Financial Assistance Programs - Grants and Loans

To whom should letters of support be addressed and sent to?
Letters of support should be addressed to the applicant.  The applicant should attach the letter(s) to the Full Proposal application as part of Attachment C (Stakeholder Involvement and Coordination), as outlined in the Full Proposal Solicitation Notice.

Should resumes for project team members be included in the Full Proposal application submittal?  If yes, where?  Does this affect the one-page limit of text allowed for Attachment B?
As part of Attachment B, you should respond to the bullets under Section II.B of Appendix I-1 of the Guidelines (page 74).  Applicants should provide resumes of key project team members.  These resumes can be submitted in addition to the one-page limit of text stated in the Solicitation Notice.  Be sure to reference the resumes and describe the percentage of time commitment by key staff in the one page of text you provide for Attachment B.  The Attachments Tab in FAAST will be revised to reflect that the resumes may be provided in addition to the one page of text for Attachment B.

What are the Draft Reporting, Final Reporting, and Final Invoice Submittal deadlines for each program?
Project reporting and invoicing deadlines differ depending on the funding source.  Reports and invoices can be submitted prior to the dates given below; however, these are the latest possible dates to submit these items.  The following report and invoice milestones should be met:

For septic to sewer conversion projects, which costs are eligible for grant funding from the State Water Board under the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program?  Which portions of the public collection system are eligible for grant funding?
The design, plans, specifications, and construction of a public collection system are eligible for grant funding. Connection fees and the cost of constructing lateral connections from private properties to the sewer main, and the cost to abandon privately owned septic systems are NOT eligible for grant funding. The construction of the public collection system, which usually consists of the sewer main, pump station, alarm system, manholes, pressure relief valves, cleanouts, stub out connections, and anything pertinent to the construction of the public collection system within the public right of way, is eligible for grant funding.

When were the Guidelines adopted?
The State Water Board adopted the final Guidelines on January 4, 2006

Can reimbursable costs be applied toward a project’s matching funds?
Yes, eligible reimbursable expenses incurred after adoption of the Guidelines (January 4, 2006) and prior to the project completion date can be applied to the funding match.

Is land acquisition a reimbursable cost?
Land acquisition is an eligible reimbursable expense only for the Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP).  Refer to Appendix E (page 48) of the Guidelines under the definition for "Reimbursable Costs (g)" for additional details.

Are indirect costs and overhead costs reimbursable?
No, only direct costs related to the project are reimbursable.

Are post-construction project performance and monitoring costs reimbursable or allowable as part of the match?
As defined in Appendix E (page 48) of the Guidelines, "operation and maintenance costs, including post construction project performance and monitoring costs" are not reimbursable with grant funds.  Since these costs are not reimbursable, the costs could not be used to fulfill the match requirement.  However, costs associated with assessing the effectiveness of the project and/or start-up testing and optimization are reimbursable expenses, which could also be used to fulfill the match requirement.

Can grant funds be used for a project related to a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO), Cease and Desist Order (CDO), or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit?
Funds can be used for projects related to a CAO or CDO, provided there is no litigation associated with the funds.  Please see the new Waiver of Litigation language for Section VI.F of the Guidelines.  Nonpoint Source Implementation Program (Clean Water Act, Section 319[h] Program) funds cannot be used for anything required in a NPDES permit.

Are there specific requirements associated with the use of Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) funds on private or public lands?
There are no specific requirements associated with the use of the IWMP funds on private or public lands.  However, it is important that the grantee has the necessary access rights and approvals to perform and maintain any project implemented with grant funds.

If I have more than one project for which I’m applying for funding, should I bundle my proposals into one or complete separate proposals for each?
It is suggested that you speak with your Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board), partner agency, or State Water Resources Control Board contact to discuss the specifics of your project and determine how best to apply for the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program.  Most grants will be managed by the Regional Water Boards.  Please reference the Concept Proposal Solicitation Notice, which contains a list of contacts for the Program.

How do I know if my project falls in an Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS)?
ASBSs mean areas designated by the State Water Resources Control Board as requiring protection of species or biological communities to the extent that alteration of natural water quality is undesirable.  All ASBSs are State Water Quality Protection Areas defined in Public Resources Code 36700(f).  There are 34 designated ASBSs, which are listed in the California Ocean Plan.

Were the Ocean Protection Council priorities adopted at the January 13, 2006 meeting?
On January 13, 2006, the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) adopted the same two priorities identified by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) in Appendix G of the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program Guidelines.  For example, for Region 8, these priorities can be found on Page 149 of Appendix G.  Applicants can reference the priorities using the code under the State Water Board (i.e., R8_SWRCB_9 OR 10, depending on whether the proposal is to implement priority number 9 or 10).  The OPC has not updated their website information yet. 

What is the project timeframe for the federally funded Nonpoint Source Implementation Program (Clean Water Act, Section 319[h] Program)?
The Nonpoint Source Implementation Program (Clean Water Act, Section 319[h] Program) funds will be available for encumbrance on July 1, 2006.  Grant agreements must be finalized by June 30, 2007.  Projects are limited to three years.  All projects, including final reports, must be completed by December 31, 2010.

"Local watershed group" means a group consisting of owners and managers of land within the watershed of interest, local, state, and federal government representatives, and interested persons, other than landowners, who reside or work within the watershed of interest, and may include other persons, organizations, nonprofit corporations, and businesses.

