Project Scope And Funding

Grant funds awarded under this program will be used entirely to prepare a planning document to identify the cost effective and environmentally sound alternative to achieve or maintain compliance with IDAPA 58.01.08, “Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems,” and the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 300f et seq. or maintain compliance with IDAPA 58.01.16, “Wastewater Rules,” and the federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Sections 1381 et seq. The planning document must be approved by the Department. (7-1-25) 01. Planning Document. (3-31-22) a. A planning document must include all items listed in IDAPA 58.01.08, “Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems,” Subsection 503.03 or 502.04 or IDAPA 58.01.16, “Wastewater Rules,” Subsection 411.03 or 410.04, and project specific efforts committed to in the Letter of Interest submitted for the project. A planning document checklist can be found in the Handbook. If the grant recipient proceeds to construction using federal funds (e.g., a state revolving fund loan), then the items listed in Subsection 030.01.b. will be necessary prior to construction. (7-1-25) b. A planning document that is prepared anticipating the use of federal funds must include an environmental review and will require the Department approval of both a technical draft and final planning document. (7-1-25) i. In addition to the provisions of Subsection 030.01.a., the technical draft planning document must include: (7-1-25) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.22 – Planning Grants for Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water & Wastewater Facilities Section 030 Page 7 (1) Description of existing conditions for the proposed project area; (3-31-22) (2) Description of future conditions for the proposed project area; (3-31-22) (3) Development and initial screening of alternatives; and (7-1-25) (4) Development of an environmental review specified by the Department as described in Section 040. (3-31-22) ii. The grant recipient must provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the technical draft planning document after alternatives have been developed and the Department has approved the technical draft planning document. In addition, the recipient must: (7-1-25) (1) Provide documentation of the public notice, comment period, and at least one (1) public meeting within the jurisdiction of the grant recipient was held during the public comment period; (7-1-25) (2) Present the technical draft planning document with an explanation of the alternatives identified; (7-1-25) (3) Consider public comments received from those affected by the proposed project in evaluating and selecting the cost effective and environmentally sound alternative; (7-1-25) (4) Identify the selected alternative after the public meeting and comment period; and (7-1-25) (5) Prepare the environmental documentation. (7-1-25) iii. The final planning document must include all items required of the technical draft planning document as well as the following: (7-1-25) (1) Final evaluation of alternatives including documentation of public comment period and results; (7-1-25) (2) Description of the selected alternative, plan adoption, and implementation arrangements; (7-1-25) (3) Relevant engineering data supporting the selected alternative; and (7-1-25) (4) Assessment of the cost and effectiveness, to the maximum extent practicable, of efficient water use, reuse, recapture and conservation, and energy conservation, with cost including construction, operation and maintenance, and replacement. (3-31-22) c. The technical draft and final planning document must bear the imprint of an Idaho licensed professional engineer’s seal that is both signed and dated by the engineer. (7-1-25) d. The technical draft and final planning documents must be reviewed and approved by the Department. (7-1-25) e. The planning period must be twenty (20) years for all facilities except for distribution and transmission systems which may be forty (40) years. Build-out conditions must also be considered for collection systems. (7-1-25) 02. Limitation on Funding Assistance. The maximum grant funding provided in a state planning grant award will not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total eligible costs for grants awarded. (7-1-25) 03. Professional Services. The engineering firm retained to prepare the planning document must be selected based on qualifications in accordance with Section 67-2320, Idaho Code, and at a minimum is: (7-1-25) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.22 – Planning Grants for Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water & Wastewater Facilities Section 031 Page 8 a. A registered professional engineer currently licensed by the Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; (7-1-25) b. Not debarred or otherwise prevented from providing services under another federal or state financial assistance program; and (7-1-25) c. Covered by professional liability insurance in accordance with Subsection 050.05.d. (7-1-25)