Clean Ohio Project Administration

An approved Request to Proceed is required prior to acquisitions, easements and property improvements. Documents can be emailed to the appropriate program representative or submitted through WorksWise. The OPWC will provide approval within 30 days of submittal. DIsbursements should not be submitted until RTP approval. Stream restroration requires the submission of recorded Deed Restrictions prior to conducting work.

Please submit all disbursements via our online portal, WorksWise. Training materials can be found HERE. Allow time for processing disbursements. Additional time will be needed if the vendor is new.

Vendor Payee Identification Form

APPRAISAL STANDARDS

 
As noted in the Standards, the appraiser (land and timber) must be "independent." In addition, note the following:
  • Appraisals are required at the time of application to the respective NRAC.

  • NRACs are required to specify in their guidance as to if they require an Appraisal Report or Restricted Appraisal Report. 

  • If the NRAC requirement is for a Restricted Appraisal Report and the project is funded, the document must be converted to an Appraisal Report for the Request to Proceed submittal.

  • The costs for the Appraisal Report, Restricted Appraisal Report, and Appraisal Review Report are eligible and reimbursable in accordance with the project agreement’s participation ratio.

  • The selected appraiser must certify that they received and read OPWC’s Standards and include the certification in the appraisal’s Letter of Transmittal. The OPWC will not approve the Request to Proceed submittal without this certification.

  • The appraisal must be conducted by an Ohio Department of Transportation Prequalified Appraiser. If the subject property is for a conservation easement, in addition to this list, Appraisal Institute Designated Members who have successfully passed the Valuation of Conservation Easements Professional Development Program are also approved for use.

  • The OPWC may approve projects where the purchase price exceeds the appraised value if validated and approved by the respective NRAC. A change places a maximum such that the price cannot exceed 5% above appraised value. Anything over 5% must be paid by the applicant outside of the project application.

APPRAISER INFORMATION                   

ODOT Prequalified Appraisers: This is the link for ODOT's Office of Consultant Services Individual Prequalification List. For "Category Group" check "Right of Way Acquisition Services" and for category choose either "Appraisal" or "Appraisal Review" according to the desired services.
ODOT Prequalification Requirements:   See "Prequalification Information".

The items listed below apply to OPWC-funded projects and are required to be incorporated into contractual documents. The OPWC has developed proposal notes to cover these items and encourages the inclusion of its proposal notes into local bid documents to ensure incorporation of these requirements. Each topic listed beneath the Proposal Notes is accompanied by a link to either cite law or for obtaining additional information. If your site improvement project includes federal funds, check with the appropriate agency to see if federal requirements prevail (e.g. prevailing wages, removal of Ohio preferences).

OPWC Bid Proposal Notes:   

  • Use of Domestic Steel (Load-bearing structural purposes only) ORC 153.011 
  •  State Prevailing Wages  NOTE: Invasive species removal is categorized as Landscaping and falls under State Prevailing Wage law.  
    For wage rates select “Wage and Hour” under “Look it Up”. State Prevailing wage rates do not apply if project cost is less than the thresholds provided by the Ohio Department of Commerce. For thresholds select “Wage and Hour” under “Find Forms & Publications”. (If OPWC project is partly funded with federal funds, ask federal fund source if federal wage rates are required which prevail over state wage rates. Reference )
  • Unresolved Finding for Recovery which may be checked at the State Auditor’s website
  • Ohio Workers' Compensation Coverage ORC 4123.01 
  • Drug-Free Work Place 
  • Ohio Preference ORC 164.05 (A)(6)
  • Bid Guaranty ORC 153.54 
  • Ethics Law ORC 102.03  102.04
  • Ohio EEO Compliance - Should you have questions about the State of Ohio’s EEO law and provisions please contact the Department of Administrative Services, EEO Division, at 614.466.8380 or by visiting their web site.    

(7/1/22) Project agreements released July 1, 2022 or after provide that any permanent signage must include the OPWC Clean Ohio Conservation logo. Reasonable costs of signage will be considered an eligible expense payable at the OPWC agreement's participation rate. Disbursements will require a photograph of the sign, invoice, and proof of payment if for reimbursement. In addition, the OPWC strongly encourages the use of the logo for any materials including but not limited to the following: website, social media, event programs, educational and promotional materials, media interviews, annual reports, and benefit/fundraising events.

The PNG and PDF formats below allow transparency so the logo should appear circular when used in print and digital media. The graphic itself is square, but the white portion surrounding it will be transparent when placed on a color background using design software. 

 

This glossary serves the purpose of the Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program including all the program's supporting documentation and materials.

Aesthetically pleasing and ecologically informed design

Design which protects existing or restored habitats by avoiding sensitive areas, by setting back construction and paved surfaces from streams, wetlands and other sensitive habitats, by landscaping in order to create balanced natural ecosystems, by constructing facilities and amenities which visually enhance the natural setting. The result of such design is a healthy environment and a superior passive recreational experience, which inform, educates and pleases participants.

