Clean Water Management Trust Fund Grant Evaluation Guidelines

The following evaluation system will be used by the CWMTF in its review of applications submitted during the next cycle (June 1, 2006- November 30, 2006).

A. Eligible applicants for CWMTF grants.

1) Any of the following are eligible to receive a grant from CWMTF for the purpose of protecting or enhancing water quality:

a) A state agency
b) A local government or other political subdivision of the state or a combination of such entities.
c) A nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is the conservation, preservation and restoration of our state's environmental and natural resources.
2) No match is required; however, a match is recommended.
3) Trustees may choose to fund projects at less than 100% of the application request.

B. CWMTF purposes:

1) Grant monies from CWMTF may be used for any of the following purposes:

a) Acquire land for riparian buffers for environmental protection of surface waters or urban drinking water supplies, and for establishing a network of greenways for environmental, educational or recreational uses.
b) Acquire conservation easements or other interests in real property in order to protect and conserve surface waters or urban drinking water supplies.
c) Coordinate with other public programs involved with lands adjoining water bodies to gain the most public benefit while protecting and improving water quality.
d) Restore degraded lands to reestablish their ability to protect water quality.
e) Repair failing wastewater collection systems and wastewater treatment works if repair is a reasonable remedy for resolving an existing waste treatment problem and the repair is not for the purpose of expanding the system to accommodate future anticipated growth of a community.
f) Repair failing septic tank systems, to eliminate illegal drainage connections, and to expand a wastewater collection system or wastewater treatment works if the expansion eliminates failing septic tank systems or illegal drainage connections.
g) Finance stormwater quality projects.
h) Facilitate planning that targets reductions in surface water pollution.

C. CWMTF Objectives and grant application evaluation and prioritization. Grant applications will be quantitatively evaluated upon their contribution toward achieving the principal objectives of the fund.

1. CWMTF will first evaluate wastewater treatment, wastewater collection and stormwater projects using a set of common criteria established in N.C.G.S. 159G-23.   CWMTF will then apply its standard criteria as an secondary evaluation tool in prioritizing projects for funding.

2. CWMTF will evaluate all other project types (acquisition, restoration, and planning) using their standard criteria as established in N.C.G.S. 113A-256(b).  

The two criteria sets, common and standard, are listed below.

Common Criteria (N.C.G.S. 159G-23)- Used ONLY for wastewater and stormwater projects.

1. Public Necessity - (0-5 points)   Applicant to demonstrate how proposed project will protect the environment. Priority is given, in the following order, to projects:

a. that are: i) not compliant with permits , ii) under Department orders, iii) enabling the lifting of a moratorium, or iv) replaces failing septic tanks w/collection systems. 5 points

b. Projects that do not meet above criteria. 0 points

2. Effect on impaired waters -(0-5 points)   A project that improves an impaired water body (303(d) listing) receives priority.    5 points

3. Efficiency - (0-5 points)   Priority is given to projects involving regionalization, reuse or water conservation.   5 points

4. Comprehensive Land Use Plan - (0-5 points)   Priority is given, in the following order, to projects that are located in a city or county that has:

a. Adopted a comprehensive water quality-based land-use plan that exceeds the minimum State standards for a water resource. 5 points

b. Adopted a water quality-based land-use plan that meets State standards.

c. Taken significant steps towards adopting a water quality-based land-use plan.

d. Taken no steps toward adoption of a water quality-based land-use plan.   0 points

5. Flood Hazard Ordinance - (0-5 points) Priority is given, in the following order, to projects that are located in a city or county that has:

a. Adopted a flood-hazard prevention ordinance that exceeds minimum State standards. Project or portion is in the floodplain. 5 points

b. Adopted a flood-hazard prevention ordinance that meets minimum State standards. Project or portion is in the floodplain.

c. Not adopted a floodplain ordinance. Project or portion is in the floodplain. 0 points

d. No portion of the project is in a 100-yr floodplain. Project not penalized. 5 points

6. Sound Management - (0-5 points) Priority will be given to local government units that have demonstrated a willingness and ability to meet their responsibilities through sound fiscal policies and efficient operation.   5 points

7. Capital Improvement Plan - (0-5 points) Priority is given, in the following order, to projects that will:

a. Implement the applicant's 10-yr Capital Improvement Plan. 5 points

b. Not implement the above plan. 0 points

8. Coastal Habitat Protection - Priority is given, in counties subject to a Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, in the following order to projects that:

a. Implement a recommendation of a Coastal Habitat Protection Plan. 5 points

b. Do not implement a recommendation of a Coastal Habitat Protection Plan. 0 points

c. Projects in counties not affected by a Coastal Habitat Protection Plan.   Project not penalized.   5 points

 

