[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62432-62435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29747]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5338-6]
Office of Environmental Justice; Small Grants Program;
Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996 Environmental Justice
Small Grants to Community-Based/Grassroots Organizations and Tribal
Governments
Purpose of the Grants Program
The purpose of this grants program is to provide financial
assistance to eligible community groups (i.e., community-based/
grassroots organizations, churches, or other non-profit organizations)
and federally recognized tribal governments that are working on or plan
to carry out projects to address environmental justice issues. While
state and local governments and academic institutions are eligible to
receive grants, preference will be given to community-based/grassroots
organizations that are non-profit and incorporated, and federally
recognized tribal governments. Funds can be used to develop a new
activity or substantially improve the quality of existing programs.
[[Page 62433]]
Funding
For FY 1996, the Office of Environmental Justice Small Grants
Program will award grants subject to the amount of funds appropriated
by Congress. Each of EPA's ten regions are expected to have at least
$100,000 to award grants under this program. A maximum of $20,000 can
be awarded for each grant.
Translations Available
A Spanish translation of this announcement may be obtained by
calling the Office of Environmental Justice at 1-800-962-6215.
Hay traducciones disponibles en espanol. Si usted esta interesado
en obtener una traduccion de este anuncio en espanol, por favor llame a
La Oficina de Justicia Ambiental conocida como ``Office of
Environmental Justice,'' linea gratuita (1-800-962-6215).
Important Pre-Application Information
Pre-applications must be postmarked no later than Saturday, March
2, 1996. Pre-applications will serve as the sole basis for evaluation
and recommendation for funding. This notice contains all information
and forms necessary to submit a pre-application. EPA will award grants
based on the merits of the pre-application.
Pre-applications must be mailed to your EPA regional office. A list
of addresses and phone numbers for the regional contacts is included at
the end of this notice.
Background
In its 1992 report, Environmental Equity: Reducing Risk for All
Communities, EPA found that minority and low-income populations may
experience higher than average exposure to toxic pollutants than the
general population. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) was
established in 1992 to help these communities identify and assess
pollution sources, to implement environmental awareness and training
programs for affected residents, and to work with community
stakeholders to devise strategies for environmental improvements.
In June of 1993, OEJ was delegated granting authority to solicit,
select, supervise, and evaluate environmental justice-related projects,
and to disseminate information on the projects' content and
effectiveness. Fiscal year (FY) 1994 marked the first year of the OEJ
Small Grants Program. Seventy-one (71) grants totaling $507,000 were
awarded in FY 1994 and in FY 1995, over $3,000,000 was awarded to 175
small grant recipients.
Eligible Activities
A. How Does EPA Define Environmental Justice Under the Environmental
Justice Small Grants Program?
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin,
or income with respect to the development, implementation, and
enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair
treatment means that no groups of people, including racial, ethnic, or
socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of the
negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial,
municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal,
state, local, and tribal programs and policies.
B. Who May Submit Pre-Applications and May an Applicant Submit More
Than One?
Any affected, non-profit community organization or federally
recognized tribal government may submit a pre-application upon
publication of this solicitation. Applicants must be incorporated and
non-profit to receive these federal funds. State recognized tribes or
indigenous peoples organizations are able to apply for grant assistance
as long as they meet the definition of a non-profit, incorporated
organization. ``Non-profit organization'' means any corporation, trust,
association, cooperative, or other organization that 1) is operated
primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar
purposes in the public interest; 2) is not organized primarily for
profit; and 3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or
expand its operations. Individuals are not eligible to receive grants.
EPA will consider only one pre-application per applicant for a
given project. Applicants may submit more than one pre-application as
long as the pre-applications are for separate and distinct projects or
activities.
Applicants who were previously awarded small grant funds may submit
an application for FY 1996. The FY 1996 pre-application may or may not
have any relationship to the project funded in previous years. Every
pre-application for FY 1996 will be evaluated based upon the merit of
the proposed project in relation to the other FY 1996 pre-applications,
regardless of whether or not the proposal expands a project funded in a
previous year.
