Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/nrac/

1. CUYAHOGA COUNTY
NATURAL RESOURCES
ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
Clean Ohio Green Space
Conservation Program
Applicant Workshop
Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek
October 15, 2014
Round 9

2. AGENDA
1. Overview of the Clean Ohio Green Space
Conservation Program
 Statewide and District 1
 Purpose
 Eligible Projects
2. The Cuyahoga County Conservation Program
 Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC)
 County Principles
3. Round 9 Application and Selection Process
 Funding
 Policies
 Application and Evaluation Methodology
4. Q.&A.

3. CLEAN OHIO
 The Clean Ohio Fund restores, protects, and connects
Ohio's important natural and urban places by
preserving green space and farmland, developing
state-wide recreational trails, and cleaning up
brownfields to encourage redevelopment and
revitalize communities.
 The Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program
helps to fund preservation of open spaces, sensitive
ecological areas, and stream corridors.

4. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION -
Statewide
2000-2014:
 885 Projects were funded
 $292 million have been awarded
 Area protected:
 73,300 acres of natural areas and greenspace

5. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION-Cuyahoga
County (District 1)
2000 – 2014:
 89 Projects were submitted
 54 Projects have been funded
 $25 million have been awarded
Area Protected:
 1275 acres of natural areas and greenspace
 15,430 lineal feet of riparian corridors

6. PURPOSE
A Unique Opportunity to
Advance Conservation
 Preserve Open Space.
 Protect Riparian Corridors.
 Protect Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species.
 Support Open Space Planning.
 Preserve Wetlands and Other Scarce Natural Resources.
 Preserve Streamside Forests, Natural Stream Channels and
Floodplains.
Forested Bank on the Chagrin River

7. TYPES OF
PROJECTS OPEN SPACE
 Acquisition of open space
 Acquisition of land or rights in land for parks,
forests, wetlands, natural areas that protect an
endangered plant or animal population.
 Construction or enhancement of facilities to make
the acquired open space accessible and useable by
the general public.
 Acquisition of land to connect natural area
corridors.
Wood Creek Preserve

8. Category 3 Forested Wetland
TYPES OF
PROJECTS
Fee simple acquisition of lands
to provide access to riparian
corridors or watersheds.
 Acquisition of easements for the purpose of protecting
and enhancing riparian corridors or watersheds.
 Reforestation of land or the planting of vegetation for
filtration purposes.
Euclid Railroad – Green Creek Corridor
RIPARIAN CORRIDORS

9. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIESMill Creek Conservation Project Before
 Acquisition Expenses
 Fee simple purchases
 Easement purchases
 Planning and Implementation
 Appraisal
 Closing costs
 Title search
 Environmental assessments
 Design
 Construction or Enhancement of Facilities
 i.e. internal low-impact trails, boardwalks, lookouts, benches,
small parking areas for access
Cleanup
Mill Creek Conservation Project
Today

10. INELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND
ACTIVITIES
 Acquisition of land for activities other than preservation
and conservation
 Water management activities
 Flood control projects (dams, dredging, etc.).
 Projects that accelerate untreated water runoff.
 Stormwater management is the primary purpose.
 Plan preparation
 See OPWC Application Instructions for more on Eligible
vs. Ineligible project components

11. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Local Subdivisions
Counties
Cities
Villages
Township
Special Districts
Conservancy Districts
Soil and Water Conservation
Districts
Joint Recreation Districts
Park District/Authority
Non-Profit Corporations
Exempt from federal income taxation.
Has conservation activities as a primary part of its mission.

12. CUYAHOGA COUNTY
CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Solomon’s Seal
wildflower at Beecher’s
Brook
East Branch Rocky River
Heron Rookery

13. OPEN SPACE IN CUYAHOGA
COUNTY
 Largest and most urbanized of Ohio’s counties.
 90% of land is developed and only 10% is designated open
space.
 Existing open space areas.
 Fragmented
 Not always accessible
to the public
 Some are degraded/
destroyed by pollution
and mismanagement
 Others abandoned due to poor
planning and outmigration
Existing Open Spaces

14. CLEAN OHIO
CONSERVATION PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION
OPWC
• Appoints NRAC members. NRAC
• Implements Clean Ohio
Conservation Program in
Cuyahoga County.
• Develops project selection and
evaluation methodology.
• Selects projects for funding
and makes recommendations
to OPWC.
OOPPWWCC
DOPWI
C • Oversees “Issue 1” and Clean Ohio
Conservation Program.
• Approves NRAC methodologies.
• Give final approval of
recommended projects.

