[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23148]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 20, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5063-1]
Announcement of a Request for Pre-Proposals From Minority
Academic Institutions To Conduct Hazardous Substance Research,
Technology Transfer and Training in Cooperation With EPA's Hazardous
Substance Research Centers
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Publication of a request for pre-proposals and correction of
deadline for receipt of pre-proposals.
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SUMMARY: On August 31, 1994 (59 FR 44985), EPA published a notice,
signed by the acting Assistant Administrator for Research and
Development, announcing the availability of a document requesting pre-
proposals from Minority Academic Institutions (MAIs) for participation
in the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs) Program. EPA has
corrected the deadline for submissions of pre-proposals from October 15
to October 21. For the convenience of the public, EPA is publishing the
full text of the document in this notice. EPA will also continue to
make the document available separately.
The purpose of the request for pre-proposal is to set forth the
eligibility and submission requirements, evaluation criteria and
schedule for establishing hazardous substance research, technology
transfer and training activities at MAIs, in cooperation with the five
HSRCs, as authorized by section 311(d) of Superfund, and as amended by
section 209 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1988. These activities will be competitively awarded.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that
minority academic institutions (MAIs) are underrepresented in research
and other activities relating to hazardous substance management. To
improve this situation, EPA is making funds available to enhance the
ability of MAIs to participate in research, technology transfer,
training, and academic development activities in collaboration with
EPA's five HSRCs. The program rationale and design, areas of interest,
eligibility requirements, and other important information are described
in the document, which is published in full under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
DATES: All pre-proposals must be received by October 21, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Send pre-proposals to the appropriate contact points listed
in Table 1 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Dale Manty, Director, Hazardous
Substance Research Centers Program, Office of Exploratory Research
(8703), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20460 (202-260-7454).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Program Announcement and Solicitation for Minority Academic Institution
(MAI) Participation in Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC)
Program; Pre-proposal for MAI Participation in the HSRC Program
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned that
minority academic institutions (MAIs) are underrepresented in research
and other activities relating to hazardous substance management. To
improve this situation, EPA announces the availability of funds to
enhance the ability of MAIs to participate in research, technology
transfer, training, and academic development activities in
collaboration with EPA's five University Hazardous Substance Research
Centers (HSRCs). The program rationale and design, areas of interest,
eligibility requirements, and other important information are described
below.
The process begins with submission of an original and eight copies
of pre-proposals from MAIs to one of the five EPA HSRCs. An
administrative review will be made by the Center Director, in
consultation with the EPA National HSRC Program Director. Eligible
applications will then be reviewed for relevance and quality by each
Center's Director, Science Advisory Committee, and Technology Transfer
and Training Advisory Committees. Successful applicants will be invited
to submit full proposals.
Hazardous Substance Problems
One of the important environmental issues facing our civilization
is the management of hazardous substances from manufacture to treatment
and disposal. Since 1980, over 40,000 hazardous waste sites have been
discovered, more than 1,000,000 underground storage tanks are estimated
to be leaking, and more than 250,000 industrial and waste storage or
treatment facilities are subject to permit requirements of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act. A National Priorities List for cleanup
of the worst of these sites has been established by EPA. This list,
plus similar state lists, total more than 5,000 sites. Such sites are
causing contamination of air, soil, and ground and surface water. There
is a growing recognition of the risks such contamination inflicts upon
ecological communities. Conventional methods of determining, cleaning
up, and managing these problems are proving inadequate to achieve
desired levels of clean-up. The HSRC Program is fueled by a strong
desire to develop better, cheaper, faster, and safer methods to assess
and clean up these sites. EPA priorities for addressing these problems
include development of new methods to assess and remediate sites,
decrease the production and use of hazardous substances, and train a
new generation of hazardous substance managers.
General Description
Under Section 311(d) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended, 42 U.S.C.
9660(d), EPA has established five Hazardous Substance Research Centers.
In 1994, Congress provided EPA with funds to encourage MAIs to
participate in the HSRCs' research and training and technology transfer
activities. These funds will be provided through a Federal Assistance
Agreement with each HSRC, which in turn will establish sub-contracts
with MAIs. If additional funds become available, additional qualified
applicants may be funded. The MAI is expected to contribute a 20% match
of non-federal resources. These resources may come from State, local,
foundation, individual, or private sector contributions and may include
in-kind contributions. No Federal funds provided for this program may
be used to purchase, build, or renovate any buildings or to purchase
land. Up to 15% of the funds will be available to encourage HSRC
researchers to collaborate in joint projects with MAI researchers.
