Municipal Flood Control Grant Program

ATTENTION: The 2024 Municipal Flood Control Grant Application period is now open. Complete application packages are due by 4:00 pm on March 15, 2024.

Recognizing the responsibility to protect life, health, and property from flood damages, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers this grant assistance package to all cities, villages, towns, tribal governments, and metropolitan sewerage districts concerned with municipal flood control management. This grant program is not intended to be an emergency relief program and instead a way to proactively mitigate the impacts of a changing climate; reduce flood hazard vulnerabilities; and improve the resilience and preparedness of Wisconsin municipalities.

2024 Application Period Funding Information

The most recent biennial budget maintained available funding for MFC grants at $2 million. Additionally, re-allocated grant funds from prior grant cycles not fully used by grantees will be rolled into available funding for this grant period. As a result, the initial total available funding is roughly $2.3 million.

Under Wisconsin Statues, no single applicant may be awarded more than 20% of the total available funding. For the 2024 MFC application cycle, the largest possible grant award for one individual project is $460,000.

See the Apply tab for application details, step-by-step instructions, and requirements.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants

Cities, villages, towns, tribes and metropolitan sewerage districts are eligible to apply for these grants.

Eligibility

Eligible projects

Eligibility depends on the proposed project. Read the project selection help [PDF] for comprehensive information.

Deadlines

The Municipal Flood Control Grant application period is now open. Complete application packages are due by 4:00 pm on March 15, 2024.

Application periods open every other year on even years, if funding is available to administer the grant program. Sign up for email notices with Municipal flood control grant updates.

Apply

Application Materials

The MFC Program and Application Guide contains all the application instructions and specific requirements based on the eligible project type. Follow the step-by-step instructions in Part 5 of the guide to complete your application.

IMPORTANT NOTE: YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT PROCEED TO THE SELECTION PROCESS UNLESS COMPLETE SUBMITTAL BY THE REQUIRED DEADLINE. LATE SUBMISSIONS AND PARTIAL APPLICATIONS WITH MISSING INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING.

Notice: Some web browsers do not open PDF files on their own. If you experience trouble opening or filling out a PDF form, visit the DNR PDF help for instructions on how to successfully open PDF files.

Acquisition/appraisal

Property acquisition/appraisal guidance

MFC grant applicants applying for project priority types that involve property acquisition must follow specific appraisal procedures to be eligible to receive grant awards. These procedures are designed to ensure fairness, meet federal and state government requirements, and protect the interests of the property owner (seller) and the State. Failure to comply with these procedures may disqualify a grant applicant from the grant award selection.

Program Guide and Application Guide [PDF] See Part 3: Property Acquisition Requirements and Conditions
Land Acquisition Information for DNR Grant Applicants [PDF]
Appraiser List [PDF]
Contaminated Property Acquisition Guidance [PDF]
Deed Restriction Format [PDF]

Trouble downloading forms? see: Troubleshooting tips

Reimbursement

Claims for payment of actual and eligible expenses must be submitted on these forms. All costs submitted must be documented and consistent with the eligibility provisions of ch. NR 199 and with the grant agreement.

All costs must be incurred within the grant time period with the exception of planning cost for appraisal reports, engineering or planning fees for the project unless otherwise agreed as part of the grant agreement.

To be eligible for grant award payment reimbursement, the applicant shall obtain all necessary permits and approvals for the project.