Sec 37-1014. State financial assistance; application; criteria

A. The commissioner shall include in the annual state land department budget request a sum of not more than forty thousand dollars for each district and sixty thousand dollars for each education center for distribution by the commissioner to those natural resource conservation districts that have applied for, have met the criteria for and have been approved for receiving state financial assistance, as provided in this section.

B. Any district or education center desiring to receive state financial assistance for the next ensuing fiscal year shall apply to the commissioner not later than June 20, on a form supplied by the division of natural resource conservation. Each application shall include:

1. The number of acres of land lying within the district.

2. The extent of conservation programs or education center programs proposed to be undertaken during the fiscal year for which the financial assistance is being requested.

3. Any audits that are requested by the commissioner.

C. On receipt of the application, the commissioner shall determine whether or not such funds for the district or education center will be included in the budget request for the state land department and shall promptly notify the district of that determination.