# Presentation: 161843

## State Approaches to Funding Local Projects

- A Survey of RFPs

**The State/EPA NPS Partnership**
**New Orleans, November 27, 2001**

## A restoration grant project, before and after?

- Van Gogh
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston

- Renoir
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston

## Goals of the Survey

- Identify elements of a good RFP
- Provide links to states
- Highlight effective techniques

## Elements of an RFP

- Introductory material
- Eligibility criteria
- Proposal requirements
- Evaluation criteria
- “cool stuff”

## Introductory Material

**Objectives:**
- Rhode Island:  reduce NPS pollutant loadings entering water resources so that beneficial uses of the water resources are maintained or restored.
- Alabama:  WE NEED YOU!  (focus on public involvement).
- Hawaii:  objectives include measurement of load reductions or public awareness
- Michigan:  encourages getting your feet wet, collecting data to develop good watershed plans

## Eligibility Criteria

**Legal Requirements:**
- Link to NPS Management Plan
- No enforcement actions
- No NPDES

## Eligibility Criteria (con’t)

**Geographic Priorities:**
- Florida:	Only in priority watersheds listed in 			NPS Plan
- Indiana: Only in 303(d), 305(b), Clean Lakes, 			or UWA impaired watersheds
- Virginia:	Targeted to 303(d) or NPS Assessment 			Report
- South Carolina:  Base funds must be spent in 			TMDL watersheds

## Eligiblity Criteria (con’t)

**Programmatic Priorities:**
- Pennsylvania
- Organization of watershed groups
- Watershed assessments
- Watershed plan
- Watershed implementation
- Maine
- BMP implementation
- Aquatic habitat restoration
- Watershed survey
- Watershed Management Plan

## Proposal Requirements

- Common Elements in State RFPs
- Applicant Information
- Scope of Work
- Financial Summary
- Water Quality Problem
- Partnerships
- Deliverables

## Proposal Requirements (con’t)

- Connecticut:
- Good application form generally
- Budget section:
- Requires budget by task
- Assigns match funds by task

## Evaluation Criteria

- Alaska: 	60 out of 100 possible points are 		awarded for “Demonstrated 			Project Need” and “Project 			Design”
- Virginia:  values cost-effectiveness, e.g. 		$/ft. of BMPs installed

## Evaluation Criteria (con’t)

- 30 pts		Watershed Priority
- 20 pts		Potential Water Quality Benefit
- 15 pts		Comprehensive Watershed Approach
- 10 pts		Institutionalized Program
- 10 pts		Project Coordination
- 10 pts		Capacity of Applicant
- 5 pts		Quality of Proposal

## Evaluation Criteria (con’t)	

**New Mexico**

- Major Criterion:  The degree to which a project will address the cause rather than the effect of a problem

## Cool Stuff

- What else is out there?

## Cool Stuff (con’t)

- Completed Project Reports on Web Site

**PROJECT CLOSE OUT**
**FY95 Section 319 Grant Program**
**Demonstration of Innovative Bridge Crossing**
**To Reduce Sedimentation From Unpaved Roads**
- EPA Grant Number: C9994515-95-0
- Work Plan Project Number: Task 12
- Project Period: February 3, 1997 - February 3, 1998
- DEP Contract Number: WM659
- Contractor: Jackson County Board of County Commissioners

## Combined RFP

**The Centennial Clean Water Fund -- $15-20 M**
- low-interest loans and grants for wastewater treatment facilities and fund-related activities to reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution.
**The State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) -- $53 M**
- low-interest loans for wastewater treatment facilities and related activities, or to reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution.
**Section 319 -- $2 M**

## Slide 17

## Web-based Application Handbook
Extensive Outreach, including teleconferencing

- Extensive Outreach, including teleconferencing

## Alabama

- Electronic Application Form
- template
- E-mail submittal

## Rhode Island

- Pre-Proposal Process
- Watershed location
- Pollutants addressed
- Purpose
- Outline
- Major outcomes
- Budget estimate

## Rhode Island (and others)	

- Match Calculation:
- 		Grant  X  0.667  =  Match

## Pennsylvania	

- Legal Assistance Options
- Formation of watershed organizations
- Creation of by-laws

## California	

- Requires 1 page summary to:
- 		1. Network with watershed groups
- 		2. Track implementation of BMPs
- 		3. Determine effectiveness in 		  	    protecting beneficial uses