CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION APPLICANT WORKSHOPROUND 6June 25th, 2009 Canalway Visitor Center

CUYAHOGA COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCES ASSISTANCE COUNCIL

AGENDA

1. Overview of the Clean Conservation Ohio Program Statewide and District 1 Purpose Program Requirements

2. The Cuyahoga County Conservation Program Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) Applications Evaluation Methodology Round 6Application Requirements

3. Q.&A.

CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION -Statewide

495 Projects were funded$144 million have been

awardedArea protected:

26,000 acres of natural areas and greenspace

From 2000-2007:

CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION- Cuyahoga County

53 Projects were submitted 32 Projects have been funded $17 million have been awarded $14 million have been spent

(excludes Round 5 projects)

Area Protected: 734 acres of natural areas and

greenspace 12,000 lineal feet of riparian

corridors

From 2000-2008:

PURPOSE

Preserve Open Space. Protect Riparian Corridors. Protect Rare, Threatened or Endangered

Species. Support Open Space Planning. Preserve Wetlands and Other Scarce

Natural Resources. Preserve Streamside Forests, Natural

Stream Channels and Floodplains.

A Unique Opportunity to Advance Conservation

Forested Bank on the Chagrin River

Mill Creek Area Vistas

TYPES OF PROJECTS

OPEN SPACE Acquisition of open space Acquisition of land or rights in

land for parks, forests, wetlands, natural areas that protect an endangered plant or animal population.

Construction or enhancement of facilities to make open space accessible and useable by the general public.

Acquisition of land to connect natural area corridors.

Fee simple acquisitionof lands to provideaccess to riparian corridors or watersheds.

Acquisition of easements for the purpose of protecting and enhancing riparian corridors or watersheds.

Reforestation of land or the planting of vegetation for filtration purposes.

Riparian Trail –Chagrin River Reservation

Category 3 Forested Wetland

RIPARIAN CORRIDORS

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Acquisition Expenses Fee simple purchases Easement purchases

Planning and Implementation Appraisal Closing costs Title search Environmental assessments Design

Construction or Enhancement of Facilities i.e. internal low-impact trails, boardwalks,

lookouts, benches

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIESMill Creek Conservation Project

Before Cleanup

Mill Creek Conservation Project Today

Acquisition of land for activities other than preservation and conservation.

Water Management Activities Flood control projects (dams,

dredging, etc.). Projects that accelerate untreated

water runoff. Stormwater management is the

primary purpose. Plan preparation.

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Local SubdivisionsCountiesCitiesVillagesTownship

Special DistrictsConservancy DistrictsSoil and Water

Conservation DistrictsJoint Recreation DistrictsPark District/Authority

Non-Profit CorporationsExempt from federal income taxation.Has conservation activities as part of its mission.

ROUND 6 FUNDING

$6.8 million available. Awards – grants only. Maximum grant award –

75% of Total Project Cost. Requires 25% Local Match. No limit to the amount

requested.

Can be: funds Contributions of money by any

person, local political subdivision or the federal government.

Contributions in-kind through the purchase or donation of equipment, land, easements, interest in land, labor and materials necessary to complete the project.

Market value of property.

LOCAL MATCH

OPWC

CONSERVATION PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

• Oversees “Issue 1” and Clean Ohio Conservation Program.• Approves methodologies of NRAC’s• Gives final approval of

recommended projects.• Oversees implementation of projects.

• Appoints NRAC members.

DOPWIC

NRAC• Implements Clean Ohio

Conservation Program in Cuyahoga County.

• Develops project selection and evaluation methodology.

• Selects projects for funding and makes recommendations to OPWC.

OPWCOPWC

DOPWIC

DOPWIC

DOPWIC

Hemlock Ravine Slopes

at Beecher’s Brook

Solomon’s Seal wildflower at

Beecher’s Brook

CUYAHOGA COUNTY CONSERVATION PROGRAM

NATURAL RESOURCES ASSISTANCE COUNCIL (NRAC)

Eleven members appointed by DOPWIC.1 member from DOPWIC1 member from Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District

9 members to represent 5 categories: 2 - Government 3 - Environment 2 - Park Systems 1 - Agricultural 1- Business, realtors or planning

CUYAHOGA COUNTY NRAC MEMBERSHIP

Member Representing

DAVID BEACH, CHAIRDirector, GreenCityBlueLake Institute

Environment

HONORABLE RANDALL WESTFALL, VICE-CHAIRMayor, Village of Valley View

Government

PAUL ALSENASDirector, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission

Government

VIRGINIA AVENICuyahoga County Planning Commission, Representative

Business, realtors, planning

TIM DONOVANExecutive Director, Ohio Canal Corridor

Environment

KYLE DREYFUSS WELLSEnvironmental Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Environment

VERN HARTENBURGExecutive Director, Cleveland Metroparks

Park System

CURRENTLY VACANT DOPWIC

CAROL THALERRepresentative, Western Reserve Resource, Conservation & Development District

Agriculture

ANTOINETTE THOMPSONAssistant Director, City of Cleveland Department of Parks

Park System

JAMES WEBERChair, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District

Soil and Water Conservation District

Largest and most urbanized of Ohio’s counties. 90% of land is developed and only 10% is

designated open space. Existing open space areas.

