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-.11 - Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program

Current through Rules and Regulations filed
				through June 27, 2024
(1)
Definitions
. As
				used in this Rule, the term:
· "Qualified Local Government" means any county or
				  municipality meeting the definition found in paragraph 18 of subsection (a) of
				  Code Section
				  50-8-2.
· "Constituted Recreation Authority" means any
				  recreation authority registered with the Georgia Department of Community
				  Affairs.
· "Nongovernmental Entity" means nonprofit
				  organization primarily concerned with the protection and conservation of land
				  and natural resources, as evidenced by its organizational documents.
· "Natural-resource recreation" means recreation in
				  the form of boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, jogging, biking,
				  walking or similar outdoor activities.
· "GADNR" is the Georgia Department of Natural
				  Resources.
· "GEFA" is the Georgia Environmental Finance
				  Authority.
(2)
Key Provisions
. The intent of this chapter is to
				provide stewardship for state parks, state lands, and wildlife management
				areas; support local parks and trails; and protect critical conservation land.
Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. O.C.G.A.
				  12-6A-2 authorizes up to 80
				  percent of all moneys received by the state from the sales and use tax
				  collected by outdoor recreation equipment establishments classified under the
				  2007 North American Industry Classification Code 451110, sporting goods stores
				  in the immediate preceding fiscal year to be dedicated to the Georgia Outdoor
				  Stewardship Trust Fund for the purpose of funding the protection of
				  conservation land.
Board of Trustees of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust
				  Fund. O.C.G.A.
				  12-6A-7 establishes the Board of
				  Trustees of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The Board of Trustees
				  shall accept applications for project proposals for eligible funding and shall
				  evaluate and approve these proposals pursuant to the priorities established in
				  this 12-6A-10(d) and any other priorities established by the Board of
				  Trustees.
Administrative Authority. O.C.G.A. Chapter 6A of Title 12
				  provides the statutory basis for GADNR to administer this grant program. This
				  chapter is enacted pursuant to Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(p) of the
				  Constitution.
(3)
Eligible Applicants
. All qualified local governments,
				constituted recreation authorities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities
				may apply for grant funds under this program.
(4)
Use of Funds
.
				From within the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, moneys shall be made
				available each fiscal year for:
· Grants to any qualified local governments,
				  constituted recreation authorities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities
				  of this state having a project proposal with a primary purpose of one of the
				  conservation objectives listed in O.C.G.A.
				  12-6A-6;
· Grants as authorized in O.C.G.A.
				  12-6A-12;
· Costs incurred by the State in administering the
				  program.
Moneys may be available each fiscal year for loans to any
				  city, county or nongovernmental entity to defray the cost of conservation land
				  or of conservation easements placed upon property to ensure its permanent
				  protection as conservation land.
Before funds from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund
				  can be disbursed for grants for project proposals for conservation objectives,
				  applications for project proposals must be approved by the Board of Trustees,
				  the Board of Natural Resources, and the appropriations subcommittees of the
				  House of Representatives and Senate maintaining oversight authority over GADNR
				  and GEFA. As set forth in O.C.G.A. §
										12-6A-8(f), GEFA
				  is responsible for the disbursement of funds following final approval of
				  project proposals.
(5)
Eligible Projects
. All eligible projects must take
				place in the state of Georgia. Eligible project activities fall into three
				categories:
· Local Parks and Trails of Regional Significance, for
				  local governments, constituted recreation authorities and nongovernmental
				  entities to acquire and/or improve parks, trails and conservation lands.
· State Stewardship, for state agencies and
				  nongovernmental entities for maintenance, restoration or improvement projects
				  to enhance public access, use, or safe enjoyment of permanently protected
				  conservation land and currently owned state parks.
· State Land Acquisition, for state agencies and
				  nongovernmental entities to acquire critical areas for the provision or
				  protection of clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing, for military
				  installation buffering, or for natural-resource based outdoor
				  recreation.
(6)
General Terms and Conditions
. Each funding cycle will
				begin with a funding cycle announcement. The funding cycle announcement will be
				posted at
https://gadnr.org/grants
. Each funding
				cycle announcement will include deadlines, specific requirements, and
				procedures for submission of the pre-application.
