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Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program

Watershed Management Grant

Application Support & TIPS


The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Staff have developed this tool to allow all applicants a fair and equal starting point for Watershed Management Grant (WMG) grant program applications. Guidance and examples are provided based on experience and feedback from previous application cycles.

What is an Activity and a Task?

An activity is the main action/goal to be accomplished with specific steps (task) and measurable outcomes (deliverables). The WMG program typically has two categories that activities align under.

1. Project or;

2. Capacity

Activities should meet a minimum criterion for funding.

1. Clearly defined; providing distinct resource/conservation goal(s).2. Appropriate Landowner/Stakeholder interest.3. Reasonable expectation of completion.

A task is a subset of an activity. Once you complete all assigned task(s) the Activity will successfully be accomplished. Each task should include resources to accomplish. A task should consider contracting principles of schedule/scope/deliverable that are tied to as specific budget.

For example,

The Montana Watershed

Activity- Drought Plan development, management, and implementation.

Task 1- Develop plan for drought planning process

Task 2- Community involvement

Task 3- Collect and compile watershed information and drought data

Task 4- Plan next phases of project

*Example is Project Activity.

The Montana Conservation District

Activity- Big Sky Watershed Corps Member and Support

Task 1- Outreach and Education

Task 2- Data Collection

Task 3- Survey Completion

Activity- Develop and print promotional materials

Task 1- Design draft/final products supporting capacity goals


Task 2- Print and deliver promotional materials

*Example is Capacity Building Activities

The Activity would then be deemed a Project/Planning or Capacity activity depending on the nature of the actions and task(s). Attachment A is a successful and funded application, please note the format and types of task used.

Qualifying Activity Categories

The WMG program goals are to provide financial support for the development and implementation of locally led watershed related project and capacity building activities. The intent of using the word “Project” is to qualify activities that are planned and designed to achieve a particular aim but not related to physical restoration. For example;

o Watershed Management planning activities that advances toward a resource conservation goal

o Development of natural resource management plans (i.e. WRP/Priority list) o Staff time related to activity planning and management o Data collection, public meetings and other tasks related to planning

At the project implementation level, DNRC would expect to see actions that engage stakeholders, communities and Watersheds in development of plans that will lead specific resource/conservation benefit.

Capacity activities are based on; the ability or power to do, experience, or understand Watershed orientated actions and the associated natural resource outcomes. DNRC supports activities that empower groups to make better decisions or multiply conservation impact. Examples include:

o Activities that improve organizational effectivenesso Grant writingo Hosting a Big Sky Watershed Corps member o Professional conference(s) and training events directly related to proposed

watershed management activitieso Materials necessary for proposed activities o Equipment purchases

There many approaches to conservation. The list provided are examples. If an approach is outside of the current guidance, please contact the WMG program manager for eligibility.

Match Funds


Another topic that has raised questions is the match requirements. DNRC asks for the whole project match, if multiple funding sources, in the application (only). This gives grant reviewers a sense of the total interest in a specific activity. Only in the application will you be asked to show all avenues of funding. During contracting and execution of a grant agreement, DNRC will then only ask for a match of the granted funds (if or when required). If you are requesting DNRC to purchase equipment, materials or supplies to support a project or develop capacity, a 50% match is required. If you are a non-sponsored entity (i.e. a non-profit without a governmental sponsor), a total match of the grant agreement will be required at 50%. Equipment purchases will be project specific and align with principles of MCA 85-1-601.

Example of a budget table for a Local government, state government, tribal government and sponsored non-profit entities:

Budget

Activity Task Category DescriptionWMG Budget Match Total

1 1 PlanningDevelop written plan for implementing drought plan $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00

1 2 Planning Community Engagement $7,000.00 $0.00 $7,000.00

1 3 Planning Compile and Collect data $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00

1 4 Planning Identify and Plan next steps $700.00 $0.00 $700.00

Sub-total $9,700.00 $0.00 $9,700.00

AdministrationGrant Administration and Reporting $970.00 $0.00 $970.00

Total $10,670.00 $0.00 $10,670.00

*DNRC will provide 100% reimbursement for eligible activities.


Attachment AWatershed Management Grant Example Application

This application was submitted by Park County Conservation District.

