The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management (UNPS&SW) Planning Grant Program applications are due April 17, 2023.
This program offers competitive grants intended to help local governments control urban nonpoint source and storm water runoff pollution. Construction and Planning grant applications are available every other year, on alternate years. Construction grant applications will be solicited again in 2024.
UNPS&SW Planning Grants can be used to fund 50% of eligible project costs, The total state reimbursement amount cannot exceed $85,000. Eligible areas are urban lands with a population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile or non-permitted commercial or municipally-owned industrial use. Projects may also be in areas that are expected to become urban within 20 years.
The UNPS&SW Grant Program offers municipalities an excellent opportunity to develop plans to meet municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) and total maximum daily load (TMDL) water quality requirements.
*Note for MS4 Permitted Communities: MS4 Annual Reports Are Due March 31, 2023.
Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for UNPS&SW Planning Grants include but are not limited to:
Storm water management planning for urban areas
Preparation of local ordinances affecting storm water discharge
Evaluating alternatives for local financing of urban runoff control programs
Administrative costs for the initial establishment of local storm water management funding programs
Illicit discharge detection and elimination program planning
Public information and education activities.
MS4 program updates
Assessment of pollutant loading compared to TMDL and MS4 permit requirements
Analysis of alternatives for long-term strategic plans to reach TMDL goals
MS4 permit compliance plans
Water quality improvement initiatives for important recreation and tourism water resources
UNPS Planning Grant Successes
Our storm water experts have extensive experience assisting municipalities with the UNPS&SW Grant application process. Recent planning grant recipients include:
Village of Menomonee Falls
Water Quality Master Plan and MS4 Permit Compliance Activities
$85,000 Grant
Milwaukee County
Outfall Basin Delineation and TMDL WinSLAMM Modeling
$84,402 Grant
City of Watertown
Stormwater Program and TMDL Updates
$70,000 Grant
Village of Thiensville
Storm Water Management Plan and TMDL Update
$77,093 Grant
Village of Brown Deer
Storm Water Management Plan Update & TMDL Analysis
Funding for an updated storm water ordinance for new development and re-development, other updated ordinances that affect runoff from the developed urban area, an updated storm water management plan for the entire developed urban area, and an updated storm water management plan for new development.
Village of Elm Grove
Storm Water Management Plan Update & TMDL Analysis
Funding for TMDL and MS4 permit compliance, including storm sewer mapping, complete pollutant loading calculations, storm water management alternatives to bring the Village into compliance with the TMDL requirements, and the development of new water quality programs.
Town of West Bend
Storm Water Management Plan & MS4 Permit Compliance
Funding for new ordinances that affect runoff from the developed urban area, a new storm water management plan for part of the developed urban area, and a new storm water management plan for new development.
Town of Norway
In-Depth Water Quality Analysis & Storm Water Program Enhancements
Funding for an updated storm water management plan for part of the developed urban area and an updated storm water management plan for new development.
Learn More
At R/M, we understand that the grant application process can be incredibly complex and time consuming, especially when you’re faced with increasingly limited resources. That’s why we work with communities to help make the grant application process as smooth and cost-effective as possible.
Not sure if a UNPS&SW Planning Grant is the right fit for your community? Contact an expert at R/M today to learn more.
