II. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. Partnerships among watershed associations, the DEP, landowners, local governments, environmental groups, and other state and federal agencies are essential to abating AMD in an effective and efficient manner.
2. Priority for the use of available funds will be given to projects that have matching sources of funds, including "in-kind" contributions.
3. Priority for the use of available funds will be given to projects where there are necessary institutional arrangements for long-term operation and maintenance costs.
4. Priority for the use of available funds will be given to projects that have the greatest public benefit for the least cost.

1. To support DEP's efforts as part of Reclaim PA and PA Growing Greener to restore Pennsylvania's AMD impacted streams and watersheds.
2. To support the efficient and effective coordination of AMD abatement efforts in Pennsylvania among local citizens, watershed associations, industry, and local, state and federal agencies so as to maximize results using limited funding.
3. To support the acceptance and utilization of "Pennsylvania's Comprehensive Plan for Abandoned Mine Reclamation" (CPAMR).
4. To promote the restoration of land and water resources through remining.
5. To support the development of watershed rehabilitation plans which will support the establishment of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) assessments.

1. Criteria (selection criteria will be weighted to favor AMD technology demonstrations proposals)
1. Environmental Gain
1. Will the project result in long-term measurable stream water quality improvement that will enable the re-establishment of biological communities and fish habitat?
2. Project's likelihood of success
3. Sponsor's past related experience
4. Can the project be completed in one year?
5. Does the project minimize the administrative or overhead cost in relation to "on-the-ground" construction-related activity cost?
2. Community Involvement
1. Will the project result in the formation of a strong partnership between local watershed groups, local, state, and federal agencies?
2. Will the project have other sources of matching funding?
3. Is funding committed for identified operations and maintenance costs?
4. Does the project have landowner consent?
5. Will the project result in a positive public response?
3. DEP Objectives
1. Will the project promote the restoration of land and water resources through remining?
2. Does the project support an existing comprehensive watershed rehabilitation plan?
3. Will the project include a public education component?
4. Will the project result in an approved CPAMR Watershed Rehabilitation Plan?
5. Is the project within a priority watershed identified on the Department's 1998 Section 303(d) report as affected by AMD from abandoned mines?
6. Will the project result in establishing TMDLs or implement an established TMDL?
4. Administrative Requirements
1. Are project goals, tasks, milestones and main budget categories clearly identified?
2. Is the proposal concise?
3. Does the proposal clearly identify the roles and responsibility of the participating players?

1. Request for Proposals Issued  (April 16 – June 4, 1999)
2. Deadline: Proposals must be received by DEP  (4:00 p.m. - June 4, 1999)
3. Committee Review and Recommendations  (June 7 – July 2, 1999)
4. Letters to Successful/Unsuccessful Candidates  (July 30, 1999)
5. Expected award date of Section 104(b)(3) money to DEP from EPA  (October 1, 1999)
6. Finalize contract agreements  (November 12, 1999)

VI. PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS

1. General - The following general format should be used in preparing all documents:
1. Minimum margins (top, bottom, left, and right) of one inch on 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
2. Font size shall be no smaller than 12.
2. Economy of Preparation - Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of the problem and the implementation plan, and should not exceed seven pages. (Any pages beyond the seventh will be discarded without consideration.)
3. Format - All proposals need the following:
1. Cover Sheet:
1. Specify one of the five project categories identified in paragraph 1 of the Introduction.
2. Project Name
3. County/Municipality
4. Watershed Name
5. Sponsor(s)
6. Address(es)
7. Requested Amount of Funding
8. Source(s) and Amount(s) of Matching Funds
9. Contact Person and Phone Number
10. Was this project submitted as an EPA 319 or Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program (WRAP) project in 1999?
2. Body of Proposal (format depends on project type)
1. Watershed Group Start-Up Costs
1. Define the watershed in terms of geographical characteristics, existing AMD problems, mining history, land use, and recreational value.
2. Define the objectives of the watershed group.
3. Scope of Work (provide on a separate sheet) - Provide a one-year schedule of specific watershed group formation activities, target dates, data collection activities and other objectives.
2. Watershed Surveys and Preliminary Watershed Restoration Plans
1. Project Summary - One- or two-paragraph summary of the proposed project.
2. Introduction
1. General description of watershed, including location, size, major tributaries.
2. Summary of what is known water quality and point and nonpoint source pollution (AMD and others) in the watershed. Use previous studies conducted by state, federal and local agencies that give background water quality or characterize pollution sources or potential problem areas in the watershed. (Possible agencies to contact:  PA Fish and Boat Commission, DEP, DCNR, PDA, NRCS, Conservation Districts, USGS.)
3. Project Justification - Describe why this assessment should be funded. This could include how abatement and restoration projects in this watershed fit in with nonpoint source (NPS) management plans or CPAMR; whether watershed is identified in the Section 303(d) report as requiring establishment of TMDLs; how information gathered during the assessment will be used in future planning or remediation projects; what the expected results of the project will be.
4. Involvement - Specify the individuals who will be responsible for collecting the data or determining information needs and who will participate in the proposed project at various levels. Local or regional involvement is a crucial part of the assessment. Include any watershed associations, school groups, or community organizations that will be associated with the proposed assessment and remediation project. This should also include initiatives on how information will be distributed or participation in remediation will be accomplished. Integration with federal and state agencies is also important. Appropriate letters of intent from all associated groups should be included with the proposal.
5. Monitoring Plan - Water quality monitoring will be funded ONLY to fill information/data gaps needed to do an assessment of current conditions. An EPA-approved Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan (QA/QC) must be prepared for any monitoring work paid for with 104(b)(3) funds. The project applicant will prepare the QA/QC plan after the project is selected for funding. EPA must approve the plan before any monitoring begins. A copy of the DEP QA/QC guidance document will be attached to the contract of those successful applicants who propose to do water quality monitoring. Water quality data generated by the project must be submitted to the DEP with the final report in tabulated form.
6. Scope of Work (provide on a separate sheet) - A one-year schedule of project tasks should be detailed. This should include preliminary details and gathering of background information; collection of samples and field determinations; determination of type of abatement needed; preparation of remediation plans; education, citizens outreach and news releases on the project.
3. Watershed Restoration Projects and AMD Demonstration Projects
1. Project Summary - One- or two-paragraph summary of the AMD technology being demonstrated, the AMD pollution problem it will solve, the expected environmental improvement and how AMD technology will be furthered by this demonstration.
2. Introduction - Describe the watershed (location, size, overall problems or existing situation). Include any specially designated areas, and any other initiatives in the watershed.
3. Project Description
1. Project Justification or Definition of Problem - Describe why project is needed, scope of the problem and current status; how project addresses the root cause. Give background water quality information, if available. Include, where available:
1. Source of AMD (i.e., surface mine discharge, deep mine discharge, refuse pile discharge, etc.).
2. Chemistry data (identify source of information).
3. Flow data (indicate minimum and maximum flows and method of measurement).
4. Pollution loading to stream.
5. Biological data (identify source of information).
2. Include map(s) to show location (comparable to USGS Topo Scale 1:24000).
4. Scope of Work (provide on a separate sheet)
1. Provide one-year schedule with project tasks, dates and responsible parties listed.
2. Project Maintenance Plan - Provide an operation/maintenance plan describing by whom and how the project will be operated and maintained after the project is completed. Identify any committed funding sources for these operation and maintenance activities.
3. Budget

