Welcome to the Clean Ohio Fund Training Session Enhancing the green within our our region

The Natural Resources Assistance Council - NRAC This training session is being brought to you by the Natural Resources Assistance Council/Ohio Public Works Commission – District 2

The Clean Ohio Conservation Program When Issue 1 was approved by the voters in November 2000, the Clean Ohio program became a reality. The program provides four hundred million dollars for Brownfield environmental clean up and Greenfield open space and conservation preservation projects. This program is allocated proportionately across all 19 of Ohio’s districts. The Natural Resources Assistance Council serves as the implementing body for the green space portion of the funds and represents grant/project applications associated to Hamilton County – District 2. The allocation for District 2 in 2002 is $2,282,668.

The Goals of this Training Session To introduce you to the members of the Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) To provide you an overview of House Bill 3 and how it affects the application process Inform you as to where you can obtain grant applications Discuss the application/approval process, application submittal deadline, and award timeframe Contacts for questions

Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) members Ron Miller, Chairperson Jon Brady, Vice Chairperson William Brayshaw, Secretary Paul Beck Willie Carden Jr. James Garges Ken Grob Terry Hankher Ray Hodges Eric Russo Holly Utrata-Halcomb

The Role of NRAC NRAC shall review, approve or disapprove applications in accordance with sections through of the Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.) for grants to support projects that propose to do the following:

Clean Ohio Fund Projects House Bill 3 Provide open space acquisition and related development of those open spaces including the acquisition of easements Support of open space planning and incorporation of aesthetically pleasing and ecologically informed design Enhance economic development that relies on recreation and ecotourism in areas relatively high unemployment and lower incomes

Clean Ohio Fund Projects House Bill 3 - continued Protect habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species or the preservation of high quality, viable habitat for plant and animal species Preserve existing high quality wetlands or other scare natural resources within the geographical jurisdiction of the council Include pedestrian or bicycle linkages to other open space preserves and populations areas (advisory H.B. 385) Enhance educational opportunities and provision of physical links to schools and after school centers

Clean Ohio Fund Projects House Bill 3 - continued Preserve or restore water quality, natural stream channels, functioning floodplains, wetlands, streamside forests, and other natural features that contribute to the quality of life in this state and to the state’s natural heritage. Projects shall not include hydromodification projects and shall not accelerate untreated water runoff or encourage invasive nonnative species Reduce or eliminate nonnative, invasive species of plants or animals Support proper management of areas where safe fishing, hunting, and trapping may take place in a manner that will preserve a balanced natural ecosystem

Clean Ohio Fund Projects Section B Protect and enhance riparian corridors or watersheds including the protection and enhancement of streams, rivers, lakes, and other waters of the state Projects proposed pursuant to this section, B of the O.R.C., shall emphasize the following:

Clean Ohio Fund Projects Section B - continued Increase habitat protection Inclusion as part of a stream corridor wide or watershed wide plan The provision of multiple recreational, economic, and aesthetic preservation benefits Preserve or restore floodplain and streamside forest functions Preserve headwater streams and of aquatic biological communities

Clean Ohio Fund costs eligible for funding An entity applying for grant money may use said money for preliminary costs related to projects that are eligible for funding (under section of the O.R.C.) including planning, design, engineering and appraisal costs, environmental assessments and archaeological surveys

What Constitutes an Eligible Entity In accordance with section A, entities seeking a grant for a project that is eligible for funding under section are limited to local political subdivisions and non profit organizations Section N, defines a non profit as a corporation, group, society, or other organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code

The NRAC and the Application Process In accordance with section A, of the O.R.C., NRAC shall review each application for a grant submitted under section of the O.R.C. In reviewing an application, the process of determining whether to approve or disapprove an application will be based on the following criteria:

Application Review Process Whether the project emphasizes the factors specified in division A or B of the section of the O.R.C. The amount of funding that is necessary for the project completion The amount and percentage (25% minimum) of the matching funds provided by the applicant The level of coordination among the local political subdivisions, state agencies, federal agencies, community organizations, conservation organizations, and local business groups

