Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-5 - HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Subject 391-5-13 - STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS PROGRAMS
Rule 391-5-13-.01 - Recreation Assistance Fund (RAF)
Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1) Purpose. The purpose of the Recreation Assistance Fund (RAF) is to provide grant assistance to eligible applicants for acquisition of real property and/or development of recreation facilities for general purpose public recreation. Funds are appropriated by the Georgia Legislature in the annual or supplemental budget process. Grants are awarded to applicants with proposed projects which will increase the local supply of public recreation lands and/or facilities either through the purchase of real property, facility development or rehabilitation of existing facilities.
(2) Eligible Applicants. All legally constituted entities (cities, counties, recreation commissions or authorities with legislative sanction) may apply for grant funds under this program. Eligible applicants must apply for grants under this program in a manner and format prescribed by the Department. Applications and related instructions for applying may be received by writing to the Department at the following address:
Department of Natural Resources
Grants Administration and Planning
205 Butler Street, S.E.
Suite 1352
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
(3) Application Procedures. The typical calendar of an annual funding cycle follows:
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July 1- |
Public announcement of the Application Process. |
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Sept. 1- |
Applications due. |
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Sept.-Oct. |
Staff reviews, evaluates and ranks applications. |
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October- |
Advisory Committee reviews staff recommendations. |
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Late October- |
Funding recommendations are presented to the Board of Natural Resources for action. |
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November 1- |
Announcement of grant awards. |
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Nov.-Dec. |
Staff completes paperwork for formal commitment of funds. |
The above schedule may be altered should funds be appropriated in a supplemental budget, although the same basic process will be followed.
Eligible applications shall make application to the Department of Natural Resources by the specified deadline in the manner and format outlined in the program application. Each application package shall include responses to program criteria for which the applicant seeks points, including appropriate justification and supporting documents. All grants are subject to applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to environmental compliance specified in NEPA and GEPA and non-discrimination laws.) Applications must be received by the specified deadline. Contact the Department of Natural Resources at the above address for a copy of the criteria and formal grant application procedures.
(4) Program Criteria. Each applicant must respond to Minimum Requirements and Evaluation Criteria as follows.
Minimum Requirements
The following minimum requirements apply to all applicants for assistance:
Equal Opportunity. The applicant must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and all other State and Federal laws of non-discrimination. This means that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability for recreation programs and facilities sponsored and operated by the applicant.
State and Federal Laws/Regulations. Applicants must comply with existing laws and regulations for receiving and expending state and federal grant money including, but not limited to, public notices, bidding, and purchasing requirements, Georgia Environmental Policies Act, and related environmental rules and regulations.
Operation and Maintenance. The applicant must have a satisfactory track record on the operation and maintenance of public recreation areas and facilities. Those with no track record are exempt from this requirement.
Grant Administration. The applicant must have demonstrated a capability for administering grants. The applicant is not ruled out if a grant has never been awarded. It is possible, however, that applicants who have received grants previously and have not demonstrated the capability for administering grants may not be in compliance with the requirement.
User Fees. The applicant agrees that user fees resulting from this application cannot be so large as to be exclusionary.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Grants will be evaluated based on a numerical score on the following criteria:
Community Priority. The project is identified as a specific priority through the applicant's community planning process, responding to citizen identified needs and furthering the comprehensive planning process.
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Points |
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35 |
The project is identified as a high priority need in the applicant's recreational master plan and in the local government's comprehensive land use plan. |
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25 |
The project is identified as a high priority need in the applicant's recreational master plan or in the local government's comprehensive land use plan. |
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15 |
The project has been identified as a high priority need by a community study or citizen's panel. |
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0 |
The project does not address the community's priority needs. |
Severity of Need. The project provides for a new or increased recreational experience within the applicant's service area.
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Points |
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50 |
There are no public recreational facilities within project service area. |
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25 |
There are limited public recreational facilities available within the project service area. |
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10 |
There are many and varied recreational facilities and opportunities available, but 100% of the population needs are not being met. |
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0 |
There are no unmet needs. |
Community Partnerships. The project involves a partnership with various private and public sectors. Partnerships are created with other public agencies or with private recreational providers.
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Points |
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10 |
The project involves a partnership with four or more public and/or private groups or agencies. |
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5 |
he project involves a partnership with two or three public and/or private groups or agencies. |
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0 |
he project involves no partnerships within the community. |
Handicapped Accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that all new facilities meet accessibility requirements and that existing facilities be rehabilitated to provide for reasonable accommodations. All recreational projects shall consider accessibility. However, points are rewarded for efforts to provide additional accommodations.
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Points |
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30 |
The proposed project will rehabilitate existing facilities to provide reasonable accommodations. |
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20 |
The proposed project is for construction of new accessible facilities and will also provide three or more accommodations which will link the new construction to other amenities and areas of the park. |
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10 |
The proposed project is for construction of new accessible facilities and will also provide one additional accommodation which will link the new construction to other amenities and areas of the park. |
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0 |
The project provides no additional accommodation beyond that which is required by law for the construction of new facilities. |
Acquisition and Protection of Natural Resources. Priority is given to projects that will acquire real property for recreation, conservation or resource protection that may also be in imminent danger of being lost to the applicant and irretrievable.
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Points |
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25 |
The proposed project will acquire real property for recreation, conservation and/or resource protection which is in imminent danger of being lost to the applicant and may be irretrievable. |
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20 |
The proposed project will acquire real property for recreation and/or conservation which will protect outstanding natural resources. |
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10 |
The proposed project will acquire real property for recreational use. |
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0 |
The proposed project does not address real property acquisition. |
Leverage of Grant Funds. The state grant is expanded with additional public or private funds, materials, or services.
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Points |
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10 |
The project involves leveraging of other public and/or private investments equal to the amount of the grant. |
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5 |
The project involves leveraging of other public and/or private investments equal to one-half the amount of the grant. |
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0 |
There is no leveraging of additional funds. |
Community Benefits. The project will benefit a variety of residents and will provide more than one recreational opportunity.
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Points |
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25 |
The project is for a multi-use development or existing property. |
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10 |
The project is for a single use development of existing property. |
Community Operation and Maintenance Commitment. The project is included as part of the community recreational facilities and will be maintained as part of the community's infrastructure after grant money is no longer available.
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Points |
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10 |
Applicant has made a written commitment (letter, resolution of intent, etc.) to continue full funding for the maintenance of the project. |
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5 |
Applicant has made a written commitment for the maintenance of the project through private resources. |
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0 |
Applicant has not committed to implement a maintenance plan. |
O.C.G.A Secs. 12-3-32, 12-3-6.
