301 CMR 5.04 - Project Application and Selection

(1) Application Step Procedures. Applications shall be submitted to the Secretary in accordance with the Application Guidelines of the Division, which are available on the Division's web site.

(2) Appraisal Reports. Applications for acquisition assistance shall be accompanied by an appraisal report prepared according to the Appraisal Report Guidelines of the Division, which are available on the Division's web site.

(3) Project Selection System. In order to distribute limited LAND and PARC funds among many deserving applicants, the Secretary has developed a review process called the Project Selection System. The Project Selection System considers a number of demographic and project quality factors in order to identify those projects which best protect natural resources or provide recreation amenities where appropriate in communities that have the greatest need for financial assistance and that have made efforts to implement their open space and recreation plans in coordination with local planning for future growth. The Project Selection System Guidelines for each grant program are available on the Division's web site.

(4) LAND Program and PARC Program Grant Cycle. The annual filing deadline for applications shall be no later than August 15^th of each year. The Secretary may alter or extend this deadline provided that public notice of the change is given at least 90 days in advance of the new deadline. Grants shall be made only once in the annual fiscal cycle; however, grants may be adjusted after the award for cause. Grant applicants shall receive notice no later than November 15^th of each year from the Division as to whether an award will be issued.

(5) Rolling Program Specific Requirements.

(a) Rolling LAND Program grants must meet all requirements applicable to the LAND grant program, excluding the grant cycle requirement as described in 301 CMR 5.05(4).

(b) Rolling PARC Program grants must meet the all requirements applicable to the PARC grant program, excluding the grant cycle requirement as described in 301 CMR 5.05(4).

(c) The Secretary may establish additional guidelines for the Project Selection System of the Rolling LAND Program.

(d) The Secretary may establish additional guidelines for the Project Selection System of the Rolling PARC Program.

(e) The Secretary shall provide notice of availability of funding and the associated filing deadline for any grant funding offered under either the Rolling PARC or the Rolling LAND Programs. Such notice shall be effective when published either in the Massachusetts Register or the Environmental Monitor.

(f) The Secretary may announce rolling grant rounds and accept applications from time to time and subject to available funding.

Notes

301 CMR 5.04

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1325, eff. 11/4/2016.