Funding opportunities involve a competitive pre-application
				  process followed by an invitation only second-level application process. The
				  detailed pre-application process and second-level application forms,
				  instructions, deadlines, format, required forms/documents, required
				  drawings/maps, and project ranking criteria are available at
https://gadnr.org/grants
Grant Cycle. Funds will only be made available for grants or
				  loans to eligible recipients during the grant cycle. The grant cycle timeline
				  will be included in the funding cycle announcement each year. To receive
				  funding, applicants must submit an application before the pre-application
				  deadline.
Project Timeline. All selected applicants will have 24 months
				  to complete the project from the date of the signed Project Agreement.
Match Requirements. Applicants must provide at least 25
				  percent of the total project cost as match. Match may include cash, in-kind
				  goods and services or volunteer labor. Applicant must document availability of
				  the required 25 percent match for each application. State agencies will be
				  required to provide a 25 percent match, pending appropriations. Exceptions can
				  be made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
Funding Amounts. Projects for Local Parks and Trails of
				  Regional Significance must have a grant or loan request between $500,000 and
				  $3,000,000. There are no minimum or maximum grant amounts for State Stewardship
				  or State Acquisition projects. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the
				  Board of Trustees.
Financial Workshop. All selected applicants are required to
				  attend a financial workshop prior to executing the Project Agreement.
Project Agreement. Grant and loan recipients must execute a
				  Project Agreement with GADNR and comply with all its provisions, including
				  maintaining complete financial records for all activities and submitting
				  quarterly progress reports.
Inspections. GADNR Staff will conduct site inspections for
				  all awarded projects before the project begins and after the project's
				  completion. GADNR Staff may conduct site inspections during the project
				  timeline.
Acquisition Projects. All projects involving acquisition or
				  conservation easements shall place protective language provided by GADNR on the
				  deed for the property.
(7)
Application Timeline
. The calendar for an annual
				funding cycle:
May - Funding cycle announcement of the upcoming grant
				  cycle
September 1 - Pre-application period opens
October 31 - Pre-applications due (specific deadline assigned
				  each year in the funding cycle announcement)
November - December - Staff reviews, evaluates and ranks
				  pre-applications
January - Board of Trustees prepare and approve proposal of
				  projects; Board of Natural Resources approves proposal of projects;
				  Appropriations subcommittees of the House of Representatives and Senate
				  maintaining oversight authority over the GADNR and GEFA approve proposal of
				  projects
February - All pre-applicants are notified and selected
				  pre-applicants are invited to submit second-level applications
May 30 - Second-level applications due
June - July - Selected applicants attend required financial
				  workshop and sign Project Agreements
(8)
Pre-Application
				Process
: The pre-application can be found online at
https://gadnr.org/grants
. All
				aspects of the pre-application must be completed online.
All eligible pre-applications shall include:
* Responses to each of the evaluation criteria
* Cover letter on official letterhead signed by the chief
				  elected official/executive director/president/agency official
* A resolution adopted by the governing entity of the
				  applicant authorizing the application and committing or verifying all matching
				  funds required to complete the proposed project
* A narrative description of the proposed project
* Estimate of cost
* Preliminary site plan
* Plat and/or legal description of the property proposed for
				  purchase and/or development
* Location map
Pre-applications must be submitted by the deadline stated on
				  the fundingcycle announcement or the application will not be eligible for
				  review.
(9)
Review of Grant Applications
. All pre-applications
				received from eligible applicants are reviewed by GADNR Staff. Specific
				criteria are used to evaluate projects.
Upon completion of the review and ranking process, GADNR
				  Staff will present pre-applications to the Board of Trustees at the first
				  calendar meeting of each year. The Board of Trustees shall prepare and approve
				  a proposal containing approved projects. Upon approval of the proposal, the
				  Board of the of Natural Resources shall review and approve the proposal of the
				  Board of Trustees.
Each year's initial proposal shall be submitted by January 31
				  to the chairpersons of the appropriations subcommittees of the House of
				  Representatives and Senate maintaining oversight authority over GADNR and GEFA.
				  Upon approval by the appropriations subcommittees, the proposal of projects
				  shall be deemed approved.
