Section Env-Wt 808.20 - Project Evaluation(a) The department and site selection committee shall:(1) Evaluate a wetlands mitigation project using the criteria in (b) through (f), below; and(2) Evaluate a stream passage improvement using the criteria in (c) through (g), below.(b) A maximum of 27 points shall be assigned based on the potential the project has to restore, enhance, or retain similar wetland functions and values lost within the service area, and those that have been identified by the site selection committee as priorities for the application cycle, as follows:(1) The project shall receive 20 to 27 points if the application clearly demonstrates that the project will:a. Restore, enhance, or retain more than two-thirds of the wetland types or natural community lost by the impacts that generated the funds; orb. Is located in an area of significant habitat value with high likelihood of success and the work will result in improved habitat functions;(2) The project shall receive 13 to 19 points if the application clearly demonstrates that the project will: a. Restore, enhance, or retain less than two-thirds of the wetland types or natural community by improving the ecological integrity function of the wetland and/or other functions lost in the service area; orb. Provides an improvement in the functions that were impaired in the service area as identified in the compensation planning framework;(3) The project shall receive 6 to 12 points if the application clearly demonstrates that the project will: a. Restore, enhance or retain less than two-thirds of the wetland types or natural community other than by improving the ecological integrity function of the wetland and/or other functions lost in the service area; orb. Provides an improvement in the functions that were impaired in the service area as identified in the compensation planning framework; or(4) The project shall receive one to 5 points if the application credibly asserts but does not clearly establish that the project will restore, enhance, or retain some of the wetland types or natural community or functions previously impaired in the service area.(c) A maximum of 27 points shall be assigned based on the overall environmental significance the project provides, with the project receiving one to 9 points for each of the following that apply:(1) The project is located within a source water protection area or overlays a high-yield stratified drift aquifer;(2) The project will protect endangered, threatened, or special concern species or exemplary natural communities documented to occur on the property; and(3) The project is located in or in close proximity to WAP highest quality wildlife habitat or WAP conservation focal areas.(d) A maximum of 19 points shall be assigned based on the project's proximity and connectivity to the following resources, with the project receiving the points noted for each of the following that apply:(1) If the project is adjacent to lands protected in perpetuity, the project shall receive 4 points;(2) If the project provides a connection between lands that are currently unconnected and which are protected in perpetuity, the project shall receive one to 4 points;(3) If the project will protect linkages or over-land connections among and between one or more aquatic resource areas, the project shall receive one to 4 points;(4) If the project will protect lands within a large unfragmented block of land, relative to the service area, the project shall receive one to 4 points; and(5) If the project is located within the same sub-watershed as the impact area(s), the project shall receive 3 points.(e) A maximum of 19 points shall be assigned based on the overall mitigation potential for the project to address the considerations noted below, with the project receiving the points noted for each of the following that apply: (1) The project shall receive one to 6 points if it will protect most or all of the aquatic resource;(2) The project shall receive one to 6 points if it will provide an upland buffer that protects an aquatic resource identified as a prime wetland by a municipality or recognized in a municipal or regional wetland or natural resource study;(3) The project shall receive one to 4 points if it will protect, at a minimum, a 200-foot upland buffer around most or all of the aquatic resource; and(4) The project shall receive one to 3 points if it will protect most or all of the HUC 12-digit watershed of the aquatic resource.(f) A maximum of 8 points shall be assigned based on the cost-effectiveness of the project and partnership potential, with the project receiving the points noted for each of the following that apply: (1) The project shall receive 3 points if it will provide a cash or in-kind donation match of at least 30%;(2) The project shall receive one to 3 points if the project area is identified in a federal, or state environmental priority plan other than the WAP; and(3) The project shall receive 3 points if it is supported by the host municipality.(g) A maximum of 27 points shall be assigned based on the potential the project has to provide a stream passage improvement for stream resources in the service area that were impaired, and those that have been identified by the site selection committee as priorities for the application cycle.N.H. Code Admin. R. Env-Wt 808.20
Derived From Volume XXXVI Number 01, Filed January 7, 2016, Proposed by #11000, Effective 2/1/2016, Expires 2/1/2026.Amended by Volume XXXIX Number 28, Filed July 11, 2019, Proposed by #12808, Effective 12/15/2019, Expires 12/15/2029.