The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced the communities chosen to receive Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants, intended to address the damage caused by recent severe winter storms. According to the department's official press release, the grants aim to support the repair, removal, or replacement of trees in urban areas impacted by storms classified as catastrophic.
Grants have been awarded to communities in varying amounts, up to $50,000, without requiring a dollar-for-dollar match. Between March 29 and April 1, these cities experienced severe ice and snow storms. The City of Antigo will receive $50,000, Oconto Falls is allocated $14,322, and Rhinelander will be granted $44,000. These funds are intended to support the recovery efforts in the affected communities.
These allocations follow the declaration of a State of Emergency by Gov. Tony Evers, as observed in Executive Order #256 on April 1, an action that allowed for the disbursement of such aid. Defined by damage to urban forests courtesy of weather phenomena such as snow, ice, wind or tornadoes, the Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant program operates under such emergency conditions.
