Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/17/2026

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m'i DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2026 Protect Community Forests Liability and Project Implementation DNR is not liable for costs incurred by any organization or individual for work performed in the preparation and production of an application, nor for any work performed prior to the execution of the grant contract. Project work and expenses that are eligible for reimbursement with grant funds CANNOT be started or incurred until the grant contract is fully executed. Grant agreements for awarded projects are expected to be finalized by March 3, 2027. A fully executed grant agreement is one where all necessary signatures have been obtained. Reimbursement and Reporting All grant funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis only. Advanced payment will not be available through this grant program. Reimbursement requests may be submitted semi-annually by the following deadlines: 1. May 1, 2027 2. November 1, 2027 3. May 1, 2028 4. November 1, 2028 5. June 1, 2029 (Final Report and reimbursement request) The following information must be submitted to be deemed a complete reimbursement request: • An Accomplishment Report describing the grant accomplishments/deliverables and their impacts since the last reimbursement request. • A Partial Payment Form along with detailed invoices and proof of payment for grant -funded purchases. • Attachments or photo documentation of project progress at appropriate phases, and communications examples, illustrations, diagrams, charts, graphs, and maps to show results. • Shapefiles of all trees removed (including stumps ground), treated, maintained, and planted, with the planted trees identified by species (Note: Grantees without access to shapefile-generating software can notify DNR staff who will work with the grantee to assist in this requirement.) • Any other documentation requested to demonstrate that work was sufficiently completed. Following the submission of invoices and accomplishment reports, a compliance check will be conducted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff. Staff will do a site evaluation ensuring that tree species submitted on maps are correctly identified and planted in accordance with the standards set in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Pocket Guide to Planting Trees. All complete reimbursement requests received by the deadlines will be reviewed by DNR staff. Provided that the grantee is in compliance with all terms of the Request for Application and grant contracts, verified project activities and eligible expenses will be reimbursed up to 90%, with 10% retained until the project is completed. Accommodations may be offered in select circumstances, and in accordance with Office of Grants Management policies, at the discretion of the agency. Please reach out to DNR staff at ucf.dnr@state.mn.us for more information on requesting accommodations. If two successive updates are missed, DNR staff will contact grantee requesting a grant progress update and explanation of why grant reporting has been late. If a report is not received within 60 days of the request, DNR will assume work is not being conducted and begin steps to close-out the grant contract and reallocate funds. This may result in a grant agreement being closed out early, and DNR staff noting in the grant closeout report the lack of performance and contract compliance by the grantee. If within two successive updates necessary progress has not been made in accomplishing work within the grant contract, DNR staff may request a meeting to discuss why progress is not being made and may begin steps to close- out the grant contract and reallocate funds. This may result in a grant agreement being closed out early, and DNR staff noting in the grant closeout report the lack of performance and contract compliance by the grantee. 2026