Arizona Water Protection Fund Grant Application Guidelines Request For Comments

Arizona Water Protection Fund Grant Application Guidelines Request For Comments
The Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) is a competitive state grant program that provides money to interested parties for maintaining, enhancing and restoring river and riparian resources throughout Arizona, including projects that benefit fish and wildlife that are dependent on these important resources. The distribution of grant funds from the AWPF is authorized pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2101 et seq. and is overseen by the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission (Commission). The program is administered through the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
 
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2105 et seq. the Commission is required to develop guidelines for applicants for funding, and is seeking input from interested landowners, state and federal agencies, local government entities, non-profit organizations, and the general public.
 
Specifically, the Commission is requesting comments related to:
 
  • Current grant application structure and processes, and suggestions on streamlining and/or simplifying the grant application;
  • Geographic areas in the state where protection and restoration should be prioritized (e.g., particular watersheds or streams; feature categories such as stream headwaters; etc.);
  • Issues of concern that the AWPF should focus on across the state or in specific areas;
  • Types of measures to address the issues of concerns identified;
  • Relevant science related to designing and implementing effective riparian and watershed protection and restoration projects; and
  • Published technical articles and experience with applied conservation/restoration practices with upper watershed and forest treatment projects that provide water quality and quantity benefits.
 
The most recent version of the AWPF grant application may reviewed online at www.azwpf.gov or at the Arizona Department of Water Resources office (address listed below).
 
A public hearing to receive comments will be held on February 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the following location:
 
Arizona Department of Water Resources
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite #310
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Conference Room 3175A-B
 
Any person may appear at the public hearing, either in person or by representative, and submit oral or written comments. Persons presenting comments at the hearing may be subject to a time limit to ensure all who wish to speak receive an opportunity to do so. If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation to participate equally at this public hearing, contact Sharon Scantlebury at (602) 771-8472 or [email protected]. Please make requests as soon as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
 
Written comments not submitted at the public hearing may be submitted during the 45-day public comment period, which begins January 8, 2020 and ends February 21, 2020 at 5 p.m. Written public comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., on February 21, 2020. Written comments can be hand-delivered, or sent via email or fax. If mailed, written comments must be postmarked no later than February 21, 2020. Please send written comments electronically or in writing to:
 

ARIZONA WATER PROTECTION FUND ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Mailing Address
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Attn: Reuben Teran
P.O. Box 36020
Phoenix Arizona 85067
Fax: (602) 771-8687
 
Physical Address
Arizona Department of Water Resources
Attn: Reuben Teran
1110 West Washington Street, Suite 310
Phoenix, Arizona 85007