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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCD980602163_19981202_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_EPA State and Tribal Environmntal Justice Grants Program-OCRSTATE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGRAtltf,;llwett.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frI202980 l .htn. I of7 STATE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENTAL J:JJ_,(_ JUSTICE GRANTS PROGRAM -EPA J:cf-_ I KEYWORos fl [Federal Register: December 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 231)] ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ~fy10.,,u__ State and Tribal Environmental Justice Grants Program Request fofi ECEJVEO Applications Guidance FY 1999; Purpose of Notice ·· The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from el~£-D3&9 1999 candidates under the State and Tribal Environmental Justice (STEJ) Grants Program, sponsored by the U.S . Environmental Protectio~.~~~Y.i , Office of Environmental Justice. :::;u t-'t::Kt-u,.,,o SECTIOI\! For FY 1998, EPA awarded five STEJ grants totaling $500,000 to (4) states and (1) tribe. A list of the recipients and their project descriptions are provided in Appendix F. For FY 1999, EPA expects to once again award a total of $500,000 to states and tribes to demonstrate how to effectively address environmental justice issues and comply with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act . A maximum of $100,000 will be awarded to each recipient, contingent upon the availability of funds. A total of five grants are expected to be awarded. The standard project and budget periods are for one year. The grantee can request that the project and budget periods be extended up to three years, with the total budget of $100,000 provided during the first year . This guidance outlines the purpose, authorities, eligibility, and general procedures for application and award of the FY 1999 STEJ Grants. The application must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 26, 1999 . Grants Program Overview The State and Tribal Environmental Justice (STEJ) Grants Program was created to provide financial assistance to state and tribal environmental departments that are working to address environmental justice issues. With the increased interest in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, EPA is seeking, through this assistance program, to support individual state's and tribe's efforts to effectively comply with Title VI in their environmental programs and/ or establish an environmental justice program. A. Program Goals The STEJ Grants Program is intended to assist states and tribes in ultimately achieving the following environmental justice goals and objectives: Enhance the state or tribal government's effectiveness in complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . Reduce or prevent disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on low-income communities and/or minority communities . Integrate environmental justice goals into a state's or tribe's policies, programs, and activities . Provide financial and technical resources to develop an enabling infrastructure at the state/local community level and tribal/ tribal community level. Set up model programs to address enforcement and compliance issues in affected environmental justice (EJ) communities . Integrate measurable EJ goals within the annual 2/5/99 11 :08 AM ST A TE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENT AL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGR.Atl¢;/~.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frl 202980 I .htr1 2 of7 Performance Partnership Agreements (PPAs) and Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) between a state and EPA, or integrate measurable EJ goals within the Tribal Environmental Agreements (TEAs). Improve public participation in the decision-making processes (e.g. permitting processes, development of regulations and policies) B. Background on Environmental Justice EPA considers Environmental Justice to be the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, culture, or income with respect to the development, implementation, enforcement and compliance of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no groups of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local and tribal programs and policies. On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order (EO) 12898, ''Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations'' (Appendix A). Environmental Justice focuses attention on the need to ensure environmental protection for all, and to empower those most often disenfranchised from the decision-making process, the low-income and/or minority communities. C. Background on Title VI Title VI states: No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Presidential memorandum accompanying EO 12898 directs Federal agencies to ensure compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI for all Federally-funded programs and activities that affect human health or the environment. Title VI itself prohibits intentional discrimination. The Supreme Court has ruled, however, that Title VI authorizes Federal agencies, including EPA, to adopt implementing regulations that prohibit discriminatory effects. Frequently, discrimination results from policies and practices that are neutral on their face, but have the effect of discriminating. Facially-neutral policies or practices that result in discriminatory effects violate EPA's Title VI regulations unless it is shown that they are justified and that there is no less discriminatory alternative. (See Appendix B for additional information on Title VI). Eligible Applicants and Activities D. Who May Submit An Application? Any state or tribal agency that manages, or is eligible to manage, an EPA program, which has an expressed interest in working with community-based grassroots organizations and other environmental justice stakeholders to address environmental justice concerns in communities . EPA requests that only one application be submitted from each state or tribe interested in receiving assistance. The project can be a partnership involving more than one state department, or if from a tribe, more than one tribal department. The project may also involve a consortium of state or tribal governments . The degree of support provided by top government officials from either the state or tribe will be an important factor in the selection process. E . May an Individual or Organization Apply? No . Only a state or federally-recognized tribal government may apply. However, the applying states or tribes should work with 2/5/99 11 :08 AM t ST A TE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGR.Atltt,;!Awetl.