Local Agency Call for Projects
2020 – No Local Agency Call for Projects
Calls for Local Agency Permanent Water Quality Projects are opened when there are surplus funds following disbursement to CDOT projects. There are no surplus funds in 2020. Please check back in Spring 2021.
The goals of this program are to finance PWQ stormwater projects that support local agencies’ efforts, benefit water quality in receiving waters, and treat runoff from CDOT’s MS4 area. CDOT intends to build PWQ control measures more effectively and efficiently by partnering with local agencies on mutually beneficial and comprehensive projects.
CDOT’s Mitigation Pool Fund is required by the CDOT Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit (COS000005). The criteria in the application are based on CDOT’s MS4 Permit and proposed projects must meet CDOT’s MS4 requirements. The Mitigation Pool Committee will consider overall water quality benefit, partnerships, local watershed priority, and project components identified in the Guidance and Application.
Permanent Water Quality Resources
- PWQ Program Manual- Ensure the project meets the requirements outlined in this document. The manual includes a glossary of terms used in the guidance and application.
- PWQ Long Range Plan
- PWQ Section of the Drainage Design Manual- Effective immediately this section replaces Chapters 12 and 19 of the CDOT Drainage Design Manual (2004 ) below and Chapter 6 of CDOT’s Erosion Control & Stormwater Quality Guide (2002) entitled “Post Construction Best Management Practices”, as applicable.
- CDOT Local Agency Manual
- Spreadsheet for the treatment area and cost estimate tables (required with application).
- CDOT Intergovernmental Agreement requirements, as outlined in Colorado Revised Statute 43-2-135
- Super Circular - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR Part 200
The project does not have to be located within CDOT’s MS4 area, but it must treat a significant portion of CDOT's MS4 area. Significant will be evaluated based on current applications. Projects with the highest percent of CDOT area treated will score more points than those with the lowest portion of CDOT MS4 area treated for this criteria.
Do projects located in-stream qualify for receiving Mitigation Pool Funding?
No. Projects located in-stream do not qualify for Mitigation Pool funding. Treatment must occur prior to entering a Water of the State (i.e. before the high water mark) for the project to be eligible to receive Mitigation Pool Funds. If a project includes both types of treatment, CDOT may provide Mitigation Pool funds for the portion of a project providing treatment prior to entering a Water of the State. For example, if a project proposes to build and off-line extended detention basin and stabilize an adjacent stream, the project could apply to use mitigation pool dollars to build the detention basin, but funds could not be used for the stream stabilization portion of the project. CDOT encourages applicants to contact the NDRD Program Manager for questions to determine eligibility on projects that may have some components that are eligible and some that are not.
Can mitigation pool funds be used to build flood control facilities?
No. Mitigation pool funds cannot be used to build flood detention facilities. However, mitigation pool funds may be used to retrofit an existing flood control basin if the purpose of the retrofit is to provide water quality. Additionally, full-spectrum detention would be eligible to apply for mitigation pool funds, but could only receive funds for the water quality portion of the facility.
Why do I need to follow Federal requirements like NEPA and Super-circular?
A large portion of CDOT funds come from the Federal Highway Administration and there are federal requirements associated with using those funds. A large portion of the Mitigation Pool funds are therefore federal funds and must follow federal requirements. Federal requirements may include, but are not limited to: NEPA, contractor selection, Doing Business As (DBA) requirements, right of way acquisition, etc. Each region has one or more local agency contacts that can help you navigate the federal process. Please see the Contact tab below.
Contacts
PWQ Program Manager: Rachel Hansgen
303-757-9975
[email protected]
The following Region Water Quality Specialists and Local Agency Coordinators can assist in discussions of proposed PWQ Program projects.