Badger State Trail Completion Moves Ahead – The Transportation Enhancements Grant committee recommended last week that the completion of the Badger State Trail bike path be included as a granted project

jONline

An e-newsletter from Senator Jon Erpenbach – 8-15-2008

Badger State Trail Completion Moves Ahead – The Transportation Enhancements Grant Committee recommended last week that the completion of the Badger State Trail bike path be included as a granted project. Submitted by the City of Fitchburg, the project received the highest score from the committee. The grant requires Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacci to sign off before it is final. Senator Erpenbach has been an advocate for the Badger State Trail since its inception as a “rails to trails” project over a decade ago.

Monroe Municipal Airport Receives Grants: $675,000 has been approved to rehabilitate pavements at the Monroe Municipal Airport: $16,875 in state funds, $16,875 from the City of Monroe and $641,250 from the Federal Aviation Administration. The project includes reconstructing the main aircraft parking ramp, terminal taxiways, and airport entrance road.

Monroe Dental Care Clinic Project Gets Grant: Green County is one step closer to a new dental care facility. The project has been awarded $50,000 for startup from Delta Dental Insurance company. The next step to opening the doors to the Dental Clinic is to rollout the clinic’s design plans and the fundraising plans.

Wisconsin Urban Forestry Grant Applications Being Accepted: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources through the Urban Forestry Grant Program provides funding to communities across the state. The grants help communities with tree inventories, management plans, invasive species planning, training, public awareness and more. For 2009, the grant focus will be on emerald ash borer preparedness projects. Approximately $425,000 is available to municipalities and 501c3 organizations. Applicants can request $1,000 to $25,000 with a 50/50 match. The grant deadline is October 6^th, 2008. For assistance contact the DNR at (608)-267-3775 or visit http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/UFI/grants/

Emerald Ash Borer in Wisconsin What Next: The announcement from the Department of Natural Resources recently that stating the emerald ash borer was found in Wisconsin trees in Washington County. This was not a surprise but still startling to conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts. The plan from the DNR is to quarantine all wood from Washington and Ozaukee Counties. The next step will be a thorough inspection of all trees in the quarantined area and around its boarders. The main way the emerald ash borer travels is through transported wood. PLEASE do not transport any wood – burn it where you buy/cut it. There are 737 million ash trees in Wisconsin forests and another 5 million in our communities. The impact of the emerald ash borer will be substantial for Wisconsin. To report suspicious ash trees or to request information call 1-800-462-2803.