Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2012 --- 10:52 a.m.

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) -- The state Department of Natural Resources and La Crosse city officials say a new audit shows a conservancy group improperly obtained $1.1 million for its bluff protection program.

The La Crosse Tribune newspaper reports city attorney Phil Addis has accused the Mississippi Valley Conservancy of spending city funds for purposes beyond what was authorized in its contract and hasn't transferred 760 acres to the city.

He says the conservancy also failed to disclose it got city money for land acquisitions while applying for state stewardship grants. He says the group owes the city $624,261 and the DNR $518,807.

The conservancy contends it has accounted for its funding. Executive Director Tim Jacobson says city officials are trying to stop the bluff protection program.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.