(1) General eligibility requirements include:

(a) The project sponsor must be a public body as defined in chapter 43.99F RCW;

(b) Eligible project elements must benefit the public and be utilized by more than one member of the sponsoring group or agency;

(c) The project must directly benefit the quality of the receiving water; and

(d) The project sponsor must provide at least ten percent of the grant eligible costs unless a lesser amount is authorized by the director.

(2) Project rating—When applications for grant funds exceed the amount currently available to the department, the director will establish an agricultural wastes project priority list using criteria which includes, but are not limited to:

(a) Water quality improvements to be achieved

(b) Improved efficiency in water quantity utilization

(c) Resource conservation potential

(d) Reduction in impairment of beneficial uses

(3) When an agricultural waste project priority list is required, the director will ensure that the priority list is readily available to the public for review and comment thirty days prior to its approval by the director.