15. NATURAL RESOURCES
ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
(NRAC)
Eleven members appointed by DOPWIC.
 1 member from DOPWIC
 1 member from Cuyahoga County Soil and Water
Conservation District
 9 members to represent 5 categories:
 2 - Government
 3 - Environment
 2 - Park Systems
 1 - Agricultural
 1- Business, Realtors or Planning

16. DISTRICT 1 NRAC
MEMBERSHIP
Member Representing
DAVID BEACH
Director, GreenCityBlueLake Institute
Environment
KYLE DREYFUSS WELLS, CHAIR
Environmental Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Environment
DOROTHY HAZEL
Board Member, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District
Soil and Water Conservation District
HONORABLE MICHAEL PROCUK
Mayor, Village of Brooklyn Heights
Government
HONORABLE SUSAN RENDA,
Mayor, Village of Moreland Hills
District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC)
KIMBERLY RASSI-GALLIN
Board Member, Cuyahoga County Farm Bureau
Agriculture
NATALIE RONAYNE, VICE CHAIR
Executive Director, Cleveland Botanical Garden
Environment
JENNIFER SCOFIELD
Director Regional Collaboration, Office of County Executive Edward FitzGerald
Government
JESSICA SHAMSHOUM FRENCH, SECRETARY
Special Projects Coordinator
Park System
DONNA STUDNIARZ
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Cleveland Metroparks
Park System
CHRISTOPHER URBAN
Manager of Physical Development, Greater Cleveland Partnership
Business, Realtors, Planning

17. DISTRICT 1 NRAC PRINCIPLES
To ensure that projects are visible, accessible and
instructional, the NRAC has 5 guiding principles:
1. Preserve natural areas or open space.
2. Restore landscapes that have been degraded or
destroyed.
3. Enhance the quality of natural areas or open space.
4. Link natural areas to each other or to county cultural
and civic heritage areas.
5. Provide public access to
natural areas and/or county
cultural and civic heritage areas.
West Creek Critical
Conservation Linkages

18. ROUND 9

19. ROUND 9 FUNDING
 Funds Available.
 Round 9 Allocation - $3,339,704
 Available balance - $ 251,618
 Total $3,591,322
 Awards – grants only.
 Maximum grant award – 75% of Total
Project Cost.
 25% Local Match Required.
 No limit to the amount requested.

20. LOCAL MATCH
 Contributions of money by any person, local political
subdivision or the federal government
 Contributions in-kind through the purchase or
donation of equipment, land, easements, interest in
land, labor and materials necessary to complete the
project.
 Appraised value of property.

21. APPLICATION MATERIALS
1. OPWC Clean Ohio Conservation Application
 OPWC website:
http://www.pwc.state.oh.us/GSCApplication.html
2. NRAC Project Checklist
3. NRAC Application
 Cuyahoga County Planning Commission website:
http://planning.co.cuyahoga.oh.us/nrac/
 Available as a Word document
4. A certified appraisal performed by an Ohio Department of
Transportation Prequalified Appraiser who is credentialed in value
analysis.
5. Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer’s property valuation.
 http://fiscalofficer.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/REPI.aspx

22. APPLICATION MATERIALS
6. Resolution(s) of Support: A project will need a resolution of
support from the appropriate political subdivision(s) (Cuyahoga
County, municipalities, townships) as determined by the Ohio
Revised Code, section 164.23
7. Documentation of pending land transaction, e.g. purchase
agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding if
applying for open space acquisition.
8. Maps and other Documents as needed.
9. A compact disc or flash drive with items 1 through 3; as well as all
supporting documentation.

23. OPWC POLICIES – ROUND 9
 Projects not scheduled for acquisition within 12 months
from the date of the Project Agreement will be rejected
by the Commission.
 All post acquisition activities must be concluded within a
two-year period from the date of acquisition unless a
formal extension has been approved by OPWC.
 Program Year 9 applications will be required to have a
certified appraisal performed by an Ohio Department of
Transportation Prequalified Appraiser who is
credentialed in Value Analysis.

24. OPWC POLICIES - APPRAISALS
 Projects with Purchase Contracts exceeding the appraised value will be
returned to the Natural Resources Assistance Councils for validation.
These projects will not be issued a Notice to Proceed until this
validation has occurred.
 Projects that consist of leveraging the difference between the appraised
value and purchase contract will also be required to have an appraisal
review performed by an Ohio Department of Transportation Prequalified
Appraisal Reviewer to ensure that the purchase price history,
comparables, adjustments, and disclaimers are accurate.
 Applicants that have an appraisal review rejected will not be issued a
Notice to Proceed until these discrepancies are resolved.
 Properties above appraised value are eligible, but it is important for the
NRAC to be cognitive of this difference and must validate the value of
properties that are using the difference between the Purchase Contract
and appraised value as scored.

