Metroplan CPRG Green Networks Application

Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Green Networks
Pass-Through Grant Application

for land preservation, land restoration, tree planting, and/or trail construction

Rolling Application: Applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligible Entities include Central Arkansas City and County governments and departments, as well as State, quasi-governmental and non-governmental not-for-profit organizations, and/or coalitions that have a letter of support from the City and/or County jurisdiction that the project will be implemented in.

Metroplan's CPRG Land Preservation Pass-Through Grant funds the purchase of right-of-way or implementation of conservation easements that protect open space and natural areas, particularly surrounding the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways. By doing so, the program aims to improve local air quality and support long-term climate resilience.

Metroplan's CPRG Land Restoration Pass-Through Grant funds projects that improve air quality and carbon sequestration through the restoration of natural areas. Eligible land restoration activities include (but are not limited to) invasive species removal and management, prairie and riparian buffer establishment, erosion control, reforestation, and increasing biodiversity with native plants. Restoration will be categorized by activities within the following land types: forest, prairie, wetland/floodplain, riparian area, or stream/riverbank.

Metroplan's CPRG Tree Planting Pass-Through Grant is intended to fund projects that oversee tree planting activities (primarily saplings) in parks, right-of-ways, neighborhoods, and other urban environments. Eligible tree planting activities include (but are not limited to) plant materials, growing containers, soil and amendments, site preparation, education, and watering.

Link to view urbanized areas as defined by Metroplan: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1wF5Ftdz0oyyBl49PBcBjc8H1eg0TXUQ&usp=sharing

Metroplan's CPRG Trail Construction Pass-Through Grant is intended to fund projects that expand the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways network by building dedicated, paved paths for active transportation. By filling critical gaps between communities, the program aims to provide safe alternatives to driving, lower regional greenhouse gas emissions, and promote healthier, low-carbon transit options.

Trail Construction Requirements
- Recipients are required to pay for other phases of the project (ex: design/engineering, right-of-way, or construction inspection) or a portion of the construction with local funds. Total local investment in the overall project must represent at least 20% of the total project cost.
- Trail construction proposals must have at least 60% designs completed at the time of application.
- Awarded trail construction projects must meet the following timeline to retain their award:
  - 90% design completion: End of November 2026
  - Right-of-way offers made: End of January 2027
  - Construction bid released: End of April 2027
  - Construction begins: No later than June 2027
CPRG Scoring Criteria

All eligible applications will also be evaluated based on the following CPRG criteria:
- Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and cost efficiency (50 points)
  - Cost Efficiency = Estimated Cost/MTCO₂e (metric tons of carbon dioxide or equivalent emissions) reduced or sequestered by the project (Metroplan will assist with these calculations)
- Project implementation and maintenance plan (30 points)
- Implementation timeframe (10 points)
- Connection to multimodal transportation infrastructure (10 points)
Metroplan's goal is to fund projects across the Central Arkansas region and reserves the right to partially fund projects.

Questions?

Green Networks FAQ

Application Procedure: Bernadette Rhodes at brhodes@metroplan.org or Leesa Freasier at lfreasier@metroplan.org.

Technical Assistance is Available!

Questions: Brittany Nichols at bnichols@metroplan.org, (501) 372-3300 ext. 113
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Title
Eligible Entity (City or County)
Lead Agency/Main Implementing Organization (if different)
Primary Contact Name
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email
example@example.com
Total Amount of Funding Requested
Funding requested for (select all that apply):

LAND PRESERVATION PROJECT INFORMATION
PROJECT SUMMARY - Describe the area and its current condition/needs and give a brief overview of the project, preservation activities, and expected outcomes.
PARTNERSHIPS - List all partners involved in the project and briefly explain each partner's role.

Please provide preservation acreage, method, and cost information. Include estimated cost of appraisals, property acquisition, and/or conservation easement implementation.

Rows	Acres	How do you propose to preserve the land?	$ Cost
Forest
Prairie
Wetland/Floodplain/ Streamside
Total

Total Estimated Cost
Matching Funds, if any (not required)
Leveraged Funds from other sources/grants, if any (not required)
BUDGET NARRATIVE - Explain why each expense is necessary for the success of the project.

TRAIL APPLICANTS: Required Attachments
Governing Body Resolution authorizing the trail project, i.e. committing to a schedule with key dates and authority to obligate funds by [date] (required before award)

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Governing Body Resolution number and adoption date
Applications must meet one of the following criteria: 1) 60% plans, cost estimate, and environmental approval, OR 2) 60% plans, cost estimate, and ROW already acquired or not required to complete project. *NOTE: Projects can be considered that do not meet the above criteria, but were previously awarded funding through Metroplan for design and are under contract with a consultant.

60% Concept Plan
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If 60% Concept Plan too large to upload, please provide online link to document here.
Construction Cost Estimate - an itemized spreadsheet of estimated costs by unit quantity and price.
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Environmental Approval
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Vicinity map with project's location, design information, north arrow, and pertinent landmarks.
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REVIEW & SUBMIT
METROPLAN NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Metroplan complies with all civil right provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Therefore, Metroplan does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, or income status, in admission or access to and treatment in Metroplan's programs and activities, as well as Metroplan's hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding Metroplan's nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Sydney Dozier, Title VI/ADA/504 Coordinator, 501 West Markham Street, Suite B, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 372-3300, or the following e-mail address: sdozier@metroplan.org (Hearing and speech impaired may dial 711).

This notice is available from the Title VI/ADA/504 Coordinator in large print and on audiotape. Free language assistance for Limited English Proficient individuals is available.
Signature of submitter
Type name
Please verify that you are human
For more information, contact:

Metroplan
501-371-3300

Leesa Freasier
Grant Administrator
LFreasier@metroplan.org

Brittany Nichols
Sustainable Transportation and Energy Ambassador
BNichols@metroplan.org
Metroplan has received financial support from the EPA under a CPRG Assistance Agreement.
Should be Empty:

Rows	Acres / Linear Ft.	Location (ex: street address or GPS coordinates)
Forest (acres)
Prairie (acres)
Wetland/Floodplain (acres)
Riparian Buffer (acres)
River or Streambank (linear feet)

Rows	Species name	Number to be planted	Location (ex: street address or GPS coordinates)
1
2
3
4
5
Total

Rows	Partner Name	Role
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Rows	Month	Year	Activity Description
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Rows	Description	$ Amount	Percentage
CPRG Funds
Local Investment (in-kind or cash)
Total Project Cost

LAND PRESERVATION PROJECT INFORMATION

LAND RESTORATION/TREE PLANTING PROJECT INFORMATION

TRAIL APPLICANTS: Project Development

Preliminary Design Work

TRAIL APPLICANTS: Required Attachments

TRAIL APPLICANTS: Technical Scoring Criteria (70 points max)

TRAIL APPLICANTS: Individual Scoring Criteria (30 points max)

REVIEW & SUBMIT