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frl 202980 I .htn 3 of7 community-based grassroots organizations when developing their proposals. Preference may be given to the states or tribes who involve community-based grassroots organizations in the development of their proposals . F. What Types of Projects are Eligible for Funding? Funds are to be used for activities authorized by the appropriate statutory provisions listed in paragraph G below, to accomplish one or both of the following: 1. The development or enhancement of a program to work directly with communities to improve the state's or tribe's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the development and implementation of environmental programs . Example 1: Create a review team to analyze the state's or tribe's future conduct or action to help ensure its environmental programs have no discriminatory environmental or human health effects based on race, color, or national origin. Example 2: Demonstrate how to establish an appropriate enforcement program for disproportionately affected communities; and create meaningful community participation opportunities throughout enforcement & compliance activities [e.g. from the time of initial Notice of Violations to final agency enforcement decisions.] 2. The development of a model state or tribal environmental justice executive order, strategic plan, and/or conduct studies, analyses, and training in the development of a state or tribal environmental justice program. Preferences Preference may be given to the states or tribes which have not received a STEJ grant in the past and which include the following in their application: (1) A description of how environmental justice/community-based grassroots organizations were involved in the development of the proposal, and (2) Identification of the matching or cost sharing funds to be provided by the state or tribe for the project. G. What are the Statutory Authorities for the Grants? The State and Tribal Environmental Justice Grants are for multimedia environmental justice activities. For this reason, each project must include activities which are authorized by two or more of the following environmental statutes. a. Clean Water Act, Section 104(b) (3): conduct and promote the coordination of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstration, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. b. Safe Drinking Water Act, Sections 1442(c) (3): develop, expand, or carry out a program (that may combine training, education, and employment) for occupations relating to the public health aspects of providing safe drinking water. c. Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a): conduct and promote the coordination of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, public education programs, and studies relating to solid waste management and hazardous waste management. d. Clean Air Act, Section 103(b) (3): conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and studies related to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, and control of air pollution. e. Toxic Substances Control Act, Section lO(a): conduct research, development, and monitoring activities on toxic substances . f. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20(A): conduct research on pesticides. g. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 311(c): conduct research related to the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects on, and risks to, 2/5/99 11 :08 AM ST A TE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENT AL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGRAtltf,;,/6'Rltt.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frl 202980 I .htm 4 of7 human health from hazardous substances . h . Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203: conduct research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the minimizing or ending of ocean dumping of hazardous materials and the development of alternatives to ocean dumping. H. What Regulations Apply to these Grants? The STEJ Grants will be governed by 40 CFR Part 31, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local, and Tribal Governments, and 0MB Circular A-87 . Note, in particular, that there are restrictions on the used of grant funds for lobbying and that grant funds may not be used for intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. Funding I. Are Matching Funds Required? Matching funds are not required, but are encouraged. EPA may give preference to those states or tribes which provide matching funds, since this would demonstrate a greater commitment. Application Requirements J. What is Required for Applications? In order to be considered for funding under this program, proposals must have the following: 1 . Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) the official form required for all federal grants that requests basic information about the grantee and the proposed project. The applicant must submit the original application, and one additional copy, signed by a person duly authorized. 2. Federal Standard Form (SF 424A) and budget detail, which reflects the total budget for the entire duration of the project. Budget figures/projections should support your work plan/narrative. The EPA portion of these grants will not exceed $100,000, therefore your budget should reflect this upper limit on federal funds. 