AWC Grant Program Sees Rule Changes
Notice of Rulemaking
The Arkansas Department of Commerce, Division of Arkansas Waterways Commission hereby issue the following proposed amendments to its Rules pursuant to its authority under Ark. Code Ann. § 15-23-205.
The Board is updating its grant rules to provide that required cost estimates accompanying grant applications should come from a certified engineer, construction company, or manufacturer with vendor’s logo included on documentation. Additionally, the amendment to the rules require the grant award recipient deposit the exact amount applicant stated in the grant application if awarded the full amount. If the full amount requested is not awarded, the applicant will deposit 10% of the awarded amount, unless it is a dredge project, in which case 50% must be deposited. Verification of deposit made by grant recipient must occur within 60-days of notification to the recipient of the grant award, or forfeiture of grant award will occur. The amendment clarifies that a project must be completed within one year of the date the project was awarded unless an extension is granted by the Commission. The amendment clarifies that the grant program excludes any port, intermodal authority, or any other public entity along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) from participating in the program due to Act 561 of 2019. The amendment further specifies that a grantee must submit the required quarterly expense reports to the Commission within 30 days of it being due to remain eligible for the program in the next year. Finally, the amendment requires that the application will have a component that benefits the movement of waterborne commerce within the State of Arkansas.
This proposed policy is available for review at the Arkansas Waterways Commission office, 1 Commerce Way, Suite 503, Little Rock, AR 72202. You may also access it on the Board’s website at https://waterwayscomm.wpenginepowered.com/. All public comments should be addressed to Director, Arkansas Waterways Commission, 1 Commerce Way, Suite 503, Little Rock, AR 72202 and should be received no later than July 13th, 2020.
