administration Of Stewardship Grants › Subchapter II - Nonprofit Conservation Organizations › Section NR 51.07 - Grant contracts for acquisition projects

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)Stewardship
				  grants shall be subject to the execution of a grant contract between the
				  department and sponsor. The grant contract shall recognize the state's interest
				  in the property acquired and ensure that sponsors shall provide adequate land
				  management, signage in accordance with s.
				  23.09165,
				  Stats., and maintenance, or in the case of easements shall monitor and enforce
				  the conditions of the easement, in accordance with provisions contained in the
				  grant contract and in a land management plan approved by the department. The
				  grant contract shall be recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the
				  appropriate county.
(1d)The sponsor
				  shall declare the state's interest in the Stewardship property on the warranty
				  deed or other appropriate instrument of conveyance recorded in the appropriate
				  county register of deeds office, using language provided by the
				  department.
(2)All obligations,
				  terms, conditions and restrictions imposed by the grant contract shall be
				  deemed to be covenants and restrictions running with the property and shall be
				  effective limitations on the use of the property from the date of recording of
				  the grant contract and shall bind the sponsor and all successors and assigns in
				  perpetuity.
(3)If the sponsor
				  violates any condition of the grant contract identified as essential pursuant
				  to s.
				  23.096(5),
				  Stats., and fails to correct it within 6 months after written notification from
				  the department, it shall be a violation of the grant contract, and all title,
				  right and interest held by the sponsor in and to the property shall vest in the
				  state without the necessity of reentry or legal judgment. The following
				  conditions of the grant contract are essential:
(a) Conversion of the property to any use
				  other than that specified in the grant contract without the prior written
				  approval of the department is prohibited.
(b) The sponsor may not convey any interest
				  in the property to a third party nor allow any leases, permits or encumbrances
				  without the prior written approval of the department. The department may take
				  actions necessary to avoid the placement of liens, judgments or encumbrances
				  against the property.
(c) The
				  sponsor shall make property tax payments on time and keep taxes current unless
				  property taxes are not required.
(d) The sponsor shall at all times maintain
				  its tax exempt status as granted by the IRS. The sponsor shall keep the
				  department informed of any changes in, or challenges to, its exempt
				  status.
(e) Property acquired with
				  a grant under this chapter may not be closed to the public unless the
				  department determines that it is necessary to protect species of plants, wild
				  animals or other natural features or if the right of public access is not
				  acquired as part of the rights purchased with an easement.
(f) All grant applications and approved
				  projects shall comply with the requirements for public access in ch. NR 52 and
				  s.
				  23.0916,
				  Stats.