Application Review Process continued The level of coordination with the project being undertaken under the jurisdiction of other NRACs The relative economic, social, and environmental benefits that the proposed project will bring to the geographic area represented by the council as compared to other proposed projects Whether the project incorporates more than one purpose for which grant monies may be used in accordance with section of the O.R.C. Whether the general public will be given access to the project area upon the completion of the project

Application Review Process continued Whether the project will comply with all the requirements established in sections through of the O.R.C. The readiness of the applicant to proceed with the project Any other factors that are relevant to the project

Application Review Process continued If the NRAC approves an application, a copy of the application and all accompanying materials will be submitted to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) The Director of OPWC shall make the final approval of applications for grants submitted in accordance to sections to of the O.R.C.

The Application - Part I: Preliminary Screening Applicant is an eligible entity: yes or no? Again, if the applicant is not either: a local political subdivision or a non profit…then A complete application must be received by the application deadline Date: April 1, 2002

The Grant Application - Part I: Clean Ohio Conservation Program Preliminary Screening Please send, per each project grant request, 9 complete applications to the attention of: Mr. Ron Miller, NRAC Chairperson, Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, 138 E. Court Street - Room 807 C.A.B., Cincinnati Ohio 45202

The Grant Application - Part I: Clean Ohio Conservation Program - Open Space (Per section A of the O.R.C. ) Project purpose must involve at least one of the following from A or B as presented on the application acquires land for parks acquires land for public forests acquires land for wetland preservation or restoration acquires land for natural areas protecting endangered species acquires land for other natural areas, including hillsides and valleys

The Grant Application - Part I - A: Clean Ohio Conservation Program - Open Space (Per section A of the O.R.C. ) acquires land for connecting corridors for natural areas Open space acquisition permanent conservation easement constructs or enhances facility necessary to make open space area accessible and useable by the general public

Part I – B: Riparian Corridors or Watersheds Per section B of the O.R.C. Protects or enhances riparian corridors and watersheds, including the protection and enhancement of: streams, rivers and other waters of the state. (Affected watersheds or sub-watersheds must be identified)

Yes or No – Would the project: Part I: C Initiate or perpetuate hydromodification projects such as dams, ditch development or channelization Fund current legal obligations (such as fines, penalties, litigation, expenses, mitigation or reclamation) under the state of federal laws or local ordinances?

Yes or No – Would the project: Continued Part I: C Fund facilities other than those required to provide public access to or use of open space? Fund facilities for active recreation, such as tennis courts, ball fields or recreation centers. If Yes is marked to any of the above in section C, the project is ineligible for funding (per section of the O.R.C.) If project meets Part 1 requirements (Preliminary Screening) continue to Part II, III, and IV.

Project Emphasis Part II: (per section of the O.R.C. ) Does the project emphasize the following? (documentation must be submitted with the application) Protects habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species Reduces or eliminates non-native, invasive species or plants or animals Preserves or increases high quality, viable habitat for plant or animal species, including native species

Project Emphasis Continued: Part II Preserves or restores functioning floodplains, including groundwater recharge areas Preserves or restores water quality and/or aquatic biological communities Preserves or restores natural stream channels Preserves or restores streamside forests, native vegetation or adjacent habitat Preserves existing high quality wetlands or wetlands

Project Emphasis Continued: Part II Preserves or restores other natural features that contribute to quality of life and state’s natural heritage Permanent acquisition of riparian corridors, watersheds, forested hillsides, or green space linkages Plants vegetation or reforests lands for filtration to improve water quality, or to control storm water runoff

Project Emphasis Continued: Part II Incorporates aesthetically pleasing and ecologically informed design including sensitivity to the terrain, natural resources and heritage of the property Enhances educational opportunities and provides physical links to schools and after school centers Includes linkages to other parks, open space, green space preserves and population centers

Project Emphasis Continued: Part II Supports open space, green space planning, and preserves lands as recommended within previously identified planning or natural resource management documents Provides access to natural areas that result in recreational, economic, or aesthetic preservation benefits Provides or enhances areas where safe fishing, hunting, and trapping may take place in a manner that will preserve balanced natural ecosystems

Project Emphasis Continued: Part II Enhances economic development that relies on recreation and ecotourism in areas of relatively high unemployment. Two points for each question (36 points maximum for Part II).