25. OPWC POLICIES – MINERAL
RIGHTS
 Existing oil and gas leases, at the time the Natural
Resources Assistance Council approves the project,
will be treated as pre-existing easements. Thus, these
applications will be approved as submitted.
 Requests to engage in oil and gas leasing on Clean
Ohio Properties that have been acquired along with
the mineral rights will be denied.
 Requests to engage in these activities on Clean Ohio
Properties acquired with a third party holding the
mineral rights will be dealt with on a case by case
basis in conjunction with the OPWC’s legal counsel

26. DISTRICT 1 NRAC
REQUIREMENTS
 A certified appraisal done by an ODOT Prequalified Appraiser
must be included.
 A resolution of support from appropriate legislative authority
must be included.
 Documentation of pending land transaction must be included.
 To be eligible for points, restoration work must comprise a
portion of the project scope, budget, or local match and
supporting documentation must be included
 If existing structures on the property are being acquired,
provide the appraised value, proportion of value to the overall
value, and the intended actions for the structures (e.g.
demolition, re-use)

27. APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS
 A certified appraisal must be included.
 Appraisals must be done by an Ohio Department of
Transportation Prequalified Appraiser, who is
credentialed in value analysis.
 http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Engineering/RealEstate/P
ages/LPA.aspx
 http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Engineering/Consultant/
Consultant/prequal-row.pdf
 The project will not be evaluated if the appraisals and
supporting documentation is not attached.

28. RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT
Applicants must include a resolution(s) of support
with the project application unless the applicant is a
park district.
 Except as otherwise provided in the ORC, a copy of a
resolution supporting the project from each county in which
the proposed project is to be conducted
 All resolutions from Cuyahoga County will be read on at least
two (2) separate regular Council meetings
 In between readings, the resolutions will be heard in
committee. A staff member from your organization should plan
to be present at the committee hearing.
 Alison Ball of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission will
assist applicants through the process.
 Resolution requests are due by November 5, 2014 at 4:30PM.

29. DOCUMENTATION OF LAND
TRANSACTION
Applications must include one of the following:
 A Fully executed contract with the owner (signed
purchase agreement).
 A contract (purchase agreement that does not
have all the signatures)
 A letter/memorandum of understanding.
Applications that utilizes confidentiality agreements
in lieu of purchase agreements will not be evaluated.

30. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES
In order to receive points restoration MUST comprise a portion of the
project scope, budget, or local match and supporting documentation
must be included.
Examples of restoration components:
 The project reduces or eliminates nonnative, invasive species of
plants or animals.
 The project restores, or improves one or more of the following:
aquatic biological communities, headwater streams, functioning
floodplains, water quality, natural stream channels, stream bank
erosion or buffer zones, and streamside forests.
 The project reforests land and/or restores plants or vegetation,
and/or eliminates impervious surfaces to improve water quality.
 The project restores steep hillsides

31. MINERAL RIGHTS
In accordance with the OPWC guidelines regarding gas
and oil leasing, NRAC will award 10 bonus points for
projects that acquire and maintain available mineral, oil,
gas and/or extraction rights as part of the property
acquisition.
Applicants must indicate whether:
 The current landowner will retain the mineral rights;
 The mineral rights will be purchased and transferred
to another entity; or
 The mineral rights will be purchased and maintained
District One NRAC will not approve projects that utilize
Clean Ohio Funds to purchase parcels with active gas and
oil wells.

32. APPLICATION SUBMITTAL to
NRAC
 Must submit 1 original, noted as such in the upper
right-hand corner, and 12 copies.
 Copies to be submitted:
 13 Hard copies – double sided;
 1 Digitally on compact disc or flash drive.
 Materials must be typed using at least an 11 point font,
and have page numbers at the bottom of each page.
 All copies should be stapled or clipped on the left-hand
corner.

33. APPLICATION SUBMITTAL to
NRAC
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all of
the documents are accurate and complete and in
accordance with the requirements, terms, and
conditions set down by OPWC and the District One
NRAC. Failure to meet these conditions will result in
the disqualification of a project.
INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE
EVALUATED BY THE NRAC.