Hazardous Substance Research Center Program
EPA has competitively established five Hazardous Substance Research
Centers to provide:
Short- and long-term research on the manufacture,
disposal, clean-up, and management of hazardous substances;
Dissemination of research information and findings; and
Training, technology transfer, and technical outreach and
support to benefit organizations, communities, and individuals involved
with hazardous substances.
Research supported by the HSRCs covers all relevant scientific and
technological subjects except human health effects research
(toxicology, dose-response epidemiology, etc.). Each HSRC is headed by
a Center Director who is responsible for managing each Center. The
Director is the intellectual leader and guide for the Center. A
Technology Transfer and Training Director oversees training and
commercial application of Center projects. Each of the five HSRCs
serves the States within two adjoining pairs of Federal Regions. All
five collaborate to form a National Hazardous Substance Research
Centers Program. Each center has its own Science Advisory Committee and
Technology Transfer and Training Advisory Committee which regularly
review the progress of ongoing work and recommend funding of new
proposals.
Availability of Funds
$3.5 million will be available for award under the terms described
below.
Submission and Eligibility Requirements
U.S. MAIs in good standing with the Federal government may submit
pre-proposals. Applications must include a written certification that
the applicant is a minority academic institution. The applicant's
eligibility as an MAI will be confirmed on the basis of enrollment data
in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Fall
Enrollment Survey, provided by postsecondary institutions, through the
National Center for Education Statistics, to the Office for Civil
Rights, U.S. Department of Education. The terms ``accredited,''
``minority,'' and ``minority institution'' are set forth in 34 CFR
637.4(b).
To be considered for an award, an original pre-proposal and eight
copies must be submitted to the most appropriate HSRC, as provided in
the table. The pre-proposals are due at these contact points no later
than 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, October 21, 1994. Applicants are
encouraged to submit their pre-proposal as soon as possible to provide
for maximum opportunities to coordinate with appropriate HSRC staff and
researchers. Receipt of pre-proposals will be acknowledged for those
applicants providing a mailing address label. Each pre-proposal must
include the information requested in the sample format at the end of
this announcement. The proposed activity shall be described in up to
two pages addressing the evaluation criteria. A summary budget for up
to an 18 month period shall be included. HSRC research projects range
from approximately $25,000-$75,000 per year. Each Center, upon
reviewing the pre-proposals, shall invite submission of full proposals.
All applicants will be notified of the review results.
Table 1.--HSRC Points of Contact
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Center Address Director/MAI Coordinator Phone
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Send an Original and Eight Copies of the Pre-Proposal to Any of the Following Centers:
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Northeast.............. New Jersey Institute of Technology, Dick Magee, Director, Mary (201) 596-5883
323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Jane Pohero, Coordinator.
Newark, NJ 07102.
Great Lakes/Mid- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Walt Weber, Director, Pat (517) 353-9718
Atlantic. Engineering, 2340 C G Brown Building, Miller, Coordinator.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
48109-2125.
Great Plains/Rocky Kansas State University, Ward Hall, Larry Erickson, Director, (913) 532-4313
Mountains. Manhattan, KS 66506-2502. Stan Grant, Coordinator.
South and Southwest.... 3418 CEBA Bldg., Louisiana State Louis Thibodeaux, Director, (504) 388-6770
University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803- David Constant,
5083. Coordinator.
Western Region......... Department of Civil Engineering, Perry McCarty, Director, (415) 723-8574
Stanford University, Stanford, CA Jim Leckie, Coordinator.
94305-4020.
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Program Orientation and Training
All MAI program participants and administrative officials will meet
initially with the EPA National Program Director, Center Directors, and
other Center and EPA personnel to initiate the program. Requirements
for record keeping, laboratory and site safety, quality assurance,
etc., will be presented to program participants. All MAI research and
faculty participants will meet with Center Directors and other
appropriate personnel in the latter part of their first year to review
the progress of the program. Requests for funds to support
participation in these meetings shall be included in each minority
participation project.
Pre-Proposal Evaluation
The first step in the review and selection process is an
administrative review to determine eligibility and appropriateness. For
each Center, the following evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate
pre-proposals:
Short- and long-term benefits to the Minority Academic
Institution;
Benefits to principal investigator professional
development;
Benefits to student academic development;
Level of participation by minority individuals;
Compatibility with HSRC interests;
Leverage of resources;
Quality of work proposed; and
Potential impact of proposed activity.
Areas of Interest
Pre-proposals are encouraged in one or more of the following areas
but will be considered in other areas as well. It is recognized that
some pre-proposals will incorporate elements from several areas of
interest, such as a cooperative research program that includes faculty
and/or student enhancement. These pre-proposals are also encouraged and
will be evaluated on the strength of the consolidated pre-proposal.
