(1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) “Control” means to cut, remove, destroy, suppress, or prevent the introduction or spread of.
(b) “Council” means the invasive species council.
(bm) “Governmental unit” means a federal agency, state agency, county, city, village, or town.
(c) “Invasive species” means nonindigenous species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
(d) “State agency” means a board, commission, committee, department, or office in the state government.
(2) DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) The department shall establish a statewide program to control invasive species in this state.
(b) As part of the program established under par. (a), the department shall do all of the following: 1. Create and implement a statewide management plan to control invasive species in this state, which shall include inspections as specified under sub. (5). 2. Administer the program established under s. 23.24 as it relates to invasive aquatic plants. 3. Encourage cooperation among state agencies and other entities to control invasive species in this state. 4. Seek public and private funding for the program. 5. Provide education and encourage and conduct research concerning invasive species. 6. Promulgate rules to identify, classify, and control invasive species for purposes of the program. In promulgating these rules, the department shall consider the recommendations of the council under sub.
(3) (a). As part of these rules, the department may establish procedures and requirements for issuing permits to control invasive species.
(c) Under the program established under par. (a), the department shall promulgate rules to establish a procedure to award cost-sharing grants to public and private entities for up to 75 percent of the costs of projects to control invasive species. The rules promulgated under this paragraph shall establish criteria for determining eligible projects and eligible grant recipients. Eligible projects shall include education and inspection activities at boat landings. The rules shall allow cost-share contributions to be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services or any combination thereof. In promulgating these rules, the department shall consider the recommendations of the council under sub.
(3) (c).
(d) Under the program established under par. (a), the department shall set aside $42,000 from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1)
(ku) during fiscal year 2013-14 to be used for a project to improve the sea lamprey barrier on the Kewaunee River at the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility. Upon either the receipt or commitment of funding in the amount of $78,000 from one or more governmental units, the department shall release the amount set aside for the project.
(e) Under the program established under par. (a), the department shall set aside $262,500 from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1)
(ku) during fiscal year 2013-14 to be used for a project to construct a sea lamprey barrier on the Nemadji River. Upon either the receipt or commitment of funding in the amount of $487,500 from one or more governmental units, the department shall release the amount set aside for the project.
(f) Under the program established under par.
(a) and from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1) (kc), the department may expend up to $400,000 to carry out sea lamprey control projects and up to $120,000 to conduct surveys of sea lamprey larvae on any inland lakes, tributaries of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, or harbors of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.