34. APPLICATION AND PROJECT
EVALUATION

35. OPWC APPLICATION
Important points.
 Financial Information – Page 2
 Financial Resources – Page 2
 Project Schedule – Page 3
 Project Description – Page 4
 Project Officials – Page 5
 Attachments – Page 6
http://www.pwc.state.oh.us/Documents/PWC0002.pdf

36. NRAC APPLICATION
 Relates directly to the NRAC Evaluation
Methodology.
 Used along with the OPWC Application to review
projects.
 Applicant is responsible for making sure all
documents are complete, accurate and submitted
on January 9, by 4:30PM.
 Screened for eligibility prior to evaluation.

37. PROJECT EVALUATION
The Evaluation Process is divided into three major
components:
Phase 1: Project Eligibility
Phase 2: Preliminary Project Scoring (includes Applicant
Interviews) and Public Meeting
Phase 3: Final Project Scoring and Recommendations to
OPWC

38. PROJECT CHECKLIST
REQUIREMENT YES NO N/A PAGE #
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Completed Application Received by Friday, January 9, 2015.
Appropriate Resolution of Support Included (ORC164.23(B))
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Confirmation of availability of property by:
Letter of Intent
Purchase Agreement
Certified appraisal by credentialed ODOT Prequalified Appraiser:
Self-contained Appraisal Report
Summary Appraisal Report
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer’s Property Valuation.
PROPERTY COSTS
Purchase Price of Property
Seller of Property
Purchaser of Property
RESTORATION
Restoration is Part of the Project Scope

39. PROJECT EVALUATION
The NRAC Application Supplement has six major sections that
are scored:
Section One: Project Emphasis
Section Two: Project Description
Section Three: County Principles
Section Four: Project Benefits
Section Five: Needs Of The District
Section Six: Other Relevant Factors

40. PROJECT EMPHASIS
 Based on the factors stated in authorizing legislation
 Indicate each factor that will be achieved by the project
 Check as many as apply in one category
EXAMPLE: Open space project will acquire property identified in the city’s
open space plan and will preserve a high quality wetland that will be used
by the city’s school district as a hands-on science laboratory; then all
three factors should be checked.
NO POINTS AWARDED

41. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
 Project Name
 Type of Project
 Acquisition of land
 Acquisition of land/facilities for accessibility
 Riparian Corridor restoration
 Appraisal or Conservation Value
 Provide no more than a three-page project description
that includes a map showing the project location(s) and
the local setting.
NO POINTS AWARDED

42. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Types of Acquisition:
 Project site must be secured in perpetuity.
 Land Securement Tools -
 Fee simple: Absolute title to the land, free of any conditions,
easements, limitations, encumbrances, or other claims against
the title such that a property owner can sell the property or
leave it to another by will or inheritance.
 Conservation Easement: a right or interest in land that is held
for the public purpose of retaining land, water, or wetland areas
predominantly in their natural, scenic, open, or wooded
condition. Recorded as a deed restriction.

43. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Appraisal:
 Certified appraisal from an ODOT Prequalified
Appraiser who is credentialed in value analysis
 Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer’s property
valuation:
 Purchase Price of Property:
 Seller of Property:
 Purchaser of Property:
 Is this a bargain sale, in which purchase price is
less than the appraised value?

44. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Map Example: Abram Creek Wetland
Protection Area
Identify:
 Project site
 Property lines
 Community
boundaries
 Surrounding areas
 Local roads, major
buildings or
institutions

45. COUNTY PRINCIPLES
 Foundation of the NRAC methodology.
•Preserve •Enhance •Provide
•Restore •Link
 Identify the principle(s) that will be advanced by the project.
 Describe how the project will achieve the identified
principles.
 Project must include restoration as a part of the project
scope, budget or local match if it is to be eligible for
restoration points.
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10 POINTS PER PRINCIPLE

46. PROJECT BENEFITS
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Explain the economic benefits that apply:
 Improving a community’s image
 Increasing the value of surrounding property
 Adding amenities that retain and attract businesses and
property owners
 Reducing blighted images
 Decreasing the cost of municipal services
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

47. PROJECT BENEFITS
SOCIAL BENEFITS
Explain the individual and community benefits that apply:
 Protecting and improving human health
 Creating educational opportunities
 Providing for communal activities and social interaction
 Creating exercise opportunities
 Enhancing the cultural and civic assets of an area
 Maintaining the history and heritage of an area
 Providing psychological benefits
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

