Proposal Procedures for 2000 Middlesex County
Urban Forestry Demonstration Projects

 

Middlesex County Urban Forestry Advisory Committee
40 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, N.J. 08901
Tel: 732-745-3016
Fax: 732-745-3011
Email: envtmcpd@superlink.net
May 2000

PREFACE

What is the Middlesex County Urban Forestry Program?

In 1992, the U.S. Forest Service provided a small grant to the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders to design a model Urban Forestry Demonstration Project.
The Middlesex County project was to be developed pursuant to the following National Urban Forestry Demonstration Project goals:

1) Illustrate the benefits that can occur from comprehensive natural resource management in urban areas; 2) Demonstrate ways that natural resource planning and management can complement community planning and development; and
3) Incorporate environmental education into the project by involving the local community.

A group of interested representatives of municipalities and the County met at the invitation of the N.J. Division of Parks and Forestry of the N.J.D.E.P. to decide on a specific focus for the County's project.

As a result of the efforts of the ad hoc Committee, the County was successful in obtaining a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, passed through the N.J.D.E.P., to fund the actual implementation of the County Demonstration Project. The County then formalized the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee which adopted by-laws and elected officers.

Beginning in 1994 and through the present, the Committee, which now has direct funding support from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, annually requests proposals for tree planting projects.

In 1994 and 1995, the Advisory Committee selected a series of tree planting projects that focused on stream corridors. As a result of the implementation of those projects the Committee determined that the focus of the County's program should be broadened to include the promotion of linear greenways throughout the County. In addition the Committee determined that its efforts should seek to strengthen environmental education programs in the school systems of the County. Seven greenway/school yard projects were selected for grants in 1996. Since 1997, the grants have included a mix of riparian, open space greenway reforestation, and school yard projects.

The Committee wishes to encourage schools, youth programs or other non-profit organizations that are involved in environmental education to apply for project grants.

The protection of stream corridors and linear greenways provides the opportunity to enhance forest growth, provide buffers between land uses, provide for erosion control and stream bank stabilization, restore wildlife habitat, reduce and/or prevent flooding problems, promote recreation opportunities and improve the aesthetics (visual image) of the County.

The Middlesex County Open Space and Recreation Master Plan also supports the implementation of a greenways concept in Middlesex County.

 

I. What is an eligible project and who can apply?

The Middlesex County Urban Forestry Demonstration Project is accepting proposals for three types of forestry projects:

1) Riparian Forestry projects
2) Greenway Forestry projects
3) Schoolyard Forestry projects

The primary objective of the Riparian Forestry projects is to restore, nurture, and perpetuate Riparian forests within the stream corridors of Middlesex County. The primary objective of the Greenway Forestry projects is to establish and/or improve wooded corridors within publicly owned or controlled Open Space in Middlesex County. The primary objective of the Schoolyard Forestry projects is to promote environmental education and improve schoolyard environments through tree planting.

Proposals for Middlesex County Urban Forestry Projects may be submitted for a project that will result in protection of existing forest, reforestation or establishment of new forest growth in a preserved open space area in Middlesex County. Such areas may be adjacent to and buffering a water course, wetland, or open water body in Middlesex County. Projects can also be located within open space that is a part of a greenway or park that may contribute to creation of a natural habitat linking other open space areas. Projects can also be proposed for school grounds or open space areas not intended for active recreation facilities. Projects submitted should result in protection of the habitat value of the area. (The project grant funding can be used only for selection, purchase, preparation for and planting of trees or other suitable vegetation. The plantings must be native species.) (See list included.) Any project involving construction or topographic alteration that requires a permit from the N.J.D.E.P. and will not receive the required permit(s) prior to November 1, 2000 is not eligible for funding under this program. Projects should not be in conflict with any existing, scheduled or proposed public works projects. Planting of larger trees or shrubs that have a good potential for survival is encouraged. Planting of whips, seedlings or small plants are more subject to adverse impacts from mowing or other disturbance and should be considered only in special circumstances (i.e. a special environmental education project).

Projects are required to be completed within one year of the signing of the grant agreement. Monitoring is required for a minimum of two years. Projects involving forestation by seedling planting should be monitored for a longer period (four or more years). All planting should be protected from disturbance/grounds maintenance activities. Avoid heavily trafficked areas.

Projects are required to utilize native vegetation. Some nurseries specialize in native vegetation and most will be able to provide assistance in selecting appropriate native species. We suggest that you investigate the availability of plants that you wish to use. The New Jersey Bureau of Forestry Nursery (732-928-0029) in Jackson, New Jersey can be contacted for advice on selecting plant species. Recommended species to be planted are included in the attached list of Common Native Trees and Vegetation for Middlesex County, New Jersey. Please note that some species are not suited for fall planting or are susceptible to damage from cold weather. Check with your vendor or with the New Jersey Bureau of Forestry at 732-928-0404 if you have any questions.

Proposed projects must also be located on publicly owned or controlled lands. Such lands must be owned by a governmental unit, or be covered by an easement or legal agreement that allows a governmental unit or non-profit organization unrestricted access to the land for planting and maintenance of the forest and/or vegetated habitat.

Any project involving seedlings or small trees less than three feet tall must provide a description of the site selection and planting procedures to be followed to insure long term monitoring capability. All project sites must be described in the proposal document and marked in the field so that they can be evaluated in the future. A monitoring and maintenance plan must be provided.