3. Signed ''Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters'' form, and ''Certification Regarding Lobbying'' form, which can be found in Appendix C. 4. Narrative/work plan of the proposal. A narrative/work plan describes the applicant's proposed project. The pages of the work plan must be letter size 8 \1 /2 \1 ' x 11' '), with normal type size (12 cpi), and at least l'' margins. The narrative/work plan should be no more than five pages. The narrative/work plan must describe : a. whether one or both of the Eligible Projects, as defined in Section F, are being proposed, b . how the proposed project will meet the Program goals, as described in Section A, c . how the project addresses issues related to at least two of the environmental statutes listed in Section G, and d. discuss how the project will be evaluated, what will be the measures of success, and describe how the project/program will be sustained. 5. A letter of commitment from the department head or government head (e.g., governor, president, chairperson, chief). 6. State and Tribal applicants should establish working relationships with local community-based organizations in developing their proposals. (*) A list of the organizations who participated in the development of the grant proposal, along with contact names and numbers, is required. (*) Many community-based organizations across the nation have already begun implementing environmental justice programs at the local level, which states and tribes may want to use as examples to help build their environmental justice programs . By asking those who are most impacted by environmental injustices to participate in 2/5/99 11 :08 Arv' ST A TE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGRAtltf>;/~.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frl 202980 l .htn . 5 of7 building the state's or tribe's environmental justice program, the states and tribes will be more likely to obtain broad support for the concept and the partnership it reflects. K. When and Where Must Applications Be Submitted? The applicant must submit one signed original application with the required attachments and one additional copy to the primary contact of the appropriate EPA regional office (see page 8 and Appendix D). The application must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 26, 1999. Process for Awarding Grants Proposals are to be developed by states or tribes (EPA encourages the involvement of community-based/grassroots organizations) and submitted to their respective EPA Regional Offices. The initial review will be conducted by each Region through a Regional panel, which will select the top proposals for submission to EPA Headquarters, for final review and selection. The grants will be processed for award and managed by the Regions. The plan is to fund the five best State and/or Tribal Environmental Justice project proposals. Note: Among the proposals receiving the highest rating, EPA may take into account the geographic location and diversity of the proposed projects when making final selections . STEJ Grant Program Schedule Dec.11--February 26 : States and Tribes Develop Proposals and Submit to EPA Regions . March 1--April 9: EPA Regions Review Proposals and Provide Recommendations to Headquarters. April 12--May 14 : OEJ Headquarters Convenes Review Panel and Receives Recommendations. May 17--June 4: Headquarters Completes Selections and Submits Final Selections to EPA Regional Offices. June 7--Aug. 9: EPA Regional Grants Management Offices Process Applications and Award Grants. September 1: National and Regional Announcements of Awards. Reporting State and Tribal agencies that are awarded the State and Tribal Environmental Justice (STEJ) grants will be required to submit semi- annual reports, in accordance with 40 CFR 31 .40 and 31.41, to the appropriate Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator and Project Officer. Reports will include, but not be limited to, information on: Funds expended . Tasks accomplished. Issues/problems encountered and method of resolution. Results achieved. A final summary report is required by 40 CFR section 31.40(b) at the end of the project period. This final report should include a discussion on the continuation and institutionalization of the state's and/or tribe's efforts to comply with Title VI and/or provide for environmental justice. ***If you have any questions regarding the interpretation of this guidance, please call your regional contact listed below, or Daniel Gogal, STEJ Grants Manager, Office of Environmental Justice, at (202) 564-2576 or 1-800-962-6215. * * * EPA Regional STEJ Contact Names and Addresses Region I: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. Primary Contact: Ronnie Harrington (617) 918-1703, USEPA Region 1, One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (SAA), Boston, MA 02114 . Secondary Contact: Pat O'Leary (617) 918-1978. Region II: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S . Virgin Islands. 2/5/99 I I :08 Arvt STATE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGR.Atltf>i-/lwett.