250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-170-05-1.7

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-170-05-1.7 - Project Categories and Eligible Costs

A. Proposed climate resilience projects must demonstrate that a project conducts on-the-ground implementation, not solely research or planning. Climate resilience projects shall be designed to demonstrate tangible, on-the ground solutions to climate driven challenges facing RI communities, both inland and coastal.

1. Applications for funds to support resilience planning processes will not be considered. Necessary resilience planning processes that have identified possible resilience projects should be completed before the project start date. However, projects that have a minor amount of planning remaining that is needed to inform final siting or design of climate resilience projects may be considered.

2. Climate resilience projects that involve the acquisition of land shall be considered so long as the acquisition is deemed part (50 percent or less) of the overall cost of the project. Projects focused solely on land acquisition will not be considered.

3. Climate resilience projects whose primary purpose is to undertake scientific research, data analyses or vulnerability assessments will not be considered. However, funds can be utilized for data collection as part of monitoring activities to track progress and determine the effectiveness of the implemented climate resilience project.

B. Climate resilience projects should show a clear nexus between climate change impacts to the ecological health of the area that is the subject of the application and the proposed resilience actions and outcomes. Applications for funds should highlight:

1. the specific climate change impacts that the project is designed to address;

2. both the expected near-term ( 0-10 years) and long-term ( 10-25 years) benefits to improve ecosystems and community resilience; and

3. how the project is consistent with state resilience plans, local hazard mitigation plans, and all applicable laws.

1.7.1Project Categories

A. The following categories of grants will be considered either alone or in combination:

1. Removal, Relocation or Redesign of Infrastructure - engineering and construction projects to redesign, relocate or remove vulnerable facilities and infrastructure (e.g., culverts, dams, buildings/facilities, roadways/evacuation routes in both coastal and riverine areas) to protect and preserve function over the design life of the infrastructure or eliminate risk by removing the structure, given projected climate change impacts (e.g. increasing precipitation, sea level rise and increasing temperatures).

2. Nature-Based Solutions - projects that protect or enhance Rhode Island's natural systems in the face of projected climate change impacts. Projects can include green infrastructure projects that utilize vegetation and pervious surfaces to manage coastal, riverine, and inland flooding, erosion and storm damage. Projects can also include the restoration of natural shorelines and riparian habitats so as to enhance the protection of communities.

1.7.2Project Costs

A. Specifically, the following types of costs are eligible to receive grant monies from the Fund pursuant to these regulations:

1. Environmental consulting.

2. Engineering consulting.

3. Plantings, reforestation, landscaping.

4. Construction.

5. Materials.

6. Professional survey services.

7. Land acquisition in accordance with § 1.7(A) of this Part.

8. Monitoring.

9. Personnel costs directly related to the performance of the project.

10. Community engagement.

B. Types of costs that are ineligible to receive grant monies from the Fund include:

1. Pre-award costs, unless incurred within ninety (90) days of application approval and pre-approved by the Department.

2. Administrative costs including clerical support, monthly utility expenses, the purchase of office equipment, personnel costs associated with fund raising for the nongovernmental entity, etc.

3. State or federal lobbying costs, penalties or fines.

4. Land acquisition activities that do not meet the requirements set forth in § 1.7(A) of this Part.

5. Response costs for emergency response actions caused or exacerbated solely by the applicant or their agents or assigns.

6. Proposed projects associated with unresolved litigation (administrative or judicial) with the Department or conditions or activities that have violated or are violating statutes or regulations administered by the Department shall be ineligible to receive Fund monies without the express written consent of the Director and the resolution of said litigation or violation(s).

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-170-05-1.7

Adopted effective 12/29/2019