Application 64688 - DNRC Watershed Management Grants 2018 Round 1 - Final Application

66858 - Upper Yellowstone Watershed Drought Planning Project, Phase I. DNRC

BackgroundBackground Information

1. Describe mission/purpose: * The Park Conservation District's goal, in partnership with NRCS, is to guide Park County in the conservation and management of soil, water, cropland, grazing lands, weeds and small acreages by providing leadership in conservation planning, technical assistance, education resources, and resource management tools and inventories. The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group functions as a stakeholder group under the Conservation District. The Upper Yellowstone Watershed Basin is a collection of people who appreciate, or support, or participate in agricultural endeavors on any scale. We believe that agriculture involvement, as it is lived out by diverse individuals and operations, can and must be enhanced, preserved, and valued now and for posterity. We propose to safeguard our agriculture environment by protecting, improving, developing, harvesting, and efficiently using land, water, timber, and rangeland.

2. Describe organization: * The Park Conservation District office is located in Livingston, and the focus area of the organization is Park County, the Upper Yellowstone Watershed, and the Shields Valley Watershed. Pertinent commitments of the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Basin group include our desire to support and foster conservation and harvest practices with sustainable and beneficial use of agricultural resources. In addition, we seek to become better stewards of the land and water, through education and improved agricultural practices, and we work to preserve and improve water quality, stream banks, and fish habitat while efficiently using water. The purpose of the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group includes educating landowners and the public on issues facing the watershed, to inventory and document changes in the resource base, and to develop solutions to problems, which will protect agriculture while positively improving natural resources within the area. The Park Conservation District and the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group support developing a drought plan for the watershed and working collaboratively with key stakeholders to implement this process. The Watershed Group is currently going through organizational changes to further broaden its stakeholder base and update its bylaws to include language about specific planning to improve drought response and preparedness.

3. Organization Structure: * The Park Conservation District is a local government entity and has a board of five with a technical advisory member from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. The District currently has two staff members, a full time District Administrator and a part-time (20 hours/week) Watershed Coordinator. The Watershed Coordinator works with a Chair and Vice Chair to coordinate the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group, and committees have been formed to address specific issues or problems relative to the Watershed. Each committee elects a Chair who will be a member of the Executive Committee. The committees consist of the following: weed committee, range committee, water/irrigation committee, wildlife committee, stream stabilization committee, and technical advisory committee.


4. Describe the local stakeholders that participate in and/or support the activities and operations of your organization: * The local stakeholders that support and participate in the activities of the Park Conservation District and Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group are broad and include local landowners including ranchers, irrigators, and small parcel owners. Other active stakeholders include local business owners, members of regional conservation groups and nonprofit organizations, agencies such as Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and regional Forest Service employees, Montana State University Extension Service, as well as local schools and other local government entities.

5. Has organization received Watershed Management Grant(s) in the past? * No6. List organizations Watershed related activities from previous year. * Significant watershed

activities from the past year include the following: - Annual Agricultural Fair: educational agricultural and natural resource field event for local school kids.- Hired a new Watershed Coordinator, Ashley Lowrey. - Irrigation Development Project: Park Branch and Paradise canals in Park County were funded to install two water measuring systems along a stretch of their canals to measure water flow and water use rates throughout the year and develop better water management practices based on results from flow meters. - Cover Crop Project: Actively working with landowners in Park County to take steps to improve soil health and quality. The CD, in conjunction with MSU Extension, has put on a soil health workshop and the county has had several meetings that talked about cover crops in the area. Producers have taken steps to improve soil health through decreased tillage, better crop rotation practices, and other management techniques including the use of cover crops. This effort is part of a three-year effort to study cover crops in Park County and determine different ways they can be implemented.- Implemented Watershed Warriors Educational Program: The Watershed Warriors (WW) program is a classroom-based program consisting of 34 lessons that focus on Montana curriculum standards. Through WW students learn science and conservation by becoming aware about their watersheds. The goals from Watershed Warriors align directly with the benchmark science standards for 5th and 8th grade and engages young people in thinking critically about their local watersheds. WW provides students access to their local watershed, where they may not have had access before. East Side School in Livingston is currently in their 9th year of WW with close to 1,200 kids having experienced the program. - Russian Olive Eradication Project: The Park CD will use 223 funds toward the eradication of Russian Olive on 60 acres adjacent to the Yellowstone River in Park County.

