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Examples of Ineligible Projects or ElementsThe items below provide examples of projects and elements that are not eligible under thisprogram. It is not a comprehensive list. Projects that plant invasive plants or trees, or plant for aesthetic purposes only.Projects to acquire property that cannot be purchased at or below fair market value.Projects that include both acquisition and development (must be one or the other, notboth).Infrastructure projects that do not include greening components.Projects that create or improve roads for motorized use.Projects to construct new parking lots or bridges (may be funded only as necessary butminor component).Development contingent on future acquisition for project implementation. At the time ofapplication, applicants must either own the property or be entering into negotiations forlong-term site control.Acquisition of property from a person or entity that does not own the property at the timeof Project Proposal submission.Projects that are intended to correct problems caused by inadequate maintenance.Multiple projects that are included in one application. However, more than oneapplication can be submitted by an applicant.Projects where applicant cannot demonstrate satisfactory permission to develop andmaintain site at the time of application.Educational or training programs.Planning only, or operation and maintenance projects.Active recreation projects. However, active recreation components can be part of theoverall project as long as they are funded by other sources.Projects that acquire property through eminent domain.Projects that include planting trees larger than 15-gallon, even if proposed with otherfunding sources.Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act of 2008This program will maximize the expenditure of funds made available from this Act (Chapter 3.3commencing with Section 5640) of Division 5 of the Public Resources Code.OTHER FUNDING CONSIDERATIONSIn evaluating projects, scores are used to determine initial rankings and facilitate discussionsfor each proposal. To achieve equitable distribution of funds, the State may consideradditional factors including, but not limited to, economic benefits, statewide significance,geographic distribution of funds, previous grant performance, disadvantaged communitystatus, and other potential project benefits, as well as partial funding.4

In addition, projects must:1. Comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Division 13 (commencing2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.with Section 21000).Be acquired from a willing seller (acquisitions).Comply with all labor codes.Provide public access, where feasible.Be located in an urban area. For the purposes of this program, if a project does not qualifyas a disadvantaged community, an urban area is defined as a geographic areadesignated or defined as urban by an applicable plan covering the project area,including, but not limited to general plans, specific plans, or community plans.Provide direct benefits to the urban area such as walkability and/or functionality (i.e., noimpediments such as a freeway with no under/over passing, river with no pedestriancrossing, storm water capture that does not directly benefit the urban area, etc.)Engage with the local community to develop the project.Comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) or local agencylandscape water ordinance (if as strict or stricter) and use low water, drought tolerantplantingsProvide multiple benefits (economic, environmental, social, etc.) to the community.Website addresses and links to legislation and other available resource and referencematerials may be found in Appendix P.SELECTION PROCESSStep 1 Applicants submit Project Proposals though the System for Online Application Review(SOAR). No hardcopy Project Proposals are required. Project Proposals are reviewed and evaluated. Incomplete or ineligible Project Proposalsmay be removed from the competitive process.Step 2 Field Visits are conducted for the most competitive projects. Applicants may be requiredto provide additional documentation prior to afield visit.Step 3 Applicants selected to further compete submit additional documentation. Documentation is evaluated, with the most competitive projects being recommended forfunding.Once Step 3 evaluations have been completed, recommendations are submitted to theCalifornia Secretary for Natural Resources. Upon approval by the Secretary, grant awards areannounced.5

