1. The Program Manager:
(a) Shall rank applications received pursuant
to section 30 in order of priority for awarding grants using a ranking system
authorized by the Director. Grants must be awarded for projects that, based on
the application, are most appropriate for the receipt of a grant within the
overall purpose of the Program.
(b)
May request that an advisory committee, if established pursuant to section 33,
rank applications in accordance with this section.
2. The Program Manager or advisory committee,
as applicable, shall consider the following factors, without limitation, when
ranking applications:
(a) The environmental
significance of the project and the degree of conservation and protection of
natural resources, including, without limitation, the preservation of a
natural, scientific, cultural, archeological, agricultural, paleontological or
historical site or a wetland or riparian corridor resource;
(b) The extent of the public benefit,
including, without limitation, an overall advancement in the conservation and
protection of the natural resources of this State, the enhancement of
recreational opportunities, increased public access to lands and waters of this
State and the achievement of the goals identified in an adopted open space,
recreation or resource plan;
(c)
Whether the objectives of the project are clearly stated in the application and
the applicant has the ability to carry out those objectives;
(d) Whether the detail and design of the
project is adequate and includes a detailed plan for the management of the
project that specifies the manner in which the project will be maintained and
how the project will remain consistent with the purposes of the
Program;
(e) Whether the projected
budget and associated costs of the project are reasonable and detailed, whether
the amount and sources of matching contributions are set forth in the
application and whether the project will meet the objectives stated in the
application in a cost effective manner;
(f) The extent to which the project is a
cooperative effort with other agencies, organizations or persons;
(g) The extent of support for the project
from local governments and other public entities;
(h) The extent to which climate resiliency or
sustainability practices are incorporated into the project; and
(i) Any other factor that the Director
considers important in the ranking process, which may include, without
limitation:
(1) The urgency of the need for
the project;
(2) Whether the
applicant has provided for matching contributions that exceed the requirements
of section 31;
(3) Whether any land
acquisition associated with the application includes the acquisition of water
rights or other interest that will remain with the land in
perpetuity;
(4) Whether the project
includes the retiring of water rights in a hydrographic basin that is
over-appropriated;
(5) If the
project does not include the acquisition of water rights, whether the applicant
has demonstrated the existence of an adequate water supply to fulfill the
purposes of the project;
(6) The
existence of a local need for the project that warrants special attention for
the project due to a lack of similar opportunities in the local area of the
project;
(7) The potential benefits
of the project to the residents of this State;
(8) If the project is related to public use,
the ability of the public to access the project; and
(9) The completion and performance by the
applicant of previous and similar work.
3. In determining whether to award a grant,
the Director may consider any recommendations of the Program Manager or
advisory committee, if established pursuant to section 33, and the rankings of
the grant applications. The decision of the Director is final.
4. If an applicant is not awarded a grant by
the Director, the application may be resubmitted during a future application
period.
5. As used in this section:
(a) "Climate resiliency" means the adaptive
capacity and ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to a changing
climate.
(b) "Program Manager"
means the staff member of the Department who is tasked with administering the
daily operations of the Program.
Added
to NAC by Rehabilitation Div. by
R025-22A,
eff. 9/8/2022
Sections 2 and 3 of Assembly Bill No. 84, chapter 480, Statutes
of Nevada 2019, at pages 2861 and
2864