7. Has your organization developed the following tools?

If your organization has a tool, complete the date that the tool was finalized. If the tool does not apply to your organization or your do not have the tool in place, leave the date field blank.

Watershed Restoration Plan

Last Updated:

Drought Plan

Last Updated:

501(c)(3) status

Last Updated:


Operations Manual

Last Updated: 01/01/2010

Organization Bylaws

Last Updated: 02/15/2018

Strategic Plan:

Last Update:

Watershed Management Grant Activity QuestionsGrant Title: * Upper Yellowstone Watershed Drought Planning Project, Phase I.

Tip: include the applicants name in the title (example): Blue River Watershed Strategic Drought Planning Document.

Activity Description 1. State briefly activity(s) this proposal will support: * Use following format: Activity 1- "name"/Purpose EX: Activity 1- Work plan management/Staff time to develop strategic work plan for 2 calendar years. Questions 2/3 will expand on details.

Activity 1: Drought Plan Development, Management and Implementation. Staff time to develop a strategic plan for implementing the initial steps of the drought planning process in the Upper Yellowstone Watershed.

2. Will activity(s) support organization planning process? *

Yes

If yes, describe activity: Examples of qualified activities include, but are not limited to: Planning Activities- Watershed Management planning activities that advances towards future grants or projects; Development of natural resource management plans; Staff time related to activity planning and management; Data collection, public meetings and other tasks related to planning.

Task #1 - Develop written plan for implementing drought planning process.

A) Scope: Staff time to develop a written action plan and two-year timeline to implement initial steps of the drought planning process. The written action plan will detail three phases of the planning process, including 1) a detailed outline for engaging the community, reaching out to key stakeholders, and holding outreach meetings, 2) present the framework for the data collection process, and 3) identify and plan next steps of the drought planning process.

B) Schedule: The document will be written and prepared within the first several months of the project being funded. The written document will outline the framework and action plan for implementing the initial steps of the drought planning process. The action plan will be implemented over a two-year period, from 2018 through 2019. Phase one, community engagement, will occur over the course of 2018. Phase two, data identification and collection, will begin after the community engagement process in organized and underway.

C) Budget: Coordinator wage (80 hrs x $14/hr = $1,120)


Task #2 - Community engagement.

A) Scope: Staff time to engage the community in the drought planning process. Including identifying key stakeholders that should be included in the process and reaching out to stakeholders in order to gage interest and determine familiarity and knowledge of drought. Staff time to also hold public meetings and facilitate public focus group discussions to gain stakeholder input in the drought planning process. These meetings will be used to identify the framework needed for drought response and for understanding the core elements that need to be included in the drought plan. During these meetings community stakeholders will be asked important questions to help drive the planning process, including: why we need a drought plan? how does drought affect us in this region? and how can we protect ourselves from drought?

B) Schedule: The process of identifying and reaching out to key stakeholders will begin immediately if project is funded. Stakeholder meetings will be held throughout the planning and scoping process as needed.

C) Budget: Coordinator wage over two years ($14/hr x 490 hrs = $6,860). 490 hours will spent on community engagement over a two year period.

Task #3 - Compile and collect watershed information and drought data.

A) Scope: Staff time for collecting, compiling, and managing watershed and drought data. Compile information on existing watershed characteristics, such as hydrology, topography, major rivers and streams, reservoirs, economics, growth, etc. Collect and compile important drought indicator data, (including but not limited to streamflow, snowpack, temperature and precipitation), as well as water supply and demand information from the watershed. This information will be collected and compiled through public meetings, outside research and consultation with outside technical experts.

B) Schedule: Collecting pertinent drought data and information will begin after the written plan for implementing the drought planning process has been completed and after the community engagement process is organized and underway. The projected start date will be near the end of 2018 and continue into 2019.

C) Budget: Coordinator wage ($14/hr x 90 hrs = $1,260).

Task #4 - Identify and plan next steps of drought planning process.

A) Scope: Plan next steps for continuing the drought planning process. Based on the initial drought planning steps implemented up to this point, identify the scope, budget, and timeline necessary to implement the later phases of drought planning, including the following: 1) develop a drought monitoring plan, 2) develop a response plan based on stakeholder input, and 3) identify and prioritize mitigation actions.

