For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Three area lake protection programs recently received grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
DNR announced last week that approximately $6 million in grant funding would be allocated to lake organizations, nonprofit organizations and municipal and county governments throughout Wisconsin.
“Funding, which includes Healthy Lakes and Rivers grants as well as support for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters and Lake Monitoring and Protection Network programs, will be used to help restore and protect the state’s surface water resources in 2024 and beyond,” DNR stated.
This year, the program received 428 applications from eligible applicants requesting over $9.1 million in funding.
DNR said the selected projects are “incredibly diverse, including education and outreach activities, management planning, habitat restoration, runoff management, water quality improvement projects and aquatic invasive species control.”
Among the recipients of funding was Lincoln County’s Lake Monitoring and Protection Network (LMPN) program, which was awarded $16,224.09. Oneida County’s LMPN program received $22,003.33, while $18,780.58 went to the Vilas County LMPN.
“The projects designated for award leverage a substantial amount of local funding and are sure to make significant contributions to Wisconsin’s natural resource legacy,” DNR stated.
“The amount of work happening at the local level to support our lakes, rivers and watersheds is incredible,” said DNR Surface Water Grant Program Manager Jen Jefferson. “It’s amazing to see the level of communication and coordination between members of these organizations, local government representatives, DNR Biologists and other stakeholders. The effort it takes to develop such meaningful projects is commendable.”
For more information on the grants, visit www.dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/SurfaceWater.html.