Surveys, Studies, Investigations and Special Purpose Activities Relating to Environmental Justice
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008:
Funding Priority-Fiscal Year 2009.
Activities that support surveys, studies and investigations, and special purpose assistance for the award of grants and cooperative agreements that address environmental justice concerns.
EPA defines "environmental justice" as 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 one group 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 environmental programs and policies.
Meaningful involvement means that: (1) potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision-making process; and (4) the decision-makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.
Assistance agreements may be associated with air quality, acid deposition, drinking water, water quality, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and/or pesticides.
- Compliance Assistance Support for Services to the Regulated Community and Other Assistance Providers
- Environmental Justice Small Grant Program
Examples of Funded Projects
Examples of funded projects include: (1) A project to form collaborative partnerships with impacted and traditionally excluded community residents, organizations, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions to identify, prioritize, and develop plans to address environmental problems and perceived health impacts resulting from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
The grantee will include residents on an Environmental Justice Steering Committee to ensure meaningful community involvement in the development and implementation of environmental laws, regulations, and policies related to Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
(2) A project to educate the public, particularly economically-disadvantaged households, affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by providing them hands-on-training related to energy conservation and health benefits for the citizens directly impacted by the local environmental and/or public health issues stemming from the hurricanes.
(3) A project designed to protect the health of those who are are doing the physical labor of gutting the flood damaged houses in the greater New Orleans area after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The project will interrupt the pathways of exposure to mold and other hazardous substances found in the homes and buildings which are being reclaimed by providing workers with protective gear and education materials.
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
Region 2 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U. S. Virgin Islands: Primary Contact: Terry Wesley (212) 637-5027, wesley.terry@epa.gov, USEPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10007; Secondary: Tasha Frazier (212) 637-3861, frazier.tasha@epa.gov.
Region 3 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia: Primary Contact: Reginald Harris (215) 814-2988, harris.reggie@epa.gov, USEPA Region 3 (3DA00), 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029.
Region 4 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee: Primary Contact: Elvie Barlow (404)562-9650, barlow.elvie@epa.gov, USEPA Region 4 Main Office (404) 562-8407, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, GA 30303-8960; Secondary: Ella Mclendon (404) 562- 8316, mclendon.ella@epa.gov.
Region 5 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin: Primary Contact: Margaret Millard (312) 353-1440, millard.margaret@epa.gov, USEPA Region 5 (DM7J), 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604-3507.
Region 6 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas: Primary Contact: Shirley Quinones (214) 665-2713, quinones.shirley@epa.gov, USEPA Region 6, Fountain Place, 13th Floor, 1445 Ross Avenue (RA-D), Dallas, Texas 75202-2733; Secondary Contact: Nelda Perez (214) 665-2209, perez.nelda@epa.gov.
Region 7 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska: Primary Contact: Althea Moses (913) 551-7649, moses.althea@epa.gov, USEPA Region 7, 901 North 5th Street (RGAD/ECO), Kansas City, KS 66101.
Region 8 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming: Primary Contact: Nancy Reish (303) 312-6040, reish.nancy@epa.gov, USEPA Region 8 (8ENF-EJ), 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202-2466; Secondary: Jean Belille (303) 312-6556 belille.jean@epa.gov.
Region 9 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam: Primary Contact: Karen Henry (415) 972-3844, henry.karen@epa.gov, USEPA Region 9 CMD-1, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Region 10 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington: Primary Contact: Running Grass (206) 553-2899, grass.running@epa.gov, USEPA Region 10 (OMP-143), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
Program Accomplishments
No awards were made in FY 07 and FY 08.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.
Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.
The recipient cannot use these funds for the following activities under this program: litigation against the Federal government or any other government entity; construction; lobbying; matching funds for other Federal grants; travel for Federal employees; and human health studies (taking blood or other information from humans).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States, territories, Indian Tribes, intertribal consortia, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions which submit applications proposing projects concerning environmental justice issues with significant technical merit and relevance to EPA's mission.
Some of EPA's statutes may limit assistance to specific types of interested applications.
See "Authorization" listed above.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions, and FAR Part 31 for profit makers. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants or principle investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.
For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
Applicants may use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.
Award Procedures
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3); Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(c)(3); Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a); Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3); Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20(a); Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), Section 311(c).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 180 days.
Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
None. A standard grant application should be prepared and submitted as a new grant, which will be reviewed in the same manner as the original application and will compete for available funds. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements for surveys, studies, and investigations. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants and cooperative agreements are normally funded on a 12-month basis (annual). Most of OEJ awarded grants and cooperative agreements have project periods ranging from one year to five years, and generally, grants and cooperative agreements are fully funded at the time of award.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports.
Reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations Part 30 and Part 31.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304; 68-8145-0-7-304;
68-0107-0-1-304; 68-0103-0-1-304.
Obigations
FY 07 $0; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 $40,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$20,000 to $150,000/fiscal year; $25,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Surveys, Studies, and Investigations grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31).
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Region l Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont: Primary Contact: Kwabena Kyei-Aboagye (617) 918-1609, Kyei-Aboagye.Kwabena@epa.gov, USEPA Region 1 (RAA), One Congress Street - Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02203-0001; Secondary Contact: Sires Rivers (617) 918-1343, rivers.sires@epa.gov. Region 2 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands: Primary Contact: Terry Wesley (212) 637-5027, wesley.terry@epa.gov, USEPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10007; Secondary: Tasha Frazier (212) 637-3861, frazier.tasha@epa.gov. Region 3 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia: Primary Contact: Reginald Harris (215) 814-2988, harris.reggie@epa.gov, USEPA Region 3 (3DA00), 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029. Region 4 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee: Primary Contact: Elvie Barlow (404)562-9650, barlow.elvie@epa.gov, USEPA Region 4 Main Office (404) 562-8407, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, GA 30303-8960; Secondary: Ella Mclendon (404) 562- 8316, mclendon.ella@epa.gov. Region 5 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin: Primary Contact: Margaret Millard (312) 353-1440, millard.margaret@epa.gov, USEPA Region 5 (DM7J), 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604-3507. Region 6 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas: Primary Contact: Shirley Quinones (214) 665-2713, quinones.shirley@epa.gov, USEPA Region 6, Fountain Place, 13th Floor, 1445 Ross Avenue (RA-D), Dallas, Texas 75202-2733; Secondary Contact: Nelda Perez (214) 665-2209, perez.nelda@epa.gov. Region 7 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska: Primary Contact: Althea Moses (913) 551-7649, moses.althea@epa.gov, USEPA Region 7, 901 North 5th Street (RGAD/ECO), Kansas City, KS 66101. Region 8 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming: Primary Contact: Nancy Reish (303) 312-6040, reish.nancy@epa.gov, USEPA Region 8 (8ENF-EJ), 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202-2466; Secondary: Jean Belille (303) 312-6556 belille.jean@epa.gov. Region 9 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam: Primary Contact: Karen Henry (415) 972-3844, henry.karen@epa.gov, USEPA Region 9 CMD-1, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Region 10 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington: Primary Contact: Running Grass (206) 553-2899, grass.running@epa.gov, USEPA Region 10 (OMP-143), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
Headquarters Office
Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Management Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Office of Environmental Justice, Sheila Lewis, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 2201A, Washington DC 20460. Telephone: (202)564-0152. Fax: (202) 501-1107. E-mail: lewis.sheila@epa.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.
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