The Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program is focused on environmental conservation. This means that projects and project components are for the preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife. Therefore, items that do not lend themselves to conservation are generally not allowable under this program. The following list serves as clarification but is not meant to be exhaustive as the very nature of the program makes it difficult to conceive all possible scenarios. If you have an eligibility question, please contact your OPWC program representative.
Structures
1) Structures such as benches, trails and bridges which provide for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility are permitted.
2) Structures allowing for passive recreation such as shelter houses, restrooms, and similar facilities are permitted but cannot be part of the Clean Ohio funding or match. The property must be predominantly open space to qualify.
3) Decorative or aesthetic features such as fountains, statues, monuments, etc. are permitted but cannot be part of the Clean Ohio funding or match.
4) Structures that are not conducive to the nature of a conservation site for passive recreation, such as buildings for well fields, RV parks, ball diamonds, and the like are prohibited.
5) Existing buildings can be retained for nature centers, maintenance buildings and the like but must be identified in the application and approved by the appropriate district NRAC.
6) Improvements to existing buildings or reasonable additions to buildings are allowed for nature centers, maintenance buildings and the like, contingent upon identification and approval by the appropriate district NRAC, but cannot be included as part of the Clean Ohio funding or match. The property must be predominantly open space to qualify.
7) The acquisition and/or demolition of buildings as part of a Clean Ohio project is at the discretion of each NRAC.
8) Wind turbines are prohibited.
- Aesthetic landscaping and decorative items are not permitted to be part of the Clean Ohio funding or match.
- Costs which are not permitted for Clean Ohio funding or match include administrative costs, monitoring costs, maintenance items, seller paid items, taxes, etc.
- No new oil and gas leases are permitted once the NRAC has approved the application.
- Any future modification or breach of the recorded deed restrictions or conservation easement that occur once the Project Agreement has been signed and without the advanced written approval of the OPWC Director shall result in the imposition of liquidated damages on the entity responsible for the breach equal to twice the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund monies disbursed for the project, plus compounded interest at 6% per annum.