Compliance with State Criteria Part III: (Per section of the O.R.C.) Percentage of Ohio matching funds necessary to complete project (Local match can include bargain sales, where seller provides at least a 25% price reduction below fair market value as a matching contribution) 75% (required-0 points) 74-70% 2 points 69-65% 3 points 64-60% 4 points < 60% 5 points

Compliance with State Criteria Continued: Part III Level of collaborative participation: Participation means active involvement through in-kind services or funding (give 1 point if any of the following are met up to a maximum of 3 points) Local political subdivisions State or Federal agencies Community organizations Conservation organizations Local business groups

Compliance with State Criteria Continued: Part III Level of conservation coordination with other Open space, Riparian Corridor, Farmland Protection or Urban Revitalization Projects under the Clean Ohio Fund in this or other Public Works Commission Districts Is a joint project in more than one district (2 points) Is a joint project in this district (1 point) Carries out an adopted community, watershed or other plan overlapping another district (1 point)

Compliance with State Criteria Continued: Part III Community benefits: Relative economic, social/recreational and environmental benefits the proposed project will bring to the geographical area represented by the NRAC as compared to other projects Economic (1 point) Social/Recreational (1 point) Environmental (1 point)

Compliance with State Criteria Continued: Part III Extent of public access once project is completed: Open days and weekends (4 points) Open limited, but regular hours (2 points) Open by appointment or with written permission (1 point)

Compliance with State Criteria Continued: Part III Operation and Maintenance once the project is completed Operation plan and infrastructure, if appropriate, in place (4 points) Operation plan, no infrastructure (2 points) Limited operation plan, volunteers available, no infrastructure (1 point)

Compliance with State Criteria Continued: Part III Project Management Experience of similar or related projects Successfully completed 3-5 similar projects in the last 10 years (3 points) Successfully completed 1-2 similar projects in the last 5 years (2 points) Has partnered on at least one similar project in the last 5 years (1 point)

Compliance with Hamilton County Priorities Part IV Community Planning: project is in concert with publicly-adopted regional, neighborhood or community advisory plan, or green space plan (may include adoption by governing bodies, planning commissions, park districts, similar boards, or commissions appointed by the governing body of a political jurisdiction) (3 points)

Compliance with Hamilton County Priorities Continued: Part IV Project benefits multiple local political subdivisions within the County (3 points) Natural Resource Viability: How important is the project to the viability of the natural resources affected by the project (give 1 point for each that applies; 3 points maximum) Protects a federally listed endangered species or biological community

Compliance with Hamilton County Priorities Continued: Part IV Natural Resource Viability continued: Protects more than 5 State Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) endangered species Protects 1-5 State NHI ranked rare species Protects a high quality example of a regionally endangered biological community Protects a threatened biological community or important example of Ohio’s natural heritage

Compliance with Hamilton County Priorities Continued: Part IV Readiness to proceed factors (Contract with the owner and evidence from the seller that closing will take place, or that open space related facility construction is ready to take place): Now (3 points) Within 6 months or less (2 points) Within 1 year (1 point)

Compliance with Hamilton County Priorities Continued: Part IV Project preserves or naturally restores steep hillsides with slopes of 20% or greater (3 points) Project provides or enhances green space or open space opportunities in lower income or in highly urbanized areas (3 points) Project preserves or enhances undeveloped lands along viewsheds of major highway and transportation corridors (3 points)

Compliance with Hamilton County Priorities Continued: Part IV Project protects highly erodable lands or hydric soils (3 points) Project addresses a situation where action must be taken now opportunity will be lost forever (Documenting evidence as to how opportunity will be lost must be submitted) (3 points)

Additional Information Requested by NRAC A United States Geographic Survey (USGS) Topographical Map should be included with the application along with a; Hamilton County Soil Survey Map that indicates the area of the project

Scoring Methodology Summary Score: Part II ______ Part III ______ Part IV ______ Total Score: _____ Ranking Among All Projects:______

Other Clean Ohio Resources Natural Resources Assistance Council Criteria - co.org/engineer/nrac.htm Legislation for Brownfield sites - Website for Clean Ohio information: ohio.htm Questions please call Joe Cottrill – District 2 Liaison at

Questions ?