48. PROJECT BENEFITS
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Explain the ecological benefits of acquiring, conserving and/or
restoring the project:
 Improving biodiversity and protecting plants and animals
 Creating wildlife habitats
 Removing invasive species
 Conserving energy and reducing “heat island” effects
 Cleaning urban water, land and air
 Reducing stormwater runoff and improving water infiltration
and sequestration
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

49. NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT
Will the Project…
 Advance a Concept from an Adopted Plan?
 Be of Regional or County Significance?
 Retain Parts of the County’s Natural Heritage?
 Provide Openspace to Areas that Lack Access?
 Provide Openspace to Low-Income Minority
Neighborhoods?
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

50. OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS
Other Project Funding:
 Each project requires a minimum 25% local match
 Points awarded based on percentage of local match – the
higher the local match the higher the points.
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10
Level of Coordination:
 Project is coordinated with another NRAC project.
 Another community, federal/state agency, community or
conservation organization, or a business group.
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10

51. OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS
Readiness to Proceed:
 Project will be ready-to-go within 6 months or 1 year.
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10
MAXIMUM 10 BONUS POINTS
Immediacy:
 Project requires immediate action or the conservation
opportunity will be lost.

52. OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS
Mineral rights are emerging as a major influence on property values.
Explain what property rights will be conveyed by the terms of
purchase of land or conservation easement, specifically in regards to
mineral and extraction rights.
 The date of any pre-existing lease or similar agreement on the
mineral rights, including oil, gas and/or extraction leases and if
the lease or agreement allows for surface disturbance within the
property.
 Property Rights:
 Explain if the current landowner will retain the mineral rights;
 The mineral rights will be purchased and transferred to another entity; or
 The mineral rights will be purchased and maintained.
10 BONUS POINTS

53. NRAC EVALUATION POINTS
CRITERIA MAXIMUM POINTS
WEIGHT
FACTOR
MAXIMUM WEIGHTED
POINTS
%
County Principles
Preserves 10 3 30 11.5
Restores 10 2 20 7.5
Enhances 10 2 20 7.5
Links Areas 10 3 30 11.5
Provides Access 10 2 20 7.5
Principles Subtotal 50 120 45.5

54. NRAC EVALUATION POINTS
CRITERIA MAXIMUM
POINTS
WEIGHT
FACTOR
MAXIMUM
WEIGHTED
POINTS
%
Benefits
Economic 10 1 10 4.0
Social 10 2 20 7.5
Environmental 10 3 30 11.5
Benefits Subtotal 30 60 23.0
Needs of the District 10 3 30 11.5

55. NRAC EVALUATION POINTS
CRITERIA MAXIMUM
POINTS
WEIGHT
FACTOR
MAXIMUM
WEIGHTED
POINTS
%
Other Relevant Factors
Other Project Funding 10 1 10 4.0
Level of Coordination 10 1 10 4.0
Readiness to Proceed 10 1 10 4.0
Immediacy (bonus) 10 1 10 4.0
Property Rights 10 1 10 4.0
Other Subtotal 50 50 16.0
TOTAL* 140 260 100
*PROJECTS MUST RECEIVE A SCORE OF AT LEAST 60% or 156 WEIGHTED POINTS
OF THE TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.

56. New for Round 9
 Include Page #s
 Project Eligibility Checklist
 Appraisals
 Certified ODOT Prequalified Appraiser who is
Credentialed in Value Analysis
 County Auditor’s Valuation
 Purchase Price
 Restoration Points
 Readiness to Proceed
 Mineral Rights Disclosure for Bonus Points

57. ROUND 9
APPLICATION DUE DATE
To be considered for financial assistance,
application must be received by:
4:30 P.M. FRIDAY, January 9, 2015at
at the
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
2079 East 9th Street, Suite 5-300
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 443-3700

58. ROUND 9 SCHEDULE
ACTIVITY DATE
Applicant Workshop Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Applications Due to NRAC Friday, January 9, 2015
Preliminary Screening January 12 – 23, 2015
Project Evaluation January 23 – February 20, 2015
NRAC Applicant Interviews Wednesday, February 25 & Friday February 27, 2015
NRAC Scoring Meeting Wednesday, March 18, 2015
NRAC Project Selection Wednesday, March 25, 2015
OPWC Approval of Projects April 2015
ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

59. CONTACT INFORMATION
Clean Ohio Conservation Program contact:
Lou Mascari, Program Representative
Ohio Public Works Commission
(614) 752-8117
lou.mascari@pwc.state.oh.us
Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council contact:
Alison Ball
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
(216) 443-3727
aball@cuyahogacounty.us

60. QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS