Www.dcnr.state.pa.us “Green” Your Project: Funding Opportunities for Your Recreation and Conservation Projects Jay Schreibman, Recreation and Parks Adviser

www.dcnr.state.pa.us

“Green” Your Project: Funding Opportunities for Your Recreation and Conservation Projects

Jay Schreibman, Recreation and Parks Adviser

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation

and Conservation (BRC)

Ryan Emerson, Economic Development Analyst

Pennsylvania Department of Community

and Economic Development (DCED),

Office of Innovation & Investment

www.newPA.com www.dcnr.state.pa.us


Today’s Agenda

I. Introduction

II. DCNR’s Recreation and Conservation Grants Program

III. DCED’s Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program

IV. DCED’s Watershed Restoration and Protection Program

V. Summary and Questions


BRC Overview

• Regional Offices

• Central Office Project Managers

• Executive Staff and Administrative Support

• Other DCNR Bureaus

BRC Mission: To be a leader in establishing community conservation partnerships for advancing the greening of Pennsylvania, for protecting the commonwealth’s natural and heritage resources, and for providing recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians and visitors to enjoy.


DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Grants

Funding sources:• Keystone Recreation, Park and

Conservation Fund• Environmental Stewardship Fund• PA Snowmobile/ATV Fund• Federal Land and Water

Conservation Fund (LWCF)• Federal PA Recreational Trails


2014 Grant Program: Approximate Timeline

•April 16, 2014 – Applications Due by 4:00 p.m.

•Staff Review Process – Spring/Summer 2014

•Typically –Late Fall 2014 Announcement

• 4 year Grant Contract: first quarter 2015 (later for federally funded projects)


Matching Requirements

• Matching funds need to be secure when applying

• BRC Grants primarily: 50/50

• Federal PA Recreational Trails Grants: 80/20

• PA Snowmobile/ATV Fund Grants: 80/20 (except Acquisition Projects 50/50)

* Refer to Grant Program Policies on

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/


ADA Best Management Practices


2014 Funding Priorities

• Sustainable and Green Park Projects

• Trail Projects

• Implementation of Rivers Conservation Plans

• Land Conservation

• Statewide and Regional Partnerships

• Major park and recreation rehabilitation projects

• Emerging Trends: Natural play areas, dog parks, spray parks, etc.


Grant Project Types

• Planning• Land Acquisition• Development• Trails• Rivers• Partnerships


Ready-To-Go Requirements

• Most competitive projects are “Ready-To-Go”

• Ready-To-Go “Checklists”

• Discuss with your Regional Adviser


Ready-To-Go Requirements for All Project Types

• Eligible Applicant

• Accurate Cost Estimate

• Secured & Eligible Matching Funds

* PNDI Receipt (signed and dated)

* Application requires PNDI Receipt in most cases


Planning Projects

• Master Site Development Plans

• Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space, and Greenway Plans

• Greenways and Open Space Network Plans

• Facility Feasibility Studies

• Conservation and Management Plans

• Hybrid Plans


Land Acquisition Projects

• Natural Areas, Open Space, and Critical Habitat

• Community Park and Recreation Areas


Development Projects

• Park Rehabilitation and Development (PRD)

• Small Community (SC)

• Pedestrian internal walkway vs. trail project


Trails Projects

•Definition 75% of the project costs

include trail and trail facilities

Designated route on land or water

Non-profit organizations are encouraged to partner with a municipal entity


Trails Projects

•Trails Project Types Planning Acquisition Development Equipment Purchase


Rivers Conservation ProjectsPriority: Implementation of Existing Plans

•Project Examples Public Access Development

Fishing and Boating FacilitiesViewshed Access

Water Trail Enhancement Habitat Improvement Riparian Buffer Installation Stream Bank Stabilization

•Non-profit organizations are encouraged to partner with a municipal

entity

•New: Additional option to identify Rivers Conservation Grant in eGrants


Partnerships Projects•Statewide and Regional Initiatives

Convening, Education, and Training Activities Special Purpose Planning Implementation Projects Mini-Grants

• Local Capacity Building: (apply anytime) Peer to Peer Circuit Rider

• Partnerships Project Examples Land & Water Trail Sojourn Coordination Large Landscape Conservation Projects Regional wayfinding or interpretive signage installation Regional conservation, recreation, or heritage resource development


How do I apply to DCNR’s grant program utilizing

the eGrants System?

New Webx Tutorial Video!

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/brcinteractivemapping1/trainingandworkshops/index.htm

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/brcinteractivemapping1/trainingandworkshops/index.htm


http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/c2p2programguidance/index.htm

Review with your Regional Adviser: project type and required documents


https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/Documents/DownloadForms.aspx

Download required forms, complete them, and upload them.

