281.72 River protection; contracts with nonprofit organizations.

(1) Definition. In this section, “nonprofit conservation organization" means a river management organization that meets the qualifications under s. 281.70 (4) (b) or a nonprofit corporation, a charitable trust or other nonprofit association whose purposes include the protection of rivers and that is described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) Requirements to receive contracts. The department shall provide contracts to nonstock, nonprofit corporations that are described under section 501 (c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are organized in this state. For a nonstock, profit corporation to qualify for a contract, the corporation shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) The corporation is exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(b) The corporation provides support to nonprofit conservation organizations.

(c) The corporation has a board of directors that has a majority of members who are representatives of nonprofit conservation organizations.

(d) The corporation contributes, to be used with the contract, $1 for every $3 it receives under the contract.

(3) Requirements under contracts. A corporation receiving a contract under this subsection shall do all of the following:

(a) Assist in the establishment of nonprofit conservation organizations.

(b) Provide technical assistance to nonprofit conservation organizations.

(c) Conduct conferences on topics for which technical assistance is provided under par. (b).

History: 1999 a. 9.