Aquatic biological communities

Native plants and animals which reside in wetlands, streams and lakes. The potential diversity of aquatic communities is defined by the use designation of the stream and/or the classification of the wetland as defined by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Areas of relatively high unemployment / distressed area

A municipal corporation that has a population of at least 50,000 or a county that meets two of the following criteria:

1) Its average rate of unemployment, during the most recent five-year period for which data are available, is equal to at least 125% of the average rate of unemployment for the US for the same period

2) Its per capita income is equal to or below 80% of the median county per capita income of the US

3) A municipal corporation in which at least 25% of the residents have a total income for the most recent census year that is below the official poverty line or a county, in intercensal years, with a ratio of transfer payment income to total county income equal to or greater than 25%

Ref: ORC 122.16  

Balanced natural ecosystems

Ecological systems are dynamic assemblages of native plant and/or animal communities that (1) occur together on the landscape or in the water; and (2) are tied together by similar ecological processes (e.g., fire, hydrology), underlying environmental features (e.g., soils, geology) or environmental gradients (e.g., elevation).

Comprehensive open space planning

A plan adopted by a subdivision of the state that identifies community goals related to open space preservation and utilization. The plan may include passive recreational and environmental goals, zoning definitions and requirements for planned unit developments where applicable, maps that identify targeted resources, funding strategies and time lines.

Connecting corridor for natural areas

Corridors are an attempt to compensate for habitat fragmentation by connecting similar areas to allow species to migrate between suitable habitats. Corridors should be as wide as possible to avoid "edge effects". (The outer boundaries of any habitat consist of a zone of influences such as wind, sunlight, water tables that differ from the interior).

Conservation Easement

An incorporeal right or interest in land that is held for the public purpose of retaining land, water, or wetland areas predominantly in their natural, scenic, open, or wooded condition, or retaining their use predominantly as suitable habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife; that imposes any limitations on the use or development of the areas that are appropriate at the time of creation of the conservation easement to achieve one or more of those purposes; and that includes appropriate provisions for the holder to enter the property subject to the easement at reasonable times to ensure compliance with its provisions. Easements are entered into on a volunteer basis, and are compensated at whatever rate is agreed to among the parties given the value of the restrictions. Easements are permanent in nature and are to be recorded as a deed restriction.

Conservation Organization

Community and civic organizations which represent the interests of citizens who are concerned with the sustainability of the natural environment and the preservation of native natural habitats and communities including the air, water and land necessary to sustain them.

Ecotourism

Travel to natural areas that minimizes environmental impact, fosters environmental and cultural awareness, exhibits commitment to local conservation issues, and provides direct benefits to the local community. Ecotourism operations that are owned and run by local communities tend to offer the most authentic cultural immersion and provide the most significant local benefits.

Endangered species

According to U.S. Federal law, a species is endangered if it is in imminent danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.  

Ref: US Fish and Wildlife Service Listings and Occurrences for Ohio  

Facilities

Constructed features that are necessary to make an open space area accessible and useable such as parking places at a canoe launch, boardwalk at a wetland, nature trails and kiosks. The preservation of the natural area or riparian corridor must be the main focus of the project, not the facility. Active recreation facilities such as tennis courts and recreation centers cannot be funded under the Clean Ohio Conservation Green Space Program.

Fee simple land acquisition

A fee without limitation to any class of heirs or restrictions on transfer of ownership.

Functioning floodplains

Riparian lands adjacent to the stream which are accessible to stormwater and floodwaters. Functioning flood plains disperse and retain peak flows, minimize downstream flooding and provide a settling basin for sediment and other pollutants carried by stormwater. Any development in floodplains should accommodate these functions by avoidance and minimization, especially of impervious surfaces.

Habitat for plant or animal species

The USGS Habitat Suitability Index provides information for evaluating impacts on fish and wildlife habitat resulting from water or land use changes.

Ref: USGS Habitat Suitability Index  

Habitat protection

Management focus that de-emphasizes individual species, focusing instead on maintaining habitat or ecosystem quality, including ecological processes important in maintaining the characteristic biodiversity of an area.

Headwater streams

Small swales, creeks and streams that are the origin of most rivers and with a watershed less than or equal to 20 square miles. These small streams join together to form larger streams and rivers or run directly into larger streams and lakes. Many streams and drainage ways have a watershed of less than one square mile referred to as a primary headwater streams.

