604(B) PROPOSAL Information and Application

Water Quality Planning Activities in Support of Rivers and Lakes Management and Protection Programs

604(b) PROPOSAL Information and Application

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) is pleased to announce the availability of funds under the Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act, which will be granted to Regional Planning Commissions and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions for water quality planning projects that support local river management advisory committees or projects identified under the NH Lakes Management and Protection Program, in the absence of need of such services, for supporting local watershed planning efforts. A total award amount of $82,400 is available for State Fiscal Years 2011-2012. In the past, contracts have been awarded up to a maximum of $20,000. This year there are two separate applications – a short form (Section B) for projects $5,000 or less, and a long form (Section C) for projects greater than $5,000.

The short form was developed to promote the implementation of small, cost-effective, and timely action items identified in an existing river corridor management plan or lake management plan, such as review of riverfront communities zoning regulations, production of a lakefront property owner’s brochure on stormwater management, or development of a PowerPoint presentation on the impacts of nitrogen to coastal areas.

Please fill out the appropriate form based on the total amount requested. Projects that involve collaboration with multiple Regional Planning Commissions, local river management advisory committees, lake associations and/or other water protection organizations are highly encouraged. In addition, Laura Weit-Marcum, Acting Rivers Coordinator is available to assist you in developing a comprehensive, outcome based proposal for your project. Feel free to contact her at (603) 271-8811 or to discuss project ideas prior to July 20, 2010. Administrative costs must not exceed 20% of the total project budget.

Section A: GRANT INFORMATION

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1. Introduction

Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act requires DES to distribute funds to Regional Planning Commissions and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions for water quality management planning purposes. Funding priority is given to projects assisting local river advisory committees established under the NH Rivers Management and Protection Program in developing and implementing river and watershed plans, designated river nominations or projects established under the NH Lakes Management and Protection Program in developing and implementing lake and shoreland management protection plans or comprehensive lake inventories. If no established advisory committees have needs in the region and there are no identified NH Lakes Management and Protection Program projects in the region, planning assistance to other watershed organizations is the next priority.

2. Project Requirements

To be considered for funding, projects must meet the following requirements:

1. River Corridor/Watershed Management Plan or Designated River Nomination

a) Objectives/action items of an existing Plan that will be implemented or;

b) Process that will be used to update an existing Plan or;

c) Process that will be used to develop a Plan or;

d) Process to be used to develop a designated river nomination document;

2. Lake Management/Shoreland Protection Plan or Comprehensive Lake Inventory

a) Objectives/action items of an existing Plan that will be implemented or;

b) Process that will be used to update an existing Plan or;

c) Process that will be used to develop a Plan or;

d) Process that will be used to conduct a Comprehensive Lake Inventory.

3. Grant Recipients must enter into a Grant Agreement with the State of New Hampshire to receive funds. Grant agreements will require Governor and Executive Council approval. The State of New Hampshire requires the following documentation for execution of Grant Agreements (this documentation is not required at the time of Proposal, but will be needed prior to awarding funds):

a) Notarized “Grant Agreement” form (the “contract”) – provided by DES and signed and notarized by Regional Planning Commission or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions.

b) Notarized “Certificate of Authority” form – provided by DES and signed and notarized by Regional Planning Commission or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions (Note: The Certificate of Authority indicates that the person signing the Grant Agreement has authority to do so).

4. This Request for Proposals does not commit DES to award a contract or pay any costs incurred during the preparation of the proposal. As noted above, all awards are subject to Governor and Council approval. DES also reserves the right to reject any or all of the proposals and to negotiate the scope of work and requested grant amounts during follow-up conversations.

