In fiscal year 2007 and 2008, all 10 EPA Regional Offices awarded or continued to fund cooperative agreements to lead cleanup actions, or to support EPA-lead cleanup actions, at hazardous waste sites. Cooperative agreements were awarded to lead the evaluation of newly discovered sites, to assess and investigate sites that have been identified as needing further action, to select, in partnership with EPA, the appropriate technologies and cleanup actions for these sites, to design the selected technologies and cleanup actions, and to construct the designed remedy. Funding was used to start or continue long term remedial actions to treat ground water where remediation goals have not yet been reached. Finally, funding was provided to meaningfully and substantially participate in cleanup actions where EPA led the cleanup.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funding may be used to: (1) conduct non time critical removal actions; (2) perform site characterization activities such as preliminary assessments, site inspections, remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and remedial design activities at potential or confirmed hazardous waste sites; (3) conduct remedial actions (i.e., clean up) at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites listed on the National Priorities List (40 CFR 300); (4) support CERCLA implementation activities; (5) identify Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs); (6) conduct settlement negotiations; (7) take enforcement actions against PRPs; and, (8) oversee PRP cleanups.

Funding may not be used to conduct tasks or activities not authorized by CERCLA.

Funds may not be used for non-site-specific Core Program activities (see 66.809).

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.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States (and political subdivisions thereof), Commonwealths, U.S.

Territories and Possessions, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, including intertribal consortia.

Beneficiary Eligibility

States (and political subdivisions thereof), Commonwealths, U.S. Territories and Possessions, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, including intertribal consortia.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with 40 CFR 35, Subpart O and OMB Circular No. A 87, "Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments," and other supporting documentation provided by the Agency.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No.

A 102 must be used for this program.

Consultation and preapplication conference(s) are recommended.

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

EPA regional Superfund program offices will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant. Final approval of application and supporting documentation and offer of award is made by the EPA Regional Administrator unless redelegated to the Regional Division Director.

Deadlines

None.

Authorization

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, Section 104(d), as amended; 42 U.S.C. 9604(d) et seq.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately ninety (90) days.

Appeals

Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

Extensions are available but not guaranteed. The original cooperative agreement is amended by using EPA Standard Form 424 and submitting it to the Regional Administrator.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None required for pre NPL activities or for remedial planning at any site if the site was privately owned and operated at the time of disposal of hazardous wastes. Matching Requirements: 10 percent State, 90 percent Federal, for remedial action if the site is privately owned and operated at the time of disposal of hazardous wastes. Minimum 50 percent State, 50 percent Federal, of all response costs if the site was State/locally operated at time of any disposal of hazardous waste (Note: percentage may vary). CERCLA section 104(c)(3). Tribal governments are not required to share in the costs of Superfund actions. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds awarded for duration of project, subject to time constraints imposed by EPA. Money is released on a draw down or a letter of credit basis.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Progress reports, notification of significant developments, property inventory reports, procurement reports, financial reports, and final reports are required pursuant to 40 CFR 35, Subpart O.

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

The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 31 and Part 35, Subpart O are applicable. 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. The recipient must maintain all records for 10 years following submission of the final Financial Status Report unless otherwise directed by the EPA award official, and must obtain written approval from the EPA award official before destroying any records. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, cost recovery, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the ten year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular ten year period, whichever is later.

Financial Information

Account Identification

20-8145-0-7-304.

Obigations

FY 07 $50,000,000; FY 08 est. $50,000,000; and FY 09 est. $50,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$30 thousand to $12.8 million; average amount $380 thousand.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

40 CFR 30; 40 CFR 31; 40 CFR 35, Subpart O; 25 CFR 20; and Program Guidance Documents.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Regional Administrators: See Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Angelo Carasea, State, Tribe and Site Identification Branch, Assessment and Remediation Division, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Mail Code 5204P, EPA, Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (703)603-8828. E-mail: carasea.angelo@epa.gov. Fax: (703) 603-9104.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

For fund-lead remedial action, the site must appear on the National Priorities List of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) (40 CFR 300). Removal actions require a planning period of six months or more. Each project is examined and selected on a case-by-case basis based upon site ranking, availability of matching funds from the State, availability of Trust funds, receipt of application and other criteria as determined by EPA.