This document provides information about an upcoming workshop on applying for funding from the Clean Ohio Conservation Program in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The workshop agenda includes overviews of the statewide Clean Ohio program, the local Cuyahoga County Conservation Program, and requirements for the upcoming Round 8 applications. Additional details are provided on Clean Ohio funding sources and policies, example project types, eligible applicants, and the application review process. The goal of the workshop is to help potential applicants understand the programs and apply successfully for funding to preserve open spaces and natural areas in Cuyahoga County.

1. CUYAHOGA COUNTY
NATURAL RESOURCES
ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
CLEAN OHIO
CONSERVATION
APPLICANT WORKSHOP
ROUND 8
October 31, 2013 Canalway Visitor Center

2. AGENDA
1.
Overview of the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation
Program



2.
The Cuyahoga County Conservation Program Natural
Resources Assistance Council (NRAC)



3.
Statewide and District 1
Purpose
Program Requirements
Applications
Evaluation Methodology
Round 8 Application Requirements
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

4. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION Statewide
From 2000-2013:
UPDATE Info below:
 812 Projects were funded
 $235.4 million have been awarded
 Area protected:
 64,400
acres of natural areas and
greenspace

5. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION –
OPWC Policies for Round 8
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 8 applications will be required
to have a certified appraisal performed by an
Ohio Department of Transportation
Prequalified Appraiser


6. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION –
OPWC Policies for Round 8

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

7. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION –
OPWC Policies for Round 8
OPWC POLICY REGARDING 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

8. CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATIONCuyahoga County
From 2000- Present:
79 Projects were submitted
 44 Projects have been funded
 $21.5 million have been awarded
Area Protected:
 934 acres of natural areas and
greenspace
 12,000 lineal feet of riparian corridors


9. PURPOSE
Forested Bank on the
Chagrin River
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.

10. TYPES OF
PROJECTS
Mill Creek Area Vistas
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.

11. Category 3 Forested Wetland
TYPES OF
PROJECTS
RIPARIAN
CORRIDORS
 Fee simple acquisition
Riparian Trail –Chagrin River
Reservation
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.

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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. ROUND 8 FUNDING

Funds Available.







Round 8 Allocation - $3,473,293
Available balance - $ 24,881
Total
$3,498,174
Awards – grants only.
Maximum grant award – 75% of
Total Project Cost.
25% Local Match Required.
No limit to the amount requested.

16. LOCAL MATCH

Can be: funds
 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.

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

18. CUYAHOGA COUNTY
CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Hemlock Ravine Slopes
at Beecher’s Brook
Solomon’s Seal
wildflower at Beecher’s
Brook

19. 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

20. CUYAHOGA COUNTY
NRAC MEMBERSHIP
Member
Representing
DAVID BEACH
Environment
Director, GreenCityBlueLake Institute
KYLE DREYFUSS WELLS, SECRETARY
Environment
Environmental Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
CARRIE HANSEN
Park System
Manager, Research and Planning City of Cleveland, Mayor’s Office of
Capital Projects
DOROTHY HAZEL
Soil and Water Conservation District
Board Member, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District
HONORABLE MICHAEL PROCUK
Government
Mayor, Village of Brooklyn Heights
HONORABLE SUSAN RENDA, CHAIR
Mayor, Village of Moreland Hills
District One Public Works Integrating Committee
(DOPWIC)
NATALIE RONAYNE, VICE CHAIR
Environment
Executive Director, Cleveland Botanical Garden
JENNIFER SCOFIELD
Government
Cuyahoga County Stat Coordinator, Office of County Executive Edward
FitzGerald
DONNA STUNIARZ
Park System
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Cleveland Metroparks
CAROL THALER
Agriculture
Representative, Western Reserve Resource, Conservation & Development
District
CHRISTOPHER URBAN
Business, Realtors, Planning

21. 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.
Existing Open Spaces
 Fragmented
 Not always accessible
to the public
 Some are degraded/
destroyed by pollution
and mismanagement
 Others abandoned due to poor
planning and outmigration

22. DISTRICT ONE 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.

23. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES



Restoration MUST be accompanied by
acquisition of land for protection
Restoration activities MUST be included in the
project budget to be eligible for restoration
points.
Examples of restoration components:
Returning the open space to a natural state;
 Ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the
species (flora/fauna) are both native and resilient;
 Integrate the community’s cultural heritage; and
 Provide opportunities for cultural and ecological
relationships.


