Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Grants for Regional
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: To support (Region 8 states only) surveys,
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: To support (Region 8 states only) surveys, studies, training, demonstrations, and/or investigations, and special purpose assistance associated with air quality, acid deposition, drinking water, water quality, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides; identify, develop, and demonstrate necessary pollution control techniques; to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution; to evaluate the economic and social consequences of alternative strategies and mechanisms for use by those in economic, social, governmental, and environmental management positions; to support training demonstrations or educational outreach that leads to effective outreach strategies to educate key/targeted audiences associated with specific public health and environmental risks; projects that addresses places, sectors, or innovative projects; and/or are based on a regional, state, tribal or other strategic plan; and/or address multi-media environmental issues; and/or demonstrate state, local or other stakeholder participation; and/or identify opportunities for leveraging other sources of funding.
Please NOTE: The focus of the funds available inder this CFDA change from funding year to funding year.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Region 8 solicitation to determine the focus for the current fiscal year.
Examples of project funded under this CFDA: Get into the Zone, Clean Air Zone Montana - outreach and education to promote the program,with program partners, toolkits purchased, program staff developed webpage; Big Hole Watershed Feedlot Restoration - designed and installed feedlot BMPs, Schindler feedlot restoration project completed - removal and abandonment of a streamside feedlot on the mainstem Big Hole River and construction of a new, state-of-the-art winter livestock feeding facility on higher ground; Improving Capacity for Montana Watershed Efforts - completion of the Watershed Symposium, Dec, 2006 and completed watershed coordinators annual meeting/training, Sept.
2007; Campaign to Reduce Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Don't Smoke with Kids in the Car - information has been distributed to the public via radio, television and print media; Sun River Watershed Water Quality Restoration Plan Implementation - Sediment loads will be reduced by 2,500 tons; 100 rock barbs on highly erosive banks will reduce sediments loads annually by over 15,00 tons to Muddy Creek and Sun River; end result will be another 4-miles of steam meeting all Water Quality Restoration Plan conditions.
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.
Program Accomplishments
In Fiscal Year 2007 this program awarded 6 grants. Awards ranged from $25,00 to $107,000. To date, accomplishments include: Garfield County - Amt: $107,000 Garfield County met with EPA to tour some of the areas in Garfield County where oil and gas development is occurring. Garfield County began a literature search and review of existing data on emissions associated with oil and gas development activities. They developed a QAPP which includes the methodology for identifying monitor locations, number and types of stations and what they will be monitoring. Garfield County Environmental Health created and launched a new website to serve as a means to report project data to the general public. They have received interest from 2 additional oil and operators, to participate in the project. All of the sampling equipment has been received which is needed to perform the air monitoring portion of the project. They are working with the oil and gas operators to begin a sampling schedule and anticipate completion of this in the summer. Groundwork is being laid with the Special Projects Coordinator, project collaborators and industry to determine the best approach to presenting their findings, making recommendations and creating the Citizens Guide to Air Quality. Lake Helena Watershed Riparian Ag Project - $48,583. Preliminary monitoring has occurred, landowner outreach efforts have been initiated, scoping for the constructed wetland technology was completed, constructed wetland installed, effectiveness monitoring has been initiated, and other BMP installation has begun. Anticipated results of this project include: the implementation of reasonable land, soil, and water-conservation practices or BMPs on agricultural land that will incrementally improve riparian and in-stream physical, chemical, and biological health within the watershed. Physical measurements of implemented project BMPs will be reported and estimates of pollutant loading reductions will be calculated. Muddy Creek - $83,950 - One mile riparian fencing installed on tributary to Muddy Creek. Scheduled to install fencing along three more miles of Muddy Creek this fall. Bank work to reduce erosion along two miles of Muddy Creek. Scheduled to place more barbs later this summer as soon as flows go down. Roll of matting laid on 100 feet of sloped bank. Matting will be placed in conjunction with this summer stream work when flows go down.GID has acquired bids for pumps and is working on finalizing electrical hookup for pumps. Electric company will install line to pump site later this summer and pipe and pumps will be installed this fall.USGS and MSU continues to monitor flows and water quality on Muddy Creek and Sun River. One USGS gauge was discontinued on Muddy Creek due to need to monitor more flows on tributaries so additional gauges were installed by MSU. Continue monitoring this fall by USGS and MSU. Report will be compiled this winter from data acquired this summer.SRWG continues to monitor project progress and report monthly to partners. Continue with monthly updates to partners.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved surveys, studies, investigations and special purpose assistance, plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations.
Funding awarded for research does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development.
Funds awarded under Section 311(b)(3) of CERCLA must be used for projects relating to innovative or alternative treatment technologies that may be utilized in response actions to achieve more permanent protection of human health and welfare and the environment.
Only submissions for project to be performed within the States, Tribes, and/or Territories of Region 8 will be considered.
Projects that are national in scope are not eligible for funding under this CFDA.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to State agencies, territories, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the US.
Assistance is also available to public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private non profit institutions.
Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of other Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.
For profit organizations are generally not eligible for funding.
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.
Applicants need not be located within the boundaries of the EPA Region 8 office to be eligible to apply for funding but must propose a project that affects the States, Tribes, and Territories within Region 8.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State agencies and local governments, US territories and possessions, Indian Tribes, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public and private nonprofit institutions.
Credentials/Documentation
Documentation of nonprofit status may be required. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field and necessary equipment to carry out projects. Applicants may be requested 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
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 and A-110 must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Additional information on the EPA grant package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. For competitive awards, the competitive funding announcement will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to 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. For non-competitive awards, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and policies, and to a 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.
Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the competitive announcement.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; Clean Air Act, Section 103; Solid Waste Act, Section 8001; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Section 311; National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F) for international awards.
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. EPA can incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements for investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, studies and special purpose assistance. 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 agreement are normally funded on a 12-month basis (annual) and will be paid electronically utilizing automated funds transfer. The total approved project period may not exceed 5 years for competitive awards.
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 EPA's grant regulations Part 30 and 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 Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal 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. Non-federal 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 30 (nonprofits and institutions of higher education) or 40 CFR Part 31(governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records which support substantial changes to the grant, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipient must maintain all records for a period of three (3) years from the date of submission of final expenditures 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 fully resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obigations
FY 07 $376,740; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 est $376,740.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range of award $25,000 to $100,000/fiscal year. Average award in fiscal year 2007 - $60,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, studies and special purpose 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
EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with EPA, Region 8 located at 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202, Cynthia Gonzales, Telephone: (303) 312-6569, Fax: (303) 312-6339, and E-mail: gonzales.cynthia@epa.gov.
Headquarters Office
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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