These regulations explain the Aquaculture Grant Program. The purpose of the Aquaculture Grant Program is to provide matching funds for wastewater facilities for private aquaculture operations. This program will help Maryland aquafarmers design and construct devices that will reduce wastewater discharge or treat effluent to comply with water quality standards established by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. A person with an aquaculture project that meets the program objectives as contained in this chapter may apply to the Department for a matching aquaculture grant. An application shall contain the following, with each section beginning on a separate sheet of paper: Title page, which shall contain the following: The project title; The requested grant amount; A statement of the funding phase, that is, design and testing, or construction and use; The county where the aquaculture project is located; and The applicant's name and signature, address and phone number, or name and signature of the applicant's authorized representative, if any. Project description, which shall include: The project's objective; A short, general summary, of approximately 300—400 words, of the proposed project; The project's design description, including drawings, as appropriate; How the project will be operated and tested to meet the program objective or objectives as provided in Regulation .05A(1)(c) of this chapter; An identification of the way in which the wastewater will be discharged and where, including the body of water, if any, receiving the wastewater; Any other information the applicant believes necessary for the Department's complete review of the proposed project. Project Budget. The applicant shall contribute at least 50 percent to the cost of any project. The application shall contain a proposed budget for the project, identifying all sources and uses of money, and the estimated value of the applicant's other contributions to the cost of the project, such as goods and labor. An applicant's labor contribution shall be based on the value of any salary paid for necessary labor, including benefits. Any contribution of equipment shall be for equipment necessary for the project. The applicant shall provide the Department with budget information in the following areas: Labor; Travel; Equipment; Testing; and Other necessary costs for the project. The budget shall include a proposed beginning and an ending date for the project. Resumes. Each applicant shall include a resume, and resumes of key personnel involved in the project. All resumes shall include the educational background and the experience of the applicant and key personnel as these relate to the project. An applicant shall submit the application to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Office, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The Department shall approve or disapprove an application as follows: The Department shall approve projects in the order in which applications are received, if funds are available, and if in the Department's judgment: The scientific and engineering objectives of the project are reasonable; The technological aspects of the project are appropriate and feasible; Project plans are adequate to fulfill one or more of the following grant program objectives: Water conservation, Water recirculation, Nutrient discharge reduction, Solids reduction, Thermal pollution abatement; The applicant agrees to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of an aquaculture project. The Department shall disapprove an application for any of the following reasons: The application is incomplete or does not comply with these regulations. Funds are not available. Any application disapproved for this reason may be held for consideration by the Department for the next fund cycle. The Department shall notify the applicant if an application is approved or disapproved. If the application is approved, the applicant shall be notified of the amount of the State grant for the project and the applicant's required matching amount. Upon approval of an application by the Department, the applicant shall execute an agreement. The agreement, among other things, shall obligate the applicant to: Establish and operate an aquaculture project according to project specifications; Provide any required funds for the project; Bind any successor in title for the life of the project; Maintain records as required; Allow the Department to monitor the project to determine that the project is constructed and operated in accordance with any agreement. The Department may disburse funds for a project up to 50 percent of eligible costs or $15,000, whichever is less. Grant funds shall be distributed as follows: One third of the grant shall be awarded to the applicant following the execution of the cost-sharing agreement. One third of the grant shall be awarded to the applicant when the project begins operation. The Department shall verify the operation before payment. One third of the grant shall be awarded to the applicant following receipt of a project final report prepared by the applicant. The final report shall contain: An evaluation of the degree to which the project meets grant program objectives as provided in Regulation .05A(1)(c), including test results; An accounting of the disbursement of all funds with an itemized list of costs associated with the project; The date and the signature of the applicant certifying that the information presented is true and correct to the best of that person's knowledge. If actual costs are less than the estimated costs contained in the agreement, the payment may not exceed the cost share rate based on the actual costs. If actual costs are more than the estimated costs contained in the agreement, the payment may be based on the actual cost if the Department approves the overrun and if funds are available. After the Department has distributed funds, the Department shall monitor projects to see if the projects are in accordance with the agreement. If a person fails to establish or operate a project in accordance with any agreement executed with the Department, that person shall be liable for the full amount of State funds paid for any project that was not implemented. Chapter 14, Laws of Maryland 1989 Effective date: Regulations .01--.09 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 9, 1990 (17:5 Md. R. 634); emergency status expired June 11, 1990; adopted permanently effective June 25, 1990 (17:12 Md. R. 1494)