Frequently Asked Questions

General

Where are you located?

WAMSCO is located at the Shawano Chamber of Commerce on South Main Street in Shawano, WI.

Where is your service area?

We service anyone in the bounds of Menominee and Shawano counties.

What kinds of projects do you implement?

WAMSCO partners with the Wisconsin DNR and the Land Conservation Department to implement cost-share grant funded restoration projects. These projects directly impact a nearby waterbody through the installation of native plantings, rain gardens, riprap, etc., the monitoring of aquatic invasive species, or the management of aquatic plants.

Grant Information

How do cost-share grant programs work?

We apply for grant programs on behalf of landowners. They are all cost-share, meaning that a percentage of the project will be funded by the grant and a percentage of it will be funded by the landowner. Most of the programs award grants that cover up to 75% of the total project cost. Each project is different and a site-visit to your property is required to determine whether the project is eligible.

Cost-share grants are also reimbursement-based. This means that the landowner will pay for the total project cost up front and will be reimbursed 75% of it at a later time.

Could I still be eligible for a grant if I don’t live on a lake or river?

You do not have to live on a lake or river to be eligible for a grant, but you do have to live close to one. Most grant programs require that the project must be installed within 1,000 feet of a lake ordinary high-water mark, a wetland that is part of an aquatic ecosystem, OR the greater distance of 300 feet to a river or the landward side of a floodplain.

Why do I need WAMSCO to get my project grant-funded?

Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply for these grant programs. WAMSCO is a non-profit organization that is eligible to apply on behalf of landowners to implement restoration projects and has been doing so for years.

Does WAMSCO pay for the landowner portion of the grant?

No, WAMSCO is a non-profit organization and cannot cover any costs that are the responsibility of the landowner.

Who do I pay for the project implementation?

Any costs related to your grant-funded project will be paid to WAMSCO for reimbursement purposes.

When will I get reimbursed?

WAMSCO submits for reimbursement to the grant entity by December/January of each year. Once the reimbursement is received, we send out checks to landowners within a month to the address on file.

Restoration

What does WAMSCO get out of it?

By implementing these projects, WAMSCO gets to continue our mission to protect and improve our waterways. All grant dollars are used for the implementation of the project(s) that the grant is funding.

Can you install sod on my property?

No, WAMSCO does not install sod or anything unrelated to a restoration project. We hope you consider installing a native planting or garden instead of sod, as it requires little to no upkeep (no mowing!), provides pollinator habitat and soil stability, and it is beautiful.