B) Schedule: The process of identifying and planning next steps of the drought planning process will begin in mid-2019 and be completed by the end of 2019.

C) Budget: Coordinator wage ($14/hr x 50hrs = $700)


Describe activity(s) connection to any local or state natural resource management plans and how these activities will lead to conservation, development, management, or preservation of the state water resources: Refer to documents described in Background question #5 or other.

Task #1 - Develop written plan for implementing drought planning process. The Montana State Water Plan by the DNRC emphasizes the importance of drought preparedness and planning efforts and supports the development of drought management plans in small to medium sized watersheds. Proper drought planning can lead to more effective conservation and management practices of the state’s water resources. The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council, working with the Army Corps of Engineers, led the efforts to complete Yellowstone River Cumulative Effect Assessment (CEA) which was completed in 2016. The CEA is an in-depth look at the response of the river to the sum of incremental human impacts over the course of time. The CEA results were the basis for a series of voluntary management recommendations, which in-part provides a scientific basis for management decisions. Drought planning was directly addressed in the Council’s recommended practices under the Irrigation Water Management and Altered Flows recommendations. An important aspect of implementing these practices is the establishment of a framework to address drought issues within large areas of the river basin or more specific reaches of the river system.

Task #2 - Community engagement. The Montana State Water Plan by the DNRC states that drought preparedness requires a collaborative approach. Working together, water users and water management agencies can develop adaptive management strategies that can yield benefits to water supply, fisheries, and water quality. The Montana State Water Plan emphasizes the importance of supporting community-based watershed groups and conservation districts to bolster effective collaboration and engagement and connecting stakeholders.

Task #3 - Compile and collect watershed information and drought data. The Montana State Water Plan by the DNRC emphasizes that drought preparedness requires a collaborative approach. Working together, water users and water management agencies can develop adaptive management strategies that can yield benefits to water supply, fisheries, and water quality. The State Water Plan states that successful adaptive management is facilitated by ready access to information about stream flow, water rights, water quality, and aquatic habitat. Integration of information will result in a more accurate assessment of water availability and therefore support planning and decision making by water users and groups.

Task #4 - Identify and plan next steps of drought planning process. The Montana State Water Plan by the DNRC emphasizes the importance of drought preparedness and planning efforts, and proper drought planning can lead to more effective conservation and management of the state’s water resources.

3. Will activity(s) support organization capacity building? *

Yes

Describe how activity(s) relate to capacity building: Examples of qualified activities include, but are not limited to: Capacity Building- Improving organizational effectiveness; Grant writing; Hosting a Big Sky Watershed Corps member; Professional conference(s) and training events directly related to proposed watershed management activities; Materials necessary for proposed activity; Purchasing equipment. * *50/50 Match required for equipment cost.

Task #1 - Materials


A) Printing and promotional outreach materials for stakeholder meetings. Printing outreach notifications, agendas and necessary reading and background materials for participants at the stakeholder meetings.

B) Necessary materials will be printed for each stakeholder meeting.

C) $1000.00 for two years of printing and outreach materials.

Task #2 - Grant Administration and Reporting

A) Ashley Lowrey, Park Conservation District's Watershed Coordinator, will administer the grant and report on grant progress and successes. B) Necessary grant reporting and administration will occur as required over two calendar years. C) $1094.00 (10% of total project cost) over two calendar years.

Example: Activity #- "NAME" A) Scope (extent of activity and deliverables) B) Schedule (timeframe details) C) Budget (line item cost)

Describe activity(s) connection to any local or state natural resource management plans and how these activities will lead to conservation, development, management, or preservation of the state water resources: Refer to documents described in Background question #5 or other.

Activity #1 - Materials. Materials for this project will benefit the process of drought planning for the watershed. The Montana State Water Plan by the DNRC emphasizes the importance of drought preparedness and planning efforts and supports the development of drought management plans in small to medium sized watersheds. Proper drought planning can lead to more effective conservation and management practices of the state’s water resources.

EX: Activity 1- "name" response to question. Activity 2- "name" response to question etc.

Attachment If preferred, attach document(pdf/word) to respond to the above questions. 4.