C. What Types of Projects Are Eligible for Funding?
To be selected for an award, the project must develop and implement
surveys, demonstrations, training, or research in areas related to
environmental justice programs and activities under at least two of the
following statutes:
a. Clean Water Act, Section 104(b) (3);
b. Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b) (3);
c. Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a);
d. Clean Air Act, Section 103(b) (3);
e. Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a);*
f. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section
20(a);**
g. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act, Section 311(c);*** and
h. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203.
* Projects under this statute are limited to research or
development activities.
** Projects under this statute are limited to research
activities (e.g., surveys).
*** Projects under this statute are limited to activities
related to hazardous substance detection, assessment, and
evaluation, and associated human health effects and risks.
D. What Are the Evaluation Criteria for the Program?
EPA will award an Environmental Justice Small Grant after it has
determined that the applicant has met at least two of the following
three evaluation criteria, and after review of the applicant's
qualifications in the narrative section of the grant application. Each
applicant is required to provide information on how it meets the
evaluation criteria in the grant application.
1. Identify necessary improvements in communication and
coordination among all stakeholders, including existing community-
based/grassroots organizations and local, state, tribal, and federal
environmental programs. Facilitate communication, information exchange,
and partnerships among stakeholders to address disproportionate, high
and adverse environmental exposure (e.g, workshops, awareness
conferences, establishment of community stakeholder committees);
2. Motivate the general public to be more conscious of their local
environmental justice issues and involve the community in efforts to
address these concerns (e.g., community clean-up projects, monitoring
of socioeconomic changes due to disproportionate, high and adverse
environmental exposure);
[[Page 62434]]
3. Enhance community understanding of environmental and public
health information systems and seek technical experts to demonstrate
how to access, analyze, and interpret public environmental data (for
example, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Toxic Release
Inventories (TRI), and other databases).
Environmental justice projects should enhance critical thinking,
problem solving, and the active participation of affected communities
in addressing environmental issues. Environmental justice efforts may
include, but are not limited to, data gathering techniques that assist
communities in their understanding of environmental justice issues.
Environmental justice projects should engage and motivate individuals
to weigh various concerns and make informed and responsible decisions
as they work to remedy disproportionate environmental exposure.
The items discussed above are relative and can be defined
differently among applicants from various geographic regions. Each pre-
application should define these items as they relate to the specific
project. Include a succinct explanation of how the project can serve as
a model in other settings and how it addresses a high-priority
environmental justice issue. The degree to which a project addresses a
high-priority environmental justice issue will vary and must be defined
by applicants according to their local environmental justice concerns.
E. How Much Money May Be Requested, and Are Matching Funds Required?
The ceiling for any one grant is $20,000 in federal funds.
Depending on the funds appropriated by Congress, EPA's ten regional
offices will each have approximately $100,000 to issue awards.
Applicants are not required to cost share.
F. Are There Any Restrictions on the Use of the Federal Funds?
Yes. EPA grant funds can only be used for the purposes set forth in
the grant agreement. Among other things, EPA funds cannot be used for
matching funds for other federal grants, construction, personal gifts,
buying furniture, litigation, lobbying, or intervention in federal
rulemaking or adjudicatory proceedings. Refer to 40 CFR 30.410,
entitled ``How does EPA determine Allowable Costs?''
The Pre-Application
G. What is a Pre-Application?
The pre-application, which is part of this guidance document,
contains four parts: 1) the ``Application for Federal Assistance'' form
(Standard Form 424/SF 424), 2) the ``Budget Information: Non-
Construction Programs'' form (Standard Form 424A/SF 424A), 3) a work
plan, and 4) certifications/assurances forms. These documents contain
all the information EPA needs to evaluate the merits of your pre-
application. Finalists may be asked to submit additional information to
support their projects.
H. How Must the Pre-Application Be Submitted and What Must the Standard
Forms (SF) 424 and (SF) 424A, and the Work Plan Include?
The applicant must submit the original pre-application signed by a
person duly authorized by the governing board of the applicant and one
copy of the pre-application (double-sided encouraged). Pre-applications
must be reproducible (for example, stapled once in the upper left hand
corner, on white paper, and with page numbers).
