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Helpful Hints

Project review and selection will be guided by these selection criteria in evaluating each individual project. Please review your application to make sure these criteria have been addressed in your application.

  • Does the proposal adequately explain the problem or situation to be addressed, and how the work will be done?
  • Will the project ultimately improve the watershed and address pollution? Have the project benefits been described clearly and quantitatively?
  • Does it have a clear watershed focus and/or fit into the goals of a watershed
    plan?
  • Will the project have realistic measurable environmental results/benefits and, if so, what are they?
  • Is the project likely to be completed in the projected timeframe? If the project involves complex field construction, has design been completed, are permits obtained or applied for, and has PNDI been searched? For the project proposed, will you be able to secure a grantee-landowner agreement?
  • Will there be a plan for continued support of the project over the long term? Have you adequately described the operation, maintenance and replacement tasks that this project will entail, including who is responsible for required maintenance?
  • Does the proposal demonstrate or stimulate community partnership, support and involvement?
  • Are adequate opportunities provided for public participation?
  • Is the task and deliverable budget worksheet attached, and are all budgeted costs allowable and reasonable? (Justification for major expenditures is given.)
  • Is a match (funding and in-kind services) provided?
  • Is the applicant organization qualified? Does it have the capacity to execute the project?
  • Does the proposal demonstrate need for Growing Greener grant funding?
  • Are the responsibilities of all participants specified?
  • For projects developing facilities or infrastructure, is the project consistent with county, municipal or multi-municipal comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances adopted under the Municipalities Planning Code?
  • If subcontractors are needed, preferential scoring will be given to those projects that use Requests for Proposals (RFP) for contractual services and/or competitive bidding for construction.
  • Proposals that include evidence that the applicant has explored other alternatives for solving or mitigating the problem will be given preferential scoring. For example, municipalities requesting funds for stormwater work will score higher if they have passed a comprehensive Stormwater Ordinance which promotes innovative best management practices, including groundwater recharge and water quality practices.
  • Projects that include evidence of supporting major DEP priorities will be treated preferentially in scoring.

Grant Awards

Applicants selected to receive grants will be notified and enter into a formal contract with the Commonwealth that may involve specific requirements particular to the funding source for the project. This contract will include a scope of work, timeline and budget.

Additional information or matching funds may be required.

There are required deliverables for all projects. Some apply generally to all project types, including professional seals for any work requiring a professional engineer, professional geologist or professional surveyor. Some apply only to certain project types, for example:

  • Construction and/or Installation signs erected at project location need to credit the funding source, i.e. Growing Greener or Section 319 Nonpoint Source.
  • Operation, maintenance, and replacement plans, including as-built drawings, are required either as a permit condition or as a deliverable of the grant contract.
  • Watershed Group Organization and/or Support
  • An organizational chart with the names of the officials and a copy of the group's by-laws
  • For projects that include water quality monitoring, study design is required
  • Project proposals selected for funding may not begin work prior to the grant announcement date.
  • Payments are made on a reimbursement basis. Working capital may be authorized upon request.
  • Grantees have to properly manage and account for the money they
    receive with a complete spending record, including invoices, receipts, logs of record or other properly certified documents. A Work Progress Report must be received to cover all time periods invoiced and must be submitted every three months at a minimum. A Final Report detailing the project successes, failures and measurable environmental results/benefits is also required.
  • Grantees are required to comply with Commonwealth and/or federal requirements and to secure any necessary permits or approvals that are needed to complete the project.
  • The grantee could be audited for the overall use of the grant funds at any point during the grant or up to 3 years after the grant has been closed.