(10)
Second-Level Application
				Process
. Approved pre-applicants will be invited to submit a
				second-level application.
Second-level applications shall contain the following:
* Signed application cover sheet
* Detailed project budget
* Environmental Assessment Package
* Property Deed Copy
* Signed statement from landowner expressing support (this is
				  applicable if the applicant are not the same)
* Approvals to cross a public highway or a public utility
				  right-of-way (if applicable)
* Maps: Property Boundary Area Map, Preliminary Site map,
				  site location map
* Detailed Project Development Budget
* Local Program Implementation Schedule
The second-level application can be found at
https://gadnr.org/grants
.
				  Second-level applicants who are unable to meet all requirements for a complete
				  application by the deadline may be granted an extension by GADNR Staff.
(11)
Awarded
				Projects
. Funds will be available to successful applicants
				following the financial workshop with GADNR Staff and the execution of a
				Project Agreement between GADNR and the grantee. The date the Project Agreement
				is signed is "Day 1" of the project timeline. The grantee will have 24 months
				to complete the project from "Day 1."
Land Acquisition Projects. For projects involving the
				  acquisition of real property or conservation easements, grantees must submit
				  the following to GADNR no later than seven days before the scheduled date of
				  closing:
* the final closing statement, which shall reflect the
				  sources and amounts of matching funds and the proper commitment of the grant or
				  loan proceeds to the acquisition of the project; and
* the final draft conveyance instrument and all exhibits
				  thereto that will be used to convey the project to the Grantee.
If the closing statement is satisfactory to GADNR and if all
				  terms and conditions are met, GEFA shall wire the grant or loan proceeds to the
				  Grantee.
Reimbursement Requests. For non-acquisition projects, all
				  grant funds will be made via reimbursements. Grantees cannot be reimbursed for
				  work that is done prior to the Project Agreement. Grantees may make
				  reimbursement requests at any time for costs incurred after "Day 1."
				  Reimbursement requests will be submitted at
https://gadnr.org/grants
. All
				  reimbursement requests will be reviewed and approved by GADNR Staff and forward
				  to GEFA for payment.
Quarterly Reports. Grantees are required to submit quarterly
				  progress reports throughout the project's timeline. Quarterly reports will be
				  submitted at
https://gadnr.org/grants
. Quarterly
				  reports should include any progress made during the quarter and a detailed
				  description of all funds spent.
Extension Requests. Grantees may request timeline extensions
				  if the project is expected to exceed the 24-month deadline. All extension
				  requests will be submitted at
https://gadnr.org/grants
. All formal
				  requests will be reviewed by GADNR Staff and approved by the Chairman of the
				  Board of Trustees. Written notice of the project extension shall be immediately
				  provided to the chairperson of the appropriations subcommittees of the House
				  and Senate maintaining oversight of GADNR and GEFA. Extension requests shall be
				  made at least 90-days prior to the project's completion date. If the extension
				  request is granted, the grantee must sign an Amended Project Agreement.
Change of Scope. Grantees may request to change the scope of
				  the original project. All formal requests will be approved by the Board of
				  Trustees. Change of Scope requests must be made prior to the project's
				  completion date. If the Change of Scope request is granted, the grantee must
				  sign an Amended Project Agreement.
Project Completion Audit. A percentage equivalent to the
				  grantee's match, as identified in the application and grant agreement, will be
				  held in retainage by GADNR. Upon completion of the project, the grantee shall
				  submit a final reimbursement request and identify it as such. Upon receipt of
				  this request, GADNR shall conduct a final project completion audit.
This audit shall include, but may not be limited to:
* Audit of all paperwork submitted by the grantee for
				  accuracy and completion
* Audit of all expenditures against the total project
				  budget
* Audit of all previous reimbursements and requests
* Verification of a total match submitted by the
				  grantee
* Final site inspection conducted by GADNR Staff
Once GADNR deems that all requirements of the project
				  agreement have been satisfied, retainage will be dispersed to the grantee per
				  the project agreement and final total expenditures. If total expenditures are
				  less than anticipated, GADNR will adjust the payable retainage amount
				  accordingly. In any instance where an overpayment of either reimbursement or
				  retainage is realized, the grantee is required to refund an amount back to GEFA
				  equivalent to the overage.
