The Water Sector Commission approved application guidelines and a plan to open an online portal for applications tied to the $75 million the legislature appropriated last session.

Chairman Zirang opened the meeting and, after a motion by Representative Reiser, the commission approved the guidance without objection, allowing staff to post the guidance, schedule outreach webinars and open the portal for applications.

Tracy Watts, speaking for the Division, said the division’s administrative budget proposal covers costs for LDH, DEQ, and division staff as well as contracts for rate studies and portal development. Watts told the commission the portal would be launched with outreach and a webinar schedule: a webinar/demo would be conducted around Oct. 21, the portal would open Oct. 28, close Dec. 12 at 4:30 p.m., and staff would begin reviewing applications on Dec. 13 with recommendations due to the commission by Jan. 27. “The portal will open October 28th, and it will close on December 12th, at 4:30 PM,” Watts said.

Watts summarized the scoring framework for applications, saying the rubric awards up to 140 points in total. She said project severity and need would account for the largest single category at 50 points, resiliency is worth 10 points, sustainability up to 15 points and readiness to proceed up to 20 points. Match documentation can earn up to 10 points, and a graded scale awards up to 15 points for increased local cost share; applicants may request a waiver of the 25% local-match requirement within the application portal.

Chairman Zirang and members emphasized that administrative costs are necessary to run the portal and manage awards. Watts said the division will record webinars, post them on the agency website and notify members and stakeholder organizations including the Louisiana Municipal Association, Louisiana Rural Water Association and the Police Jury Association. “We always send it out to you all so you can share with your constituents,” Watts said.

The commission approved the guidelines and directed staff to issue them and begin the outreach and portal process. The commission’s next procedural step is for staff to post the guidance and begin the scheduled outreach activities; recommendations from staff are due to the commission by Jan. 27.