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Application | Eligibility | Monitoring | Evaluation | Future of the Program
Q: How many copies of the application do I need to send?
A: Please submit the following to Ecology, no later than 5:00 pm on September 15, 2006:
· One signed paper original application signed by the official signatory (e.g., com)
· Five paper copies of the application.
· One copy of the application in MS Word or compatible format via floppy disk (or CD) along with your paper submittal. Disks should be marked with the Project Title and Applicant Name. Disks will only be used by Ecology and only for processing your application.
Q: In question IV.B., "Briefly explain the timeframe for completing the entire project." Do applicants enter the date of installation completion or monitoring completion?
A: Applicants should include the dates the LID installation completion and effectiveness monitoring completion (required as part of the project).
Electronic or Facsimile delivery of applications will NOT be accepted as the primary means of transmittal.
Q: What does “design approved” mean in the application?
A: We ask that the proposed LID design has been approved by local government staff in accordance with local building permit ordinances and standards. Please send documentation of the design approval. Ecology does not require local governments to submit the plan to Ecology for approval. Furthermore, Ecology does not have the authority or resources to approve such documents.
Q: Can local governments apply if they have received or awarded bids for their project?
A: Yes, they are eligible to receive 100 points under the evaluation criterion IV. A. 1.
Q: Why does a project receive more points if is ready to go to bid in October when construction cannot begin until spring of 2007?
A: The ability to move directly into installation shows the local government’s readiness to proceed. In most areas of Puget Sound, considerable work can be completed in the period mid-October through late fall.
Q: Can I begin my project before the grant agreement is signed?
A: Yes, receiving prior authorization allows grant recipients to incur costs before the grant agreement is signed. If your project is within the fundable portion of the Offer and Applicant List, you may request prior authorization. Ecology will post the Offer and Applicant List approximately October 18, 2006.
Address a letter to the following:
David C. Peeler
Water Quality Program Manager
Department of Ecology
c/o Emily Morris
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98104-7600
In the letter, request to begin work on a specific date and list the reasons why (e.g., construction schedule). The earliest date to allow prior authorization is October 18, 2006. A response letter, signed by David Peeler, will either allow or not allow the prior authorization.
Q: Do LID projects require state water rights permits?
A: Rainwater or stormwater management practices that maintain or mimic existing hydraulic conditions do not need a State issued water right permit. LID techniques that provide short-term detention, infiltration, or distribution of stormwater do not require a water rights permit. Such practices include permeable pavements, various types of dispersion and infiltration, rain gardens and other types of bioretention, reverse slope sidewalks, vegetated roofs, minimal excavation foundations, and compost-amended soils.
LID techniques that are intended to capture and store stormwater for later consumptive re-use require a water right permit. This level of rainwater harvest would generally involve dedicated domestic potable and non potable uses such as toilet flushing or irrigation (i.e. sites where irrigation dependent crops are grown). It includes storage of stormwater in tanks, vaults, ponds, or bladders for later use as irrigation or domestic supply (e.g., non-potable uses such as toilet flushing and laundry, or potable uses).
Q: What type of match is allowed?
A: Ecology can only consider LID components for match. Building costs cannot be considered as match. The three types of match include:
1. Cash – Grant recipient uses its cash to pay for LID project components (e.g., pays for project team’s salaries and benefits instead of using grant dollars).
2. Interlocal – Another public entity provides cash for LID project components.
3. In-kind – donations (e.g., plantings and use of donated time and/or equipment).
Q: Are greywater/reuse components of the LID project eligible?
A: These components go beyond this program’s scope for this pilot funding cycle.
Q: Are privately owned treatment areas receiving runoff from publicly owned property considered eligible project sites?
A: Yes, use of private property that treats stormwater from local government owned property as long as the local government obtains an easement is eligible. Conveyance structures on private property are likewise eligible.
Q: Are housing authorities eligible to apply?
A: As it applies to this grant program, housing authorities may apply on the condition that the LID techniques are used on housing authority, city, or county property, with a commitment that the property remains public through the required monitoring and post-project assessment date. Q: Can LID funds be spent on state of Washington or federal lands? A: The Legislature specified that funds be used only for local government projects, which excludes the federal government or other state agencies. These agencies can request funds though their respective budgeting processes.
Q: Are tasks required by permitting agencies eligible?
A: Federal, state of Washington, or local permit (or local ordinance) requirements that ask for LID installation is eligible. Ecology will not pay for the permit, but allows required permit tasks to be eligible as long as they follow the program guidelines.
Q: How much does Ecology expect the project’s monitoring costs to be?
A: Ecology anticipates that the monitoring costs will approximate 10 – 20 percent of the total grant amount requested. This range reflects the different levels of monitoring for various types of LID stormwater management techniques as outlined in Appendix B of the Program Guidelines.
Q: Will Ecology allow grant recipients to purchase monitoring equipment?
A: Yes, if the applicant and Ecology believe the equipment is cost-effective to purchase. Applicants should work with the regional project manager to determine the cost effectiveness of purchasing, leasing, or renting equipment.
Q: How will you determine what is “distributing LID projects around the Puget Sound”?
A: Ecology will fund projects that rate and rank the highest. It is our goal to have LID projects distributed around the Puget Sound. We anticipate that given the broad interest in LID, the projects will be well distributed around the Puget Sound.
Q: Will Ecology reduce one of the requested grant amounts to fund more projects?
A: Ecology will only reduce a grant amount in two circumstances:
· When the project is at the bottom of the fundable portion of the Offer and Applicant List and there is not enough money to fund the full project.
· When the project shows excessive project or administration costs, Ecology will negotiate the more appropriate amount with the recipient.
Q: Will Ecology debrief the not funded applicants after the Offer and Applicant List is published?
A: Ecology’s procedure for informing those applicants includes sending a letter that tells the applicants they are below the funding cutoff line. Ecology encourages those applicants to request evaluator scores via email. Address the requests to Dan Filip at dfil461@ecy.wa.gov or Emily Morris at emar461@ecy.wa.gov. Evaluators will meet in person with applicants if requested.
Evaluators include Ecology and Puget Sound Action Team staff with expertise in LID stormwater management techniques and water quality management. Ecology encourages evaluators to make comments on the evaluation sheet. These comments are included in scoring reports, but the evaluator names are removed.
Q: Will the program have a set aside of dollars for institutions of higher education?
A: Universities are not eligible this year to receive direct money from Ecology. However, the LID Technical Advisory Taskforce identified the potential efficiencies and quality assurances if a State University or other qualified contractor conducts all monitoring and analyses. Ecology and stakeholders will present suggestions and this pilot program’s initial findings to the 07-09 Legislature.
Q: Will the program be extended to Tribes?
A: Tribes are not eligible this year. Ecology and stakeholders will present suggestions and this pilot program’s initial findings to the 07-09 Legislature.
Q: What does Ecology project for the next year’s funding level?
A: Ecology prepared a budget request for the FY 08 LID grant program of $7.5 million. This level has not been formally requested and approved by the Legislature. Ecology will provide the Legislature with total needs as they become available. Local governments may also wish to contact legislators concerning project and area wide needs.
Q: Will next year’s LID funding allow the public to partner with private developers?
A: The Legislature directed Ecology to fund projects only for local governments this year. Ecology and stakeholders will present suggestions and this pilot program’s initial findings to the 07-09 Legislature.
Q: Will next year’s LID funding allow green building standards to be eligible?
A: Only the LID portion of green building standards could be considered eligible this year. Ecology and stakeholders will present suggestions and this pilot program’s initial findings to the 07-09 Legislature.
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