(b) The department shall:

1. (1) Review the applications for feasibility, practicability, and potential benefits to the applying district;
2. (2) Rank the applications; and
3. (3) Make recommendations to the department as to award of grants.

(c) After review of the rankings and recommendations, the department shall make a recommendation of projects to be funded to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission based upon the review and the project’s potential to further the goals of the:

1. (1) Arkansas Water Plan;
2. (2) Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program;
3. (3) Arkansas Conservation Partnership Strategic Plan; or
4. (4) Other identifiable conservation goal.