NAC321.460. Ranking of applications and awarding of grants by Administrator; use of advisory committee.

     1. The Administrator will rank applications made pursuant to NAC 321.456 in order of their importance. The Administrator will award grants for projects or acquisitions that, based on the application, are most appropriate for the receipt of a grant within the overall purpose of the Program. The Administrator will use a point system as outlined in the Administrative Guidelines of the Division to rank each application. The Administrator will award points based on the following factors:

     (a) The extent of environmental significance of the project and the degree of conservation and protection of natural resources, including, without limitation, the preservation of a natural, scientific, cultural, archaeological, agricultural, paleontological or historical site, or a wetland or riparian resource;

     (b) The extent of the public benefit, including, without limitation, an overall advancement in the conservation and protection of the natural resources of the State, an enhancement to recreational opportunities, increased public access to lands and waters and the achievement of goals identified in adopted open-space plans;

     (c) The objectives of the project are clearly stated in the proposal, and the applicant has the ability to carry out those objectives;

     (d) The detail and design of the project is adequate and includes a detailed plan for management of the project that specifies the manner in which the project will be maintained and the manner in which the project will remain consistent with the purpose of the Program;

     (e) The projected budget and associated costs of the project are reasonable and detailed, the amount and sources of matching contributions are listed and the project will meet the stated objectives in a cost-effective manner;

     (f) The fact that the project is a cooperative effort with other agencies, organizations or persons and the extent of the support for the project from counties, municipalities and other public entities; and

     (g) Any other factor that the Administrator considers to be important in the ranking process, including, without limitation:

          (1) The urgency of the need for the project;

          (2) That the applicant provides for matching contributions that exceed the matching contributions required in NAC 321.462;

          (3) The application for acquisition of land includes the acquisition of water rights or another interest that will remain with the land in perpetuity;

          (4) The existence of a local need for the project that warrants special attention for the project due to a lack of similar opportunities in the local area; and

          (5) If the project does not include the acquisition of fee simple title to land, the applicant proposes an easement for conservation or a remainder after a life estate.

     2. The factors of environmental significance, as described in paragraph (a) of subsection 1, and public benefit, as described in paragraph (b) of subsection 1, are worth more points than the other factors in subsection 1.

     3. The Administrator may use an advisory committee to review applications and make recommendations to the Administrator. The Administrator may consider a recommendation by an advisory committee when awarding points pursuant to subsection 1.

     4. The decision of the Administrator is final. An application that is not selected by the Administrator to receive a grant may be resubmitted for a grant to be awarded at a future date.

     (Added to NAC by Div. of St. Lands by R186-03, eff. 4-22-2004)