Cooperative Research Programs
It is expected that most of the funds distributed under this
solicitation will support cooperative research projects which pair MAI
investigators with HSRC investigators. The goals of a cooperative
research project are to enhance the research capabilities of the
minority institution, promote significant interaction among the Center
and MAIs, and lead to a continuing collaboration among the
investigators. Given the time constraints of the program, preference
will be given to projects that build on existing Center projects. New
projects developed in collaboration with Center investigators, however,
can be proposed. A potential investigator is strongly encouraged to
review the current projects and activities of the Centers and contact
Center personnel prior to submission of a pre-proposal. Examples of
project collaboration include periodic exchanges of researcher-in-
residence at an MAI or HSRC facility, co-investigation of a research
topic, and joint supervision of research students. The specific nature
of the collaboration will be defined by the investigators. Necessary
travel funds to provide for this collaboration shall be built into the
project pre-proposal. Pre-proposals are encouraged in the following
broad HSRC research themes:
Thermal treatment/incineration;
Bioremediation;
Contaminated sediment and dredge material;
Mine wastes and contaminated soils; and
Remediation of contaminated groundwater.
It is suggested that interested proponents review the Abstracts of HSRC
Research Activities (following) and contact the most appropriate HSRC
from Table 1 for further information about specific personnel and
research opportunities.
Faculty Enhancement
The goal of the faculty enhancement component is to provide
hazardous substance research opportunities to promote professional
growth of MAI faculty. A companion goal is to strengthen the hazardous
substance research programs at their home institutions. Specifically,
the program is intended to:
Enhance research expertise and abilities;
Expand the knowledge-base in hazardous substance
management research;
Provide hands-on experience with modern equipment and
instrumentation; and
Help faculty develop linkages for future collaborative
research.
Activities to be supported include:
Academic-year sabbaticals (1-2 semesters);
Summer research visits (minimum of 10 weeks); and
Short-term faculty interactions (1-2 weeks).
Faculty must be tenured or in a tenure-track position at an MAI to
maximize potential benefits to the home institution. For institutions
without formal tenure systems, faculty holding a long-term or permanent
position shall be eligible.
Student Enhancement
MAIs are encouraged to develop pre-proposals which will provide
internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students. The goal
of the student enhancement component is to motivate students toward
advanced study and careers in hazardous substance management by
providing research and training opportunities at HSRC universities.
Proposed projects should provide undergraduates with an experience that
fosters interest in pursuing graduate education and research. Projects
for graduate students should promote a greater understanding of the
role of science and engineering in providing solutions to hazardous
substance related problems. The following selection criteria apply:
Undergraduate students should have completed one or more
years of an academic program in a discipline with an environmental
focus. Graduate students should be pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in an
environmental discipline.
Pre-proposals should demonstrate a plan for guiding
students to the timely completion of research projects.
MAIs should describe a student selection process that
examines student academic records and recommendations and also includes
the potential student impact of selection into the program (e.g., high
potential ``underachievers'', etc.).
The Center Director will assist in placing students into appropriate
projects. Selections will be based on the strengths of the proposed
program and its ability to impact participants rather than the merits
of individual students.
Technology Transfer and Training
There are a number of opportunities for MAIs to participate in the
technology transfer and training activities of the HSRCs. These
opportunities may take a variety of forms, for example: cooperative
ventures with existing HSRC programs; development of new programs to
assist in the development and commercialization of research
technologies to better manage hazardous substances; and training or
education to communities, governmental decision makers, industry,
faculty, and students.
Pre-proposals are solicited in the following areas:
Training to provide working knowledge of new technologies;
Train-the-trainer courses for managing hazardous substance
problems in minority and other communities;
Training and assistance to MAIs to provide technical
outreach and education to communities affected by hazardous substances;
and unique environmental circumstances including environmental justice,
risk assessment and communication, hazardous substance information, and
education;
Practitioner-in-Residence Program, bringing a technical
expert to assist faculty and students at MAIs to identify opportunities
and develop programs, etc.
All technology transfer and training pre-proposals shall define target
audience, beneficiaries, and the nature of the training activities.
Abstracts of HSRC Research
Northeast Hazardous Substance Research Center (NHSRC)
The NHSRC serves EPA Regions 1 and 2. New Jersey Institute of
Technology (NJIT) is the lead institution in a seven member consortium
formed to establish the Center. Members include Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Princeton University, Rutgers University, Stevens
Institute of Technology, Tufts University and the University of
Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
The Center's research programs focus on development and
demonstration of treatment and remediation technologies in three broad
areas: incineration/thermal methods; in-situ methods; and biological/
chemical/physical methods. The Center also conducts a companion
technology transfer and training program. Active research areas
include:
Incineration/Thermal Treatment.
