1. (1) The Committee shall adopt ranking criteria for each application cycle.

2. (2) The Committee may consider the following in adopting ranking criteria:

   1. (a) how closely proposed projects meets the Agricultural Water Optimization Program purposes listed in Section R64-4-3;
   2. (b) the type of project;
   3. (c) funding sources of the project;
   4. (d) matching funds available for the project;
   5. (e) saved water that will result from the project;
   6. (f) how the water savings will be quantified;
   7. (g) whether the project area has baseline water use data available;

   8. (h) the projected project cost per acre;

      1. (i) whether the project location is a groundwater Critical Management Area; and
   9. (j) when the applicant will be ready to begin construction on the project.
3. (3) The Committee shall adopt ranking criteria that require the award of federal funding before state funding, provided federal funding has been appropriated for the Agricultural Water Optimization Program.

KEY: agriculture, water optimization, grants, reporting, ranking criteria, agricultural water

Date of Last Change: May 8, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 73-10g-205; 73-10g-206