Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) provides funding in the form of grants and contracts to support projects that reduce sediment and nutrient pollution, including phosphorus, from runoff and soil erosion that discharge into the state’s rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. CWIP provides technical support to the state board charged with administering clean water investments in priority water quality restoration. CWIP tracks and reports on priority projects to restore Vermont’s waters, and communicates progress toward meeting water quality restoration targets. 1. Woody Buffer Block Grant – Pilot $215,000 total available dollars a. Ratio of funding requested for project development funds ($40,000 available) and implementation funds (175,000 available) must be 1:4.37. For example, a budget with a $50,000 implementation request would be eligible for up to $11,442 in program delivery funds for a total request of $61,442. b. Minimum grant size of $50,000. c. All project development costs must be directly related to woody buffer block grant implementation costs. d. Cost-reimbursable expenditures, documentation of expenditures required. e. Proposals do not need to identify the specific projects; however, competitive proposals will detail project identification and prioritization methodology. Prioritization should include likelihood of the project reaching implementation. The selected entity(ies) must be prepared to uphold granting procedures that align with DEC practices and policies. f. Deliverables will include submitting a report half way through the grant agreement to report on accomplishments to date and detail how the remainder of the funds will be utilized (project specific). In addition, a final narrative and financial report will be required. g. Projects involving the installation of woody buffers along rivers and streams must have a minimum buffer width of 35 feet and a planting density of 300 stems/acre. h. Projects must use native woody vegetation. i. Stem selection considerations must include species adapted to the soil and climate of the planting site, they should be tolerant of extended periods of flooding (depend on the width of the planting and the distance from the stream banks), should have moderate to aggressive root and crown spread to occupy the site quickly and provide adequate litter fall, and should be resistant to pests and herbicides. j. Match is not required; however, proposals that include match will receive more points in the review process. Eligible match funding sources include: o In-kind contributions such as time, transportation, and other organizational costs directly related to the project’ o Cash contributions from other funding sources; o Land Acquisition; o Equipment
