Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 12/01/2014

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design. If the applicant moves forward with construction, these funds shall be applied toward construction costs. • 100% of project costs may be paid for with public funds provided the project cooperator is not substantially at fault for creation of the problem. Curb cut rain gardens that treat water from much of the neighborhood but very little of the cooperator's property is an example. • Investment of public funds into a project will be considered in terms of the benefits received by the public. ACD will consider all public funds going toward a project when determining if the project is worthwhile on a cost - benefit basis, not just those funds invested by or through ACD. • Cost -benefit analysis will be conducted with consideration of all benefits and costs over the life the project. • Public benefits for projects will be measured in terms of the actual benefits to the target receiving water body, not the capacity of a practice to treat water. • Cost share rate maximums will be the same as those prescribed by the funding source. • The value of in -kind services/equipment/materials provided by landowners/project sponsors will be based on State approved prevailing wage guidance for services, documented market rates for rental equipment, or documented actual cost/value for materials. • Specialist level staff shall oversee project installation and maintenance. Specialist level staff have not less than a four year degree and three years' experience in natural resource management or related field along with substantial on-the-job training and professional development training. • The NRCS Field Office Technical Guide or other standard generally accepted by the engineering profession will be used for project design, construction, operations and maintenance. • Cost share payments are not to exceed the cost of installation. • Performance based cost share approaches are encouraged. • Cost share contract non-compliance will be reviewed by the operations committee with a recommendation to the full board. The committee shall seek input from staff from the agencies that provided funding. The primary goal will be to maintain/restore the project benefits. Failing that, a pro-rata refund of cost share funds will be sought based on the benefits received compared to the anticipated benefits over the planned life of the project. Performance Based Cost Share Performance based cost share is an approach by which public investment into projects is measured by the amount of benefit that results from the project. Funds received by a landowner/project sponsor/applicant are independent of the installation cost of the project but rather are based solely on how much benefit is received. Predetermined rates are developed for benefits over a specific time period. The rates may vary by geographic area, target water body or target benefit. Payments to landowners/project sponsors/applicants are not to exceed the cost of installation however. Anoka Conservation District Comprehensive Plan October 2014 page 47