Section 887.205  Grant Assistance Criteria

a)         Criteria for awarding grants shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

1)         The community commits to developing an environmental vision through a visioning process that is led by a community visioning facilitator;

2)         The visioning process has support from a broad mix of parties in the community, as demonstrated by letters of commitment or support from the parties;

3)         The community identifies the long-term environmental and civic infrastructure benefits it expects to receive from the visioning process.  For the purposes of this subsection (a)(3) and Section 887.210(c)(1)(C) of this Part, the term "civic infrastructure" means the relationships, abilities and skills within the community that the community can utilize to address local issues; and

4)         The community will use the visioning process to address at least four of the following environmental issues:

A)        Clean air, including but not limited to the reduction of emissions into the air from businesses, government entities and citizens;

B)        Quality water, including but not limited to the protection of surface water and groundwater resources, the reduction of pollutant discharges, and the restoration of aquatic habitats;

C)        Waste reduction, including but not limited to the reduction of solid waste and hazardous waste through source reduction, re-use and recycling alternatives;

D)        Efficient resource use, including but not limited to the conservation of energy, water and materials, and the use of renewable energy;

E)        Parks and recreational areas, including but not limited to the development of community parks or recreational areas, bike trails, walking trails, and green ways;

F)         The protection and restoration of natural areas, including but not limited to the protection, restoration and enhancement of natural habitats, wetlands, woodlands, forests, stream corridors, river corridors and open spaces;

G)        Environmental education, including but not limited to the development of environmental stewardship and leadership through greater public awareness, volunteering and educational activities;

H)        Compatible development strategies, including but not limited to strategies that preserve agricultural lands and open spaces through cluster, mixed use and other sustainable development practices; or

I)         An environmental issue facing the community as a whole, other than those listed in subsections (a)(4)(A) through (H).

b)         The Agency may also consider the following when awarding grants:

1)         The characteristics of the community, including but not limited to its geographic location and any distinguishing features or attributes;

2)         Matching funds committed to the visioning process; and

3)         The qualifications and accomplishments of the key personnel that will be involved in coordinating or managing the visioning process.

c)         Subject to the applications received, the Agency shall award grants to communities of different sizes and characteristics.  Communities selected to receive grant awards may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1)         An inner-city neighborhood located in a municipality with a population of greater than 100,000;

2)         A growing suburban municipality located in a county with a population of greater than 250,000.

3)         A community with a total population of greater than 20,000 but less than 125,000;

4)         A community with a total population of 20,000 or less;

5)         An appropriately-scaled watershed area; and

6)         A specific geographic area with which people identify or share common interests other than those identified in subsections (c)(1) through (5).