Wisconsin Code § 23.0917

Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program
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(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 KnowlesGaylord 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

 1223.0917 CONSERVATION
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

 1423.0917 CONSERVATION
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, 201415, 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, 201516, 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 202021, 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, 201718, 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 202223, 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

 1623.0917 CONSERVATION
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.
3. Of the unobligated amount, the department shall obligate
$6,000,000 for erosion control projects in the Kenosha Dunes
unit of the Chiwaukee Prairie state natural area in Kenosha
County.
(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.
Court in Evers v. Marklein, 2024 WI 31.
(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 fi-

 1823.0917 CONSERVATION
nance 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.
Court in Evers v. Marklein, 2024 WI 31.
(12) EXPENDITURES AFTER 2026. No moneys may be obligated from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) after June
30, 2026.

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