Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
(a) The act provides for the General Assembly of the Commonwealth to appropriate moneys into a special fund known as the Conservation District Fund for allocation to local conservation districts. Funds allocated to conservation districts from this fund shall be used for activities necessary to meet the requirements of the act and costs associated with implementing programs delegated, contracted or approved by the Commission. (b) It is the intention of the Commission to provide conservation districts with funds to be used for the employment of conservation district managers for the districts, to provide administrative funding assistance to districts, to finance Commission mandated or authorized activities, and to provide financial assistance for technical staff and programs of districts under the act, if the district complies with the terms and conditions of this chapter.(c) The Commission will annually allocate the available funding to one or more of the program elements identified in this subchapter and will provide for the fair and equitable distribution of the funds to districts. Total funding available for allocation to one or more of the program elements will be determined by the Commission in consultation with the PDA, the Department and other funding sources on an annual basis as funding is available.(1) The Commission will have the authority to reallocate district funding based on actual and anticipated district costs.(2) The Commission will provide advanced payments for conservation districts consistent with the authority of the act and this subchapter.(d) State funds allocated to districts under this program will be utilized solely for employing conservation district managers, conservation district management staff, conservation district technicians and engineers and to finance administrative expenses related to program elements and special project expenses of this subchapter approved by the Commission.(e) The following program elements may be funded under the Conservation District Fund Allocation Program:(1)Conservation District Management Cost Share Program. The purpose of the Conservation District Management Cost Share Program is to provide cost share assistance to conservation districts for their employment of a conservation district manager or other management staff to provide overall administration of the district's programs.(2)Administrative Assistance Funding Program. The purpose of the Administrative Assistance Funding Program is to provide financial assistance for administrative purposes to conservation districts. The funds shall be used to help defray district administrative expenses related to actions required or authorized by the act or an action of the Commission and enhance the conservation district's ability to provide administrative support to other program areas where the conservation district has accepted administrative responsibilities. Activities include general administrative support for conservation districts programs and administrative support of other programs supported by other funding sources and approved by the Commission.(3)Technical Assistance Cost Share Program. The purpose of the Technical Assistance Cost Share Program is to provide cost share assistance to districts for their employment of technical staff to carry out district functions that require specialized training or abilities. Funding under this program shall be utilized to support positions at conservation districts employed to carry out responsibilities under the Erosion and Sediment Control Program; the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Program; and the Agricultural Conservation Technical Assistance Program. Funding may also be utilized for other technical related program and staff positions determined necessary and approved by the Commission.(4)Special Project Funding Program. The purpose of the Special Projects Funding Program is to provide State, Federal or private funds to districts or cooperating organizations in return for proper execution of special programs or projects approved by the Commission.(5)Others. Other programs as approved by the Commission.The provisions of this § 83.31 adopted February 24, 1984, effective 1/6/1984, 14 Pa.B. 657; amended June 23, 1995, effective 6/24/1995, 25 Pa.B. 2506; amended February 15, 2008, effective 2/16/2008, 38 Pa.B. 889.The provisions of this § 83.31 amended under the Conservation District Law (3 P. S. §§ 849-864) and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).