--Combustion modeling
--Chlorocarbon destruction kinetics
--Catalytic oxidation
--Flue gas scrubbing
--Two-stage combustion
--Microwave treatment and low-energy plasma
Characterization and Monitoring.
--Fiber optic sensors
--Continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) of stack gases
--GC-IC/MS for field applications
--CEM for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in groundwater
--Micro-sensors for metals
--Laser-based monitors
In-situ Remediation.
--Anaerobic/aerobic bioremediation
--Electro-osmosis processes
--Pneumatically enhanced soil vapor extraction
--Soil flushing and in-situ vitrification
Ex-situ Treatment Processes.
--Separation processes
--Hollow fiber liquid membranes
--Biotreatment and reactor design
--Solidification/stabilization
--Biofilters
Technology Transfer and Training.
--Environmental risk communication
--Pollution prevention
--Environmental justice
--Public education concerning risks
--Technology demonstrations
Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic Center (GLMAC)
The Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic Center for Hazardous Substance
Research has responsibility for coordinating the hazardous substance
research and technology transfer activities within EPA Regions 3 and 5.
The University of Michigan is the lead institution of the Center.
Michigan State University and Howard University are the other
consortium members. Center research focuses on problems associated with
environmental contamination by organic chemicals. It addresses such
problems by attempting to define and refine remediation technologies
that are effective, environmentally compatible and cost-effective.
Current projects address in-situ remediation schemes which integrate
biological processes with chemical and physicochemical technologies in
the following focus areas:
Bioremediation of PCB contaminated soils.
--Development of genetically engineered organisms
--Design of engineered systems for field applications
Bioremediation of carbon tetrachloride contaminated
groundwater and soil.
--Introduction of and maintenance of a population of carbon
tetrachloride degrading organisms in the field
Bioventing for remediation of vadoze zone soils.
--Delineation of underlying fundamental processes
--Identification of rate controlling mechanisms
Introduction of surfactants for groundwater remediation.
--Principles controlling the dissolution and mobilization of non-
aqueous phase liquids
Site characterization and sample analysis.
--Improved methods for sample collection and analysis
--Improved methods of field characterization
In addition to research, the Center has a training and technology
transfer program that is designed to complement Center research.
Activities include publication of synergos, a periodical research
report; production of educational videotapes; organization of
conferences and seminars; and providing assistance to communities
affected by hazardous waste sites.
South/Southwest Hazardous Substance Research Center
The South and Southwest Hazardous Substance Research Center is a
consortium led by Louisiana State University and includes Georgia
Institute of Technology and Rice University. The overall research
mission of the Center is to provide short and long-term investigations
into the management of hazardous substance problems associated with the
Center's focus area-contaminated sediments and dredged materials-as
well as problems unique to EPA Regions 4 and 6. The Center is also
responsible for training and technology transfer activities including:
community outreach programs; one-day regulatory update conferences; a
quarterly newsletter and technical briefs; an annual symposium and
report; and demonstration and transfer of technologies developed from
Center activities.
Most of the Center research activities are focused on problems with
contaminated sediment (CS) and dredged material (DM). The CS and DM of
concern contain organics, metals and conventional pollutants as
environmental contaminants both in the water column and on the bottom
of rivers, bayous, lakes, harbors, estuaries, freshwater wetlands and
adjoining regions of the continental shelf. Projects in the CS/DM focus
examine source characterization, contaminant transport and
transformation processes, ecological effects and human exposure to
chemicals in contaminated sediments and dredged materials. Specific
research projects are currently supported in the areas of:
Mobility of radium sediments;
Contaminant migration from sediment disposal facilities;
Contaminant exchange between sediments and the overlying
water via biological and physicochemical processes;
Biotransformation of contaminated sediments;
Plant enzyme mediated remediation of TNT contaminated
soils;
In-situ monitoring of volatile hydrocarbons; and
Dynamics of pollutant-sediment reactions.
Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Center
Kansas State University leads the twelve institution consortium
representing EPA Regions 7 and 8. Participating universities are
Montana State University, South Dakota State University, Utah State
University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Lincoln University and
the Universities of Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and
Wyoming. The Center was established in 1989 to conduct research in
identification, treatment and reduction of hazardous substances
resulting from agriculture, forestry, mineral and mining processing and
other concerns of regional interest.
