Rule 40-33-1-.05. Awarded Projects

Rule 40-33-1-.05. Awarded Projects

1. (1) Project Agreements. Applicants whose project proposals are approved for funding by the Council must execute a Grant Agreement with the Department and comply with all its provisions, including, but not limited to, maintaining complete financial records for all activities related to the project and submitting quarterly progress reports. Grant Agreements will define, at least, the recipient's and Department's responsibilities and obligations, the project period, the project scope, and grant amount. The approved project proposal will become part of the Grant Agreement.

   1. (a) When the Council approves funds for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements, grantees must submit the below documentation to the Department and Council no later than seven days before the scheduled closing date of the easement purchase. If such documentation is satisfactory to the Department and the Council, the Department shall wire the grant funds allocated for the easement purchase to the grantee. Required documentation includes:

      1. 1. The final closing statement, which shall reflect the sources and amounts of matching funds and the proper commitment of the program funds to the purchase of the agricultural conservation easement; and
      2. 2. The final draft conveyance instrument and all exhibits thereto that will be used to convey the agricultural conservation easement to the grantee.
   2. (b) When the Council approves funds for the costs of acquisition of an agricultural conservation easement other than closing costs, grant funds shall be distributed on a reimbursement basis pursuant to the Grant Agreement. All reimbursement requests will be reviewed by the Department prior to payment by the Department. Grantees will not be reimbursed for any costs of acquisition incurred prior to the execution of the Grant Agreement other than an appraisal, survey, or title search required to prepare a project proposal.
2. (2) Project Completion. Applicants whose project proposals are approved for funding by the Council must complete the project within the State of Georgia fiscal year in which the project proposal is approved by the Council, unless the term of the Grant Agreement is extended pursuant to a written amendment.
3. (3) Inspections. The Department or Council may conduct site inspections for any awarded projects before the project begins, during the project implementation timeline, and after the project's completion.

Authority: O.C.G.A. § 2-2-9; 44-10-40 et seq.

History. Original Rule entitled "Awarded Projects" adopted. F. Sept. 3, 2025; eff. Sept. 23, 2025.