<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 05.09.01.05" title_num="05" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="01" heading="Eligible Projects.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A project shall provide one or more of the physical elements which are the basis of a public service system. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Water production, treatment, storage, and distribution systems;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Sewer collection and treatment facilities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Solid waste transfer, conversion, and disposal facilities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Storm water control and drainage facilities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Bulkheads, piers, wharfs, and ramps;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Bridges, streets, and roads;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Facilities for police, fire, transportation, education, health and recreation, library and cultural facilities, and facilities for the delivery of other public services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Street lighting, landscaping, and other public space improvements;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Governmental office, storage, and maintenance facilities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Acquisition of machinery and equipment for any of the projects described in this section.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>When a project is complete, it shall be in compliance with all applicable State and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The project shall have an expected useful life at least equal to the term of the corresponding local obligation, and otherwise satisfactory to the Administration.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The project may not include any facilities for which the local obligations to be purchased by the Administration would be private activity bonds within the meaning of §141 of the Code, for which an allocation under §146 of the Code would be required.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The local government shall provide a certificate that it has determined that the project is consistent with the local comprehensive plan or warranted by extraordinary circumstances with no reasonably feasible alternative, as required under State Finance and Procurement Article, §5-7A-02(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The project shall be determined by the Department to be consistent generally with the State Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy, and demonstrate specifically that the project:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is located:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>On a site suitable for infill development or redevelopment which:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Is occupied by a structure to be rehabilitated,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Was previously improved with a structure, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Is surrounded by a development; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>In an area:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Designated for growth,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Within an existing water and sewer service area or an area planned for service within the next 5 years under the adopted county water and sewerage plan, and (iii) With public facilities and services that are adequate under standards adopted by the local government;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If in a rural area, is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Located in an existing population center or its designated growth area; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Sensitive to resource areas, including agricultural and forests lands; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Is designed with sensitivity for sensitive areas, including streams and stream buffers, 100-year floodplains, habitats of threatened or endangered species, and steep slopes; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Is consistent with the comprehensive plan of the local jurisdiction in which the project is located.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>If the project cannot meet the requirements in §F of this regulation, the project shall be determined by the Department to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be warranted by extraordinary circumstances, which are defined as circumstances that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Require emergency action, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide a unique opportunity to promote the purposes of the Program consistent with the State Growth Policy; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Not have a reasonably feasible alternative, which is defined as an alternative that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is capable of being carried out,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Is readily identifiable by the Program,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Is reasonably related to and will carry out the purposes of the State Growth Policy,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Has reasonably ascertainable effects distinguishable from and less environmentally damaging than the project proposed,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Is within the expertise of the local government,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Can be implemented practically and effectively, not remotely or speculatively, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Is realistic and reasonably available within the time the local government intends to act.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The determination under §F or G of this regulation shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Evidenced by a written project report signed by the Administration and the Secretary's designee; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Finalized in accordance with the procedures set forth in Regulation .08C(3) of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>