9. Economic Distress - (0-9 points)   Priority is given, for wastewater projects only , in the following order, to local government projects on the basis of economic distress rankings:

a. Tier 1 - Particularly distressed municipality in a Tier 1 county. 9 points

b. Tier 1 - 8 points

c. Tier 2 - Particularly distressed municipality in a Tier 2 county. 7 points

d. Tier 2 - 6 points

e. Tier 3 - Particularly distressed municipality in a Tier 3 county. 5 points

f. Tier 3 - 4 points

g. Tier 4 - Particularly distressed municipality in a Tier 4 county. 3 points

h. Tier 4 - 2 points

i. Tier 5 - Particularly distressed municipality in a Tier 5 county. 1 point

j. Tier 5 - 0 points

TOTAL = 49 points for wastewater projects and 40 points for stormwater projects


CWMTF Standard Criteria (N.C.G.S. 113A-256(b))- Appies to ALL project types.  
1. Restoration of degraded waters or protection of unpolluted water (0-45 points). These criteria are scored based on information given in the supplemental questions for each project type.

Acquisition Projects

(a) Establishment of riparian buffers-
(b) Links to other conservation projects in region/watershed
(c) Buffer density - buffer length: acres ratio; buffer width
(d) Cost benefit - cost per linear foot, or cost per acre
(e) Condition of tract - age and composition of vegetative stand
(f) Working Forest Easement / Federal Program coordination
(g) Local planning and/or ordinances
(h) If project does not protect pristine waters or restore degraded waters, deduct 5 points

Stream Restoration Projects

(a) Links to other conservation projects in region/watershed
(b) Level: Restoration vs Enhancement vs stabilization
(c) Cost benefit - cost per linear foot
(d) Sediment delivery reduction
(e) Stormwater management, ordinances, planning
(f) Local buffer, wetland and floodplain protection ordinances
(g) Watershed stability (developing or stable)
(h) Maintenance responsibility(i) If project does not protect pristine waters or restore degraded waters, deduct 5 points

Stormwater Projects

(a) Links to other conservation projects in region/watershed
(b) Meets DWQ minimum design specifications
(c) Alternatives investigated (i.e., in-line vs off-line)
(d) Local planning / ordinance initiatives
(e) Stormwater Utility establishment
(f) Regional efforts
(g) Treatment for compliance only, or beyond compliance requirements
(h) Total pollutant reduction (sediment, nutrients, etc.)
(i) Cost benefit - cost of pollutant reduction
(j) Local buffer, wetland or floodplain protection ordinance(k) Maintenance responsibility
(l) If project does not protect pristine waters or restore degraded waters, deduct 5 points

Wastewater Projects

(a) Cost benefit (i.e. cost per linear foot, number homes, gallons treated, pollutant load reduction
(b) Discharge elimination or decrease
(c) Reuse(d) Regionalization
(e) Treatment for compliance only, or beyond compliance requirements
(f) Value added product
(g) Groundwater or surface water withdrawal reduction
(h) If project does not protect pristine waters or restore degraded waters, deduct 5 points
(i) Tier of County
(j) High Unit Cost vs local rates

Planning Projects -applications will be reviewed by the appropriate committees with additional evaluation under those categories.

(a) Links to other conservation projects and plans in region/watershed
(b) Commitment to implementation of plan
(c) Clear need for plan with clear outline and vision of the plan
(d) If project does not protect pristine waters or restore degraded waters, deduct 5 points
2. Targeted Areas (10 full points if any of the following criteria are met)

(a) Headwater Streams - 1st, 2nd and 3rd order streams (1st order at a minimum)
(b) Water Supply Watershed (only WS I-IV)
(c) Urban 303(d) listed stream
(d) Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuarine Program area
(e) Shellfish waters or Trout waters
(f) Ocean outfall of stormwater elimination
(g) Wastewater Regionalization Project
(h) Relates to military installation land use plans and associated flyways

3. Special Significance Of Waters (0-20 points)

20 Points

  • Outstanding Resource Waters classification
  • Impaired waters identified by the Division of Water Quality and on the 303(d) list
  • Rare aquatic species (S1G1, S1G2, S1G3, S2G2, S2G3) or nationally significant aquatic habitat as identified by the NC Natural Heritage Program
  • Classified shellfishing SA approved for harvest by the Division of Environmental Health

16 Points

  • High Quality Waters classification
  • State significant aquatic habitat as identified by the NC Natural Heritage Program
  • Wild trout as designated by the Wildlife Resources Commission
  • Excellent bioclassification as determined by the Division of Water Quality

14 Points

  • Other rare aquatic species as identified by the NC Natural Heritage Program (S3)
  • Classified shellfishing SA conditionally approved for harvest by the Division of Environmental Health

12 Points

  • Water Supply I classification
  • Division of Coastal Management exceptional wetland
  • Division of Water Quality unique wetland
  • Natural Heritage Program rare wetland
  • Nutrient Sensitive Waters classification
  • Other impaired waters but not on the 303(d) list

10 Points

  • Primary Nursery Areas identified by the Division of Marine Fisheries
  • Water Supply II or B classification
  • Essential Fish Habitat as determined by the National Marine Fisheries Service
  • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

8 Points

  • Water Supply III classification
  • Natural Heritage Significant Area
  • Good bioclassification as determined by the Division of Water Quality
  • Local watershed planning area
  • Riparian Corridor Plan

6 Points

  • Water Supply IV or Trout classification
  • Other SA (not approved or conditionally approved for harvest)
  • Division of Marine Fisheries Critical Habitat and other functional nursery areas

2 Points

  • Water Supply V classification

4. Preserves Waters With Special Uses (0-5 points)

(a) National Scenic Waters (5 pts.)
(b) National Heritage River
(c) National Seashore, National or State Park, National Wildlife Refuge, Coastal Preserve
(d) Exceptionally heavy recreational use

(e) No special uses indicated (0 pts.)