EQUIPMENT COSTS

TOTAL		$

CONSTRUCTION/SUPPLIES COSTS

Materials
Grubbing/Clearing
Excavation, grading and road construction
Pond and ditch construction
Mobilization/Demobilization
Revegetation
Other
TOTAL		$

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Contracting/Accounting
Salaries/Indirect costs
Overhead
Water monitoring
Design/Survey costs
Office Supplies
Travel
Other
TOTAL		$

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS

Ongoing operation and maintenance
Other
TOTAL		$

1. Mailing and Delivery Address
1. Applications should be mailed (U.S. Postal Service, First Class) to:

David C. Hogeman, Chief
Division of Environmental Analysis and Support
Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
PA Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 8461
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8461

Or may be delivered Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to:

David C. Hogeman, Chief
Division of Environmental Analysis and Support
Bureau of Mining and Reclamation
PA Department of Environmental Protection
5th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301

1. Deadline for receipt of proposals at the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation is 4:00 p.m., June 4, 1999.
2. Proposal shall be considered timely if it is received at the specified location on, or before, the established deadline date and time.

VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1. Status Reports
1. A work status report shall be submitted on a quarterly basis on standard format provided by DEP. The report shall outline the completion status for each work element, give reason for significant deviations from the scheduled plan of work and how such deviations will be corrected, and identify what activities will be performed in the next quarter.
2. Final Reports
1. Watershed Group Start-Up
1. Define the accomplishment of your organization in terms of number of meetings, number of members, and interaction with other government and local organizations.
2. If a watershed restoration plan was formulated, provide a copy of that plan.
3. If new monitoring data was collected or existing water quality was analyzed, provide a data summary.
4. What are this organization’s future plans and objectives.
2. Watershed Surveys and Preliminary Restoration Plans
1. Identify the AMD pollution sources evaluated by the watershed survey.
2. What are the estimated treatment costs and remediation practices necessary to neutralize the major pollution sources and restore water quality.
3. Prioritize your list of remediation activities based on long-term operation and maintenance responsibility. If your organization could only manage one or two projects, there is no point in planning five or six projects.
4. Compare your accomplishment with the scope of work contained in your contract with DEP.
3. Watershed Restoration and AMD Demonstration Projects
1. Define the characteristics of the actual construction and equipment set in place so that successful projects may be duplicated.
2. What reduction in AMD was accomplished. Provide specific data to support your evaluation.
3. What technical modifications to your project should be implemented on future projects.
4. Was this demonstration project successful or should this technology be terminated.
5. Compare your accomplishment with the scope of work contained in your contract with DEP.

IX.  REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS

1. Payments will be made for reimbursements of actual costs, not to exceed a predetermined amount, incurred by the sponsor upon presentation of properly certified documents. Standard Invoice forms will be supplied by this agency.

X.  LIMITATIONS OF FUNDING

1. The DEP reserves the right to support, or not to support, in whole or in part, any or all applications received, and to determine the number of awards to be made through the solicitation, subject to funds available.