As described above, a pre-application contains an SF 424, SF 424A,
a work plan, and certifications/assurances forms. The following list
describes the requirements for these documents. (The percentages next
to the following items represent the weights EPA will use to evaluate
the applicant's pre-application). Please note that certain sections are
given greater weight than others.
Pre-application Materials: 1. Application for Federal Assistance
(SF 424). An SF 424 is an official form required for all federal grants
that requests basic information about the applicant and the proposed
grant project. A completed SF 424 must be submitted as part of your
pre-application. This form, along with instructions and a completed
sample, is included at the end of this notice. (5%)
2. Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). An SF
424A is an official form that requires the applicant to provide basic
information on how the federal and non-federal share (if any) of funds
will be used. A completed SF 424A must be submitted as part of your
pre-application. For the purposes of this grants program, complete only
the non-shaded areas. The SF 424A form, and a completed sample, is
included at the end of this notice. (5%)
3. Work Plan. A work plan describes the applicant's proposed
project. Work plans must be no more than five pages total. One page is
one side of a single-spaced typed page. The pages must be letter size
(8\1/2\'' x 11''), with normal type size (10 or 12 cpi) and at least
1'' margins. The only appendices and letters of support that EPA will
accept are a detailed budget, resumes of key personnel, and commitment
letters. (85%-delineated below)
Work plans must be submitted in the format described below:
I. A concise introduction of no more than one page that states the
nature of the organization, how the organization has been successful in
the past, purpose of the project, project completion plans, target
audience, and expected results (10%).
II. A concise project description of no more than four pages that
describes how the applicant plans to meet at least two of the three
evaluation criteria outlined in Question D on page 4 of this notice
(``What are the Evaluation Criteria for the Program?''). Additional
credit will not be given for projects that fulfill more than two
criteria (60%).
III. A conclusion of no more than one page discussing how the
applicant will evaluate the success of the project, including the
anticipated benefits and challenges in implementing the project (10%).
IV. An appendix with no more than two pages of resumes of up to
three key personnel (5%).
V. An appendix with one page letters of commitment from other
organizations with a significant role in the project. Letters of
endorsement are not acceptable (No percentage assigned).
4. Certifications/Assurances. The federal government requires all
grantees to certify and assure that they will comply with a variety of
federal laws, regulations, and requirements. The two certifications/
assurances forms must be signed and included in the application. (5%)
I. When and Where Must Pre-Applications Be Submitted?
The original plus one copy of the pre-application must be mailed to
the EPA regional office where the applicant is located postmarked no
later than Saturday, March 2, 1996. A list of the EPA regional office
addresses (with the names of the regional contacts) and a list of the
states that these offices support are included at the end of this
notice.
Review and Selection Process
J. How Will Pre-Applications Be Reviewed?
EPA regional offices will review, evaluate, and select grant
recipients. Pre-applications will be screened to ensure they meet all
eligible activities described in Questions A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and
I. Applications will be disqualified if they do not meet EPA's basic
criteria.
[[Page 62435]]
K. How Will the Final Selections Be Made?
After the individual projects are reviewed and ranked, EPA
officials in the regions will compare the best pre-applications and
make final selections. Additional factors that EPA will take into
account include geographic and socioeconomic balance, diverse nature of
the projects, cost, and projects whose benefits can be sustained after
the grant is completed. Regional Administrators will select the grants
with concurrence from the Director of the Office of Environmental
Justice at EPA Headquarters.
Please note that this is a very competitive grants program. Limited
funding is available and many grant applications are expected to be
received. Therefore, the Agency cannot fund all applications.
L. How Will Applicants Be Notified?
After all pre-applications are received, EPA regional offices will
mail acknowledgments to applicants in their regions. Once pre-
applications have been recommended for funding, the EPA regions will
notify the finalists and request any additional information necessary
to complete the award process. The EPA Regional Environmental Justice
Coordinators or their designees will notify those applicants whose
projects were not funded.