5. Contributes To Ecological Network (0-5 points)

(a) Protects old-growth forests or mature, pristine wetlands or other relatively pristine areas of ecological significance and provides a connection to other such protected areas. (5 pts.)
(b) Protects old-growth or mature forests, pristine wetlands or other relatively pristine areas of ecological significance in relative isolation
(c) Does not involve old-growth, pristine or mature systems of ecological significance (0 pts.)

6. Consistency With Division of Water Quality's Basinwide Plan (0-15 points). (Explanation: In the event that the plan for the subject basin has not been formally adopted, the project should be articulated with reference to the current DWQ draft plan for that basin). Preferred proposals will identify the waters that will be enhanced, restored, or protected by said project. Specific attention should be paid to (1) restoration of waters not meeting use standards as noted on the 303 (d) list, or (2) protection of significant resource waters (e.g. ORWs, Trout Waters, HQWs, PNAs, Critical Habitats for endangered aquatic species, Water Supply watershed). Proposals should demonstrate integration with other water quality programs or strategies in the sub-basin).

(a) Explicitly Mentioned in the Basinwide Plan as needed (15 pts.)
(b) Project type mentioned as beneficial to pristine or NSW waters (10 pts.)
(c) Generally supports goals of the Basinwide Plan (5 pts.)
(d) No connection to the Plan (0 pts.)

7. Measurable and Enduring Outcomes (0-15 points)

(a) Ready to go and targeted to significant waters; water quality improvements or protection document able in a direct manner from specific project implementation (15 pts.)
(b) Ready to go and targeted to significant waters, part of an overall initiative that could provide document able improvements or protection in water quality in the future
(c) Ready to go and targeted to significant waters, but direct improvement to, or protection of, water quality difficult to document (intuitive)
(d) Not ready to go; improvement to, or protection of, water quality may result from effort
(e) Non-targeted waters, not part of a larger water quality improvement plan, improvements or protection doubtful (0 pts.)

8. Innovative Procedures or Technologies (0-5 points)

(a) New technology or procedure (5 pts.)
(b) Existing technology or procedure not commonly used
(c) Standard or common technology or procedure (0 pts.)

9. Development of Riparian Greenways (0-10 points)

(a) Will establish greenway system (10 pts.)
(b) Possible greenway development (5 pts.)
(c) No greenway to be developed (0 pts.)

10. Provides Public Education (0-5 points)

(a) Part of an organized educational effort - (5 pts.)
(b) Passive interpretation trail
(c) Possible educational actions to follow
(d) No educational component - (0 pts.)

11. Matching Resources (0-20 points). In general, 0.22 points are given for every 1% in match.

(a) Cash value match - financial resource contribution
(b) Fee simple donation
(c) Bargain sale match
(d) Donated easement to be held by state as CWMTF standard easement
(e) Donated easement to be held by applicant as other than CWMTF standard easement(f) In-Kind Services ("sweat equity")
(g) Financial capacity of applicant

12. Applicant Qualifications (0-10 points). (Explanation: Preferred applicants will demonstrate: their ability to ensure any long time management required by the project, fiduciary responsibility, likelihood of success for project), and commitment to the project. If the applicant has received previous CWMTF grants, their performance on those projects will be considered.)

(a) Previous grant with good progress (10 pts.)

(b) Previous grant and mixed progress

(c) No previous grant(d) Previous grant and poor progress (0 pts.)

D) The Board will also be guided by the following non-quantitative criteria in making final funding decisions:

a) Applications for projects which are mandated by legislation or regulation may be funded but are not preferred. The CWMTF is not available for compensatory mitigation projects.
b) Projects eligible for funds from other state or federal grant programs will be considered, but will not be preferred unless significant matching resources are provided.
c) To the extent practicable, grant awards will be distributed geographically across the state. At least 20% of annual allocations will be targeted to each of three geographic regions of the state: mountain, piedmont and coastal.
d) The scope and benefits of the project will be evaluated relative to the amount of the requested grant.
e) The Board may award grants on a limited basis for (1) projects which facilitate planning that targets reduction in surface water pollution or protection of unpolluted waters; or (2) coordination with other public programs to gain the most public benefit while protecting and improving water quality; even though such applications may not score well on our measures of quantitative criteria above

The Board may award grants to applicants for projects which the Board finds are uniquely different than the quantitative criteria anticipate and are exceptional opportunities for restoration or preservation.

 

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