All proposals for implementation grants MUST address at least one of the CBSF Conservation Objectives. (See box) In addition, INSRG proposals MUST accelerate reductions of nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
Priority Funding Strategies for Implementation Grants
Priority for implementation grants (both SWG and INSRG) will be given to projects that successfully address at least one of the following four priority funding strategies.
1. Green Infrastructure Showcase Projects
This strategy focuses on projects that demonstrate how local governments can integrate green infrastructure restoration, protection and maintenance into capital improvement programs, road maintenance projects, flood plain management, and other existing programs. Partnering with federal and state agencies, utilities, nonprofits, and private sector partners, grants will fund local governments and communities to green traditional infrastructure projects, such as road and highway improvements, sewer and other utility maintenance and upgrades, flood control projects, public park enhancements, school modernization projects, and renovations to public facilities such as town halls, libraries, police and fire stations.
Local government and community projects must integrate multiple “green” implementation practices into existing programs to demonstrate how communities can simultaneously meet their infrastructure needs and enhance the health of local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Examples of such projects include:
integrating stream, floodplain and wetland restoration into road maintenance and improvement programs, such as culvert replacements and stream crossing repairs and upgrades;
implementing low impact development practices to “green” street and road improvements in order to protect water quality and enhance community livability;
integrating low impact development and urban tree canopy restoration strategies into neighborhood redevelopment initiatives; and/or,
incorporating innovative stormwater technologies and habitat restoration strategies into multiple facilities managed by a target agency such as a school district, or parks and recreation department.
In addition to grant funding, NFWF also will provide targeted technical assistance to support upfront planning and design costs. NFWF has a network of pre-screened consultants who may provide technical assistance to local governments as local government need arises.
Showcase projects must be able to demonstrate reductions in nutrient and sediment loading to local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Priority will be given to projects that are part of a larger community strategy to develop policies and procedures that would permit, fund and facilitate the application of green infrastructure approaches throughout the community in order to improve local stream health and the Chesapeake Bay.
2. Targeted River Restoration
This strategy focuses on funding projects that simultaneously strive to achieve water quality and wildlife habitat improvements, and increase populations in targeted fish and wildlife species. Targeted species may include Eastern Brook Trout and/or a diadromous fish species such as river herring, American shad, American eel, native oysters, etc. These projects should strategically implement stream corridor restoration and protection measures in targeted river systems. Stream corridor restoration and protection measures may include: livestock exclusion, riparian forest buffer restoration, wetland/floodplain restoration, stream bank stabilization and fish passage.
Successful projects will support the implementation of existing watershed management plans that have a clear baseline for water quality, habitat and species conditions and specific restoration goals. Applicants also should have a track record of implementation success and the local capacity to implement projects on a scale that will result in measureable and observable improvements to local rivers, streams and their habitats.
Projects should target NFWF’s “Priority Investment Areas for Stream Corridor and Floodplain Restoration”. (See Targeted Rivers map.)
3. Private Landowner Stewardship
This strategy focuses on programs that provide outreach and technical assistance to engage private landowners in restoration and conservation on their lands. Programs may target working forests and farms in Chesapeake Bay priority agriculture watersheds, as well as residential and commercial property in Phase II MS4 communities.
Working Forests and Farms
Grants will be awarded to support habitat conservation professionals (e.g., biologists, foresters, etc.) working with Conservation Districts and/or other government offices as needed to provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other private landowners to optimize wildlife conservation on their lands, and reduce their impacts on the health of local rivers and streams. Proposals should approach the delivery of Farm Bill programs in ways that offer new incentives for landowner participation. Projects should strive to leverage Federal Farm Bill funding to accelerate implementation of Best Management Practices and other conservation strategies. Priority will be given to projects that
Design and implement projects to restore and protect stream corridors and floodplains, including riparian forest buffer restoration and protection, livestock exclusion fencing, off-stream watering, wetland restoration and protection, and stream restoration;
Assist small woodlot owners to adopt and implement Forest Conservation Plans; and/or
Leverage funding through USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) by providing outreach and technical assistance to landowners to renew or enter into new CREP contracts to retire riparian buffers and wetlands from agricultural production. The most competitive proposals will strive to extend the contracts in perpetuity.
Programs should target landowners in watersheds that are in the top 25% of nutrient yielding areas to the Chesapeake Bay. (See Priority Agriculture Watersheds map.)
Residential and Commercial Properties
Grants will be awarded to implement programs that use proven strategies to increase adoption of green infrastructure practices on residential and commercial property. Projects should strategically target audiences that move beyond the “early adopters” and may include:
Programs to promote urban nutrient management to greatly reduce fertilizer use for turf grass;
Efforts to re-forest urban and suburban lands such as by converting “turf to trees”; and/or
Incentive programs for landowners to implement practices that retain stormwater on-site through stormwater management practices such as bioretention and rain water harvesting.
Programs should target, in particular, Phase II MS4 communities, and communities experiencing rapid growth, and areas with the highest percentage of turf. See Vulnerability map.
