To provide funding in support of surveys, studies, investigations, training/demonstrations, educational outreach and special purpose assistance as they relate to environmental information and the release of toxic chemicals.

The purpose of this program is to educate the public on the how to obtain

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access to and effectively use environmental information, including information about toxic chemical releases and other waste management activities.

Through this grant program EPA intends to enhance the public understanding of environmental information generally and the potential risks and hazards of releases of toxic chemicals to their communities as they relate to facilities covered under the Toxic Release Inventory Program; support efforts to assist State, tribal and local governments improve management of environmental information; identify priorities and opportunities for the public and state, tribal and local governments to work with industry to reduce toxic chemical disposal or other releases and potential risks associated with them; and establish reduction targets and measure progress toward reduction goals.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Topics include, but are not limited to the following: promotion of pollution prevention and the public's right to know about chemical risks, evaluation of chemicals to safeguard all Americans, including children and other vulnerable members of the population, as well as, our most threatened species and ecosystems from environmental harm.

Types of activities include but not limited to the following: Capacity Building - identifying and developing relationships with key audiences for Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) information to ensure more effective presentation, dissemination, understanding, and better use of TRI data and information; Education and Outreach - creating a forum for all interested stakeholders to stay up to date on the latest TRI regulatory developments, electronic reporting advances, and new data access and analytical tools, as well as providing opportunities for all interested TRI stakeholders and data users to exchange information and expertise regarding the use of TRI data; and Community Issues - developing a clearinghouse where all interested stakeholders can access information about the TRI program and realize how the information and resources can support their individual program goals and objectives.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009 (optional): Topics include, but are not limited to the following: promotion of pollution prevention and the public's right to know about chemical risks, evaluation of chemicals to safeguard all Americans, including children and other vulnerable members of the population, as well as, our most threatened species and ecosystems from environmental harm.

Types of activities include but not limited to the following: Capacity Building - identifying and developing relationships with key audiences for TRI information to ensure more effective presentation, dissemination, understanding, and better use of TRI data and information; Education and Outreach - creating a forum for all interested stakeholders to stay up to date on the latest TRI regulatory developments, electronic reporting advances, and new data access and analytical tools, as well as providing opportunities for all interested TRI stakeholders and data users to exchange information and expertise regarding the use of TRI data; and Community Issues - developing a clearinghouse where all interested stakeholders can access information about the TRI program and realize how the information and resources can support their individual program goals and objectives.

Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved scopes of work 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.

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, and OMB Circular No.

A-122 for nonprofit institutions.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Assistance under this program is generally available to states, the District of Columbia, US territories (for example, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands), federally recognized Indian tribes, intertribal consortia of federally recognized tribes, public and private colleges and universities, and other public or private nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for financial assistance.

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

State, territory, city, town, county, and regional governments; federally recognized Indian tribes and intertribal consortia of federally recognized tribes; public institutions and industries subject to EPA regulatory reporting requirements; and the public.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants must demonstrate that they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA will ask applicants or principle investigators to provide curricula vitae and relevant publications. EPA may ask for documentation of nonprofit status.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

EPA awards grants and cooperative agreements supporting surveys, studies and investigations, demonstrations, educational outreach and special purpose projects that consider the relevance to EPA's mission and the likelihood of the success of proposed projects.

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 be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. The standards 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. Application kits should be requested from and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W., Washington, DC 20460 or the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Detailed information and assistance, including and application kit, required forms, and a check list may also be found at http//www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/ . For competitive awards, the competitive announcement will specify application procedures.

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 the competitive announcement.

Authorization

Clean Water Act, Section 104; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; Clean Air Act, Section 103; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10.

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. 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, and the Agency policy on the competitive grant process.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements.

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, 40 CFR Parts 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 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 Parts 30 and 31 are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. 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. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. 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.

Obigations

FY 07 $0; FY 08 $225,000; and FY 09 est. $200,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Estimated $15,000 to $350,000 with an average of $200,000 annually.

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). Costs will be determined on accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for non-profit institutions. Research and demonstration projects are subject to 40 CFR Part 40. Training grants are subject to 40 CFR Part 45.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in http://www.epa.gov/tri/contacts_regional.htm or in Appendix IV of the Catalog, and the Headquarters program contacts listed below.

Headquarters Office

For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Peggy Bagnoli, Telephone: (202) 566-1230, E-Mail: Bagnoli.Peggy@epa.gov, Fax: (202) 566-0727.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. EPA selects proposed Surveys, Studies, and Investigations projects for funding based on factors such as relevancy to EPA's mission, technical merit, and the likelihood of success. If EPA issues a solicitation for applications for a particular project or group of projects, the solicitation will identify specific criteria.