ORS 541.873 Grants benefiting disproportionately impacted communities; uses; rules; reports

The Environmental Restoration Council shall establish by rule a program to provide grants to public or private nonprofit entities to carry out projects that benefit disproportionately impacted communities. Rules adopted under this section shall include but need not be limited to:

Procedures for soliciting and reviewing applications from public or private nonprofit entities;

Eligibility criteria for nonprofit entities;

Eligible purposes for which grants may be awarded;

Guidelines for collaborations or partnerships between multiple entities; and

Reporting requirements for grant recipients.

Reporting requirements:

Must be developed after consultation with nonprofit entities likely to receive grants under this section; and

As far as practicable, must be consistent with reporting requirements adopted under ORS 541.869 and 541.879.

Grants awarded under this section:

Must be awarded for projects or purposes that are consistent with the terms of the Monsanto Settlement Agreement and the strategic priorities established under ORS 541.882.

May be used to supplement existing programs or projects but may not be used to supplant moneys available from any other source.

May be used as matching funds for federal moneys or moneys available from any other source.

The council may contract with a third-party entity to implement and serve as the administrator of the grant program established under this section.

Grants awarded under this section shall be paid out of the Disproportionately Impacted Community Fund established under ORS 541.871 by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board in accordance with rules adopted by the council under this section.