Pennsylvania Code › Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Part I - Department of Environmental Protection › Subpart C - Protection of Natural Resources › Article I - Land Resources › Chapter 83 - STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › Subchapter C - CHESAPEAKE BAY NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROGRAM-STATEMENT OF POLICY › FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING PROGRAM › Section 83.145 - District responsibilities

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
						  The district is encouraged to enter into an agreement with the county committee
						  of the ASCS to outline the tasks and responsibilities of a party to effectively
						  administer State cost-share funds consistent with the Agricultural Nonpoint
						  Source Abatement Program for the Chesapeake Bay and to maximize the use of
						  State and Federal funds.
(b) The
						  district is encouraged to develop a fair and open project selection process
						  that includes sign-up periods as necessary to receive requests for BMP
						  installation from eligible landowners. Special efforts will be made to enlist
						  the cooperation of landowners with identified critical problems. Landowner
						  applications shall be prioritized for project selection based on criteria
						  established by the Commission. Criteria established by the Commission shall
						  include: the existence of identified water quality problems from agricultural
						  nonpoint sources; high potential for pollution on the farm; and probability
						  that significant reductions in nutrients can be achieved through the
						  implementation of acceptable BMPs. A district may utilize its own
						  prioritization form provided it addresses the criteria established by the
						  Commission.
(c) The format of
						  supplemental agreements between the districts and ASCS and between the
						  districts and landowners shall be approved by the Commission.
(d) Technical responsibilities for needs
						  determination, practice design and layout are assigned to the district. The
						  district should utilize the technical services of the SCS, Cooperative
						  Extension Service or other cooperating Federal and State agencies in developing
						  this information where available.
(e) BMP completion will be certified for
						  landowners by the designated technical agency.
(f) Upon proper determination of practice
						  completion, including copies of appropriate invoices for materials, supplies
						  and labor, as required by the Commission, the district will disperse cost-share
						  funds to eligible landowners. Reimbursement shall be paid from amounts advanced
						  quarterly by the Commission for this purpose and may exceed except as provided
						  in §
													83.148 (relating to additional
						  funding for failed BMPs) neither a maximum of 80% total combined State and
						  Federal funding from all sources for each practice nor a total of $30,000
						  Financial Assistance Funding Program State funding per landowner. Reimbursement
						  shall be made by districts to landowners within 30 days following receipt of
						  accurate documentation that shows appropriate receipts, completion
						  certification and technical certification, if necessary, that BMPs have been
						  installed according to specification.
(g) The district shall conduct an annual
						  audit of programs in accordance with section 2(a)(7) of the Single Audit Act of
						  1984 (31 U.S.C.A. §
														7501(7)).
(h) The district shall adhere to the
						  "Administrative Manual for the PA Chesapeake Program" developed by the
						  Department to provide uniformity and consistency in the administration of the
						  program.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
															83.148 (relating to additional
								funding for failed BMP's).