1. (1) After the closing date for submittal of proposals, complete and timely project applications meeting the requirements of Rule 62-570.200, F.A.C., shall be evaluated and ranked on the criteria in this section.

2. (2) Projects shall be evaluated and ranked based on:

   1. (a) The amount of funding the applicant is requesting for the project.
   2. (b) Whether the project is identified as a high priority project in the most recent annual report required by Section 403.0675(1), F.S.
   3. (c) The projected total cost of the project and the percentage of the total cost to be provided by the applicant.
   4. (d) For the percentage of the total cost of the project to be provided by the applicant, whether there is an obligated funding source for those costs.
   5. (e) The estimated length of time to complete the project.
   6. (f) Whether the project is located in a rural area of opportunity as defined in Section 288.0656, F.S.
   7. (g) Whether the applicant has used their own funds for other projects to improve the water quality or water quantity of the applicable waterbody.

   8. (h) For projects with water quality benefits:

      1. The quantity of nutrients or sediment the project is estimated to remove from the water body. Estimates should be based on sound scientific principles and be fully documented in the funding application.

      2. The estimated cost per pound to remove each pound of nitrogen or phosphorus or sediment.

      3. The potential for the project to provide a cost-effective solution to nutrient or sediment reduction.

      4. The cost of the project and the length of time it will take to complete relative to its expected benefits.

      5. Whether the receiving waterbody is verified impaired for nutrients pursuant to Chapter 62-303, F.A.C.

   9. (i) For projects with water quantity benefits:

      1. The anticipated impact the project will have on restoring or increasing water flow or level.

      2. The quantity of water the project is estimated to conserve. Estimates should be based on scientific principles and be fully documented in the funding application.

      3. The estimated cost per thousand gallons of water conserved.

      4. The cost of the project and the length of time it will take to complete relative to its expected benefits.

      5. The project is in a water resource caution area or contributes to implementation of an adopted minimum flow or minimum water level recovery or prevention strategy.

Rulemaking Authority 403.0617 FS. Law Implemented 403.0617 FS. History–New 7-17-17.