Proposals may be submitted by any non-profit or governmental agency within Middlesex County. Schools or other groups that can demonstrate the coordination of a planting project with existing environmental education programs are especially encouraged to apply.

Proposals must be submitted with the endorsement of an official organization or governmental unit of the County or any one of the municipalities within Middlesex County, New Jersey. A cover letter signed by the mayor, director, chairperson or chief executive officer of the organization or governmental unit and transmitting a complete project proposal package must be included. The owner of the land on which the project is located must provide written approval for the implementation of the project and authorization for long term monitoring and maintenance.

In summary all projects must meet the following pre-selection criteria:

(A) Located on publicly owned/controlled lands;

(B) Adjacent to perennial stream corridors or other suitable water bodies for riparian projects; within established greenways for greenway projects; and within school properties for schoolyard projects;

(C) Improve forest and wildlife habitat, ameliorate erosion and/or stream bank destabilization and flooding problems, enhance recreational and aesthetic qualities, and/or promote environmental education;

(D) Do not conflict with public works projects;

(E) Avoid wetlands or, conversely, enhance wetlands. No funding will be available for projects that do not already have N.J.D.E.P. permits where required.

(F) Guarantee long-term (2-year) maintenance and survivability;

(G) Provide a 25 percent match (25% of the total project cost) in direct cash or in-kind services;

(H) Document municipal or school support for the specific project.

 

II. Project Proposal
Project proposals must include at least the following information:

(A) Name of Municipality or Organization;

(B) Contact Person name, address, phone and fax number;

(C) Detailed Description of Project;

• Name of municipality and school, greenway, park, and/or stream or water body along which project is to be located.
• Location Map (USGS Quadrangle Map or similar regional map showing project location). (We will need to be able to find the site in order to evaluate the project.)
• Project Site Plan A legible, illustrative plan showing at least the following:
  - Location of trees and other vegetation (by species) to be planted.
  -Any other proposed improvements related to the project, but not fundable by this grant
  -Nearby structures or other reference features to help locate the project site.
• Planting species, size and number list.
• Cost estimates for tree and other vegetation acquisition, preparation and planting, including identification of the grant amount requested, the 25% applicant share and the total project cost.
• Color photographs of the project location clearly showing present conditions.
• A written assessment of current site conditions clearly stating how the proposed planting will benefit the area.
• Verification that the project site is free of underground utilities.
• A project maintenance plan including provisions for watering the plantings, specially during dry periods.

 

(D) Certification that the land on which the project is to be located is owned or controlled by a governmental entity and that access is granted for implementing and monitoring the project. A letter signed by the chief executive or designated representative of the landowner must be provided

(E) Identification of the agency, group or individual who will be responsible for implementation and long term maintenance of the project and a letter indicating its/his/her acceptance of that responsibility. Two year maintenance and survivability must be demonstrated. In the case of projects using seedlings or whips a longer monitoring period will be required.

(F) Identification of and commitment to provide the twenty-five percent (25%) applicant cost share for the project implementation. The local cost share can be provided by the cost of local labor or other resources or by a direct financial contribution to the project=s cost. Volunteer services, if appropriately documented and assigned a dollar value based upon acceptable local labor rates, can be used for the local cost share.

(G) If appropriate, the proposal should identify how the project is related to an ongoing environmental education effort.

(H) A commitment to provide documentation of project completion and the required first and second year monitoring reports to include a description of planting survival and photographs.

III. Three complete copies of the project proposal must be officially submitted by the applicant.

IV. Complete proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 3, 2000.

Each project that meets the primary objective and the pre-selection criteria will be evaluated for relative merit and ranked if the total annual funding requests exceed available funding. The evaluation criteria for all projects are as follows:

1. Forest ecosystem improvements;

2. Erosion control and stream bank stabilization;

3. Wildlife habitat improvement;

4. Amelioration of water quality and flooding problems;

5. Support for the County Open Space Plan;

6. Environmental education;

7. Improvement of the Microclimate;

8. Recreation and aesthetic improvements;

9. Quality of the project plan and use of native species;

10. Long term management and monitoring; and

11. Protection from vandalism

 

V. Project proposals must be delivered to the offices of the Middlesex County Urban Forestry Advisory Committee, The Elks Building, 40 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. 08901, Attention: William J. Kruse.
Questions can be directed to Mr. William J. Kruse at 732-745-3016.

Project proposals will be reviewed and ranked by the Middlesex County Urban Forestry Advisory Committee. All applicants will be notified of the Committees decision. If approved the applicants governing body or designated chief executive officer will be required to sign a grant agreement document with the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Grant recipients are required to submit written progress reports on completion of initial planting and annual monitoring reports for two years thereafter.

Fifty percent of the grant will be provided after contract signing and receipt by the County of a completed Middlesex County Miscellaneous Voucher. The remaining fifty percent will be provided upon project completion and submission of appropriate documentation of expenditures and project implementation. A photographic record and written description of the project as implemented along with documentation of expenditures (bills, invoices, etc.) and a completed and signed Middlesex County Miscellaneous Voucher is required to be submitted by the applicant for final payment. Documentation of the recipient share must be provided.

It is recommended that planting sites be investigated to determine that the soil at the site is suitable. If the area is previously filled land a soil test is recommended to determine that the soil will support tree growth.

Should the grantee propose changes from the project as presented in the grant proposal, the Middlesex County Urban Forestry Advisory Committee must be notified. The Committee will review the proposed changes and advise the grantee of the Committee's action to approve, deny or require additional information or conditions regarding the changes.