ARC 9061C

ARC 9061C

Proposing rulemaking related to resource enhancement and protection program: county, city, private open spaces and conservation education grant programs
and providing an opportunity for public comment

A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on December 11, 2024. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●January 8, 2025

Servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Si habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, los servicios de asistencia lingüística están disponibles de forma gratuita. Comuníquese con el Departamento al michelle.wilson@dnr.iowa.gov.

The May 7, 2025, hearing will be a virtual meeting only. A link for the virtual meeting will be provided to those who make a request to take part in the virtual hearing. The request for the link shall be submitted to Ms. Wilson by 9 a.m. on May 7, 2025. Any persons who intend to attend the hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Department and advise of specific needs. Free Language Assistance: if you need assistance in a language other than English, contact the Department at michelle.wilson@dnr.iowa.gov or civilrights@dnr.iowa.gov; or by telephone at 515.901.3294 at least seven days before the hearing.

ITEM 1.Amend subrule 33.4(3) as follows:

33.4(3) Application deadlines are the same for county, city, and private open space grant programs.Conservation education program application deadlines are offered annually but not on the same schedule as the county, city, and private open space grant programs. Applicationsfor all REAP grant programs will be reviewed and projects selected for funding at least once per year. The department shall publish on its website the date and time for submitting a funding proposal, providing at least 90 days’ notice. Applications must be submitted to the department as described on the website.

ITEM 2.Amend rule 571—33.19(455A) as follows:

571—33.19(455A) Conservation education program policy.

33.19(1) Grants and agreements. The conservation education program board shall constitute a long-term integrated effort to support conservation education for Iowa educators and studentsthrough formal and nonformal education projects and programs by means of competitively awarded grants and cooperative agreements. To support this policy, the board may establish guidelines from time to time to direct applicants to priority areas for funding and shall give preference to grants that meet these guidelines. The board may provide funding for activities that expand the impact of the project and provide accessibility for widespread adoption of programs for implementation by others. The board may provide funding for tracking of project implementation and evaluation.

33.19(1) Conservation education program board. The board will review and amend, as needed, the review and selection criteria for competitive grants and policies of conduct.

33.19(2) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this division:

“Board” means REAP conservation education program board.

“Conservation education programs” means programs developed for formal (K-12 students), nonformal (preschool, adult and continuing education) and higher education (postsecondary and adult) programs, within the subject areas of natural resource conservation and environmental protection.

“Dissemination grant” means funds deployed for the purposes of executing projects previously funded by REAP conservation education program funds that were successful in execution and have transferability to other educators and conservation programs.

“Dissemination plan” means the required documentation for projects greater than $10,000 funded by the REAP conservation education program funds.A dissemination plan contains specific details of the project, including expected outcomes essential for the uptake and use by educators and conservation programs.

“Educator” means any person who teaches environmental/conservation education. This may apply to certified teachers, governmental or private naturalists, education specialists, or others so determined by the boarddepartment.

“Environmental/conservation education materials” means materials that are developed or produced that provide knowledge, skills, processes and strategies that enhance Iowa citizens’ understanding of natural resources conservation and environmental issues.

“Stipends for Iowa educators who participate in innovative conservation education programs” may include tuition costs; acceptable food and lodging costs; substitute teacher costs; mileage expenses or separate allowances when applicable for educators to attend board-approvedapproved environmental/conservation education workshops, in-service programs and conferences; and other costs as approved by the boarddepartment.

ITEM 3.Amend rule 571—33.20(455A) as follows:

571—33.20(455A) Eligibility for funds. In years in which funds are made available, grant applications may be submitted by institutions of higher learning; government agencies, including local school districts; nonpublicprivate schoolsand home schools; area education agencies;day cares; and organizations; and individuals with an Iowa residence. Preference shall be given to Iowa participantsresidents.