Fragmented Not always accessible

to the public Some are degraded/

destroyed by pollutionand mismanagement

Others abandoned due to poorplanning and outmigration

OPEN SPACE IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY

Existing Open Spaces

Unique problems and opportunities: As of 2008,

there are more than 42,000 vacant and foreclosed properties

How to reuse? Re-green the urban environment.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

DISTRICT ONE NRAC PRINCIPLES

To ensure that projects are visible, accessible and instructional, the NRAC has 5 guiding principles:

1. Preserve natural areas or open space.

2. Restore landscapes that have been degraded or destroyed.

3. Enhance the quality of natural areas or open space.

4. Link natural areas to each other or to county cultural and civic heritage areas.

5. Provide public access to natural areas and/or county cultural and civic heritage areas.

RESTORATION ACTIVITIES

Recovering or maintaining ecological integrity should be a critical component of an open space acquisition project.

Examples of restoration components: Returning the open space to its prior state; Ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the

species (flora/fauna) are both native and resilient;

Integrate the community’s cultural heritage; and

Provide opportunities for cultural and ecological relationships.

PROJECT APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. OPWC Clean Ohio Conservation Application OPWC website:

http://clean.ohio.gov/GreenSpaceConservation/

2. NRAC Application Supplement Cuyahoga County Planning Commission website:

http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/nrac/ Available in both Word and Word Perfect

3. Attachments: Maps, pictures, applicable pages or sections of master plans or other reports, any other backup documentation.

A Glossary of Terms is also available.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Must submit 1 original and 1copy of all documents as a hard copy.

Remaining copies can be submitted one of two ways: Hard copies Digitally on compact discs.

A certified appraisal or letter of intent must be included; the project will not be evaluated if the appraisal is not attached.

Materials must be typed using at least an 11 font.

The original - single-sided, copies - double-sided.

All copies should be stapled on the top left-hand side.

Do not bind the applications materials together.

APPLICATION SUBMITTAL to NRAC

Financial Information – Page 2 Financial Resources – Page 3 Project Information – Page 4 Project Schedule – Page 5 Project Officials – Page 5 Attachments – Page 6

APPLICATION SPECIFICS OPWC APPLICATION – Important points.

NRAC APPLICATION SUPPLEMENT

Relates directly to the NRAC Evaluation Methodology.

Used along with the OPWC Application to review projects.

Applicant responsible in making sure all documents are complete and accurate.

APPLICATION SPECIFICS

PROJECT EVALUATION AND SCORING

PROJECT EVALUATION

The NRAC Application Supplement has six major sections that are scored:Section One: Project Emphasis Section Two: Project Description Section Three: County Principles Section Four: Project Benefits Section Five: Needs Of The District Section Six: Other Relevant Factors

The Evaluation Process is divided into two major components:Phase 1: Preliminary Project Evaluation

Phase 2: Final Project Scoring and Selection (includes Applicant Interviews)

Section One. PROJECT EMPHASIS

Page 2: Based on the factors stated in

authorizing legislation Indicate each factor that will be

achieved by the project Check as many as apply in one category

EXAMPLE: Open space project will acquire property identified in the city’s open space plan and will preserve a high quality wetland that will be used by the city’s school district as a hands-on science laboratory.NO POINTS AWARDED

Section 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Page 3: Project Name  Type of Project

Acquisition of land Acquisition of land/facilities for accessibility Riparian Corridor restoration

Appraisal or Conservation Value Provide no more than a three-page

project description that includes a map showing the project location(s) and the local setting. NO POINTS AWARDED

Types of Acquisition: Project site must be secured in perpetuity. Land Securement Tools -

Fee simple: Absolute title to the land, free of any conditions, easements, limitations, encumbrances, or other claims against the title such that a property owner can sell the property or leave it to another by will or inheritance.

Conservation Easement: a right or interest in land that is held for the public purpose of retaining land, water, or wetland areas predominantly in their natural, scenic, open, or wooded condition. Recorded as a deed restriction.

Section 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (cont).

Map Example: Abram Creek Wetland Protection Area

Identify: Project site

Property lines

Community boundaries

Surrounding areas

Local roads, major buildings or institutions

Section 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (cont).

Page 4: Foundation of the NRAC

methodology.

Identify the principle(s) that will be advanced by the project.

