(a)

1. (1) In addition to the approval standards and criteria set out in 15 CAR § 2-401, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission has established the following rankings for prioritizing Arkansas Water Development Fund applications: Type of project Ranking Public Water Supply 1 Irrigation (water conservation) 2 Flood Control and/or Drainage 3 Erosion and Sediment Control 4 Streambank Stabilization 5 Recreation and/or Fish and Wildlife 6 Hydro-electric Power 7 Navigation 8
2. (2) The above rankings will be used as a general guide, and priority will be based on individual project merits.

(b)

1. (1) Eligible applicants with special needs as determined by the commission will receive priority consideration.

2. (2) "Special needs" are defined as:

   1. (A) Elderly. The applicant has a percentage of elderly residents higher than the average of all Arkansas counties for the sixty-five (65) and over age category as reported in the latest federal decennial census data;
   2. (B) Low income. The applicant's residents' per capita income is less than the state’s per capita income as reported in the most current federal decennial census data; or
   3. (C) Unemployed. The applicant has a percentage of unemployed residents higher than the average percentage for all Arkansas counties according to the latest data published by the Division of Workforce Services.