The two regions have diverse interests resulting from the grouping
of mineral-rich states with those whose principal industries are
agricultural, both crop land and animal husbandry. The Center's mission
is focused on contaminated soils and mining wastes.
The diversity of interests and the large geographic area are
further reflected in the Center's training and technology program. Much
of the Center's efforts support activities which reach large audiences
with minimum resources. The Center provides a repository for printed,
visual, audial and photographic materials related to hazardous
substance research. The quarterly newsletter, HazTech Transfer, is
disseminated nationally to more than 5000 addresses. The Community
Technical Outreach program serves clients across the region pair where
hazardous substances have become a special concern. A special program
to provide public environmental information and education related
hazardous substances is also underway. The Center is developing a
special environmental seminar program to serve the consortium campuses
and the general public in the ten states of EPA Regions 7 and 8.
Current projects include:
Soil and water contamination by heavy metals associated
with mining wastes and other industrial activities;
Soil and groundwater contamination by organic chemicals
from various industrial sources;
Improved technologies and methods for characterization and
analysis of contaminated soil;
Innovative treatment technologies for remediation of
contaminated soil and groundwater; and
Waste minimization and pollution prevention methods and
technologies.
Western Region Center
The Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center is a
cooperative activity between Stanford University and Oregon State
University to address critical hazardous substance problems in EPA
Regions 9 and 10. The objective of the Center is to promote--through
fundamental and applied research--the development of alternative and
advanced physical, chemical and biological processes for treatment of
hazardous substances in the surface and subsurface environments.
Groundwater cleanup and site remediation, with a strong emphasis on
biological approaches, represent the major focus of Center activities.
The Center's personnel collectively represent an integrated
research team representing four different schools (engineering, earth
sciences, medicine and veterinary medicine) and various disciplines
(microbiology, chemistry, hydrogeology, hydrology, chemical
engineering, civil engineering and medicine).
The technology transfer program is focused upon field remediation
of innovative technology. Training in field sampling and
instrumentation are available. A program of providing technical
assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste sites is being
conducted. Topics of interest include:
Bioremediation.
--Co-metabolism of chlorinated aliphatic compounds
--Anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds
--Aerobic degradation of anaerobic metabolic products
Fate and Transport.
--Sorption
--Physical movement
--Volatilization
--Abiotic transformation
Treatment Technologies.
--In-situ bioremediation
--In-situ recirculation
--Air sparging
Site Characterization and Transport Modeling.
--Geological sampling
--Hydrogeology
--Geostatistics
Heavy Metal Remediation.
--Lead
--Chromium
--In-situ leaching
HSRC Minority Academic Institution Program Pre-Proposal Submission
Format
Applicant Information
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Name of Institution
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Department
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Name and Telephone of Contract Person on Matters Involving This
Submission
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HSRC to Which Submitting
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Date
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Address (city, county state & zip code)
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Address (if different than above)
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HSRC Collaborator(s)
Areas of Proposed Participation (Please Indicate All That Apply)
Cooperative Research Program
Thermal/incineration research
Bioremediation
Contaminated sediment, soils or groundwater
Other (specify)____________________
Student Enhancement
Undergraduate Internship
Graduate/Doctoral Internship
Other (specify)____________________
Faculty Enhancement
Academic-year Sabbatical
Summer research visit
Short-term faculty interations
Other (specify)____________________
Technology Transfer and Training
New technology training
Minority populations education project(s) expansion/
training
Train-the-trainers: hazardous substance management
Practitioner-in-Residence Program
Other (specify)____________________
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Project Title
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Amount Requested
$----------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Information
In order to be considered for the HSRC Minority Academic
Institution Program, applicants must submit the following
documentation:
1. Proof of Minority Academic Institution status on the basis of
enrollment data in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data
System (IPEDS) Fall Enrollment Survey, provided by postsecondary
institutions, through the National Center for Education Statistics,
to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education as set
forth in 34 C.F.R. Sec. 637.4(b) (7-1-93 Ed.).
2. A maximum two-page description of Proposed Activity
incorporating the following criteria:
Short- and long-term benefits to minority academic
institution
Benefits to Principal Investigator's professional
development
Compatibility with HSRC interests
Leverage of resources
Quality and potential impact of proposed activity
3. A statement from an Authorized Representative of the minority
institution stating that, to the best of their knowledge and belief,
all data in the submission are true and correct, the document(s)
have been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and
the applicant will comply with necessary assurances if the pre-
proposal results in an award. The name, title and phone number for
this Representative should be provided.
Dr. Dale Manty,
Director, Hazardous Substance Research Centers Program.
[FR Doc. 94-23148 Filed 9-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