What does it mean to “encumber funds?”
Fund encumbrance means that a grant agreement has been signed between the grantee and the State Water Board.  Therefore, if the information provided in Table 2 (page 10) of the Guidelines indicates that funds must be encumbered by December 31, 2006, the grant agreement must be signed by the State Water Board and the grantee by December 31, 2006.

When and where will the Concept Proposal Applicant Assistance workshops be held?
State Water Board staff will host three applicant assistance workshops in January 2006, as follows: January 17 (Sacramento), January 23 (Los Angeles), and January 24 (San Luis Obispo).  Regional Water Quality Control Board staff will host additional applicant workshops, as follows: January 20 (Riverside), January 24 (Bishop), and January 26 (Victorville).  Workshop logistics and handouts are available on-line.

Do I have to register for the Concept Proposal Applicant Assistance workshops?
You do not need to register for any of the workshops.

When are Concept Proposals due?
The Concept Proposal Solicitation Notice was issued on January 5, 2006.  Once issued, applicants may start and complete their applications using the State Water Board’s on-line Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST).  Concept Proposal applications must be submitted to FAAST by 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2006.  FAAST support will only be provided until 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2006; so it is strongly suggested that proposals be submitted before 5:00 PM

How do I submit my Concept Proposal?  To whom and where do I submit it?
Your entire Concept Proposal application will be submitted on-line through the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST).  The FAAST is available on-line at: https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov/

What does the 1,000-character limit mean in the Concept Proposal? 
Each question in the online Concept Proposal Application has a 1,000-character limit (approximately a quarter of a page).  Spaces count toward this 1,000-character limit.  This limit was established to help both applicants and State Water Board staff complete and review applications in a timely and efficient manner, without numerous attachments.

Can I submit attachments if I don’t have sufficient space when filling out my Concept Proposal application?
Applicants will be allowed to submit an attachment (MAXIMUM of two [2] pages) if additional space is needed to respond to any Concept Proposal question.  If the optional attachment is submitted, it must conform to the following formatting requirements: maximum of 2 pages in length, letter-size paper (8.5” x 11”), single-spaced or wider, Times New Roman font (size 11 or larger), and one-inch margins.  Please reference the Concept Proposal Solicitation Notice for these details.

What is required in the Concept Proposal?  What is the content of the Concept Proposal?
The Concept Proposal application consists of a preliminary section with questions automatically included online in the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) for all grant programs, and a main section with specific questions for the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program.

The preliminary section questions cover the following subject areas: General Details, Project Budget, Project Location, Funding Source, Legislative, Contact Agency, and Cooperating Entity.

There are forty-five (45) questions in the main section of the Concept Proposal, which are divided into the following eight sub-sections: I. Program(s) Selection, II. Project Information, III. Eligibility, IV. Geographic Location, V. Project Performance/Evaluation, VI. Relationship to Existing Plans, VII. Readiness to Proceed, and VIII. Applicant Information.

Please reference the Concept Proposal Solicitation Notice, which lists all sections that MUST be completed and submitted using the FAAST.  Please refer to Appendix H of the Guidelines for detailed information on the Concept Proposal content.

How do I receive email notifications about the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program?
If you would like to receive regular e-mail updates regarding the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program, please subscribe to the "Consolidated Grants 2005-06" LYRIS e-mail list on-line.

“Does the Concept Proposal contain all required information requested in the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST)?” 

A “No” response to this question indicates the applicant is not eligible to be invited back to submit a Full Proposal.  Therefore, in order for your Concept Proposal to be eligible, your application must list the agencies you contacted in preparation of your Concept Proposal.  Additionally, the Guidelines for the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program specify that Concept Proposals must meet one or more of the State, Regional, or partner agency priorities.  Proposals that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria listed in Appendix H-2 of the Guidelines will be considered ineligible.  Therefore, for each priority referenced in your Concept Proposal application, you should contact the corresponding agency and note who you contacted in the “Agency Contact” field in FAAST.  This will help ensure your Concept Proposal meets the priority eligibility requirement.

Where can I find the latitude and longitude coordinates for my project location?
Please try the following website: http://www.topozone.com
An applicant would need to enter the name of a place nearest to their project location, and run a search for it.  The results will include the latitude and longitude for the location.

How can I find the California Watershed ID number?
The website given in the Application Information section (Appendix H-1, Page 59, Question 18) of the Guidelines has been updated.  Please use the following website: http://atlas.resources.ca.gov/
Also, instructions for completing this section of the Concept Proposal application have been added to the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) under Question 18.

What is the Board looking for in response to Question #37, "have we applied for other funds?"
In response to Question #37, please let us know if you have applied for other funds for this SPECIFIC project.  For example, if you applied for funding for the same project under the Integrated Regional Water Management Program or CALFED Watershed Management Program, provide that information here.  If you intend to use other grant funds for your match, make sure they meet the match requirements outlined on Page 11 of the Guidelines.

When completing my Concept Proposal on-line in the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST), how do I determine the amounts to list for the "Project Budget," "Funds Requested," and "Local Match" fields?
The project budget is the funds requested plus the local match.  See the example below for reference.  A local match of 25% is used in the example below because most of the programs that are part of the 2005-06 Consolidated Grants Program, require a funding match of 25%.  (See page 10, Table 2, of the Guidelines for more details.)

Example:
Project Budget: $1,000,000
Local Match: $250,000  (25% of $1,000,000)
Funds Requested: $750,000  ($1,000,000 - $250,000)