Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 391-5 - HISTORIC PRESERVATION › Subject 391-5-13 - STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS PROGRAMS › Rule 391-5-13-.01 - Recreation Assistance Fund (RAF)

Current through Rules and
				Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
Purpose.
The purpose of the
				Recreation Assistance Fund (RAF) is to provide grant assistance to eligible
				applicants for acquisition of real property and/or development of recreation
				facilities for general purpose public recreation. Funds are appropriated by the
				Georgia Legislature in the annual or supplemental budget process. Grants are
				awarded to applicants with proposed projects which will increase the local
				supply of public recreation lands and/or facilities either through the purchase
				of real property, facility development or rehabilitation of existing
				facilities.
(2)
Eligible
				Applicants.
All legally constituted entities (cities, counties,
				recreation commissions or authorities with legislative sanction) may apply for
				grant funds under this program. Eligible applicants must apply for grants under
				this program in a manner and format prescribed by the Department. Applications
				and related instructions for applying may be received by writing to the
				Department at the following address:
Department of Natural Resources
Grants Administration and Planning
205 Butler Street, S.E.
Suite 1352
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(3)
Application Procedures.
The
				typical calendar of an annual funding cycle follows:
July 1-
Public announcement of the
								Application Process.
Sept. 1-
Applications due.
Sept.-Oct.
Staff reviews, evaluates and ranks
								applications.
October-
Advisory Committee reviews staff
								recommendations.
Late October-
Funding recommendations are presented to the Board
								of Natural Resources for action.
November 1-
Announcement of grant awards.
Nov.-Dec.
Staff completes paperwork for formal commitment of
								funds.
The above schedule may be altered should funds be
				  appropriated in a supplemental budget, although the same basic process will be
				  followed.
Eligible applications shall make application to the
				  Department of Natural Resources by the specified deadline in the manner and
				  format outlined in the program application. Each application package shall
				  include responses to program criteria for which the applicant seeks points,
				  including appropriate justification and supporting documents. All grants are
				  subject to applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations (including
				  but not limited to environmental compliance specified in NEPA and GEPA and
				  non-discrimination laws.) Applications must be received by the specified
				  deadline. Contact the Department of Natural Resources at the above address for
				  a copy of the criteria and formal grant application procedures.
(4)
Program Criteria.
Each applicant must respond to Minimum Requirements and Evaluation Criteria as
				follows.
Minimum Requirements
The following minimum requirements apply to all applicants
				  for assistance:
Equal Opportunity.
The applicant must comply
				  with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the
				  Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans
				  with Disabilities Act of 1990 and all other State and Federal laws of
				  non-discrimination. This means that no person shall be discriminated against on
				  the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability for
				  recreation programs and facilities sponsored and operated by the
				  applicant.
State and Federal Laws/Regulations.
Applicants
				  must comply with existing laws and regulations for receiving and expending
				  state and federal grant money including, but not limited to, public notices,
				  bidding, and purchasing requirements, Georgia Environmental Policies Act, and
				  related environmental rules and regulations.
Operation and Maintenance.
The applicant must
				  have a satisfactory track record on the operation and maintenance of public
				  recreation areas and facilities. Those with no track record are exempt from
				  this requirement.
Grant Administration.
The applicant must have
				  demonstrated a capability for administering grants. The applicant is not ruled
				  out if a grant has never been awarded. It is possible, however, that applicants
				  who have received grants previously and
have not
demonstrated the
				  capability for administering grants may not be in compliance with the
				  requirement.
User Fees.
The applicant agrees that user fees
				  resulting from this application cannot be so large as to be
				  exclusionary.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Grants will be evaluated based on a numerical score on the
				  following criteria:
Community Priority.
The project is identified as
				  a specific priority through the applicant's community planning process,
				  responding to citizen identified needs and furthering the comprehensive
				  planning process.
Points
35
The project is identified as a high priority need
								in the applicant's recreational master plan
and
in the
								local government's comprehensive land use plan.
25
The project is identified as a high priority need
								in the applicant's recreational master plan
or
in the
								local government's comprehensive land use plan.
15
The project has been identified as a high priority
								need by a community study or citizen's panel.
0
The project does not address the community's
								priority needs.
Severity of Need.
The project provides for a new
				  or increased recreational experience within the applicant's service
				  area.
Points
50
There are
no
public
								recreational facilities within project service area.
25
There are limited public recreational facilities
								available within the project service area.
10
There are many and varied recreational facilities
								and opportunities available, but 100% of the population needs are not being
								met.
0
There are no unmet needs.
Community Partnerships.
The project involves a
				  partnership with various private and public sectors. Partnerships are created
				  with other public agencies or with private recreational providers.
Points
10
The project involves a partnership with four or
								more public and/or private groups or agencies.
5
he project involves a partnership with two or three
								public and/or private groups or agencies.
0
he project involves no partnerships within the
								community.
Handicapped Accessibility.
The Americans with
				  Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all new facilities meet accessibility
				  requirements and that existing facilities be rehabilitated to provide for
				  reasonable accommodations. All recreational projects shall consider
				  accessibility. However, points are rewarded for efforts to provide additional
				  accommodations.
Points
30
The proposed project will
rehabilitate
existing facilities to provide reasonable
								accommodations.
20
The proposed project is for construction of new
								accessible facilities and will also provide
three
or
								more accommodations which will link the new construction to other amenities and
								areas of the park.
10
The proposed project is for construction of new
								accessible facilities and will also provide one additional accommodation which
								will link the new construction to other amenities and areas of the park.
0
The project provides no additional accommodation
								beyond that which is required by law for the construction of new
								facilities.
Acquisition and Protection of Natural Resources.
Priority is given to projects that will acquire real property for recreation,
				  conservation or resource protection that may also be in imminent danger of
				  being lost to the applicant and irretrievable.
Points
25
The proposed project will acquire real property for
								recreation, conservation and/or resource protection which is in imminent danger
								of being lost to the applicant and may be irretrievable.
20
The proposed project will acquire real property for
								recreation and/or conservation which will protect outstanding natural
								resources.
10
The proposed project will acquire real property for
								recreational use.
0
The proposed project does not address real property
								acquisition.
Leverage of Grant Funds.
The state grant is
				  expanded with additional public or private funds, materials, or
				  services.
Points
10
The project involves leveraging of other public
								and/or private investments equal to the amount of the grant.
5
The project involves leveraging of other public
								and/or private investments equal to one-half the amount of the grant.
0
There is no leveraging of additional funds.
Community Benefits.
The project will benefit a
				  variety of residents and will provide more than one recreational
				  opportunity.
Points
25
The project is for a multi-use development or
								existing property.
10
The project is for a single use development of
								existing property.
Community Operation and Maintenance Commitment.
The project is included as part of the community recreational facilities and
				  will be maintained as part of the community's infrastructure after grant money
				  is no longer available.
Points
10
Applicant has made a written commitment (letter,
								resolution of intent, etc.) to continue full funding for the maintenance of the
								project.
5
Applicant has made a written commitment for the
								maintenance of the project through private resources.
0
Applicant has not committed to implement a
								maintenance plan.
O.C.G.A Secs.
				  12-3-32,
				  12-3-6.