Section 173-321-050. Application evaluation criteria.

(1) Except for emergency grants which will be reviewed and evaluated by the department within twenty working days of receipt of the application, all other grant applications received will be reviewed and evaluated by the department within thirty working days after the close of the regular grant application period. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. Applications will be ranked according to how each application meets the criteria set forth below. Grants will be awarded, within the limits of available funds, to the highest ranking applications. The department may fund all or portions of eligible grant applications.

(2) Priority consideration for public participation grant funding will be given to:

(a) Applicants requesting a hazardous substance release grant;

(b) New applicants; and

(c) Applicants that demonstrate the ability to provide accurate technical information on complex waste management issues.

(3) General criteria. All public participation grants will be evaluated against the following criteria:

(a) The type and extent of the applicant group's past history and experience conducting activities similar to those described in the grant application;

(b) The group's basic funding, with consideration given to groups with limited resources;

(c) The group's ability to appropriately manage grant funds;

(d) Except for emergency grants, if more than one group is interested in the same project, priority consideration will be given to groups who consolidate;

(e) Availability of funding sources for the project;

(f) Past performance under a public participation grant;

(g) The group's ability to define the environmental issue and identify what changes will occur in the problem as a result of the project; and

(h) Demonstration of the use of Bennett's hierarchy or similar methodology with a focus on outcome and clear commitment to follow through to end results.

(4) Special criteria.

(a) Hazardous substance release grants. Hazardous substance release grants, including emergency grants, will be evaluated against the following criteria:

(i) The degree to which the applicant group may be adversely or potentially adversely impacted by the release or threatened release of the hazardous substance, including but not limited to adverse or potential adverse impacts to surface and drinking waters, soils, flora or fauna, species diversity, air quality, property values, marketability of agricultural crops, and recreational areas;

(ii) The degree to which the applicant group represents the environmental, health, and economic interests of individual group members;

(iii) The degree to which the proposed project will promote public participation in the investigation or remediation of the release or threatened release of the hazardous substance.

(b) Waste management priorities grants. Waste management priorities grants will be evaluated against the following criteria:

(i) The degree to which the proposed public participation activity will promote or implement the state solid or hazardous waste management priorities;

(ii) The degree to which the proposed project will facilitate public understanding of the state solid and hazardous waste management priorities;

(iii) The degree to which the proposed public participation activities are consistent with or improve upon existing solid or hazardous waste management plans.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.105D RCW. WSR 01-05-024 (Order 97-09A), § 173-321-050, filed 2/12/01, effective 3/15/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.080 and chapter 70.105D RCW. WSR 90-18-065 (Order 90-20), § 173-321-050, filed 9/4/90, effective 10/5/90. Statutory Authority: 1989 c 2. WSR 89-21-072 (Order 89-26), § 173-321-050, filed 10/17/89, effective 11/17/89.]

Chapter 70.105D RCW. WSR 01-05-024 (Order 97-09A), § 173-321-050, filed 2/12/01, effective 3/15/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.080 and chapter 70.105D RCW. WSR 90-18-065 (Order 90-20), § 173-321-050, filed 9/4/90, effective 10/5/90. Statutory Authority: 1989 c 2. WSR 89-21-072 (Order 89-26), § 173-321-050, filed 10/17/89, effective 11/17/89.