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Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program. Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program. 2011-12 Grant Cycle. 2012-13 Grant Cycle. Agenda. Welcome & Introductions Overview of Program Application Process Administration of Grants Q & A Adjourn .
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Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program 2011-12 Grant Cycle 2012-13 Grant Cycle
Agenda Welcome & Introductions Overview of Program Application Process Administration of Grants Q & A Adjourn
Environmental Enhancement andMitigation Program • Purpose and Authority • Eligible Applicants • Timeline • North/South Split • Project Funding Atascadero Land Preservation Society
Selection Process • Applications due January 4, 2013 at the Natural Resources Agency (not postmarked) • Reviewed by staff for completeness • Evaluated by “Technical Review Committee” • Site Visits to selected projects in Spring 2013 • Recommendations to the Secretary for Natural Resources • Secretary’s recommendations to California Transportation Commission (CTC) • CEQA documents due to Caltrans • CTC preliminary approvals • CTC funding allocations and awards
EEMP Project Guidelines Eligible Project Categories • Highway Landscaping and Urban Forestry • Resource Lands • Roadside Recreation • Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency Lakeside Conservancy, Hanson El Monte Pond Revegetation
Related Transportation Facility • The Related Transportation Facility (RTF) may be a City, County, State or Federal transportation project, including a • Public street • Highway • Mass transit guideway (train, light rail) • Airports • Appurtenant features, such as • Park and Ride Facilities • On-ramps, Off-ramps And Overpasses • High-occupancy Vehicle Lanes • Transit Stations • Not "maintenance“ (pavement resurfacing, painting bridges, replanting) • Not mitigation (sound walls or bike lanes) • Call your local public works department or Caltrans District Office.
Related Transportation Facility • Construction began after January 1, 1990; OR • Not yet under construction • But is included in an adopted State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) or a locally adopted regional transportation improvement program; and • b) Certified capital outlay program • The RTF must have a adverse impact on the environment. • CEQA compliance must be completed for the RTF.
Related Transportation Facility Applicant describes the RTF Applicant establishes adverse environmental impact CEQA documents, Letter from the Lead Agency Applicant explains what mitigation was required by law Exemptions Mitigated Negative Declarations Applicant demonstrates connection between EEMP project and RTF
EEMP Project • EEMP project must be different from the RTF. • EEMP project must mitigate the adverse environmental impact of the RTF. • • Direct or Indirect • • Geographic proximity • • Type of benefit • If EEMP project is in or near • right-of-way it must • • Be compatible with RTF • • Use State design & • construction standards American River Conservancy South Fork American River Trail
What to SubmitRequirements for a Complete Application • The Grant Application Package contains four sections: • Application Form & Assurances • One Page Summary (Write it last!) • Project Proposal Narrative • Exhibits and Supporting Documents
What to SubmitRequirements for a Complete Application • The Grant Application Package contains four sections: • Application Form & Assurances • One Page Summary (Write it last!) • Project Proposal Narrative • Exhibits and Supporting Documents
3. Project Proposal Narrative Evaluation Criteria General Criteria: A. Mitigation and Enhancement B. Statewide Project Goals C. Local Cash Contributions D. Project Readiness Project Category Criteria: A. Highway Landscaping and Urban Forestry (HLUF) B. Resource Lands (RL) C. Roadside Recreation (RR) D. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency (MP)
General Criteria Questions • General Criteria (45 points) • A. Mitigation and Enhancement (to RTF) • B. Statewide Project Goals (See SGC) • C. Local Cash Contributions / Other Funding Sources • D. Project Readiness (Organizational Capacity)
Statewide PrioritiesThe California Strategic Growth CouncilSB 732 created the Strategic Growth Council, a cabinet level committee tasked with coordinating the activities of member state agencies to • Improve air and water quality • Protect natural resources and agriculture lands • Increase the availability of affordable housing • Promote public health • Improve transportation • Encourage greater infill and compact development • Revitalize community and urban centers • Assist state and local entities in the planning of sustainable communities and meeting AB 32 goals http://sgc.ca.gov/
Project Criteria Questions • Highway Landscape and Urban Forestry • Resource Lands • Roadside Recreation • Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency City of Cupertino, Stevens Creek Corridor Park
Highway Landscaping and Urban Forestry (HLUF) Projects to offset vehicular emissions of carbon dioxide by planting trees and other suitable plants. (If within the right-of-way EEMP funds can only pay for trees.) City of San Jose, Coyote Creek Trail
Resource Lands (RL) Projects to acquire, restore or enhance resource lands to mitigate the loss of, or the detriment to, resource lands by the RTF. Resource lands include natural areas, wetlands, forests, woodlands, meadows, streams or other areas containing fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors, fish passages, and features of archaeological or historical value. Sonoma County Water Agency, Laguna de Santa Rosa Habitat
Roadside Recreation (RR) Projects to acquire land for – or develop – roadside recreational opportunities such as parks, greenways, roadside rests, scenic overlooks, trails, trailheads, parks and snow-parks. Amigos de los Rios, Emerald Necklace
Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency (MP) Projects to mitigate the impact of the RTF where the mitigation or enhancement measures are beyond the scope of the lead agency’s ability to effectuate. City of Visalia, Valley Oak Restoration Project
What to SubmitRequirements for a Complete Application • The Grant Application Package contains four sections: • Application Form & Assurances • One Page Summary • Project Proposal Narrative • Exhibits and Supporting Documents
4. Exhibits & Supporting Documents • Authorizing resolution • IRS letter (if applicable) • Letter from the Lead Agency for the RTF • CEQA Documents for the RTF • Statement of consistency with local, State/federal plans and list of permits • EEMP Project Cost Estimate • Property Data Sheet w/Proof of Ownership • Timeline • Location map • Site photos • Design Plans or Concept Drawings • Planting Palate (for projects including plantings) • For HLUF projects: Letter from certified arborist, professional forester or landscape architect • Letters of permissions Property owners O&M agreements Flood Control District Utility Agencies Other • Letters of endorsement • For Acquisitions Acquisition schedule, parcel maps Letter from Willing Seller Appraisal, purchase agreement Stewardship plan (if available.)
