Specifications include, but are not limited to: VTDEC seeks a statewide entity to administer a block grant for the Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant in Aid Program that meets the following requirements: Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant in Aid Program funds can only be used for projects that meet the Aquatic Nuisance Control Vermont State Statutes (10 V.S.A. § 1458) and include these Project Categories and associated deliverables by municipalities and agents of the State. Project Categories a. Greeter Project – Sub awardees develop or maintain a Greeter Project (Public Access Greeter Program) at a public access on a local waterbody. Grant funds may be used for greeter salaries, physical materials needed on-site (i.e., a greeter shelter), and other associated costs. To receive funding, Coordinators and Greeters associated with the project are required to attend the annual AIS Program Greeter Project training prior to the season, and all data must be submitted to the VT Watercraft Inspection Survey 123 application by the end of the season. b. Education, Outreach, or Survey Project - Sub awardees develop scientific surveys and/or reports, supports activities that reduce the threat of aquatic invasive species, or informs the State on the proliferation of an aquatic nuisance species. The results, demonstrated in a report format, should assist in informing the block grant program steward and the State of the nuisance, the extent of aquatic species present including native, non-native, and invasive species, and what best management practices might be utilized to reduce the population. Examples of projects include aquatic invasive/nuisance species surveys, the development of aquatic invasive species management plans, the demonstration of practices or technologies that reduce AIS or their impacts on native aquatic species, etc. c. Management Project - Sub awardees implement projects for the control or management of an aquatic nuisance species. In doing so and in most projects, sub awardees implement a best management practice based on the management plan for the known aquatic nuisance species, and report on the success of the project, type of practice(s) and location(s) of implementation, the acreage or amount of harvested materials, and the associated costs of the project implementation. For Management Projects that require an ANC Permit, the project must meet the requirements and regulations as stated in the permit. Incipient populations are a priority for VTDEC funding through this block grant. As part of administering the block grant program, the applicant will be responsible for the following activities: • Serve as the administrative point-of-contact for municipalities and lake associations regarding this program. • Announce the program to maximize participation. • Develop and implement a process for municipalities and lake associations to apply to the program. • Partner with VTDEC to develop a scoring system to finalize grant awards, and to inform VTDEC of technical aspects of the program or projects therein. It would be appropriate for State 3 of 20 Staff to serve on the review committee to score proposals and be part of a collaborative decisionmaking process. DEC will provide its “no objection” on final proposed grant awards, with no objection defined as “permission to proceed with the intention for sub-grant awards and demonstration that due process and the terms of the agreement have been followed in the conduct of a sub-grant award.” • Serve as a fiscal agent by reimbursing municipalities or lake associations for ANC Projects implementation costs up to a maximum limiting amount, based on a formula developed by the State and based on the priority project categories. Document implementation project costs to ensure a substantial contribution of a minimum of 20% local match, including in-kind, transportation, municipal staff time, cash or applicable volunteer time. The State will reimburse the maximum percentage based on the documented costs of the project. Substantial contribution can include financial or technical assistance, monitoring, planning, or administrative services. All eligible expenses, including local match, must be incurred after the execution of the subgrant agreements. ANC Permit fees paid to the State cannot be reported as match, nor reimbursed. Funds provided through this agreement cannot be used by municipalities to pay ANC Permit fees to the State. • Complete ANC Project final performance reports and submit to the State on behalf of the municipalities, using the State-provided reporting templates, including submission of photographs that document the work implemented, or equipment purchased. Photographs must be submitted as JPG files with minimum 300 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution.
