Senate Bill 816 proposes the creation of a grant program for the town of Washington in Vilas County, specifically for the dredging of the Deerskin River. The bill mandates the Department of Natural Resources to award a grant of $1,750,000 to the town, which can be utilized for costs associated with permits, testing, dredging, and the transportation of sediment removed during the project. The bill stipulates that if the town fails to complete the dredging by December 31, 2028, it must return the full grant amount to the state. Additionally, if the project is completed but the actual costs are less than the awarded amount, the town is required to return the unspent funds.

To facilitate this grant, the bill introduces new legal language in the statutes, specifically creating sections 20.370 (4) (kt) and 30.2024. Section 20.370 (4) (kt) establishes a biennial grant from the environmental fund for the dredging project, while section 30.2024 outlines the specifics of the grant award, including the conditions for repayment if the project is not completed or if costs are lower than anticipated.