WAC 173-98-800   Starting a project.  Costs incurred before a loan agreement is effective are not eligible for reimbursement, unless prior authorization is granted by the department or interim refinancing is approved. For more information on interim refinancing, see WAC 173-98-410.

     (1) Prior authorization to incur eligible costs.

     (a) An applicant may request prior authorization to incur eligible project costs if the following applies:

     (i) The project is identified on the Final IUP;

     (ii) Costs are incurred between the publication date of the Final Offer and Applicant List and when the funding agreement is signed by the water quality program manager or other schedules set in the prior authorization letter; and

     (iii) The written request is made to the water quality program manager;

     (b) The water quality program manager will send the applicant a letter approving or denying the prior authorization; and

     (c) Any project costs incurred before the publication date of the Final Offer and Applicant List are not eligible for reimbursement. All costs incurred before the agreement is signed by the water quality program manager are at the applicant's own risk.

     (2) Project initiation. Loan moneys must be spent in a timely fashion. The recipient must consistently meet the performance measures agreed to in the loan agreement. These performance measures include, but are not limited to, the following:

     (a) Work on a project must be started within sixteen months of the publication date of the Final Offer and Applicant List on which the project was proposed.

     (b) Starting a project means making any measurable step toward achieving the milestones, objectives, and overall goals of the project.

     (c) Loan offers identified on the Final Offer and Applicant List will be effective for up to one year from the publication date of the Final Offer and Applicant List. Loan offers that do not result in a signed agreement are automatically ended, see WAC 173-98-220.

     (3) Project initiation extension. Certain circumstances may allow a time extension of no more than twelve months for starting a project. For example:

     (a) Schedules included in water quality permits, consent decrees, or enforcement orders; or

     (b) There is a need to do work during an environmental window in a specific season of the year; or

     (c) Other reasons as identified by the department on a case-by-case basis.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 90.50A RCW, RCW 90.48.035, and 43.21A.080. 11-20-036 (Order 10-14), § 173-98-800, filed 9/27/11, effective 10/28/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 90.48.035. 07-14-096 (Order 05-16), § 173-98-800, filed 6/29/07, effective 7/30/07.]