4. Anacostia River Revitalization
Projects that help restore and protect the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. Projects should seek to
Improve water quality and restore habitat in the Anacostia River watershed and its tributaries;
Emphasize the neighborhood benefits of watershed restoration to local economic development, public health, livability and as a neighborhood asset;
Engage, employ and educate local residents and businesses; and,
Connect the public to the Anacostia and its tributaries through enhanced outdoor recreation and volunteer opportunities.
NFWF initially will target investments to the DC portion of the watershed, with the ability and goal to expand to Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties as additional funds become available and progress is made.
Preference will be given to projects that are prioritized in restoration and watershed plans approved by the D.C. Department of the Environment and its partners.
GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS (aka: the fine print)
Projects must be implemented entirely within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes portions of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and all of the District of Columbia.
All proposals MUST address at least one of the CBSF Conservation Objectives, and be able to
demonstrate significant, measurable outputs and outcomes that will help to achieve the objectives of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order: Strategy for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. For more information about the Executive Order, visit: http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net/INSRG proposals MUST be able to demonstrate reductions of nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. Proposals should include scientifically credible estimates of both short-term and long-term nutrient and/or sediment reductions expected as a result of the project, as well as interim measures used to calculate nutrient reductions such as: acres of wetlands enhanced, acres of forest restored, miles of riparian buffer or stream bank restored, acres treated by stormwater BMPs, etc.
Eligible applicants include: non-profit 501(c) organizations (e.g., watershed organizations, homeowners associations, environmental organizations, private schools, etc.), local governments and agencies (e.g., counties, townships, cities, boroughs, conservation districts, planning districts, utility districts, public schools), state government agencies and academic institutions.
Organizations located outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed may apply if their projects will be conducted entirely within the watershed.
Individuals, federal government agencies and for-profit firms are not eligible for implementation grants.
Projects must engage all appropriate local partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, as well as its integration into local programs and policies. In most cases these partners will include: local government agencies (e.g., departments of planning, zoning, public works, environment, school districts, etc.), local watershed groups, environmental education providers, and community leaders.
Projects must demonstrate strong public/private partnerships including with state and federal agencies.
Projects must be technically sound and feasible and carried out by qualified individuals and organizations. Applicants are encouraged to provide documentation of technical assistance either received or committed to by appropriate state and federal agencies. (Technical assistance is available through the Stewardship Fund. For more information, visit the page on this site).
Grantees must contribute non-Federal matching funds and in-kind services valued at a minimum of 25 percent of total project costs. For INSRG, preference will be given to proposals that have matching contributions valued at 50 percent of total project costs or greater (i.e., 1:1 ratio). Applicants are encouraged to show federal partner contributions as well, although these contributions may not count toward the minimum match. Match should be calculated as a percentage of the total project costs, where the grant request plus the match equals the total project costs.
Grantees may only use grant funds for indirect costs if 1) the grantee organization has a federally-approved indirect rate; AND, indirect costs do not exceed 15 percent of the total grant request (even when the federally-approved rate is greater than 15 percent).
Projects must be ready to begin implementation within six months of the grant award.
Projects must be complete within 2 years upon receipt of grant award.
If projects involve significant environmental monitoring or data collection/generation, applicants will be asked to develop Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) as part of their grant. Applicants should budget time and resources to complete this task if appropriate. For more information about NFWF’s Quality Assurance process, visit the page on this site.
All applicants with active grants from NFWF must be in good standing in terms of reporting requirements, end dates, and QAPPs (if required).
Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any Federal, state or local requirements.
Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds
Neither grant funds nor matching contributions may be used to support political advocacy, lobbying or litigation.
Grantees may not use grant funds to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements (e.g., permit conditions, mitigation, settlement agreements) of any local, state or federal permit. Grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts.
Evaluation Criteria for Implementation Grants
Proposals will be reviewed, evaluated, and scored based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria:
Environmental Results. Project restores and/or protects the water quality and living resources of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. (25 points)
Citizen Engagement. Project engages citizens and landowners in stewardship of surface waters and other natural resources. (25 points)
Work Plan. Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical and achievable work plan. (20 points)
Partnership. An appropriate partnership exists to implement the project and the project is supported by a strong local partnership that will sustain it after the life of the grant. (10 points)
Context. Project implements, or is complementary to, an established conservation and/or watershed management plan. (10 points)
Budget. The proposed budget is cost-effective, reasonable, and leverages other partner contributions. (10 points)
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
1. Go to www.nfwf.org/easygrants to register in our Easygrants online system. (If you already are a registered user, use your existing login.) Enter your applicant information.
2. Select a “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options. Use the following guidance to determine whether you should select “Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 2012” or “Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction 2012”.
a. Will your project accelerate reductions of nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay during over the life of the grant?
b. Are you seeking more than $200,000 in grant funds?
c. Do you have matching contributions from your organization and project partners roughly equal to the amount of grant funds you are seeking?
If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions, then select “Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction 2012”. If the answer to any one of these questions is “no”, then select “Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 2012”.
3. Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once you get started, you may save your application in progress and return another time to complete and submit it. For consideration, you must submit your online application using Easygrants on or before Wednesday, May 16, 2012.