Currently there are no funds remaining in the program to allocate for new projects. The 2009 Maine Legislature did approve for an additional $2M to replenish this program with the intent to secure more properties along the coast. This $2M will be placed on a referendum ballot to be voted on in November of 2010. The $2M for working waterfront projects will be bundled together with other funds for State Parks and the Land for Maine’s Future program which will include (conservation, recreation, farm and water access properties). The Natural Resource bond referendum question will total $10M ($2M dedicated to the WWAPP program). If Maine voters approve the referendum question, the WWAPP program will likely reopen with funds becoming available in early 2011.
Similar to previous years, there will likely be three project review periods (application deadlines) a year. In order for projects to be reviewed, scored and presented to the Land for Maine’s Future Board (LMFB) for approval, applicants will likely be able to apply for funds in early, mid and/or late 2011.
During the application development phase, applicants are strongly encouraged to work closely with the DMR’s Working Waterfront Team to assure that their project meets all the program criteria and that their application is complete. There are many individual facets to the application and the team is available to provide support and additional resources as needed to complete all of these pieces.
Upon completion of the application, packets are to be turned in with all required supporting materials to the DMR’s Working Waterfront Team. Application packets will then be checked for completeness and distributed to the appropriate parties. Upon receipt of complete applications, project proposals will be reviewed and scored by the DMR Commissioner’s appointed Review Panel. The Commissioner will prepare final recommendations for funding to the LMFB based on the Review Panel’s scores and comments. The LMFB will be presented with the Commissioner’s recommendations and suggested allocations and will then review each project and vote on allocation amounts.
If an allocation of funds is approved for a project, then the remaining due diligence work will ensue. How long this will take is dependent on how much work was done by the applicant prior to the application phase. It is likely that from allocation to covenant signing will take from 6 months to a year or more. Once the covenant has been signed it will be a minimum of 2 weeks for the state to write a check. If this happens at the end of the state’s fiscal year it could be longer.