1. (a) Project Development.

   1. (1) SWCDs or other agencies in cooperation with SWCDs may develop project proposals within critical areas in accordance with criteria established in the State Brush Control Plan.
   2. (2) Project proposals shall be submitted to the State Board for its prioritization and approval.
   3. (3) The State Board may initiate project development in cooperation with SWCDs.

2. (b) Priority of Projects.

   1. (1) When prioritizing and approving projects, the State Board shall consider criteria established in the State Brush Control Plan.
   2. (2) If the demand for funds under the cost-sharing program is greater than funds available, the State Board may establish priorities favoring the areas with the most critical water conservation needs and projects that will be most likely to produce substantial water conservation.
   3. (3) The State Board shall give more favorable consideration to a particular project if the participants agree to a lesser cost-share rate than that established by the State Board.
   4. (4) The amount of land dedicated to the project that will produce significant water conservation from the control of brush is a priority.
3. (c) Allocation of funds. The State Board may allocate funds only for projects in critical areas as designated by the State Board. Such allocations may be adjusted throughout the year as available funds and critical area needs and priorities change in order to achieve the most efficient use of state funds.
4. (d) Requests for allocations. Critical area working groups may submit written requests for cost-share allocations to the State Board.
5. (e) Approval of allocations. The State Board shall consider and approve, reject, or adjust allocations giving consideration to relative need for funding, workload and fund balances, as well as other information deemed necessary by the State Board.

Source Note:The provisions of this §517.26 adopted to be effective February 13, 2003, 28 TexReg 1209.