Describe how the project will achieve the identified principles.

3. COUNTY PRINCIPLES

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10 POINTS PER PRINCIPLE

•Preserve

•Enhance

•Provide

•Restore

•Link

Page 5: ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Explain the economic benefits that apply: Improving a community’s image Increasing the value of property Increasing tax revenues Adding amenities that retain and attract

businesses and property owners Improving the economic yield of the natural

capital Reducing blight Decreasing the cost of municipal services Expanding or creating businesses

4. PROJECT BENEFITS

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Page 5: SOCIAL BENEFITS

Explain the individual and community benefits that apply:

Protecting and improving human health Creating educational opportunities Providing for communal activities and social

interaction Creating exercise opportunities Enhancing the cultural and civic assets of an

area Maintaining the history and heritage of an

area Providing psychological benefits

4. PROJECT BENEFITS (cont.)

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Page 5: ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Explain the ecological benefits of acquiring, conserving or restoring the project:

Creating wildlife habitatsConserving energy and reducing “heat island”

effectsCleaning urban water, land and airReducing stormwater runoff and improving

water storage Improving biodiversity and protecting plants

and animalsActing as an indicator of ecological healthCreating more livable communitiesConnecting people with nature

4. PROJECT BENEFITS (cont.)

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Will the Project… Advance a Concept from an Adopted Plan? Be of Regional or County Significance? Retain Parts of the County’s Natural Heritage? Provide Openspace to Areas that Lack Access? Provide Openspace to Low-Income Minority

Neighborhoods?

5. NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Page 6:

Page 7:Other Project Funding:

Each project requires a minimum 25% local match

Points awarded based on percentage of local match – the higher the local match the higher the points.

6. OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Level of Coordination:Project is coordinated with another NRAC

project.Another community, federal/state agency,

community or conservation organization, or a business group.

Page 7:Readiness to Proceed:

Project will be ready-to-go within 6 months or 1 year.Bonus point: Applicant has defined operation and

maintenance plan for the project.

10 BONUS POINTS

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Immediacy:Project requires immediate action or the

conservation opportunity will be lost.

6. OTHER PROJECT FACTORS (cont)…

PROJECT SCORING

New for Round 6:

Must Receive a Minimum Score of 60%, or 150 points of the total weighted points available to be considered for funding.

NRAC EVALUATION POINTS

CRITERIA MAXIMUM POINTS

WEIGHT FACTOR

MAXIMUM WEIGHTED

POINTS %

County Principles Preserves 10 3 30 12.0

Restores 10 2 20 8.0

Enhances 10 2 20 8.0

Links Areas 10 3 30 12.0

Provides Access 10 2 20 8.0

Principals Subtotal 50 120 48.0

NRAC EVALUATION POINTS

CRITERIA MAXIMUM POINTS

WEIGHT FACTOR

MAXIMUM WEIGHTED

POINTS %

Benefits

Economic 10 1 10 4.0

Social 10 2 20 8.0

Environmental 10 3 30 12.0

Benefits Subtotal 30 60 24.0

Needs of the District

10 3 30 12.0

NRAC EVALUATION POINTS

CRITERIAMAXIMU

M POINTS

WEIGHT FACTOR

MAXIMUM WEIGHTED

POINTS %

Other Relevant Factors Other Project Funding 10 1 10 4.0

Level of Coordination 10 1 10 4.0

Readiness to Proceed 10 1 10 4.0

Immediacy (bonus) 10 1 10 4.0

Other Subtotal 40 40 16.0

TOTAL* 130 250 100

*PROJECTS MUST RECEIVE A SCORE OF AT LEAST 60% or 150 WEIGHTED POINTS OF THE TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.

ROUND 6APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

APPLICATION DUE DATE:To be considered for financial assistance,

application must be received by:4:30 P.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31,2009 at

at theCuyahoga County Planning Commission

323 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 400Cleveland, OH 44113

(216) 443-3700(216) 443-3737 (FAX)

ROUND 6 SCHEDULE

ACTIVITY DATE

Applicant Workshop Thursday, June 25, 2009

Applications Due to NRAC Monday, August 31, 2009

Project Evaluation September 1 – October 14, 2009

NRAC Applicant Interviews Wednesday, September 30, 2009

NRAC Project Selection Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Proposal Submitted to OPWC October 23, 2009

OPWC Approval of Projects November 2009DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Clean Ohio Conservation Program contact:Lou Mascari, Program Representative

Ohio Public Works Commission(614) 752-8117

lou.mascari@pwc.state.oh.us

Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council contact:

Claire Kilbane or Meghan ChaneyCuyahoga County Planning Commission

(216) 443-3700ckilbane@cuyahogacounty.usmchaney@cuyahogacounty.us

CONTACT INFORMATION

QUESTIONSAND

ANSWERS