(1) The department shall develop a consolidated grant program for small counties having populations fewer than 110,000, with grants to be distributed equally among eligible counties. Programs to be supported with the small-county consolidated grants include those for the purpose of general solid waste management, litter prevention and control, waste tire abatement, and recycling and education programs.
(2) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer this section, including, but not limited to, rules governing timeframes for submitting grant applications, criteria for prioritizing, matching criteria, maximum grant amounts, and allocation of appropriated funds based upon project and applicant size.