3. Evaluation Criteria

The Lakes and Rivers Management and Protection Programs Section Grants Review Team will evaluate Proposal submissions. The review team will be looking for the following:

· A clear and concise project outcome statement. (Possible score: 5)

· Relevance to supporting the development and/or implementation of River Corridor/Watershed Management Plans, Lake Management/Shoreland Protection Plans, Designated River Nominations, or Comprehensive Lake Inventories. (Possible score: 35)

· Coordination of Regional Planning Commissions and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions to engage public participation and interaction with various stakeholders. (Possible score: 20)

· Commitment of the relevant municipal governments, local watershed/lake associations or Local River Management Advisory Committees. (Possible score: 20)

· Realistic performance targets to achieve the desired outcome. (Possible score: 20)

4. How Do I Apply?

Submit 3 signed copies of the Proposal form (Section B of this document) via mail or hand delivery, and an electronic copy to:

NH Department of Environmental Services

Attention: Laura M. Weit-Marcum

Rivers Management and Protection Program

PO Box 95

Concord, NH 03302-0095

E-mail electronic copies in Microsoft Word to: . If your file is too large to be e-mailed, please provide electronic files on compact-disk.

For assistance with your Proposal, refer to the contacts in Section 6 “For More Information”.

5. Time Table for Contract Processing

Final selections will be made by August 24, 2010, so that projects may begin at the start of the 2011 calendar year.

Total time to process a grant agreement once the Proposal is received from a Regional Planning Commission and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions is approximately 4 months, as shown in the following table:

Process / Approximate Time Frame /
1. DRAFT 604(b) Request for Proposals will be issued. / May 7, 2010
2. Q&A Session with RPC Directors. / May 13, 2010
3. Comments due on Request for Proposal. / June 6, 2010
4. FINAL 604(b) Request for Proposal will be issued. / June 11, 2010
5. DRAFT Proposals can be submitted to DES for comment. / July 20, 2010
6. Regional Planning Commissions and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions submit proposals. / August 10, 2010
7. Contact Regional Planning Commissions and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions by phone to clarify and/or negotiate project tasks, amount requested, and timeline. / August 17, 2010
8. Final selection of proposals to receive funding. / August 24, 2010
9. Draft Grant Agreements and send to Regional Planning Commissions and/or the Connecticut River Joint Commissions for signatures. / Mid-September
10. DES Commissioner and N.H. Attorney General’s office review grant agreements. / Early October
11. Submit grant agreements to Governor and Executive Council for approval. / Mid-October
12. Governor and Council approval. / November - December
13. Project may begin. / January 2011

6. For More Information

Please contact Laura Weit-Marcum, NH DES Acting Rivers Coordinator with the NH Rivers Management and Protection Program at (603) 271-8811 or .

Section B: SHORT APPLICATION FORM FOR PROJECTS $5,000 OR LESS

Water Quality Planning Activities in Support of Rivers and Lakes Management and Protection Programs

I. Proposal Title

II. Contact Information

Primary contact person:
Organization:
Street address:
City, State, ZIP:
Day phone: () / Fax: () / Email:

Signature of Applicant:

Date of signature:

III. Proposal Summary

In 200 words or less, describe the proposed project including: the general location (municipalities and watershed); relevance to supporting the development and/or implementation of River Corridor/Watershed Management Plans, Lake Management/Shoreland Protection Plans, Designated River Nominations, or Comprehensive Lake Inventories; community and/or regional need for proposed project; and related efforts.

IV. Project Location

A. Town(s):

B. Waterbody name:

C. Attach a watershed map showing project location Yes

V. Project Period

Please describe your project time frame here. (The general time frame for funded projects is January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012 although the duration can be shorter.)

VI. Project Management

Within your organization, who would be responsible for managing this project? Please describe their experience with similar projects.

VII. Stakeholder Coordination

Describe participation and commitments expected from other agencies, organizations and municipalities. Attach letters affirming support.

VIII. Public Participation

Explain how public participation and interaction with the various stakeholders will occur.

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IX. Desired Outcome

Provide a concise statement of your desired outcome, or end-state that this project would ideally achieve. Example: The desired outcome for this project is to increase public awareness of the importance of the Exeter River watershed by hosting one public event to provide residents with information on topics related to water quality, water quantity, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.

