; (iii) costs associated with securing a deed to the groundwater conservation easement, including the cost of appraisal, survey, inspection, and title; and (iv) other costs, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Evaluation and ranking of applications (A) Criteria The Secretary shall establish evaluation and ranking criteria to maximize the benefit of Federal investment under the groundwater conservation easement program. (B) Considerations In establishing the criteria under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall emphasize support for— (i) maintaining or enhancing groundwater-dependent ecosystems; and (ii) advancing long-term groundwater sustainability consistent with existing State or local groundwater management initiatives. (C) Bidding down If the Secretary determines that 2 or more applications for cost-share assistance under this subsection are comparable in achieving the purpose of the groundwater conservation easement program, the Secretary shall not assign a higher priority to any of those applications solely on the basis of lesser cost to the groundwater conservation easement program. (4) Agreements with eligible entities (A) In general The Secretary shall enter into agreements with eligible entities to stipulate the terms and conditions under which the eligible entity is permitted to use cost-share assistance provided under this subsection. (B) Length of agreements An agreement under this paragraph shall be for a term that is— (i) in the case of an eligible entity certified under the process described in paragraph (5), a minimum of 5 years; and (ii) for all other eligible entities, not less than 3, but not more than 5, years. (C) Minimum terms and conditions An eligible entity shall be authorized to use such terms and conditions for groundwater conservation easements as the eligible entity may establish, subject to the condition that the Secretary shall determine that those terms and conditions— (i) are consistent with the purposes of the groundwater conservation easement program