Are we required to follow the 2021 CBCW COVID-19 guidelines to be reimbursed for the grant?
The recommendations provided to grantees for volunteer and paid inspector’s activities are not requirements, but merely suggested best management practices to help increase the safety of CBCW volunteers and grantees. CBCW grant activities are still being reimbursed as long as they are within the scope of the original grant agreement. If your organization is prepared to begin inspections and approves of moving forward with inspections, you are able to do so as long as you are still following the rules of your local jurisdiction and the boat landing owner.
What happens if we do not meet the 200-hour per landing requirement for our CBCW grant?
If only some of the hours are met, then we could do a partial final payment to reflect the hours that were completed. Generally, that is calculated by:
(number of hours completed at a landing)/(200 hours)=% of hours completed.
We take that % and multiply it by the grant award to figure out the maximum award that can be paid out at the end of the grant. That way, you can still be reimbursed for most of the grant award even if you are only able to complete a portion of the hours. This does not impact future chances of getting a CBCW grant award or amount awarded for the next year at all. See the question below if you do not think you will be able to complete the grant at all this summer.
What if we are not able to complete our grant over the summer? What will happen to our grant?
If your organization feels that completing CBCW activities this summer would be unsafe or you encounter other coronavirus-related challenges, we are able to discuss a time extension for the grant into next summer. This would effectively convert the grant to cover the summer of 2022, and you would not need to apply for a grant this fall. You can hold on to the advanced payment you have already received in anticipation of completing grant activities as normal next year. From the DNR’s perspective, it is better to extend your grant into next year than to cancel the grant.
You must contact DNRCBCWGrants@wisconsin.gov as soon as possible if this option would work best for your organization to work on a grant amendment.
Who do I contact about further questions on CBCW grants or other Surface Water Grants?
CBCW inquires may be sent directly to DNRCBCWGrants@wisconsin.gov. For questions on your other Surface Water Grants,
your biologist and environmental grants specialist are available to answer your questions. Please work in close collaboration with your
biologists and environmental grant specialists to determine the best course of action and discuss any potential project changes PRIOR to incurring costs not included within your project application scope and budget. We encourage you to communicate via email as staff are working remotely.
Where and how do I order the free CBCW masks for my inspectors?
The CBCW cloth face masks are available to order from the
CBCW online store. These free reusable, 4-ply masks are available to all watercraft inspectors to use while working at the boat landing. Please limit your order to two masks per inspector. If you need to place an order for more than 10 masks, please email Erin McFarlane (
erin.mcfarlane@uwsp.edu), and she will help facilitate your order.
What training opportunities are there for inspectors and are they impacted by COVID-19? Who do I contact to find training options in my area?
If you’re looking for CBCW training opportunities this year, be sure to check the
CBCW Training calendar to see what is available. On the calendar, you can find trainings specific to your county/area, as well as trainings that will be conducted from a statewide perspective. AIS staff are working to offer online or in-person trainings while following safety precautions recommended by the state and CDC.
Don’t see a training listed for your county? Reach out to your
local AIS Coordinator (find out who that is
here) and ask if they have any trainings planned.
Skip to main content