4. Describe how activity(s) are locally led, demonstrate stakeholder, local landowner, and community participation? *

The local stakeholders that support and participate in the activities of the Park Conservation District and Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group are broad and include local landowners including ranchers, irrigators, and small parcel owners. Other active stakeholders include local business owners, members of regional conservation groups and nonprofit organizations, agencies such Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and regional Forest Service employees, Montana State University Extension Service, as well as local schools and other local government entities. It has been the goal of the watershed group to broaden our base of participants to include all key stakeholders at our watershed meetings and in our decision-making process. Our guiding committee is made up of a diverse and broad base of stakeholders, which will guide our outreach process during drought planning. Through this model we address watershed management issues by increased interaction and commination between water users and all community members.

5. Describe organization's ability to complete grant management, administration, and reporting: * The Park Conservation district has historically successfully managed many grants, currently the CD is managing and administering the following grants: DNRC HB223 - Cover Crops, DNRC HB223 - Watershed Warriors, DNRC HB223 - Russian Olive Eradication, DNRC - Irrigation Development, and Arthur Blank Family Foundation. In addition, Ashley Lowrey, the new Watershed Coordinator


for the CD, has over seven years’ experience managing and administering natural resource-based grants. Ashley's experience with grant management will bolster the Conservation District's ability to effectively apply and manage grants to increase organizational planning and capacity.

Budget

Budget

Activity Task Category DescriptionWMG Budget Match Total

1 1 PlanningDevelop written plan for implementing drought plan $1,120.00 $0.00 $1,120.00

1 2 Planning Community Engagement $6,860.00 $0.00 $6,860.001 3 Planning Compile and Collect data $1,260.00 $0.00 $1,260.001 4 Planning Identify and Plan next steps $700.00 $0.00 $700.001 5 Capacity Materials $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00

Sub-total $10,940.00 $0.00 $10,940.00

AdministrationGrant Administration and Reporting $1,094.00 $0.00 $1,094.00

Total $12,034.00 $0.00 $12,034.00

Funding LimitsFunding Limits The watershed management grant program will fund the following categories with specific funding limits. Please indicate the category the proposed activities fall into and the amount requested under each: (total requested not to exceed $20,000)

Acknowledge that budget request will conform to established guidelines. * Yes

Staff Time: Up to $10,000 May be applied to qualified activities as described in the grant agreement and applicable guidance from DNRC. Funding should address planning and capacity building criteria that are aligned with WMG program purpose.

Requested Amount: $9,940.00

Big Sky Watershed Corps: Up to $5,000 Cost share of host site fee for a Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) member whose service term will contribute to watershed health and protection, education and outreach, and/or volunteer generation in support of WMG program purpose.

Up to $1,000 Support funding for BSWC member (may include fuel cost, lodging, training/conference registration, materials and supplies that increase BSWC member capabilities).

Requested Amount: $0.00

Has your organization previously sponsored a Big Sky Watershed Corps member?

Contracted Services Up to $10,000 for engineering, consulting, facilitation or other support for proposed activities.

Requested Amount: $0.00


Materials and Supplies Up to $1,000 for printing and promotional outreach materials or; Up to $2,500 for planning activities* Up to $1,500 for equipment** *50/50 Match required for all applicants. ** 50/50 Match required for all applicants; non-governmental entities ineligible.

Requested Amount: $1,000.00

Miscellaneous Expenses Up to $2,500 for travel, lodging, public meeting cost, relevant conference/training registration fees where elements are relevant to a local or state natural resource management plan.

Miscellaneous Expenses $0.00

Administration Will not exceed 10% of total budget.

Administration $1,094.00

AttachmentsAdditional letter(s) of support NRCS_LetterofSupport.pdf Applicant Financial Statement(s) Report_ParkCD_Profit&Loss.pdf Scope, Schedule, & Budget

Information from current work plan or strategic plan. Watershed or activity map UpperYellowstoneWatershed_3_HUC10_CartersBoundary.pdf Associated Resource Plan(s)

Other AttachmentsFile Name Description File Size FWP_LetterofSupport.pdf (398 KB) Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Letter of Support 398 KB YRCDC_LetterofSupport.pdf (468 KB) Yellowstone River Conservation District Council Letter of Support 468 KB

This is for reference only. This application was fully funded based on the content provided and the actions alignment with program policies and mission.


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