Ready-to-Go Documents (Required vs. Optional)


Application Review and Ranking

• Review and ranking done by committee

• In general, highest scored applications receive funding first until funding is exhausted

• Ranking based on responses to questions - use the (project specific) “Project Narrative Instructions” to receive maximum points


Project Narrative Instructions Project Narrative Form


Project Narrative Questions

Question #1: Project Needs and Benefits (45 Points)

• Address critical needs, issues, and urgencies

• Identify community, recreation, and/or conservation outcomes and benefits

• Anticipated Economic Impact• Located in a Conservation

Landscape? Heritage Area?• Describe your capacity to effectively manage and complete the project



Question #2: Relationship of your project to state, regional, county and/or local plans and public engagement (20 Points)

• Advance goals of local, county, and/or regional plans, including County Greenway and Rivers Conservation Plans

• Implement the Statewide PA Outdoor Recreation Plan

• Public Involvement



Question #3: Project Partners and Commitment (15 Points)

• Describe how this project leverages partners, investments, and other resources

• List major partners and describe level of engagement/roles

• Upload commitment letters of financial and in-kind match

• Multi-municipal projects: provide letters of support


Project Narrative QuestionsQuestion #4: Sustainable and Green Practices (20 Points)

• Site Location and Site Design• Water: Protect and Restore Systems• Natural Landscaping• Materials Selection and Construction• Connect People to Nature• Operations and Maintenance• Environmental Stewardship

Messaging

Note: Upon award, it is expected that all green practices proposed in your application will be incorporated into your project.


http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/greening/greeninggrants.aspx


Interactive Sustainable Park Design Website


Summary

• Contact your Regional Adviser as you develop your project and application

• Review Grant Application Requirements

• Questions regarding eGrants contact: Customer Service 1-800-326-7734

• Submit applications by April 16

Greenways, Trails and Recreation ProgramWatershed Restoration and Protection Program


March 24, 2014

31

ACT 13 Funding

Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for:1. Greenways, Trails and Recreation2. Watershed Restoration and Protection3. Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement and

Treatment4. Baseline Water Quality Data5. Orphan and Abandoned Well Plugging6. Flood Protection7. Sewage Facilities Act Planning

Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)

The funds are allocated to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification.

The program is jointly administered by DCED and DCNR under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority.


Eligible Applicants

Municipality – Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township or home rule municipality.

Councils of Governments

Authorized Organization – An entity involved in research, restoration, rehabilitation, planning, acquisition, development, education or other activities, which furthers the protection, enhancement, conservation, preservation or enjoyment of this Commonwealth's environmental, conservation, recreation or similar resources. The organization must be a tax-exempt institution under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) (3)) and registered with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations or an educational institution involved in these authorized activities or a municipal authority.

Institution of Higher Education – An entity that is an accredited university, college, seminary college, community college or two-year college.

Watershed Organization – An entity recognized by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or the Department of Environmental Protection that was established to promote local watershed conservation efforts in an identified watershed.

For Profit Businesses – other than “producers” of natural gas as defined in Act 13.


Eligible Projects

Public Park and Recreation Areas – These projects involve the rehabilitation and development of public indoor and/or outdoor park, recreation and conservation areas and facilities. Parks and recreation areas are areas of land and/or water, for use as a neighborhood, community or regional public park and recreation site. Property may be acquired for active and/or passive recreation use to create new park and recreation areas and/or expand existing recreational sites.

Greenways and Trails – These projects involve the renovation and development of linear public

facilities, such as bicycle, walking, equestrian, snowmobile, and nature trails; passive recreation areas; riparian forest buffers; wetland boardwalks; observation decks. Related support facilities including: access roads, parking areas, walks, comfort station, lighting, landscaping, and signage are also eligible. Greenways are areas of land and/or water which provides a linear recreation, conservation, or open space corridor along a natural or man-made feature.

Trails are designated land and/or water corridor with public access that provides recreation and/or

alternative transportation opportunities to motorized and/or non-motorized user of all ages. Rivers Conservation – These projects enhance rivers, streams, and watersheds for recreational

purposes.


Eligible Use of Funds

Development, Rehabilitation and Improvement of public parks, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, trails, greenways and watershed implementation projects to include:

1. Construction activities 2. Fixed equipment3. Clearing and preparation of land4. Environmental site assessment5. Related engineering, design and inspection costs not to exceed 10%6. Professional services such as surveying, appraisals, etc.7. Settlement costs, acquisition projects only8. Administrative costs up to 2%

Planning Projects that “lay the groundwork” for future land acquisition, development and/or management of parks, recreation facilities, natural areas, greenways, motorized and non-motorized trails, river/watershed corridors. Planning projects also include development of business plans for expansion or establish of outdoor recreation businesses.

