Chapter 267-28 GEORGIA RESERVOIR FUND GRANT PROGRAM
Rule 267-28-.01 Purpose
In compliance with the "Fair and Open Grants" Article of the "Budget Accountability and Planning Act of 1993," following is the information on a grant program being implemented in the year of 2008 by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA).
Rule 267-28-.02 The Name of the Loan and/or Grant Program
The Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program.
Rule 267-28-.03 The Citation to Statutory Basis for the Loan and/or Grant Program in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated or Other General Law of the State of Georgia
50-23-5 provides statutory authorization. The Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program is funded from a $40,000,000 direct appropriation by the 2008 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia.
Rule 267-28-.04 The General Scope and Purpose of the Grant Program
To provide grants to cities, counties and water and/or water and sewer authorities for the expansion/construction of reservoirs or other water supply projects to improve water supply in the state and make local water supply more resistant to periods of drought. The recipient communities must own or operate a public water system and the system's customers must be located in areas that the local government is currently approved to serve with drinking water. The major water system improvements to be considered that will provide protection against existing or future water shortages are (but not necessarily limited to) the following:
| A) | interconnection of systems; |
| B) | drilling new wells; |
| C) | reopening inactive wells; |
| D) | lowering intake structure/pipes; |
| E) | expanding existing water supply or flood control reservoirs; |
| F) | converting flood control or recreational reservoirs to water supply reservoirs; and |
| G) | Innovative projects, including:
|
Rule 267-28-.05 General Terms and Conditions of the Grant
Cities, counties and water and/or water and sewer authorities that own or operate a public water system are eligible. Qualifying governments that have projects that will support the alleviation or prevention of drought-related water shortages are eligible. Qualifying governments may receive a grant to be combined with other funding necessary for the completion of the project. Other funding must be identified prior to receiving a GEFA grant.
Rule 267-28-.06 Eligible Recipents of the Grant
Local governments as defined in O.C.G.A. 50-23-4 (7).
Rule 267-28-.07 The Criteria for the Award of the Grant
Minimum qualifications include:
| 1) | Applicant can demonstrate need for additional water supply; |
| 2) | Project conforms with applicant's regional Water Development and Conservation Plan once adopted; |
| 3) | Any applicant located within the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District is in compliance with all District Plans; |
| 4) | Applicant meets GEFA Applicant Requirements; and |
| 5) |
Project's non-grant to grant funding ratio is a minimum of 3:1 for reservoir
projects and 2:1 for other water supply projects.
A system of points in five different categories has been established by which all projects will be evaluated for grant awards. The maximum point value is 100 base points plus 5 available bonus points. The categories are Readiness and Timeliness, Multi-Jurisdictional, Planning, Water Management Efficiency and Financial Leverage. Please contact Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority for the complete Program Guidelines and Criteria Document. |
Rule 267-28-.08 Directions and Deadlines for Applying for Such Grant
Applicants must use the Georgia Water Supply Competitive Grant Program Application form. An application may be requested by calling 404/584-100 or download an application from GEFA's website (available starting June 2, 2008 at www.gefa.org). Applications will be accepted beginning June 2, 2008 and ending August 29, 2008. Applications submitted by U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than August 29, 2008. Applications submitted by courier or in person must be received by GEFA by 5:00 p.m. on August 29, 2008. Applications that fail to meet this deadline will not be considered. Applications by facsimile will not be accepted.
One original plus one copy of the application should be mailed to:
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
Attn: Environment Division 233 Peachtree Street, NE
Harris Tower, Suite 900
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1711
As the grant program proceeds, GEFA may refine the program calendar. General dates include:
Guidelines and Application Available to Prospective Applicants - June 2, 2008
Application Deadline - August 29, 2008
Application Review Period - September, 2008
GEFA Board Review - October 2008
Final Awards Announced - no later than November 2008
GEFA reserves the right to amend this program calendar as needed.