All information contained in the Project Proposal and supporting documentation isconfidential until grant awards are announced.The State reserves the right to reject any Project Proposal from an applicant who is in violationof law or policy at any other public agency. Potential violations include, but are not limitedto, being in default of performance requirements in other contracts or grant agreementsissued by the State, being engaged in, or suspected of criminal conduct that poorly reflectsor beings discredit to the State or failing to have all required licenses necessary to carry outthe project.The State further reserves the right to reject any Project Proposal from an applicant who hasa history of performance issues with past grants or other agreements with any public entity.Tribal Outreach and CollaborationFor projects that affect tribal communities, Grantees will be required to show meaningfuloutreach and attempt to collaborate with local California Native American tribes throughthe implementation of their project.Meaningful outreach includes, but is not limited to, writing letters and emails and followingwith phone calls updating the tribe throughout the life of the project, inviting tribal leadershipto attend planning meetings, and meeting with local tribal government lead consortiums orother inter-tribal governmental organizations. Collaborating with local California NativeAmerican tribes can include developing the project with tribal leadership, ensuring theproject provides benefits to the local tribe and its membership, and providing contractingopportunities to local tribes and their members where appropriate.Conflict of InterestAll applicants and individuals who participate in the review of submitted applications aresubject to state and federal conflict of interest laws. Any individual who has participated inplanning or setting priorities for a specific solicitation over and above the public commentprocess or who will participate in any part of the grant development and negotiation processon behalf of the public is ineligible to receive funds or personally benefit from funds throughthat solicitation. Failure to comply with conflict of interest laws, including business and financialdisclosure provisions, will result in the application being rejected and any subsequent grantagreement being declared void. Other legal actions may also be taken. Applicable statutesinclude, but are not limited to, California Government Code section 1090 and Public ContractCode sections 10365.5, 10410, and 10411.EVALUATION/SCORING CRITERIAAll information provided during the evaluation process should demonstrate how effectivelythe proposed project meets statutory requirements, funding priorities, and program objectives.Projects will be evaluated using the established criteria and any additional fundingconsiderations. Projects will receive an initial ranking, with a score of 135 points possible. Theinitial ranking will be used to facilitate discussions about each proposal among a6

multidisciplinary team. Points will be attributed to each section and not to individual questions.Sections left blank will receive zero for that section.7

1. Statutory and Program Requirements (Per SB 859)0 – 402.0 – 25Project reduces Greenhouse Gas EmissionsProject acquires, creates, enhances, or expands community parks andgreen spaces, AND/OR uses natural systems or systems that mimicnatural systems to achieve multiple benefits Project achieves multiple benefitsStatutory and Program Priorities (Per SB 859) Provide park or recreational benefits to a critically underserved communityor disadvantaged community Proposed by disadvantaged or critically underserved community (Projectmust be located within the disadvantaged community) Develop partnerships with local community organizations and businessesin order to strengthen outreach to disadvantaged communities, providesaccess to quality jobs for residents of disadvantaged communities, orprovides access to workforce education and training Uses interagency cooperation and integration Uses existing public lands and facilitates the use of public resources andinvestments, including schoolsDisadvantaged Communities Project is located within and benefits a disadvantaged communityExtreme Heat ThreatProject is located within a census tract that is identified as being vulnerable toan increased number of heat health eventsStatewide Park Development and Community Revitalization ActAdditional Project CharacteristicsProject ReadinessOrganizational Capacity 3.4.5.6.7.8.8300 - 1050–50 – 100 – 10

STEP 1: PROJECT PROPOSALApplicants are required to submit an online Project Proposal in SOAR (System for OnlineApplication Review; https://soar.resources.ca.gov/). Refer to the solicitation notice for duedates. No hard copies are required. Applicants proposing the most competitive eligibleprojects will be invited to compete in the next phase of the evaluation process, a fieldinspection. The most competitive projects that receive a field inspection will be invited tosubmit additional supporting documentation. Incomplete or noncompliant proposals may beeliminated from the competitive process.All Project Proposal submittals will include the following:Project SummaryDescribe the discrete project, including expected project deliverables. Include a briefdescription of current site conditions and extent of public access for the proposed project, ifapplicable. Summaries are limited to 3,000 characters.Project QuestionsApplicants must answer the following questions, as applicable. If a question does not apply tothe project, indicate “Not Applicable” with a brief explanation. Do not leave blank fields.Answers are limited to 3,000 characters.Statutory and Program Requirements – All applicants must meet certain requirements asspecified in statute. Each applicant must answer the questions below, as applicable.1. Explain how the project meets the statutory criteria of 1) acquiring, creating, enhancing, orexpanding community parks and green spaces, and/or 2) using natural systems, or systemsthat mimic natural systems.2. Explain how the proposed project will result in a net GHG benefit.3. Explain how the project provides multiple benefits. These could include, but are not limitedto, reduced air pollution, water pollution, consumption of natural resources, or consumptionof energy.4. Select only two of the project examples (a-j) from the list below and answer thecorresponding questions. Provide a qualitative description of the project as well as anyquantitative information on this topic.a. Greening of existing public land and structures, including schools1. Describe the current environmental condition and use of the project site.2. How will the proposed project contribute to the economic, social, and/orrecreational life of the community?9

