Laramie River Conservation District

							Regular Cost-Share Program 2012-2013                                       Page 1 of 4


        Laramie Rivers Conservation District Regular Cost-Share Program
Program Objectives
The Cost Share program provides incentive for residents and businesses to conserve soil, water
and energy - and to beautify the landscape along public corridors in Albany County. Projects that
are highly visible and have clear public benefit are stronger candidates for funding. Applicants
may also be asked to justify the cost effectiveness of their project and its resource conservation
value.
Examples of Projects
Resource Conservation and County beautification
Planting trees and shrubs to hide unsightly property
Xeriscaping to replace traditional lawns with approved native or dry-climate species
Installation of efficient drip systems for trees and shrubs
Demonstration projects for energy conservation (solar power, wind turbines, etc.)
Removal of junk cars and trucks
Construction of fences to hide personal junkyards
Education/Outreach
Funding for organized neighborhood cleanups
Educational efforts pertaining to natural resource conservation
Examples of projects that are not eligible
Landscaping on new construction
Replacing grass with artificial turf
Planting exotic, invasive plant species not approved by the LRCD Board
Purchase of water-saving or energy-saving appliances for use inside the home
Boundary fences for domestic animals
Xeriscaping consisting only of rocks (this is not xeriscaping it's zero-scaping)
Standard land practices you should be doing anyway (aerating, fertilizing, landscaping new
construction, etc.)
Annual plants
Levels of funding
The Cost-Share program is a local matching program in which 50% of project costs may be
reimbursed by the District. All projects must be pre-approved before being initiated and must be
evaluated upon completion.
    Maximum matching amount is $1000 on a $2000 project. We match cash expenditures
       (with receipts) only and will not accept labor as in-kind match.
    Matched purchases must be made within Albany County (if at all possible).
    Only one grant may be awarded per cooperator per calendar year.
    Maximum match per plant is $50 (on a $100 tree, for example).
    Maximum match on a rain-barrel is $50.
Who is Eligible? Albany county residents, businesses, service organizations, and landowners.
Renters must obtain authorization of landlord before projects are authorized.


       PLEASE NOTE THAT COST SHARE FUNDS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX!
Regular Cost-Share Program 2012-2013                                          Page 2 of 4


                                         Program Process
1. Self assessment – does your proposed project meet the objectives of this program?

2. Contact LRCD and fill out Application/Agreement.

3. Arrange for LRCD staff to meet with you on-site to photograph and evaluate project to see if it
   meets the criteria.

4. If recommended by LRCD staff, your project will be reviewed by the LRCD board for
   authorization.

5. LRCD board reviews and authorizes Application/Agreement.

6. Complete work as described in the Application/Agreement.

7. Arrange for LRCD staff to inspect and photograph completed project, turn in receipts,
   reimbursement worksheet and tax form (W-9 or tax exempt certificate) if required, sign
   Agreement Completion Certification.

8. At monthly board meeting LRCD board reviews completed project, signs Agreement
   Completion Certification and authorize reimbursement.

9. Receive reimbursement check within one month of board meeting.

                                       Criteria for Cost-Share
In order for a project to be eligible for LRCD cost share funds, a project must:

   1. Clearly meet objectives of this program.

   2. Allow LRCD staff to take before/after photographs.

   3. Be approved by LRCD Board of Supervisors before work commences or material is bought.

   4. Meet all applicable standards and codes of federal, state, city and or county government,
      and be agreeable with grant recipient’s neighbors.

   5. Have complete list of plants to be planted authorized by LRCD horticulturist or NRCS
      District Conservationist, and include no more than ten different species.

   6. Be fully completed by within one year of approval.

   7. Project applications are reviewed monthly on a first-come, first served basis.

THE LRCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DECIDE WHETHER PROPOSED
COSTS ARE REASONABLE AND WHETHER A PROJECT DESIGN IS APPROPRIATE.
Regular Cost-Share Program 2012-2013                                                  Page 3 of 4


                       Laramie Rivers Conservation District Cost-Share
                      Application Form and Implementation Agreement

Cooperator Name: _______________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Or Company Name:________________________________________ Represented by: _____________________________
                                                                                (Name/title)
Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone:__________________________________________

Do you own □ or rent □? (Check one) How did you learn of this program?

Project address (if different) _____________________________________________________________________________


Project Category (circle those that apply)

Living snow fence          Wind break             Water Conservation                     Alternative Energy

Replace dying trees in town parkways          Fencing unsightly property              Community Beautification

Drip system irrigation         Remove junk              Public education efforts                 Other

Justification for project – State the Problem:



Project description – Describe what you propose to do (attach plans):




Project design life/maintenance – Describe:



Project budget – List materials you intend to purchase, along with prices, and vendor:
                                                       * LRCD does not cost share on sales tax

                                                                        Estimated total: $
                                                                 50% cost share request: $
Staff reviewer’s Comments:



APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE FIRST WORKING DAY OF THE MONTH TO BE CONSIDERED
AT THAT MONTH’S BOARD MEETING.
       Regular Cost-Share Program 2012-2013                                                        Page 4 of 4


                                                    Application and Agreement
        I request cost-share assistance under the Laramie Rivers Conservation District’s Cost-Share Program to
implement the conservation/beautification practices described in the above sections.
           If cost-sharing is approved for the practice(s) requested, I agree to meet Program Objectives, adhere to
Cost-Share Criteria, follow the Program Process, and follow the Project Description and Budget proposed in this
document. I agree to ensure that all applicable local, state, and federal permits are obtained and guidelines
followed in implementing the practices described herein. I also agree to complete the project within one year
of approval by LRCD Board.
          I understand that the Laramie Rivers Conservation District may not be held liable for any personal or
property damage incurred while implementing the conservation or beautification practices described in this
agreement.
          No waiver of any immunity or limitation of liability afforded by the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act
is intended by the parties, and the County retains all such immunities and limitations of liability.
          I hereby affirm that the information I provided in this application is true to the best of my knowledge, as
any misrepresentation will result in the revocation of the application.


       _________________________________________________              _________________________________________________
       Signature of Cooperator                              Date      Signature of Landowner                          Date
                                                                      (if cooperator is Lessee)


       ___________________________________________________________    Date Approved by Board: _____________________________
       Application Prepared by          District Staff        Date

                         PURCHASES MADE BEFORE APPROVAL ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COST SHARE!


       Agreement Completion Certification (must be signed prior to payment)

       I hereby certify that implementation of the conservation or beautification practices proposed in the
Application/Agreement have been completed according to the Objectives and Criteria of this program as of the
date shown below. The receipts I provided reflect the true cost of implementing the project authorized, and, I
agree to maintain the approved practice/project for the design life specified in the Application/Agreement.


       ______________________________________________                 _________________________________________________
       Signature of Cooperator                         Date            Signature of Landowner                           Date
                                                                      (if cooperator is Lessee)


       _______________________________________________________         Date Reimbursement Approved: ______________________
       Project checked by District Staff                Date


        The Laramie Rivers Conservation District offers all programs and services on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race,
                  color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital and familial status.
                                   Laramie Rivers Conservation District, 408 Howe Rd., Laramie, WY 82072
                                                    Phone (307)721-0072, FAX (307)745-6764