N.M. Admin. Code § 19.1.3.11 - GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

A. If funding is available, the department may establish one or more competitive grant application cycles each calendar year and specify the required format, forms and deadline for application submittal. Each application cycle announcement shall specify any priority area, ecological, geographic, funding, type of project or other limitations applicable to that cycle, as related to funds available, accomplishments to date and criteria specified in Subsection C of 19.1.3.12 NMAC.

B. The applicant shall submit an application in a format specified by the department that includes at a minimum the following information:

(1) the type of conservation project (e.g., conservation easement, agricultural easement or land restoration);

(2) the applicant's address, contact information and contact person;

(3) the landowner's address and contact information;

(4) general information about the property including a legal description of the property;

(5) information demonstrating how the proposed conservation project meets the requirements of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act, 19.1.3.12 NMAC and the criteria in Subsection B of 19.1.3.12 NMAC;

(6) for grant applications seeking funding to acquire a conservation easement or agricultural easement:

(a) property details supplied by the landowner to the qualified entity, including ownership interests, liens, mortgages and encumbrances;

(b) a draft deed of conservation easement or deed of agricultural easement or a descriptive list of intended easement provisions including acreage, building envelopes, conservation provisions and reserved uses;

(c) a written statement from the landowner that the landowner wishes to sell a conservation easement or agricultural easement to the applicant;

(d) a written description of the applicant's authority to acquire and hold land or interests in land, including conservation easements or agricultural easements; and

(e) a written statement or other proof that the applicant has the experience and the ability to manage lands for conservation, natural resource heritage value or agricultural value;

(7) for land restoration projects, a statement describing the intended land restoration activities with specific objectives and a designated project manager identified to be responsible for implementation of the approved project including overseeing contractor or subcontractor administration, providing liaison with affected landowners, ensuring technical viability of the project, ensuring funds expended are within budget and obtaining any necessary permits;

(8) the name of any qualified entities or conservation entities that are partnering with the qualified entity on the conservation project, a description of each entity's role and contribution and a written commitment from each conservation entity identifying that entity's proposed responsibilities and contributions;

(9) how the conservation project relates to applicable state, tribal, county or local plans;

(10) projected beginning and completion dates for the conservation project and a schedule of activities required to complete the conservation project with projected beginning and completion dates for those activities;

(11) a full budget for the project detailing the costs and in-kind contributions, if any; and

(12) a list of any permits, certifications and clearances needed to implement the project.

C. The department shall review applications for timeliness and completeness before providing the grant applications it has received to the committee. The committee may consider the grant applications at a regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting scheduled for the purpose of considering grant applications.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.1.3.11

19.1.3.11 NMAC - N, 7/30/2010