OAR 695-010-0060: Evaluation Criteria

(1) Project applications will be reviewed for compliance with the items in OAR 695-005-0030 and 695-010-0050. (2) Watershed restoration projects funded from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund must provide a public benefit by supporting improved: (a) Water quality; (b) Native fish or wildlife habitat; or (c) Watershed or ecosystem function. (3) Watershed restoration project proposals must meet the following criteria to be considered for funding by the Board: (a) The project demonstrates sound principles of watershed management; (b) The project uses methods adapted to the project locale; (c) The project complies with state land use planning goals and is compatible with acknowledged comprehensive plans as required under ORS 197.180; and (d) The project follows professionally accepted restoration approaches resulting in ecological or watershed benefits. (4) Watershed restoration projects meeting the criteria established by subsection (1) above will be further evaluated based on: (a) Clarity; the proposal: (A) Will be implemented using a clearly defined and appropriate method to address the problem; (B) Has clearly stated objectives and is likely to meet these; and (C) Is ready to be implemented. (b) Technical soundness; the proposal: (A) Addresses limiting factors or watershed health problems by treating the causes rather than the symptoms; (B) Identifies and evaluates alternatives to address the identified problem; and (C) Quantifies watershed benefits. (c) Cost effectiveness; the proposal: (A) Provides an overall budget that reflects expected, and quantified, watershed health benefits; and (B) Reflects reasonable rates for direct costs and match. (d) Watershed context; the proposal: (A) Considers likely impacts to the site and adjacent properties during and after project implementation; (B) Addresses watershed function and ecosystem processes, including water quality and fish and wildlife life stages; (C) Implements a specific action within an explicit geography prioritized in a watershed restoration plan; (D)Fits within the context of past, current, and planned future restoration efforts in the watershed; and (E) Provides or promotes public awareness that may lead to opportunities for watershed restoration or enhancement. (e) Capacity; the applicant: (A) Engages appropriate partners; (B) Demonstrates successful long-term stewardship and maintenance is likely; and (C) Demonstrates a past grant record with timely project completeness, accounting, and reporting as well as whether past projects were completed as proposed, using information provided by Board staff. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]