Publication Summary

The enclosed state fiscal year 2003 (FY 2003) Final Offer List covers the Centennial Clean Water Fund (Centennial), the federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Fund (Section 319), and the Washington State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. The SRF Final Intended Use Plan (IUP), which is available separately, contains more information on the projects where SRF funding is proposed. The projects offered funding reflect the highest priority water quality projects for the state of Washington.

Local governments, Native American tribes, and not-for-profit groups submitted 119 requests for funding consideration during the FY 2003 application cycle. Based on an evaluation of these applications and direction from the Washington State Legislature, Ecology proposes to fund 38 activity and 35 facility projects totaling $144,720,758.

Ecology staff, using recommendations from other state agencies, evaluated the proposals, assigned points, and developed a statewide priority list reflecting projects in ranked order.

In addition to the funds offered on the FY 2003 Final Offer List, Ecology reserved $400,000 in FY 2003 Section 319 funds for water quality projects proposed by state of Washington agencies. This funding is used for high priority activities identified in Washington's Water Quality Management Plan to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution, April 2000. Sixteen applications were submitted by agencies with specific implementation responsibilities outlined in the Nonpoint Plan and 12 projects were selected to receive funding. Projects considered and selected are shown in a separate section of the Final Offer List.

A Draft Offer and Applicant List reflecting projects proposed for funding was released on July 18, 2002, and one public meeting to present an overview of the three funding programs and the process used to select projects for funding was held on July 30, 2002. A 30-day public review and comment period for the Draft Offer and Applicant List, as well as the Draft Intended Use Plan began on July 18, and ended on August 19, 2002. Written comments were received and a responsiveness summary has been prepared and is included as part of the Final Offer List.