(12)
Criteria
.
				Specific criteria will be used to review applications. The criteria are
				designed to measure the overall concept of the proposed project. Because not
				all criteria are equally important, the criteria are weighted.
Administrative Criteria - Evaluation criteria in this section
				  are required by all applicants.
* Matching Funds: Can the applicant provide matching funds
				  greater than 25 percent?
* Project Need: Does this project satisfy priority needs as
				  identified in a formalized planning document?
* Pre-Project Planning: Has the pre-project planning occurred
				  and is the project ready to proceed?
* Leveraging Funds: Will these funds be used as leverage when
				  applying for an external grant?
* Recreational Opportunity: Will this project provide
				  nature-based recreational opportunities?
* Water Quality and Quantity Protection- Location: Is this
				  project located in an area identified as high-priority by the Environmental
				  Protection Division?
* Water Quality and Quantity Protection - Best Management
				  Practices: Will this project protect or restore lands that will improve the
				  quality and quantity of surface water, groundwater, or the flow of springs
				  using best management practices?
* Historical and Cultural Value: Does this project include
				  the acquisition or development of land with cultural or historical
				  value?
* Ecological Value: Does this project include the acquisition
				  or development of land with a significant ecological value?
* Maintenance and Management Plan: Can the applicant provide
				  a plan or budget to maintain and manage this property after the project is
				  complete?
Additional Criteria for Local Parks and Trails of Regional
				  Significance - Evaluation criteria in this section are only required for
				  applicants seeking a grant under the Local Parks and Trails for Regional
				  Significance Category.
* Project Completion: Will this project be completed within a
				  two-year timeline?
* Americans with Disabilities (ADA): Project must adhere to
				  all required ADA guidelines.
* Project Impact: Is this project regionally
				  significant?
* Economic Development: Will this project create
				  opportunities to expand or enhance the local economy?
* Recreational Connectivity: Will this project provide access
				  or connections to other outdoor recreation facilities?
* Stewardship: Will this project promote the stewardship of
				  natural resources?
* Water Access: Will this project improve or expand water
				  access?
* Outdoor Recreation Demand: Will this project fill a void
				  for a specific nature-based recreation opportunity in the area?
* Interagency Cooperation: Was this project developed by two
				  or more governmental entities or in conjunction with a nongovernmental
				  entity?
* Partnerships: Will this project receive support from
				  sponsors?
* Public Support: Can the applicant provide documented public
				  support for the project?
* Security: Can the applicant provide a security plan to keep
				  this area protected and secured following the completion of the project?
* State Goals: Does this project overlap with the goals and
				  plans included in Georgia's current State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) or State
				  Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)?
Additional Criteria for State Stewardship - Evaluation
				  criteria in this section are only required for applicants seeking a grant under
				  the State Stewardship Category.
* Project Completion: Will this project be completed within a
				  two-year timeline?
* Stewardship: Will this project significantly improve
				  access, use or safety on an existing state-owned property?
Additional Criteria for State Acquisition - Evaluation
				  criteria in this section are only required for applicants seeking a grant under
				  the State Acquisition Category.
* U.S. Military Protection: Will the acquisition of this
				  property help to protect lands, water and habitat as to ensure the
				  sustainability of U.S. Military missions?
(13)
Program
				Oversight
. Following the close of each state fiscal year, GADNR
				shall submit an annual report of its activities and program administration
				expenditures for the preceding year, pursuant to this chapter, to the Governor,
				the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, the chairperson of the Ways
				and Means Committee of the House of Representatives, the chairperson of the
				Senate Finance Committee, the chairpersons of the Appropriations Committee of
				the House of Representatives and the Appropriations Committee of the Senate,
				and the chairpersons of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee of the
				House of Representatives and the Natural Resources and the Environment
				Committee of the Senate, and make such report available to the General
				Assembly.
(14)
Program
				Information
. Complete information on the, Georgia Outdoor
				Stewardship Program including links to guidelines and complete application
				instructions, guidance, and required forms are available at:
https://gadnr.org
/grants
O.C.G.A. §
											12-6A-11.