Appendices • Checklist for what to Submit • Application Form & Assurances • Letter from Related Transportation Facility Lead Agency • Sample Cost Estimate • Property Data Sheet • Sample Resolution Template • EEMP Legislation • Resources for Sustainable Communities • Caltrans District Offices
EEMP Natural Resources Agency Website:http://www.resources.ca.gov/eem/ • Important Letter to Prospective EEMP Applicants • EEMP Guidelines • EEMP Application • Letter from Lead Agency for the Related Transportation Facility • Frequently Asked Questions
Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program Caltrans District Offices 2011-12 Grant Cycle
CEQA for EEMP project • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents for EEMP projects must be received by Caltrans prior to being awarded funding. CEQA documents are due by February 2013 in order for the project to be considered at the CTC meeting. • EEMP Projects without environmental clearance documents will not be considered for funding.
Grant Agreement • Caltrans executes and administers a contract called the Applicant-State Agreement for each approved grant. The Agreement must be signed within 30 calendar days of issuance. • Once Agreement is in place the Applicant must submit its first invoice for reimbursement to Caltrans District Office within one year from the date the Agreement was Executed. • If unable to submit first invoice, Applicant must submit a State of Project Progress, provide assurances the project will be completed by June 2015.
Costs & Payment Requirements • Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis. Exception: Advances to escrow will be made after the appraised fair market value is approved by Caltrans. • Only project related costs incurred during the performance period are eligible for reimbursement. • Only Direct Costs are eligible. Ineligible costs include: • General administrative (such as telephone, fax, space rental) • Overhead costs (percentage added to other costs) • Endowments (for project maintenance) • Reimbursements are calculated on “Funds awarded divided by the Total Project Cost”.
Costs & Payment Requirements (continued) • Preliminary Project Costs (construction plans, appraisals, acquisition negotiations, etc.) are eligible. • Personnel and Employee Services: • Services directly engaged in project execution are eligible costs. • Costs must be computed according to Applicant’s prevailing wage or salary scales, may include fringe benefit costs as vacations, sick leave, Social Security contributes. • Costs charged must be computed by actual time spent on project. • Support all costs by time and attendance records during work performance. • Consultant Services • Costs of Consultant services necessary for the project are eligible.
Costs & Payment Requirements (continued) • Construction Equipment • Review page 30 of the Guidelines • Construction Costs • All construction activity costs from site prep, to the completion of a structure or facility is eligible. • Trees, supplies, and materials are eligible. • However, reimbursement for the cost of vegetation planted within public road right-of-way is limited to trees.
Acquisition Costs • Cost of acquiring real property are eligible • Includes purchase price, appraisals, surveys, preliminary title reports, escrow fees, and title insurance fees. • Applicants who propose to acquire property, must sign a “Agreement Declaring Restrictive Covenants” (ADRC) • Applicants who propose to acquire a Conservation Easement must accept, sign and notarize a “Restrictive Covenant Agreement Declaring Conservation Easement”(RCACE) or add the condemnation language in their Conservation Easement.
Acquisition & Invoice Process • Please review the Flow Chart handout. • All invoices along with backup should be mailed to our District EEM Coordinator. (see Contact list handout) • All acquisitions require the following documents. • ADRC/RCACE with notarized signature • Preliminary Title Report and current appraisal • Escrow Instructions and Final Invoice (using Invoice format on prior slide) • Agreement Exhibit D & Remarks and Covenants • Final report of Expenditure
Steps for an EEMP ProjectAfter a fully executed Applicant-State Agreement is in place and funds are encumbered:
Caltrans EEMP Website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/EEM/homepage.htm Forms and information for Contract Administration • Invoice Format • Invoice Flow Chart • ADRC/RCACE • Scope Change Request • Final Report of Expenditures • Policy & Procedures • Previously Funded Projects • District Contact List • FAQ’s • Status of On-going projects American Rivers, Deer Creek
Contact Information Questions regarding the EEMP Guidelines and application process should be directed to: California Natural Resources Agency Attn: EEMP Coordinator 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 653-2812 eemcoordinator@resources.ca.gov Questions related to administering an EEMP grant project can be obtained from: California Department of Transportation Division of Local Assistance Attn: EEM Program Coordinator 1120 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 916-653-8450