(1)Eligible applicants or participants may file an application with the local soil conservation district or the state soil and water conservation commission for a grant from the state soil and water conservation commission general fund for the purpose of financing conservation improvements, projects and implementation of the water quality program for agriculture. Such application shall be filed in such a manner and shall be in such form, and be accompanied by such information as may be prescribed by the commission; provided however, any such application filed with the district or the commission under the provisions of this section shall:
(a)Describe the nature and purpose of the improvements or conservation plan implementation project;
(b)Set forth or be accompanied by an improvement pr
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(1) Eligible applicants or participants may file an application with the local soil conservation district or the state soil and water conservation commission for a grant from the state soil and water conservation commission general fund for the purpose of financing conservation improvements, projects and implementation of the water quality program for agriculture. Such application shall be filed in such a manner and shall be in such form, and be accompanied by such information as may be prescribed by the commission; provided however, any such application filed with the district or the commission under the provisions of this section shall:
(a) Describe the nature and purpose of the improvements or conservation plan implementation project;
(b) Set forth or be accompanied by an improvement project plan approved by the local soil conservation district or the commission that identifies the practices to be applied, together with such technical and economic feasibility data and estimated costs as may be required by the commission;
(c) State whether money other than that for which application is made under this section will be used for improvement project or conservation plan implementation costs, and whether such money is available or has been sought for this purpose; and
(d) Show that the applicant or participant holds or can acquire title to all lands or has necessary easements and rights-of-way to implement the project plan.
(2) The commission and local soil conservation district will keep each other informed of grant applications received. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of an application, the local soil conservation district or the commission shall review and evaluate and, if deemed necessary, investigate all aspects of the proposed improvement, project or conservation plan. As part of such investigation, the district or the commission shall determine whether the project plan is satisfactory. If the district or the commission determines that the plan is unsatisfactory, it shall return the application to the applicant or participant and the district or the commission may make such recommendations to the applicant or participant as are considered necessary to make the plan satisfactory. If the commission determines either the plan or a plan revised pursuant to recommendation of the district or commission is satisfactory, it shall be considered for funding.
(3) The commission may approve a grant if after review, evaluation and investigation if necessary, it finds that:
(a) The applicant or participant is qualified and responsible;
(b) The improvement, project or conservation plan demonstrates public benefits; and
(c) That money in the state soil and water conservation commission general fund is available for the grant.
(4) If the commission approves a grant, the applicant or participant shall enter into an agreement covering the grant offer and acceptance of the grant for implementing the improvement, project or conservation plan. The agreement shall be improvement, project or conservation plan specific. The terms and conditions shall be those specified by the commission.
(5) Upon approval of the grant and securing all necessary documents, the commission will make available, in the approved form, project or contract funding.