“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.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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.
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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)
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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/
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
ADA Best Management Practices
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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.
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Grant Project Types
• Planning
• Land Acquisition
• Development
• Trails
• Rivers
• Partnerships
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Ready-To-Go Requirements
• Most competitive projects are “Ready-To-Go”
• Ready-To-Go “Checklists”
• Discuss with your Regional Adviser
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Land Acquisition Projects
• Natural Areas, Open Space, and
Critical Habitat
• Community Park and Recreation
Areas
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Development Projects
• Park Rehabilitation and Development
(PRD)
• Small Community (SC)
• Pedestrian internal walkway vs. trail
project
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Trails Projects
• Trails Project Types




Planning
Acquisition
Development
Equipment Purchase
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Rivers Conservation Projects
Priority: Implementation of Existing Plans
• Project Examples
 Public Access Development
 Fishing and Boating Facilities
 Viewshed 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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/c2p2programguidance/index.htm
Review with your
Regional Adviser:
project type and
required documents
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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)
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Project Narrative Instructions
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Project Narrative Questions
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Project Narrative Questions
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Project Narrative Questions
Question #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.
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/greening/
greeninggrants.aspx
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Interactive Sustainable Park Design Website
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program
Ryan Emerson, Economic Development Analyst
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 Recreation
2.
Watershed Restoration and Protection
3.
Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement and
Treatment
4.
Baseline Water Quality Data
5.
Orphan and Abandoned Well Plugging
6.
Flood Protection
7.
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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Construction activities
Fixed equipment
Clearing and preparation of land
Environmental site assessment
Related engineering, design and inspection costs not to exceed 10%
Professional services such as surveying, appraisals, etc.
Settlement costs, acquisition projects only
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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
Program Requirements
Ineligible Use of Funds
Ineligible 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 Requirements
Projects require a 15% local cash match of the total project cost or cash equivalents for the appraised value
of real estate.
Planning and Permit Requirements
All 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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
Program Requirements (cont’d)
Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act
All 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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
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.
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
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
• ryemerson@pa.gov
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)
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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
Program Requirements
Ineligible Use of Funds
Ineligible 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 Requirements
A 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 Requirements
All 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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
Program Requirements (cont’d)
Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act
All 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
An eligible applicant shall provide for or ensure any necessary easements, rights-of-way, and
landowner commitments to allow project access.
Final Report
Successful 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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
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.
Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)
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.
Watershed
Greenways,
Restoration
Trails andand
Recreation
Protection
Program
Program
(GTRP)
(WRPP)
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
• (717) 346-8192
• llong@pa.gov
Watershed
Greenways,
Restoration
Trails andand
Recreation
Protection
Program
Program
(GTRP)
(WRPP)
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
Greenways, Trails Act
and13
Recreation
Funding Program (GTRP)
Contacts
• Contact the Center For Business Financing at (717) 787-6245
• Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program
• Ryan Emerson, Economic Development Analyst
• (717) 346-8191
• ryemerson@pa.gov
• Watershed Restoration and Protection Program
• LeAnn Long, Economic Development Analyst
• (717) 346-8192
• llong@pa.gov
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
jschreibma@pa.gov
Ryan Emerson, Economic Development Analyst
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
Office of Innovation & Investment
(717) 346-8191
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
ryemerson@pa.gov