33.20(1) Fund distribution. The total available funds will be distributed as follows:

a. The first $50,000 will be awarded to public/private pre-K through grade 12 education disseminated as small grant awards not to exceed $10,000 per request and no less than $1,000 per request.

b. The next $50,000 will be awarded to dissemination grants, if a dissemination project is provided by the department for the year.

c. The remaining $250,000 will be awarded for large grant awards not to exceed $80,000 per request. Large grant awards require a minimum of 33 percent matching funds either as an in-kind or a cash match.

d. If all funds are not allocated through paragraphs 33.20(1)“a” and “b,” the remaining funds will be allocated to qualifying projects in paragraph 33.20(1)“c.”

33.20(2) Expenditure guidelines.

a. Eligible program types. Applicants can apply for funding that supports hands-on interactive types of educational experiences, such as workshops, trainings, field trips, or classroom activities, or passive education experiences, such as interpretive or wayside signs, brochures or video programming, or education center exhibits.

b. Personnel expenses. Requests for personnel expenditures shall not exceed 40 percent of the total grant request and can only be used for staff directly engaged with the educational offering. Administrative support personnel are not eligible grant fund expenses. An awardee will provide documentation on actual hours worked in order to receive the 40 percent reimbursement costs for personnel. This does not include educator stipends or funding provided to individuals in order to attend a workshop, conference or training, all of which are allowable expenses under this grant program.

c. Travel expenses. Reimbursement is for in-state travel only; mileage, lodging, and food expenses will be reimbursed at the current state rate as found on the department of administrative services website.

d. Noneligible expenses. Grant funds cannot be used for technology or infrastructure development or construction whose singular function is not primarily and consistently dedicated to the program or exhibit for which grant funds are requested. Additionally, grant funds cannot be used for food and beverage costs or reimbursements.

ITEM 4.Rescind rule 571—33.21(455A) and adopt the following new rule in lieu thereof:

571—33.21(455A) Competitive grant project planning and review committee.

33.21(1) Review committee.

a.The director shall appoint a five-person review and selection committee to evaluate project applications. This committee shall include one representative of the department appointed by the director, one representative of the department of education science consultant or designee, one representative of the Iowa conservation education council, one representative of the Iowa association of naturalists, and one representative of the Iowa association of county conservation boards. Additionally, there shall be at least one alternate identified and designated by the director from each represented organization. Terms of appointment to the committee shall be on a three-year staggered term basis.

b.An individual who is a member, volunteer, or employee of an entity that has submitted a project shall not serve on the scoring committee during that award cycle. Instead, one of the alternates shall review and score in the individual’s place.

33.21(2) Competitive grant project selection criteria.

a.Under the competitive grant program, a project planning and review committee shall establish criteria and scoring systems to be utilized in project evaluation. The criteria and scoring systems shall be submitted to the natural resource commission for approval.

b.The department shall publish on its website the date and time for submitting a funding proposal and the criteria and scoring system, providing at least 90 days’ notice.Applications must be submitted to the department as described on the website.

c.Upon recommendation of the planning and review committee, thenatural resource commission shall award the grants.

33.21(3) Dissemination plan.

a.After completion of the project awarded through the large grants, and prior to final request for reimbursement, the awardee shall complete a dissemination plan as provided on the department’s website. Projects funded with conservation education program funds are intended to be replicable by other educators or conservation programs in Iowa.

b.Annually, the review and selection committee will review dissemination plans; select successful projects per criteria developed and approved by the natural resource commission; and offer additional award opportunities, not to exceed $10,000 per awardee, of up to $50,000 of conservation education program funds for other educators or conservation education programs to implement.

33.21(4) Nonapplication of copyright. Program materials developed from REAP funds for conservation education materials shall bear the REAP logo. However, materials developed under this grant shall not be copyrighted by the grantee unless the department gives permission. A digital copy of all program materials developed shall be supplied to the department as part of the dissemination plan.

ITEM 5.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.22(455A).

ITEM 6.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.23(455A).

ITEM 7.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.24(455A).

ITEM 8.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.25(455A).

ITEM 9.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.26(455A).

ITEM 10.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.27(455A).

ITEM 11.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.28(455A).

ITEM 12.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.29(455A).

ITEM 13.Rescind and reserve rule 571—33.30(455A).