(1) Ecology will evaluate all complete applications submitted by the announced deadline.

(2) Ecology will review applications to determine eligibility of the applicant under WAC 173-566-030, and whether the project meets the eligibility criteria.

(3) For those grant applications determined eligible, ecology will then evaluate for project quality. To complete this evaluation, ecology will consider:

(a) Benefits to streamflow and instream resources.

(b) Whether the application demonstrates all of the following:

(i) Appropriateness of the project to address the stated needs.

(ii) Feasibility of the project, including the likelihood of success and long-term sustainability.

(iii) Whether the project is an effective use of available funds, considering need, as well as costs and benefits.

(iv) Readiness to proceed.

(c) Information gathered from field visits that may be part of the evaluation.

(4) The funding priorities described in WAC 173-566-150, and related grant guidance and criteria for the current funding cycle, will be used to produce the project scores. Scoring of the eligible project applications, taking account of both project quality and funding priorities, will be used to determine relative ranking for awarding grants.

(5) Ecology may set a minimum score that an application has to receive for ecology to offer funds.