X. Final Product

Describe the product(s) that will be produced as a result of this project. Examples include: outreach and educational materials, hosting public workshops, PowerPoint presentations, etc.

XI. Schedule and Budget

In Table A, list in sequence the project tasks, their estimated scheduled completion dates, and costs.

A. Project Costs by Task

Task# / Brief Description of Task / Proposed Date(s) / Requested grant amount / Estimated Volunteer Contribution* / Additional funding source / Total cost of task /
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Totals / (100%)

*Use the Corporation for National and Community Service estimated dollar value of volunteer time for 2009 at $20.85 per hour.

XII. Optional Supporting Materials

You may choose to attach optional materials such as photographs of the project site, letters from supporters, or other items that you would like us to consider regarding this proposal.

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Section C: LONG APPLICATION FORM FOR PROJECTS GREATER THAN $5,000

Water Quality Planning Activities in Support of Rivers and Lakes Management and Protection Programs

I. Proposal Title

II. Contact Information

Primary contact person:
Organization:
Street address:
City, State, ZIP:
Day phone: () / Fax: () / Email:

Signature of Applicant:

Date of signature:

III. Proposal Summary

IV. Project Location

A. Town(s):

B. Waterbody name:

C. Attach a watershed map showing project location Yes

V. Project Period

Please describe your project time frame here. (The general time frame for funded projects is January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012 although the duration can be shorter.)

VI. Total Project Cost

Identify the amount of grant funds requested, any additional funding sources sought, and total cost of project.

Project Costs
Total project cost / 100%
Grant funds requested
Estimated volunteer contribution ($20.85/hr.)
Outside funding sources, if applicable

VII. Project Management

Within your organization, who would be responsible for managing this project? Please describe their experience with similar projects?

VIII. Stakeholder Coordination, Roles and Responsibilities

A. Describe participation and commitments expected from other agencies, organizations and municipalities. Attach letters of support.

A. For projects that involve collaboration with multiple Regional Planning Commissions and/or local river management advisory committees, lake associations and/or other water protection organizations, please describe how this be achieved (e.g. process used to make decisions, expected level of involvement from each organization, level and type of communications, and # of organizational meetings.)

IX. Public Participation

Describe how information and education will be used to enhance public understanding of the project and encourage public participation.

X. Desired Outcome

Provide a concise statement of your desired outcome, or end-state that this project would ideally achieve. Example: The overall desired outcome of this project is to: 1) identify needs of protection for the Upper Merrimack River and 2) influence local officials and decision makers to increase levels of protection, as needed. This will lead to the attainment of the project’s goal – protect buffers and floodplains in need of protection within the Upper Merrimack River watershed.

X. Final Product

Describe the product(s) that will be produced as a result of this project. Example: semi-annual process reports documenting project process and tasks completed; a Final Project Report describing the project, major achievements, implementation process, and project results; a Maximum Impervious Surface Model Ordinance; a report containing the needs and interests of Lower Merrimack River corridor community members for Low Impact Development (LID) techniques; a bibliography of existing LID/stormwater management resource information and sources; a LID Guidebook; and a PowerPoint presentation designed to be used at a public meeting of a community Planning Board or Conservation Commission explaining the purpose of, need for, and content of the model ordinance and LID Guidebook.

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XI. Objectives, Deliverables, and Tasks

Provide a detailed description of each project objective that will help achieve the desired outcome described in section X above, the deliverables that will be produced, and the tasks needed to produce the deliverables. Objectives need to be SMART. That is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant to the Outcome, and Time-specific. For each objective, list how you will measure success.

Example:

Objective 1: By June 2009, CRJC will have held 10 presentations on the Water Resources chapter, one in each of 10 different communities from Pittsburg to Hinsdale.

Measurements of success: Completion of 10 presentations; number of people attending; number of communities represented in audience.