District 14 Clean Ohio program offers $4.3 million for green space projects

Natural areas enhance the quality of life within a community by providing spaces to be active or relax outdoors. A total of $4,375,509 in funding for such improvements is available through the Ohio Public Works Commission District 14 Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program.

OPWC District 14 serves Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties within the OMEGA region. The District 14 Natural Resource Assistance Council is made up of local officials from across the eight counties and is responsible for selecting projects eligible to receive funding from the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program.

Eligible projects include green space acquisition, protection or enhancement of river and stream corridors, and environmental conservation.

There are two categories of projects available through the program. An applicant must complete a property acquisition with Clean Ohio funds to be eligible for activities in a future round under Part B.

Part A: Property Acquisition

—Fee simple purchase of land for conservation of open space or riparian corridors.

—Placing a conservation easement on land for conservation of open space or riparian corridors.

Part B: Planning and Implementation

—Appraisal, closing costs and title search.

—Environmental assessment.

—Adding or enhancing structures or enhancements specified in the deed or easement.

—Permitting, legal documentation and necessary advertising.

Applicants should see the District 14 Clean Ohio methodology for full details.

A project can receive up to 75% of the estimated total project cost, with a 25% local match required. Local match can be provided as contributions of cash, other state funds, and other agency funds including federal, state or local funds, as well as donations by any individual, local political subdivision or the federal government.

Local match also can include in-kind contributions through the purchase or donation of equipment, land, easements, interest in land, or labor and materials necessary to complete the project. Prepaid engineering or right-of-way costs paid by the recipient before the project agreement may either be reimbursed, up to one year before the date of the agreement, or credited toward the local match. Construction costs cannot be prepaid.

The District 14 Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program opened June 1, with prescreening forms due July 24. The program will close Sept. 25.

For more information email NRAC District 14 liaison Ben Turin at bturin@omegadistrict.org or call 412-417-7328.