b. Green streets and alleys that integrate green infrastructure elements into the street oralley design, including permeable surfaces, bioswales, and trees1. How will the project convert the property into a green street or alley?2. How will the project reduce vehicle miles traveled?c. Non-motorized urban trails that provide safe routes for both recreation and travelbetween residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools1. Describe how the trail increases connectivity of the active transportation networksuch as filling gaps or otherwise completing routes in a bike or trail plan or a lowstreet bikeway network.2. Identify the intended users of the trail.3. Describe how the trail connects to or between parks, open space, or greeninfrastructure.d. Tree Canopy1. What species of trees and plants will be used? If proposing non-native species,explain the rationale for the selection.2. What are the environmental benefits of the species selected?3. What consideration, if any, was given to pollen production in the project plantpalette?4. How was the initial size selected for the planting area considered to ensure the bestchance for survival and growth? Trees must not be larger than 15-gallon.e. Neighborhood, city, regional, or county parks and open space1. How many acres of green space/park will be created or enhanced?2. Describe any limits such as parking, hours of operation, available staffing, user fees,seasonal restrictions, or other ecological considerations.f.Wetlands1. Describe how the project will protect, restore, enhance, or preserve wetlands usingeither common or scientific names to identify elements.2. If the project includes restoration or re-establishment of wetlands, explain plans toemploy habitat management strategies designed to reduce mosquito production(e.g., Central Valley Joint Ventures Technical Guide to Best Practices /pdf/CVJV-Mosquito-BMP.pdf).10

g. Urban heat island mitigation and energy conservancy efforts through greening,including green roofs1. Describe what energy saving measures will be incorporated into the project. Energysaving measures may include, but are not limited to, constructing green roofs,planting trees to shade buildings, walkways and spaces, and converting asphalt tonative plants and/or turf, or other permeable surfaces.2. Explain how the project will reduce GHG emissions by reducing energy demand andpromoting resource efficiencies.h. Multi-objective stormwater projects, including the construction of permeable surfacesand collection basins and barriers1. Describe generally the type of stormwater facilities in the proposal (e.g., raingardens, planters, bioswales, green roof, etc.)2. How will the project be designed to reduce mosquito and methane production?(See:Central Valley Joint Ventures Technical Guide to Best Practices /pdf/CVJV-Mosquito-BMP.pdf).3. What is the estimated volume of stormwater captured and treated? Explain yourmethodology.i.Climate resilience and adaptation of urban areas that reduce vulnerability to climateimpacts and improve the ability of natural systems to buffer the impacts of climatechange1. How will the project specifically increase resilience to climate change?2. What approach was used to determine said benefits?3. Identify the climate action plan applicable to the project.j.Economic, social, and health benefits including, but not limited to, recreationalopportunities, workforce education and training, contracting, and job opportunities fordisadvantaged communities1. How will the project maximize access to workforce education, training, and qualityjobs to residents of disadvantaged communities and individuals with barriers toemployment?2. How will the project ensure supplier diversity and procure goods from localbusinesses, businesses located in disadvantaged communities, or minority or womenowned businesses?3. How will the project use state or local youth employment programs (e.g., CaliforniaConservation Corps, local conservation corps or similar youth employment11

programs) and how will youth employment elements be integrated into theprogram?4. Using the list below, indicate which of the following apply to the project and explainhow the selected benefits will be achieved. Improved mental health (e.g., social networking, overall well-being)Increased physical activity (e.g., effects on obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.)Reduced risk of skin cancersIncreased access to locally grown/sustainable food sourcesIncreased access to natural environments, parks, open space, etc.Other co-benefits to public health (examples include reducing urban heat islandeffects, increasing safe active transportation - e.g., pedestrian walking andbicycling, and serving an area of high-density population)Statutory and Program Priorities – Each applicant must answer the questions below, asapplicable.5. Describe how the project will accomplish two of the following:a. Provides park or recreational benefits to a critically underserved community ordisadvantaged communityb. Proposed by critically underserv

Statutory and Program Requirements (Per SB 859) 0 – 40 Project reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Project acquires, creates, enhances, or expands community parks and green spaces, AND/OR uses natural systems or systems that mimic . California, by and through