Aquatic Restoration Program
The Restoration Program identifies, plans, and implements restoration projects and offers various levels of support to public and private organizations working on restoration projects that take place on or adjacent to state-owned aquatic lands. all of these projects are designed to restore, enhance, create and protect favorable biological and ecological conditions of freshwater, saltwater and estuarine aquatic systems through partnerships with other agencies and organizations.
DNR is interested in learning about potential restoration opportunities that benefit the health of state-owned aquatic lands. If you know of a site with restoration potential and would like to discuss it, please contact us.
Types of Restoration Projects
DNR Aquatics has three districts across the state. Each district has an Aquatics Restoration Manager designated to work on the DNR Aquatics Restoration Program. To have a better understanding of projects that have received funding, the types of support that have been given for restoration projects other than funding, or to view projects where DNR has been the project manager, please see the project lists which include maps and photographs of each project.
Project Descriptions, Status, Maps and Photos
Partnership Opportunities
DNR’s restoration program has various partnership opportunities:
First, the program may partner with a project proponent that is leading the restoration. For those projects, DNR can take on responsibilities to enhance the project, such as to:
- Provide funding from DNR’s restoration program
- Support grant applications
- Review permits or restoration design
Secondly, the program can provide a more direct role in the partnership. DNR’s Restoration Program manages restoration projects. This involves:
- Project management;
- Writing and managing grants;
- Completing the permit process with federal state and local agencies; and
- Implementing the project.
If you are interested in this type of partnership opportunity, please contact the Restoration Manager located in your project area. DNR may form partnerships with public or private organizations and we hope to continue to expand partnerships with public, private, and non-profit entities.
Funding Provisions for Proponent-led Projects
- Funding only is provided for on-the-ground portions of restoration projects. Typically this includes on-site project preparation and on-site project implementation of restoration-related activities.
- Matching funds are required at a 1:1 ratio. The match may come from other cash sources (federal, state, local or other), as well as in-kind services and volunteer hours. A goal of this funding opportunity is to provide seed money for projects that will leverage additional funds and/or in-kind services and, as a result, increase the benefits of the restoration project.
- The project has long-term viability (ongoing stewardship, sustainable, protected from development).
- Projects on, adjacent to, or that have a direct benefit to state-owned aquatic land.
- Project based on sound technical knowledge.
- Project has gone through public review and is supported by the community.
Projects Ineligible for Funding
Projects include but are not limited to:
- Projects that are solely based on mitigation requirements;
- Project based solely on invasive species removal/eradication;
- Projects which focus on lake management (i.e. blue-green algae treatment, fish stocking, dredging, aquatic vegetation removal).
How to Request Funds
If you are interested in funding support, please complete and submit the Request for Funds form. For other types of support, please contact the Restoration Manager that works in the county in which your project is located. Projects are evaluated by the Restoration Managers every other month.
If there is any immediacy to your request, please explain the situation and timeline upon submittal of the form. Funding typically awarded ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 and is available on a 2-year (biennial) basis.