N.J. Admin. Code § 7:15-9.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:15-9.4 - Application procedures for grants for watershed management activities

(a) Any recognized watershed management group may submit an application to the Department for a watershed management grant.

(b) The watershed management group should submit an application pertaining to watershed management activities for which the watershed management group has a high probability of success. Factors for consideration include the extent to which available resources (personnel and fiscal) are sufficient for complete and successful implementation of the activities and achievement of the stated objectives.

(c) The applicant shall submit the information identified in the notice of availability published annually by the Department, in accordance with 7:15-9.2. In order to be considered for a grant, the information shall be submitted by the application deadline specified in the notice of availability.

(d) Grant applications shall provide, at a minimum, the following information, as specified in the notice of availability:

1. Proof that the applicant has been recognized as a watershed management group in accordance with 7:15-9.3(b);

2. A description of the watershed or watersheds in which the activity is to be conducted, including a map as appropriate;

3. A scope of work that includes an executive summary, a description of the proposed watershed management activities, environmental objectives and measures (as appropriate), a budget, and a schedule for completion;

4. A description of how the proposed activities correspond to and will achieve the goals and objectives of this chapter and conformance with the priorities defined in the annual Project Priority System or 7:15-9.2;

5. A description of any proposed environmental monitoring, including evaluation criteria, environmental indicators, and an approved quality assurance/quality control plan, as applicable;

6. Identification of the source and availability of any additional supplementary funds, in the form of cash, in-kind services or both, to be used with this grant to implement the proposed watershed management activity;

7. Identification of all personnel and consultant(s) who will be performing the activity and a description of their experience and expertise in the proposed watershed management activity;

8. Evidence that the PAC(s) of the watershed management areas within which the proposal is located were provided an opportunity to comment on the proposal, including a copy of the PAC's response; and

9. Any additional information as specified in the notice of availability.

(e) If a grant is awarded, a grant agreement shall be executed between the Department and the watershed management group. The watershed management group is responsible for all performance reports, expenditure reports, deliverables and all other requirements specified in the executed grant agreement.

(f) A watershed management group may contract for services for all or part of the grant to another person or entity to perform a watershed management activity(ies) in accordance with Department procedures and forms provided in the grant agreement, subject to the following conditions:

1. The watershed management group shall not enter into any contract with any person debarred, suspended or disqualified from Department contracting pursuant N.J.A.C. 7:1-5 for any services within the scope of work;

2. If the watershed management group distributes a grant to a person who has a NJPDES permit to discharge pollutants into the waters of the State pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:14A, the distribution shall be conditioned upon the NJPDES permittee providing a match of one dollar for every dollar distributed to the NJPDES permittee. The match may be made either as a monetary payment or as an in-kind contribution; and

3. The use any of the grant monies for the purpose of complying with a NJPDES permit is prohibited.

(g) All grant applications, grant agreements and any supporting documentation are public records.

(h) Unless otherwise specified in the notice of availability, applications for watershed management grants shall be submitted to:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Watershed Management Grant Program

Division of Watershed Management

PO Box 418

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0418

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:15-9.4