Wyo. Code R. 039-0001-7
General Agency, Board or Commission Rules
Chapter 7: Grant Evaluation and Prioritization Process
Effective Date: 02/24/2010 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 039.0001.7.02242010
GRANT EVALUATION AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS
Section 1. Evaluation, Ranking and Prioritization of Grant Proposals.
The Board shall review, evaluate, rank and prioritize applications for grants. The evaluation process shall include a pre-application screening of all applications. That screening shall consist of a preliminary review of all grant applications for compliance with the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Funding Act and for adherence to the criteria for grants established by the Board. The Board shall, at its sole discretion, determine which grants should move beyond the pre-application screening.
For those applicants selected to move beyond the pre-application process, such applicants must allow for a site visit by Board members, staff, or other qualified evaluators as may be designated by the Board.
The Board shall rank and approve or reject final grant applications based on the overall purposes of the Act. Large project grant applications approved by the Board will be forwarded to the Select Committee for its review and recommendation.
In reviewing, evaluating and ranking final applications, the Board shall:
a) place an emphasis on those projects that are partnerships involving private and public entities;
b) consider the effects of the project on citizen access to public lands for hunting, fishing and recreational activities; and
c) consider the socioeconomic impacts of the grant proposal on the affected community.
Section 2. Criteria for Grants.
Criteria shall be adopted for distributions from the Income Account. These criteria will be developed by the Board for awarding grants based upon a priority ranking system designed to achieve the purposes of the Act and shall be periodically re-evaluated by the Board.
In establishing grant criteria the Board shall, at a minimum, include the ability of any project to accomplish one (1) or more of the following:
a) improve and maintain existing terrestrial habitat necessary to maintain optimum wildlife populations;
b) preserve open spaces, by purchase or acquisition of development rights;
c) improve and maintain existing aquatic habitat necessary to maintain optimum fish populations;
d) acquire terrestrial or aquatic habitat when existing habitat is determined critical or is present in minimal amounts, and acquisition presents the necessary factor in attaining or preserving desired wildlife or fish population levels;
e) conserve, maintain, protect and develop wildlife resources, the environment and Wyoming's natural resource heritage;
f) participate in water enhancement projects to benefit aquatic habitat for fish populations and allow for other watershed enhancements that benefit wildlife and other natural resources;
g) address and mitigate impacts detrimental to wildlife habitat, the environment, and the multiple use of renewable natural resources attributable to residential, mineral and industrial development; or
h) mitigate conflicts and reduce the potential for disease transmission between wildlife and domestic livestock.
The Board shall prepare and approve a ranking system to be used to evaluate all eligible applications. The ranking system shall be approved by an affirmative vote of the Board. Any subsequent amendments to the ranking system shall also be approved by an affirmative vote of the Board.
Multi-year projects may be funded by the Board for the duration of the project provided that annual evaluations of progress toward project goals are submitted and accepted by the Board. No commitment may exceed three (3) years without formal action by the Board.
The Board may participate with for-profit corporations to develop wildlife habitat but may not divert financial resources to any for-profit corporation.
The Board may at any time award emergency grants for the purpose of enhancing or maintaining the natural resources or wildlife of Wyoming, provided such awards are approved by a majority of the members of the Board at a duly called meeting.
No individual emergency grant shall exceed $10,000, and emergency grants shall not constitute more than ten percent (10%) of the total allocated for projects in any given year.
The Board may annually allocate funds for the purpose of enhancing or maintaining the natural resources or wildlife of Wyoming through small local projects, provided such awards are allocated to a qualified applicant. Quick grants may be awarded at any time throughout the year upon proper application. Quick grants shall require the approval of the Board at any regularly held meeting. No individual quick grant shall exceed $2,500.00, and quick grants shall not constitute more than two percent (2%) of the total funds allocated for projects in any given year.