Santa Fe - The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Solid Waste Bureau is now accepting applications for 2016-2017 Solid Waste Facility Grants. Awards will be issued for applications that demonstrate a project will result in environmentally sound methods for solid waste facility management and significant improvement of protection of the environment and public health. Funds totaling $100,000 are available to municipalities, counties, cooperative associations, and solid waste authorities. Joint applications will be allowed when two or more eligible municipalities and/or counties have a joint powers agreement, have established a solid waste authority, or if the entities are located within reasonable proximity of each other and propose to address a common solid waste problem.
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for the fiscal year 17 starting on July 1, 2016 and ending on June 30, 2017. A grant award should not exceed $35,000 unless exceptional need is demonstrated and the applicant clearly shows how funding of a project will be protective of public health and the environment. There are many solid waste facilities needing funding assistance, and as many qualified applicants as possible should receive funding. No single applicant will receive the bulk of the available grant budget.
Awards will be considered for the priorities listed in the application instructions. Examples include use for completion of landfill closures, improvement of groundwater monitoring programs, preparation of solid waste engineering plans, addressing erosion and stormwater problems at landfills, groundwater monitoring program implementation or enhancements, development of plans to repurpose closed landfills, collection center or transfer station improvements, addressing chronic stormwater and erosion problems, preparation of closure plans for unpermitted landfills, closure of landfill cells, and evaluation and/or establishment of alternative methods to prevent landfill cap erosion. The highest priority is funding projects with the greatest need and limited ability to fund the proposed activity by other sources. Well prepared and complete applications that include creative, cost-effective solutions with at least 50% match funding will result in higher scores.
Grant applications can be found on the NMED Solid Waste Bureau website at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swb/GrantandLoanPrograms.htm. All applications must be typed, include responses for all of the specified items, and be submitted on the forms developed by the NMED Solid Waste Bureau. Applications may be submitted by mail, email, fax or hand delivered to the NMED, Solid Waste Bureau office. All applications are due no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, April 8, 2016.
For more information about the grants or to discuss project ideas and projects, contact the NMED Solid Waste Bureau Chief, Auralie Ashley-Marx, at (505) 827-2775 or Auralie.Ashley-Marx@state.nm.us.