Acquisition of land, easements or rights of way for park and recreation areas, natural areas, greenways, trails, river/watershed conservation and/or open space. Authorized Organizations who are using grant funds for acquisition must provide copies of written consent from the county and municipality in which the land is situated.


Program Requirements

Ineligible Use of FundsIneligible costs include but are not limited to public relations, outreach not directly related to project implementation, communications, lobbying, litigation, fees for securing other financing, interest on borrowed funds, and costs incurred prior to the approval of grant funds.

Grant awards cannot exceed $250,000 for any project.

Applicant Cost Share RequirementsProjects require a 15% local cash match of the total project cost or cash equivalents for the appraised value of real estate.

Planning and Permit RequirementsAll recipients of funding under GTRP will be required to secure all necessary planning and permit approvals for the project from the federal, state, and local governments prior to disbursement of funds.


Program Requirements (cont’d)

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage ActAll of the construction work associated with the project may be subject to the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

Control of Property, Deed Restrictions and Public Access The applicant must control the property that will be developed, rehabilitated or for which a Site Development Drawing will be completed. Property that is not owned in fee simple must be controlled through a permanent easement or long-term lease agreement (minimum of 25 years) to protect facilities for their useful lifetime. All facilities and property funded must be accessible to the public for uses consistent with the purposes for which it was acquired.


Application Evaluation

Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

1. The economic conditions of the region where the project is located.

2. The level of matching investment leveraged.

3. Regional nature of the project.

4. Local financial support.

5. Project readiness.

6. Current availability of greenway, recreational, and trail facilities in the area.

7. Financial need.


Deadline

• Program just opened March 21, 2014• July 21, 2014 deadline• Projects will be reviewed at the November 20, 2014 Commonwealth Financing Authority board

meeting

Applying for Grants

• On-line Single Application located at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. • $100 Application fee• Required exhibits listed in the guidelines• 3 hard copies• Guidelines can be found at http://www.newPA.com

Questions

• Contact the Center For Business Financing at (717) 787-6245• Ryan Emerson, Economic Development Analyst

• (717) 346-8191• [email protected]

http://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/

http://www.newpa.com/


Required Exhibits

• Single Application for Assistance• $100 Application Fee• Exhibit 1: Project Description• Exhibit 2: Cost Estimate• Exhibit 3: Funding Commitment Letters• Exhibit 4: Color-coded Map• Exhibit 5: Financial Statements• Exhibit 6: Grant Request• Exhibit 7: List of permits• Exhibit 8: Planning agency letter• Exhibit 9: Resolution (public sector only)• Exhibit 10: Sales agreement and appraisal (acquisition only)• Exhibit 11: Municipality notification letters• Exhibit 12: County and municipality consent letters (Authorized organizations only, for acquisition)

• See guidelines for more detailed descriptions

Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)

The funds are allocated to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for watershed restoration and protection projects.

The overall goal of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Program is to restore and maintain restored stream reaches impaired by the uncontrolled discharge of nonpoint source polluted runoff, and ultimately to remove these streams from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Impaired Water list.

This may be accomplished by implementation of watershed based Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for agriculture, stormwater, stream bank and channel restoration, as well as for BMP repair, upgrade or operation and maintenance of existing practices.


Eligible Applicants

Municipality – Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township or home rule municipality. Councils of Governments Authorized Organization – An entity involved in research, restoration, rehabilitation, planning,

acquisition, development, education or other activities, which furthers the protection, enhancement, conservation, preservation or enjoyment of this Commonwealth's environmental, conservation, recreation or similar resources. The organization must be a tax-exempt institution under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) (3)) and registered with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations or an educational institution involved in these authorized activities or a municipal authority.

Institution of Higher Education – An entity that is an accredited university, college, seminary college,

community college or two-year college. Watershed Organization – An entity recognized by the Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources or the Department of Environmental Protection that was established to promote local watershed conservation efforts in an identified watershed.

For Profit Businesses – other than “producers” of natural gas as defined in Act 13.


Eligible Projects

Watershed restoration/protection projects implementing runoff control or runoff reduction BMPs on agricultural operations negatively impacting local or regional stream quality. A description of BMPs commonly used for agricultural operations is provided in the Pa Soil and Water Conservation Technical Guide administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Watershed restoration/protection projects implementing runoff control or runoff reduction BMPs addressing urban or residential areas negatively impacting local or regional stream quality. A listing of potential BMPs is contained in the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, administered by Pa DEP.

Watershed projects that refurbish, restore, or create stream bank or stream channel stabilization using bio-engineering techniques.

Repair and maintenance of existing watershed protection BMPs addressing agricultural, urban/residential, and degraded stream areas.