24. PROJECT APPLICATION AND
SELECTION PROCESS

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

26. APPLICATION MATERIALS
5. 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
6. Documentation of pending land transaction, e.g.
purchase agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of
understanding if applying for open space acquisition.
7. Maps and other Documents as needed.
8. A compact disc or flash drive with items 1 and 2; as
well as all supporting documentation.
A Glossary of Terms is also available.

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/Engineer
ing/RealEstate/Pages/LPA.aspx
 http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Engineer
ing/Consultant/Consultant/prequal-row.pdf
 The project will not be evaluated if the
appraisals and supporting documentation is
not attached.


28. RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT





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 15,
2013 at 4:30PM.

29. APPLICATION SUBMITTAL to
NRAC
 Must
submit 1 original 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 font.
 All copies should be bound on the lefthand side.

30. PROJECT EVALUATION AND
SCORING

31. APPLICATION SPECIFICS
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

32. APPLICATION SPECIFICS
NRAC APPLICATION SUPPLEMENT
 Relates directly to the NRAC Evaluation
Methodology.
 Used along with the OPWC Application to
review projects.
 Applicant is responsible in making sure all
documents are complete and accurate.

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

34. 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

35. Section 1. PROJECT EMPHASIS
Page 2:
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.
NO POINTS AWARDED

36. Section 2. PROJECT
DESCRIPTION
Page 3:


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

37. Section 2. PROJECT
DESCRIPTION (cont).
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.

38. Section 2. PROJECT
DESCRIPTION (cont).
Map Example: Abram Creek Wetland
Protection Area
Identify:
 Project site
 Property lines
 Community
boundaries
 Surrounding
areas
 Local roads,
major buildings or
institutions

39. Section 3. COUNTY
PRINCIPLES
Page 4:

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.
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10 POINTS PER PRINCIPLE

40. Section 4. PROJECT BENEFITS
Page 5: 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

41. Section 4. PROJECT BENEFITS
(cont.)
Page 5: 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

42. Section 4. PROJECT BENEFITS
(cont.)
Page 5: ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Explain the ecological benefits of acquiring, conserving
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

43. Section 5. NEEDS OF THE
DISTRICT
Page 6:
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

44. Section 6. OTHER RELEVANT
FACTORS
Page 7:
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

45. Section 6. OTHER PROJECT
FACTORS
Page 7:
Readiness to Proceed:
Project will be ready-to-go within 6 months or 1 year.
MAXIMUM POINTS - 10
Immediacy:
Project requires immediate action or the conservation
opportunity will be lost.
MAXIMUM 10 BONUS POINTS

46. Section 6. OTHER PROJECT
FACTORS
Page 7:
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.
MAXIMUM 10 BONUS POINTS

47. Reminders for Round 8:
 Appraisals
ODOT Pre-approved
 County Auditor’s Valuation

 Restoration
Points
 Mineral Rights Disclosure for Bonus Points

48. 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
120
45.5
Principles Subtotal
50

49. 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
60
23.0
30
11.5
Benefits Subtotal
30
Needs of the District
10
3

50. NRAC EVALUATION POINTS
CRITERIA
MAXIMUM
POINTS
MAXIMUM
WEIGHTED
POINTS
WEIGHT
FACTOR
%
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
50
16.0
Other Subtotal
TOTAL*
50
140
260 100
*PROJECTS MUST RECEIVE A SCORE OF AT LEAST 60% or 156
WEIGHTED POINTS OF THE TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE TO BE

51. ROUND 8
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION DUE DATE:
To be considered for financial assistance,
application must be received by:
4:30 P.M. FRIDAY, January 10, 2014 at
at the
Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
2429 Superior Viaduct
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 443-3700
(216) 443-3737 (FAX)

52. ROUND 8 SCHEDULE
ACTIVITY
DATE
Applicant Workshop
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Applications Due to NRAC
2014
Friday, Janaury10,
Project Evaluation
February 7, 2014
Janaury13 –
NRAC Applicant Interviews
2014
Week of January 27,
NRAC Scoring Meeting
2014
Wednesday, February 26,
NRAC Project Selection
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Proposal Submitted to OPWC
2014
Week of March 17,
OPWC Approval of Projects
April 2014
DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

53. 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

54. QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS