County Conservation (20% of REAP funds) - This money is available to counties for land easements or acquisition, capital improvements, stabilization and protection of resources, repair and upgrading of facilities, environmental education, and equipment. Expenditures are not allowed for single or multipurpose athletic fields, baseball or softball diamonds, tennis courts, golf courses, and other organized sport facilities. Swimming pools and playground equipment are also ineligible.
Thirty percent (30%) of the county conservation account is allocated automatically and equally to all 99 counties. This money is provided to counties on a quarterly basis and can be used for any of the above stated purposes.
Another thirty-percent (30%) of the county conservation account is allocated based on population. Counties with larger populations receive more money than counties with smaller populations. This money is also distributed quarterly, but there is an eligibility requirement. Counties are eligible to receive these funds if they are dedicating at least 22¢ per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the county for county conservation purposes. In other words, a county must be committing a specified tax levy amount from county tax dollars to conservation in order to receive their per population REAP allocation.
The remaining 40% of the county conservation account is available to counties through competitive grants. The 22¢ eligibility criteria also apply to these grants. Grants are 100%, so local match money is not required. Competition for these grants is extremely keen.