Monitoring of water quality to track, or continue to track NPS load reductions resulting from watershed protection BMP implementation projects.


Eligible Use of Funds

1. Construction, improvement, expansion, repair, maintenance or rehabilitation of new or existing watershed protection BMPs and security fencing.

2. Engineering and construction oversight, inspection and performance monitoring costs.

3. Technical assistance necessary to carry out the project.

4. Stream channel and stream bank stabilization activities including the establishment of riparian vegetation to allow for long term stability of the stream.

5. In stream monitoring to assess stream restoration status.

6. Trust funds for operations and maintenance costs associated with implemented urban and stream restoration BMPs. (limited to 25% of the grant award.)

7. Administrative costs of the applicant necessary to administer the grant. Administrative costs will include advertising, legal, and audit costs as well as documented staff expenses. Administrative costs shall not exceed 2% of the grant.

Program Requirements

Ineligible Use of FundsIneligible costs include but are not limited to public relations, outreach not directly related to project implementation, communications, lobbying, litigation, fees for securing other financing, interest on borrowed funds, and costs incurred prior to the approval of grant funds.

Grant awards cannot exceed $300,000 for any project.

Applicant Cost Share RequirementsA 15% cash match of the total project cost or cash equivalents for the appraised value of the real estate is required. Eligible match contributions will be permitted for up to one year prior to the grant submittal deadline date through the life of the grant agreement as long as the eligible match expenditures are directly related to the project.

Planning and Permit RequirementsAll recipients of funding under WRPP will be required to secure all necessary planning and permit approvals for the project from the federal, state, and local governments prior to disbursement of funds.


Program Requirements (cont’d)

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage ActAll of the construction work associated with the project may be subject to the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

Control of Property, Deed Restrictions and Public AccessAn eligible applicant shall provide for or ensure any necessary easements, rights-of-way, and landowner commitments to allow project access.

Final ReportSuccessful applicants will be required to provide a final report at the conclusion of implementing the grant project. This final report will outline the activities that took place during the project, what facilities were installed, where the facilities were installed.


Application Evaluation Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis using the following criteria: 1. The number of municipalities that will potentially benefit from the project.

2. The ability of the project to contribute to restoring waters listed as impaired in Pennsylvania’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report.

3. The miles of stream expected to be fully or partially restored, or continued to remain restored, through the implementation of this proposed project.

4. Whether the project falls within any of the following: 1) DEP designated high priority watersheds identified as a priority for NPS remediation (as identified in the most current Watershed Protection Grants package, commonly referred to as the Growing Greener grant application package), or 2) watersheds with an EPA approved federal Clean Water Act, Section 319 Watershed Implementation Plan, or 3) watersheds for which a Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) has been developed, or 4) watersheds that are identified as impaired on the Pennsylvania’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report.

5. The ability of the project to successfully address nutrient and sediment related watershed impairments.


Application Evaluation (cont’d)

7. The cost-effectiveness of the project. Eligible projects must show that a problem exists within a

watershed and that the costs can be economically justified when compared to the benefits a project provides in NPS load reduction and stream restoration.

8. Whether the project is consistent with any applicable county or local comprehensive plans.

9. The ability of the applicant to accomplish its listed milestones within the timeframe given for the grant.



Deadline

• Program just opened March 21, 2014• July 21, 2014 deadline• Projects will be reviewed at the November 20, 2014 Commonwealth Financing Authority board

meeting

Applying for Grants

• On-line Single Application located at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. • $100 Application fee• Required exhibits listed in the guidelines• 3 hard copies• Guidelines can be found at http://www.newPA.com

Questions

• Contact the Center For Business Financing at (717) 787-6245• LeAnn Long, Economic Development Analyst



http://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/

http://www.newpa.com/


Required Exhibits

• Single Application for Assistance• $100 Application Fee• Exhibit 1: Project Description• Exhibit 2: Project Budget• Exhibit 3: Grant Request• Exhibit 4: Funding commitment letters• Exhibit 5: Map• Exhibit 6: Planning agency letter• Exhibit 7: Drawing of easements• Exhibit 8: List of permits• Exhibit 9: Resolution (public sector only)• Exhibit 10: Municipality notification letters

• See guidelines for more detailed descriptions



Contacts

• Contact the Center For Business Financing at (717) 787-6245

• Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program• Ryan Emerson, Economic Development Analyst


• Watershed Restoration and Protection Program• LeAnn Long, Economic Development Analyst


Act 13 Funding


Questions and Answers

Jay Schreibman, Recreation and Parks Adviser

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR),

Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC)

(717) 772-4362 [email protected]


Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)

Office of Innovation & Investment

(717) 346-8191 [email protected]