SECTION 517.39. Provisions for SWCDs to Provide Technical Assistance to Landowners for Brush Control and to Administer the Water Supply Enhancement Cost-Share Program

(a) In order to maximize the effective and efficient use of water supply enhancement grant funds, an SWCD participating in a water supply enhancement project must choose one of two options to provide technical assistance to landowners for brush control and to administer the water supply enhancement cost-share program.

(b) Option A. Cooperative Agreement for Regional Conservation Technician. The participating SWCD agrees to allow a regional conservation technician, funded by the State Board through a different SWCD, to perform all duties and responsibilities associated with implementing a water supply enhancement project within the jurisdiction of the participating SWCD on behalf of the participating SWCD.

(1) The participating SWCD will cooperate with the regional conservation technician and the State Board to implement the water supply enhancement project.

(2) The participating SWCD will not be eligible for reimbursement of any costs associated with implementing the water supply enhancement project within the jurisdiction of the participating SWCD.

(c) Option B. Participating SWCD Provides for Technical Assistance. If a participating SWCD chooses to administer the water supply enhancement program within the jurisdiction of that SWCD, as provided for by §517.32(a) of this subchapter, then the participating SWCD agrees to employ a district conservation technician to perform all duties and responsibilities necessary to provide technical assistance and to administer the cost-share program within the jurisdiction of the participating SWCD.

(1) The State Board and regional conservation technicians will not perform duties and responsibilities associated with the provision of technical assistance or administering the cost-share program, but will provide guidance and direction to the participating SWCD on State Board rules, policies, and procedures.

(2) The participating SWCD may be reimbursed by the State Board for actual costs incurred associated with implementing the water supply enhancement program, up to 15 percent of the cost-share allocation for that water supply enhancement project.

(3) Costs incurred associated with either providing technical assistance and administering the cost-share program or administrative functions of implementing a water supply enhancement project and performed by an employee of the participating SWCD are eligible for reimbursement.

(4) The maximum pay rate adopted in State Board Technical Assistance Rule §519.8 of this title shall also apply to salary costs incurred associated with administrative functions performed by participating SWCDs.

Source Note: The provisions of this §517.39 adopted to be effective September 8, 2014, 39 TexReg 7173