To qualify for inclusion in the RHAP under these rules, a governmental agency shall submit a program application to the WDA.
(a) An application submitted to the WDA will only be considered for inclusion in the RHAP if the following criteria are demonstrated in the application: - (i) The necessity for a rangeland health assessment for the project area including the impact on state, federal, local and private property;
- (ii) The assessment will be done with the voluntary cooperation and participation of all participants, including, as appropriate, the private landowner, the state grazing lessee, the federal grazing permittee or lessee and the land management agency;
- (iii) Assessments will be conducted on federal or state managed lands under a memorandum of understanding with the federal or state land management agency and with the participation of that federal or state land management agency;
- (iv) The assessment will include, as necessary, establishment of rangeland monitoring, compliance with federal agency standards and guidelines, and participation in the incorporation of assessment outcomes into any federal or state decision affecting livestock grazing;
- (v) The assessment will include any protections necessary for the management of soil erosion and vegetation loss.
(b) The RHAP application form shall be developed by the WDA in accordance with the requirements of this regulation. The WDA shall make a program application form available to eligible governmental agencies. The application shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: - (ii) List of other committed partners for the Project
- (iii) If the governmental agency requests funding during the application process, include:
- (A) A budget. Standardized forms will be provided by WDA. A minimum 30% match is required for all grant applications.
- (B) Information on how the project addresses priorities established by the Director. Priorities shall be set by January first each year and made available to eligible governmental agencies. Priorities include the consideration of:
- (I) Applications that include multiple resource partners;
- (II) Amount and variety of funding sources;
- (III) Timing and urgency of the project.
(c) Written agreements from all committed partners including affected permittee(s), lessee(s), landowner(s), federal/state land management agency(ies) and any others invited to participate on the project shall be included with the application. The agreement shall include information on each partner's contribution to the project and their commitment to participate if the project is approved for inclusion in the RHAP.
(d) An application including a request for grant funding may only be submitted during the period of a Request for Funding Proposal (RFP) as determined by the WDA and will be reviewed after the close of the RFP.
(e) An application without a funding request may be submitted at any time.
010-15 Wyo. Code R. § 15-5