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frl2029801 .htn. 6 of7 Primary Contact: Melva Hayden (212) 637-5027, USEPA Region II, 290 Broadway, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10007. Secondary Contact: Doug Roberts (212) 637-3408. Region III: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia. Primary Contact: Reginald Harris (215) 814-2988, USEPA Region III (3DA00), 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Secondary Contact: Mary Zielinski (215) 814-5415. Region IV: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee. Primary Contact: Gloria Love (404) 562-9672, USEPA Region IV, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, GA 30303. Secondary Contact: Connie Raines (404) 562-9671. Region V: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin. Primary Contact: Ethel Crisp (312) 353-1442, USEPA Region V, 77 West Jackson Boulevard (DM-7J), Chicago, IL 60604-3507. Secondary Contact: Karla Johnson (312) 886-5993. Region VI: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. Primary Contact: Shirley Augurson (214) 665-7401, USEPA Region VI (6E-N), 1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor, Dallas, TX 75202-2733. Secondary Contact: Teresa Cooke (214) 665-8145. Region VII: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska. Primary Contact: Althea Moses (913) 551-7649 or 1-800-223-0425, USEPA Region VII, 726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101. Secondary Contact: Kim Olson (913) 551-7539. Region VIII: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming . Primary Contact: Marcella Devargas (303) 312-6161, USEPA Region VIII (SENF-EJ), 999 18th Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2466. Secondary Contact : Elisabeth Evans (303) 312-6053. Region IX: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam . Primary Contact: Katy Wilcoxen (415) 744-1117, USEPA Region IX (CMD-6), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Secondary Contact: Willard Chin (415) 744-1204. Region X: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Primary Contact: Susan Morales (206) 553-8580, USEPA Region X (OI- 085), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 . Secondary Contact : Joyce Kelly (206) 553-4029. Note: To obtain copies of the appendices referenced in this document, please contact the individuals identified above for a complete application . Dated: November 24, 1998. Robert J. Knox, Associate Director, Office of Environmental Justice . [FR Doc. 98-32072 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-U KEYWORDS: Keycode Keyword A001200 Environmental Protection Agency 100700A All Environmental Studies 1000000 Science & Technology & Mathematics & Computer Science 072500A All Environment (Health & Safety & Medical) 0725000 Environment (Health & Safety & Medical) 1400000 Environment 1400040 Environmental Monitoring 1007000 Environmental Studies 0411009 Environmental Planning & Policy 1007005 Air Pollution 1007003 Environmental Effects 0801013 Environmental Law 2/5/99 I I :08 AM ST A TE AND TRIBAL ENVIRONMENT AL JUSTICE GRANTS PROGR.Atltf:>d6'Rltt.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/frl2029801.htm ., .· 7 of 7 1007073 Hazardous Materials 0201045 Pesticides 0606029 Solid Waste Disposal 1007008 Water Pollution 0801021 Law Enforcement 0000034 Research 1225010 Pollution Control 0501006 Public Education 1007012 Wastes, Hazardous 0411030 Dumping, Commercial Policy 0403014 Native Americans The FEDIX database of research and educational opportunities is provided by RAMS-FIE. Send comments to -mrafie. com 2/5/99 11 :08 AM Forwarded by: Forwarded to: Date forwarded: Date sent: From: To: Copies to : Subject: N1ND418@WASTENOT.ENR.STATE.NC.us n1 nw011@wastenot.ehnr.state.nc.us Wed, 3 Feb 9917:07:01 +1100 Wed, 3 Feb 1999 16:27:39 -0500 Lloyd_lnman@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Lloyd Inman) stan_adams@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Stanford Adams), Betsy_Bennett_at_NRMNS01 P@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Betsy Bennett), Me1_Fry_at_NRDRP01P@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Mel Fry), cgardner@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Charles Gardner), preston_howard@h2o.ehnr.state.nc.us (Preston Howard), Gary_Hunt@owr.ehnr.state.nc.us (Gary Hunt), david_jones@mail.enr.state.nc.us (David Jones), alan_klimek@aq.ehnr.state.nc.us (Alan Klimek), meyerwl@wastenot.ehnr.state.nc.us (Bill Meyer), donna_moffitt@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Donna Moffitt), John_Morris@mail.enr.state.nc.us (John Morris), Preston_Pate_at_NRDMF01 P@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Preston Pate), Linda_Sewall@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Linda Sewall), Rhett_White_at_NRNCA01P@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Rhett White) mwilliamson@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Michael Williamson), Michael_Shore@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Michael Shore), Kristin_Cozza@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Kristin Cozza), Richard_Rogers@mail.enr.state.nc.us (Richard Rogers), JMcCleskey@gov.state.nc.us (Jim McCleskey) Grant Opportunity Attached. If you apply, please let me know. Thanks! ,, . \ GRANT OPPORTUNITY February 3, 1999 EPA's FY 99 State and Tribal Environmental Justice Grants REFERENCE: Federal Register: December 2, 1998 (Volume 63 , Number 231) FUNDING SOURCE/INFORMATION: State and Tribal Environmental Justice Grants Program Request for Applications Guidance FY ; Purpose of Notice The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible candidates under the State and Tribal Environmental Justice (STEJ) Grants Program, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice. For FY 1998, EPA awarded five STEJ Grants totaling $500,000.00 to four (4) states and one (1) tribe. For FY 1999, EPA expects to once again award a total of $500,000.00 to states and tribes to demonstrate how to effectively address environmental justice issues and comply with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. A maximum of $100,000.00 will be awarded to each recipient, contingent upon the availability of funds. A total of five (5) grants are expected to be awarded. The standard project and budget periods are for one (1) year. The grantee can request that the project and budget periods be extended up to three (3) years, with the total budget of $100,000.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION: URL: http:/web.fie.com/htdoc/fed/epa/any/any/proc/any/fr12029801.htm ~ Matching Keywords: Air Pollution, Environmental Law, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Studies, Pollution Control, Solid Waste Disposal, Wastes, Hazardous, Water Pollution