High quality wetlands

Wetlands assigned to OEPA wetland category 3 are those that:

a) support superior habitat, or hydrological or recreational functions as determined by an appropriate wetland evaluation methodology acceptable to the ODNR director or authorized representative

b) may be typified by some or all of the following characteristics: high levels of diversity, a high proportion of native species, or high functional values

c) may include, but are not limited to: wetlands which contain or provide habitat for threatened or endangered species; high quality forested wetlands, including old growth forested wetlands, and mature forested riparian wetlands; vernal pools; and wetlands which are scarce regionally and/or statewide including, but not limited to, bogs and fens

Natural areas

An area of land or water which either retains to some degree or has re-established its natural character, although it need not be completely undisturbed, or has unusual flora, fauna, geological, archeological, scenic, or similar features of scientific or educational interest.

Natural features

A physical or biological feature of the landscape which has resulted from and is maintained by natural processes. Examples: waterfall, river oxbow, gorge, natural bridge, cave, etc.

Natural heritage

All the species, communities and physical features present in Ohio at the time of the first European settlement.

Natural stream channels

Provide for the normal fluvial morphology of a stream. The channel will allow for natural migration of stream sinuosity, pool and riffle formation and other in-stream habitat features, and banks which allow storm water access to the floodplain.

Nonnative, invasive species of plants or animals

Non-native or exotic species are plants or animals that are introduced to a new area artificially, either deliberately or accidentally. A non-native species can become invasive if it reproduces so successfully in the new area that it dominates the native species present.

Preservation

Any area of land which would:

•  Maintain and enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources

•  Protect natural streams or water supply

•  Promote conservation of wetlands, marshes, bogs, fens, forests, prairies, lakes, streams or other naturally occurring communities

•  Enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, stream corridors, forests, wildlife areas, natural areas or other natural open spaces

•  Enhance passive public recreation opportunities such as nature observation, hiking, and canoeing or kayaking, that require a minimum of facilities or development and that have minimal environmental impact on the recreational site. 

Reforestation

To place a parcel of land back into forested condition.

Restores streamside forests

The process of using ecological principles and experience to return a degraded ecological system to its former or original state.

Riparian corridors

Ecosystems with a high water table because of proximity to a river, stream, lake, or other body of water. They usually occur as an ecozone between aquatic and upland ecosystems but have distinct vegetation and soil characteristics and are uniquely characterized by the combination of high species diversity, high species density, and high productivity. They serve a variety of functions including the preservation of water quality by filtering sediment, protection stream banks from erosion, and provide food and habitat for various species.

State natural heritage inventory endangered/rare/threatened species

Managed by ODNR's Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, the Natural Heritage State Ranking system is as follows:

S1: Critically imperiled in state (5 or fewer viable populations known)

S2: Imperiled in state because or rarity or vulnerability (6-20 viable populations known)

S3: Rare or uncommon in state (21-100 viable populations known)

S4: Apparently secure in state

S5: Demonstrably secure in state

SH: Of historical occurrence throughout range

SU: Possibly in peril range-wide but status uncertain

ODNR maintains the lists of Ohio's endangered and threatened animal species.

Ref: ODNR Edangered and Threatened Animal Species  ,  ODNR Rare Native Ohio Plants List  

Streamside forest functions

Those colonies of native shrubs and trees which protect water quality and in-stream and riparian habitat by allowing the succession of native plants. These forests provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals from upland species to aquatic communities. They also minimize sedimentation from bank erosion and pollutant migration from stormwater runoff. In addition, they provide shade to in-stream species which is especially critical to those species which are intolerant to heat extremes.

Vegetative filters or buffers

Vegetative filtration buffers and wetlands remove organic and inorganic nutrients and toxic materials in the following ways:

•  A reduction in velocity causes sediments and chemicals attached to sediment particles to drop to the bottom and be trapped among the stems and roots

•  A variety of anaerobic and aerobic processes remove certain chemicals from the water

•  The high rate of production of many vegetative filters or wetlands can lead to high rates of mineral uptake by vegetation and subsequent burial in sediment when vegetation dies

•  A diversity of decomposers in wetland sediment 

Viable population (of rare or endangered species)

Viability indicates the ability of a conservation target to persist for many generations or over long time periods.

Waters of the state

All streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation systems, drainage systems, and other bodies or accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural or artificial, regardless of the depth of the strata in which underground water is located, that are situated wholly or partly within, or border upon, this state, or are within its jurisdiction, except those private waters that do not combine or effect a junction with natural surface or underground waters.

Ref: ORC 6111.01 (H)  

Water quality

The chemical, physical and biological condition of a wetland, stream or lake. Ohio sets criteria for water quality in OAC 3745-1-05 (Criteria as applicable to all waters).

Watersheds

A watershed is the total land area from which water drains into a single stream, lake, or ocean.

Wetlands

Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

Funding recipients are strongly encouraged to acknowledge the Clean Ohio Conservation grant program and the financial support of the Ohio Public Works Commission. This applies to print and digital materials including but not limited to websites, social media, event programs, educational materials, promotional materials, media interviews, annual reports, and benefit/fundraising events. Below are PNG and PDF formats both in color and grayscale.