SB 544

This bill provides that costs relating to navigational buoys for the Lake

Winnebago pool system are eligible for funding under the recreational boating

facilities program.

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources administers the

recreational boating facilities program, which provides financial assistance to

governmental units and qualified lake associations for the construction and

rehabilitation of improvements related to recreational boating facilities, the

improvement of locks, and for numerous other eligible projects. In general, DNR may

provide up to 50 percent of the costs of a project, though the state share of costs may

be increased by the Wisconsin Waterways Commission under certain circumstances.

The bill adds to the list of eligible projects the purchase, placement,

maintenance, and removal of navigational buoys within the Lake Winnebago pool

system, which is defined as Lake Winnebago, Lake Butte des Mortes, Lake

Winneconne, Lake Poygan, and portions of the Wolf River and Fox River. The bill

provides that DNR may pay, with the approval of the commission, up to 100 percent

of the costs for these projects.