Section I. Project impact information: (48 points total)
** Sections I and II focus on the actual project the funds are being applied for. **
NOTE: If the project is being developed in stages, describe here only the impact of the phase for which you are currently applying for LWCF grant money.
1. Project contributes to meeting the recreation need shown by local/regional/state planning; has documented community support consistent with local priorities. (0-6 points)
Sponsor should provide evidence (refer to specific items in plan) of project support in local, regional, or state comprehensive or recreation plans, or community planning.
2. Project provides for new, rehabilitated, or expanded access to natural water bodies. (0-3 points)
0-does not apply; 1-provides availability to water; 2-rehab/expand water facilities; 3-project provides new facilities for direct access and/or use of a water body.
3. Project increases accessibility to facilities and services for people with disabilities; involves persons with disabilities in the project development and design. (0-6 points)
All projects must be in compliance with state and federal regulations. Explain if project incorporates Universal Design features, etc. Explain if the project involves persons with disabilities in the design and development of the project.
4. Project establishes, improves, or expands areas and/or facilities. This may include land acquisition, support facilities, rehabilitation of existing facilities, additional acres, and new facilities. (0-7 points)
0-involves existing support facilities; 1- primarily involves new support facilities; 2-involves rehabilitation of recreation facilities; 3 to 5-involves increase of land or facilities; 6 to 7-involves both land and facilities.
(Support facilities may include such items as toilets, parking lots, pavilions, etc.)
5. Project will provide additional public recreation use. (0-8 points)
Points are awarded based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to: various population segments served (e.g. demographic groups); project helps diffuse impacts of an otherwise overused area; project helps to mitigate conflicts of use, or project helps to provide currently unavailable or underserved recreational use(s).
6. Project has multi-season use. (0-4 points)
1-one season; 2- two or three seasons; 3- year round; 1 additional point for a year-round management/maintenance/stewardship plan.
7. Project has broad commitment and partnerships in place for the development, use and management/stewardship of the site. (0-6 points)
Sponsor should document local commitment and partnerships. Broad commitment might be represented by support and cooperation among different community boards and committees (e.g. recreation committee, conservation commission, planning board, etc). Partnerships might consist of multi-community partnerships, joint school/community agreements, and community/non-profit partnerships.
8. Project provides for recreation or open space linkages or improves connectivity between community resources. (0-5 points)
Sponsor should document if project improves recreational linkages in a community (e.g. bicycle/pedestrian linkages) such as between residences, recreational facilities, schools, downtown, existing conservation areas, etc.
9. Project demonstrates solid connections with other community initiatives. (0-3 points)
Explain if, for instance, the project helps improve or promote community efforts focused on improving physical activity and health and wellness; the project is part of education and information efforts aimed at improving awareness and understanding of recreational users (e.g. messages might be focused on responsible use, natural resource education, physical fitness, etc); or, the project is part of a larger effort focused on principals of bicycle/pedestrian (alternative transportation) linkages, etc.
Section II. Resource Protection and Stewardship: (12 points total)
10. Project helps preserve, protect, and interpret critical natural or cultural/historic resources as appropriate.
(0-4 points)
Sponsor should provide evidence of critical nature of resources or significance of the resource as shown by local, regional or state plans. Critical nature of resources are determined by the following measures:
- Identifiable features such as prime wetland; topography; identified in local histories or planning documents; locally designated historic resources.
- Of State significance as identified by the NH Natural Heritage Inventory program and the NH State Register of Historic Places.
- Eligible for inclusion in the National Natural or Historic Landmark program or National Register for Historic Places.
- Protects rare and endangered plant or animal species and/or habitat communities and endangered archeological sites.
Sponsor should also provide evidence:
- That the project helps to protect resources particularly threatened by land use change.
- Of its proximity to other protected resources.
- That the project helps create linkages between other protected resources (helps create corridors, greenways, etc.).
11. Project development plan identifies environmental, natural, and historic/cultural resources and provides a stewardship plan. (0-4 points)
The sponsor should provide information if, for example, the project makes use of environmentally friendly designs or materials, uses energy efficient systems, or uses native vegetation; or if the project helps to protect ecologically or culturally historic sensitive areas by use of interpretive signage or other appropriate messages.
12. Project has a proposed stewardship plan or operations and maintenance plan outlined. (0-4 points)
Sponsor should provide a brief overview explaining main components of a future stewardship/operations and maintenance plan that will be prepared for the project.
If natural areas/lands or cultural/historic resources are involved, sponsor has outlined components of a stewardship plan for the long-term management of lands that are part of this project. If facilities are involved, sponsor has outlined components of an operation and maintenance plan for the long-term management of recreational facilities that are part of this project.
Section III. Community support and commitment: (This section focuses on the community's support of recreation and conservation in general, not the project specifically.) (15 points total)
13. Community has identifiable support for recreational opportunities including; reasonable recreation budget, reasonable park maintenance budge, broad citizen involvement, paid recreation staff, paid conservation staff, recreation commission or conservation commission. (0-6 points)
14. Contributions to community opportunities for participation in public or private recreation/conservation programs for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other special needs populations. (0-5 points)
15. Sponsor has shown sound stewardship of existing facilities and protected lands. (0- 4 points)
Entity responsible for stewardship can demonstrate capability and capacity for stewardship on existing lands/facilities. Sufficient funds or partnerships exist to provide for long-term stewardship.
Section IV. Demographic Information:
To be answered by Applicant (Information provided by applicant will be included as part of Staff evaluation of criteria #25.)
- Land and Water Conservation Fund project sites are open to all people, not just community residents. If you believe your project site will receive significantly more non-community residents than most local recreation areas, or if your project is being developed on a regional basis, please describe . If the project specifically includes more than one municipality (e.g. school districts, multi-community project), list all municipalities here.
To be answered by State staff using census data:
18. Population of community in which project is located.
19. Community population increase, by number of persons.
20. Community population rate of increase.
21. Community median family income.
Section V. Other Considerations (Questions will be answered by State Staff) (25 points total)
22. Prior use of Land and Water Conservation Fund by the applicant (from records of the Division of Parks and Recreation). (1-5 points)
1-has more than five past LWCF projects; 2-has used funds for three to four projects; 3-has used funds for two projects; 4-has had one project; 5-has never used funds before.
23. Existing facilities are well maintained. (0-3 points)
Determined by past LWCF inspections and by staff, after visit to community to inspect project and other recreation sites. This will involve various recreational/conservation facilities in community, not just project site.
24. Presentation of application. (0-5 points)
Major elements are completeness of application, adequacy of information provided, and organization (table of contents, tabs, cross-referencing supporting documents, highlighting pertinent text, etc).
25. Exceptional merit/opportunity of project. (0-12 points)
Based on information provided in application and Section IV above, as well as factors such as one-of-a-kind opportunity, multi-community or regional impact of project, or exceptional merit as related to the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).