Thank you for your Attendance End of Session Information sessions: January 29, 2002 – 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Techsolve Training Facility (Former IAMS Facility) February 5, :00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Winton Woods Centre, Winton Woods, Winton Road, Cincinnati Ohio, 45231

Clean Ohio Fund – Section A  Please be aware that the following information should be included with your application: Identification of the local political subdivision or non-profit organization that is responsible for the execution and completion of the project A detailed description of the proposed project Identification of the areas that are proposed to be protected, restored, preserved, or constructed Detailed information concerning the practices and procedures that will be undertaken to complete the project

Clean Ohio Fund – Section A A formal detailed estimate of the project’s costs The amount and nature of the monies or resources to be used as matching funds…remember - matching funds shall constitute not less than twenty-five percent of the total cost of the project Identification of any participation by state agencies that may have expertise regarding the particular project and may provide assistance to the project

Clean Ohio Fund – Section A Information concerning the coordination of the project among local political subdivisions, state agencies, federal agencies, community and conservation organizations and local business groups Information about any coordination that the project will have with projects being undertaken under the jurisdiction of other NRACs through out the state under sections to of the O.R.C. or with projects being undertaken under sections to of the O.R.C.

Clean Ohio Fund – Section –A & B Information about public participation in the planning and execution of the project Information about whether the general public will be given access to the project upon completion of the project A timetable for completion of the proposed project In addition to the application information required under Section164.23, division A, the application shall include the following information in accordance to Section164.23, division B accept as otherwise required in division C:

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – B A copy of a resolution supporting the project from each county in which the proposed project is to be conducted and is applicable If the proposed project is to be conducted wholly within the geographical boundaries of one township, a copy of a resolution is needed that states support of the project If the proposed project is to be conducted wholly within the geographical boundaries of one municipal government, a copy of a resolution is needed that states support of the project

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – B If the proposed project is to be in more than one, but fewer than five townships or municipal corporations, a copy of a resolution is needed from at least one half of the total number of townships and municipal corporations that states support of the project If the proposed project is to be in conducted in five or more townships or municipal corporations, a copy of a resolution is needed from at least three-fifths of the total number of townships and municipal corporations that states support of the project

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – B However, if the applicant is a county and the proposed project is to be located wholly within the geographical boundaries of the county, the applicant shall not be required to include a copy of a resolution from any township or municipal corporation. If the applicant is a municipal corporation and the proposed project is to be located wholly within the geographical boundaries of the municipal corporation, the applicant shall not be required to include a copy of a resolution from the county in which it is located. If the applicant is a township and the proposed project is to be located wholly within the geographical boundaries of the township, the applicant shall not be required to include a copy of a resolution from the county in which it is located.

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – B Documentation should be included that demonstrates the applicant has the capacity, financial or otherwise, to complete the project and to provide any on-going maintenance Documentation should be included that demonstrates the applicant has long term ownership or control of the property that is subject to the grant application

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – C Park District or Park Authority Prior to submitting an application for a grant, an applicant that is a park district or similar park authority shall submit a copy of the application to the legislative authority of each county, township, and municipal corporation in which the proposed project will be located (advisory H.B. 385) Not later than 21 days after receipt of the copy of the application, the legislative authority may adopt a resolution objecting to the proposed project (advisory H.B. 385)

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – C Park District or Park Authority If the legislative authority adopts a resolution by the end of the 21 day period objecting to the proposed project, the legislative authority immediately shall send a copy of the resolution to the applicant and the appropriate NRAC. If the legislative authority fails to adopt a resolution by the end of the 21 day period objecting to the proposed project, it will be presumed that the legislative authority does not object to the project (advisory H.B. 385)

Clean Ohio Fund – Section – C Park District or Park Authority If an applicant that is subject to section division C, Park district or authority, proposes a project that will be located in more than one county, township, or municipal corporation and receives a timely resolution objecting to the proposed from at least one, but not all, of the legislative authorities of those counties, townships, or municipal corporations whose legislative authorities did not adopt resolutions objecting to the proposed project (advisory H.B. 385)