Grant Activities
M. How Much Time Do Grant Recipients Have to Complete Projects?
Activities must be completed within the time frame specified in the
grant award, usually one year.
N. Who Will Perform Projects and Activities?
The recipient organization is responsible for the successful
completion of the project. The recipient's project manager is subject
to approval by the EPA project officer but EPA may not direct that any
particular person be the project manager.
O. What Reports Must Grant Recipients Complete?
All recipients must submit final reports for EPA approval within
ninety (90) days of the end of the project period. Specific report
requirements (for example, Final Technical Report and Financial Status
Report) will be described in the award agreement. EPA will collect,
evaluate, and disseminate grantees' final reports to serve as model
programs. Since networking is crucial to the success of the program,
grantees may be required to submit an extra copy to a central
collection point.
P. What is the Expected Time-frame for the Review and Awarding of the
Grants?
December 1, 1995--Request for Applications Notice (RFA) is published in
the Federal Register.
December 1, 1995 to March 1, 1996--Eligible grant recipients develop
their pre-applications.
March 2, 1996--Pre-applications must be postmarked by this date.
March 2, 1996 to April 15, 1996--EPA regional program officials review,
evaluate, and select grants.
April 15, 1996 to June 30, 1996--EPA regional grants offices process
grants and make awards. Applicants will be contacted by the grants
office or program office if their pre-proposal was selected for
funding. Additional information may be required from the finalists, as
indicated under Question G above.
August 1, 1996--EPA expects to release the national announcement of the
FY 96 Environmental Justice Small Grant Recipients.
Fiscal Year 1997
Q. How Can I Receive Information on the Fiscal Year 1997 Environmental
Justice Grants Program?
If you wish to be placed on the mailing list to receive information
on the 1997 Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, you must mail
your request along with your name, organization, address, and phone
number to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Environmental Justice Small Grants--FY 1997 (3103), 401 M Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20460.
For additional information, please contact the appropriate Regional
EJ Coordinator or designee listed at the end of this notice.
Dated: November 27, 1995.
Clarice E. Gaylord,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
Contact names and addresses
Region 1
Primary Contact: Rhona Julien, USEPA Region 1, John F. Kennedy
Federal Building, One Congress Street, 10th Floor OCR, Boston, MA
02203
Secondary Contact: Pat O'Leary
Region 2
Primary Contact: Melva Hayden, USEPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 26th
Floor, New York, NY 10007
Secondary Contacts: Natalie Loney, Lillian Johnson
Region 3
Primary Contact: Reginald Harris, USEPA Region 3 (3PM-71), 841
Chestnut Building, 3DA00, Philadelphia, PA 19107-4431
Secondary Contact: Mary Zielinski
Region 4
Primary Contact: Vivian Malone-Jones, USEPA Region 4, 345 Courtland
Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30365
Secondary Contact: Hector Buitrago
Region 5
Primary Contact: Margaret Millard, USEPA Region 5 (H-75), 77 West
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Secondary Contact: Garnetta Clark
Region 6
Primary Contact: Shirley Augurson, USEPA Region 6 (6M-P), 1445 Ross
Avenue, 12th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733
Secondary Contact: Hattie Brown
Region 7
Primary Contact: Hattie Thomas, USEPA Region 7, 726 Minnesota
Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
Secondary Contact: Rupert Thomas
Region 8
Primary Contact: Elisabeth Evans, USEPA Region 8 (PM-AS), 999 18th
Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2405
Secondary Contact: Patricia Denham
Region 9
Primary Contact: Lori Lewis, USEPA Region 9 (E-1), 75 Hawthorne
Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Secondary Contact: Martha Vega
Region 10
Primary Contact: Joyce Kelly, USEPA Region 10(MD-142), 1200 Sixth
Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Secondary Contact: Susan Morales
Headquarters
Primary Contact: Angela Chung, USEPA, Office of Environmental
Justice (3103), 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460.
States and Territories By Region
Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, Vermont
Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Region 3: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia
Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming
Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam
Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
[FR Doc. 95-29747 Filed 12-5-95; 8:45 am]
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