CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION APPLICANT WORKSHOPROUND 7September 18th, 2012 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 7 Application Requirements

3. Q.&A.

CLEAN OHIO

The Clean Ohio Fund restores, protects, and connects Ohio's important natural and urban places by preserving green space and farmland, developing state-wide recreational trails, and cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities.

The Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program helps to fund preservation of open spaces, sensitive ecological areas, and stream corridors.

CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION -Statewide

708 Projects were funded$228.5 million have been

awardedArea protected:

58,000 acres of natural areas and greenspace

From 2000-2009:

CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION – OPWC Policies for Round 7 Clean Ohio Conservation Program application

has been revised Projects not scheduled for acquisition within 12

months from the date of the Project Agreement will be rejected by the Commission.

Program Year 7 applications will be required to have a certified appraisal performed by an Ohio Department of Transportation Prequalified Appraiser

All post acquisition activities must be concluded within a two-year period from the date of acquisition unless a formal extension has been approved by OPWC.

CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION – OPWC Policies for Round 7OPWC POLICY REGARDING MINERAL RIGHTS: Existing oil and gas leases, at the time the

Natural Resources Assistance Council approves the project, will be treated as pre-existing easements which the applicant has no or little control over. Thus, these applications will be approved as submitted.

Requests to engage in oil and gas leasing on Clean Ohio Properties that have been acquired along with the mineral rights will be denied.

CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION- Cuyahoga County

72 Projects were submitted 37 Projects have been funded $21 million have been awardedArea Protected:

744 acres of natural areas and greenspace

12,000 lineal feet of riparian corridors

From 2000- Present:

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 the acquired 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, small parking areas for access

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. See OPWC Application

Instructions for more on Eligible vs. Ineligible project components.

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 a primary part of its mission.

ROUND 7 FUNDING

Funds Available. Round 7 Allocation - $3,206,116 Available balance - $ 606,210 Total $3,812,326

Awards – grants only. Maximum grant award – 75% of

Total Project Cost. 25% Local Match Required. 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 NRACs• 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 BEACHDirector, GreenCityBlueLake Institute

Environment

KYLE DREYFUSS WELLS, SECRETARYEnvironmental Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Environment

CARRIE HANSENManager, Research and Planning City of Cleveland, Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects

Park System

DOROTHY HAZELBoard Member, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District

Soil and Water Conservation District

HONORABLE SUSAN RENDA, CHAIRMayor, Village of Moreland Hills

District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC)

NATALIE RONAYNE, VICE CHAIRExecutive Director, Cleveland Botanical Garden

Environment

JENNIFER SCOFIELD Cuyahoga County Stat Coordinator, Office of County Executive Edward FitzGerald

Government

CAROL THALERRepresentative, Western Reserve Resource, Conservation & Development District

Agriculture

CHRISTOPHER URBANManager of Physical Development, Greater Cleveland Partnership

Business, Realtors, Planning

HONORABLE RANDALL WESTFALLMayor, Village of Valley View

Government

BRIAN ZIMMERMANExecutive Director, Cleveland Metroparks

Park System

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

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

Restoration MUST be accompanied by acquisition of land for protection

Restoration activities MUST be included in the project budget to be eligible for restoration points.

Examples of restoration components: Returning the open space to a natural 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://www.pwc.state.oh.us/GSCApplication.html2. NRAC Application Supplement

Cuyahoga County Planning Commission website: http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/nrac/

Available as a PDF and Word document3. Attachments: Maps, pictures, applicable pages or

sections of master plans or other reports, any other backup documentation.

4. Resolution(s) of Support: A project will need a resolution of support from the appropriate political subdivision(s) (Cuyahoga County, municipalities, townships) as determined by the Ohio Revised Code, section 164.23

A Glossary of Terms is also available.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Must submit 1 original (single-sided) and 11 copies. Copies to be submitted: 10 Hard copies – double sided; 11 point. 1 Digitally on compact disc.

A certified appraisal Property Valuation as determined by

Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officehttp://fiscalofficer.cuyahogacounty.us/

en-US/REPI.aspx Materials must be typed using at least

an 11 font. All copies should be bound on the left-

hand side.

APPLICATION SUBMITTAL to NRAC

A certified appraisal must be included. Appraisals must be done by an Ohio

Department of Transportation Prequalified Appraiser, who is credentialed in value analysis.http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/E

ngineering/RealEstate/Pages/LPA.aspxhttp://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/E

ngineering/Consultant/Consultant/prequal-row.pdf

The project will not be evaluated if the appraisal is not attached.

APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS

PROJECT EVALUATION AND SCORING

Financial Information – Page 2 Financial Resources – Page 2 Project Description – 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

The Evaluation Process is divided into three major components:

Phase 1: Preliminary Project Evaluation

Phase 2: Preliminary Project Scoring (includes Applicant Interviews) and Public Meeting

Phase 3: Final Project Scoring and Recommendations to OPWC

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

Section 1. 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.

Section 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 surrounding property Adding amenities that retain and attract

businesses and property owners Reducing blighted images Decreasing the cost of municipal services

Section 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

Section 4. PROJECT BENEFITS (cont.)

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Page 5: ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

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

Improving biodiversity and protecting plants and animals

Creating wildlife habitatsRemoving invasive speciesConserving energy and reducing “heat island”

effectsCleaning urban water, land and airReducing stormwater runoff and improving

water infiltration and sequestration

Section 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?

Section 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.

Section 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.

10 BONUS POINTS

MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

Immediacy:Project requires immediate action or the

conservation opportunity will be lost.

Section 6. OTHER PROJECT FACTORS

Page 7:Property Rights: Mineral rights are emerging as a major influence on property values. Explain what property rights will be conveyed by the terms of purchase of land or conservation easement, specifically in regards to mineral and extraction rights.

NO POINTS -

Section 6. OTHER PROJECT FACTORS

New for Round 7:

Application Format Appraisals

ODOT Pre-approved County Auditor’s Valuation

Restoration Points Property Rights Disclosure Scoring Review Meeting

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

Principles 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

Property Rights 0 0 0 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 7APPLICATION

REQUIREMENTSAPPLICATION DUE DATE:

To be considered for financial assistance,application must be received by:

4:30 P.M. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012 at at the

Cuyahoga County Planning Commission323 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 400

Cleveland, OH 44113(216) 443-3700

(216) 443-3737 (FAX)

ROUND 7 SCHEDULE

ACTIVITY DATE

Applicant Workshop Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Applications Due to NRAC Friday, October 26, 2012

Project Evaluation October 29 – December 12, 2012

NRAC Applicant Interviews Thursday, November 15, 2012

NRAC Scoring Meeting Wednesday, December 5, 2012

NRAC Project Selection Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Proposal Submitted to OPWC Wednesday, December 20, 2012

OPWC Approval of Projects December 2012

DATES 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:

Alison Ball or Meghan ChaneyCuyahoga County Planning Commission

(216) 443-3700aball@cuyahogacounty.us

mchaney@cuyahogacounty.us

CONTACT INFORMATION

QUESTIONSAND

ANSWERS