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Environmental Justice Small Grant Program
The long-term goals of the program are to help build the capacity
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: To provide financial assistance to eligible non-profit organizations.
The purposes of proposed projects should be to educate the community, develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental and/or public health issues, and identify ways to address these issues at the local level and create and develop collaborative partnerships.
The long-term goals of the EJSG Program are to help build the capacity of the affected community and create self-sustaining, community-based partnershis that will continue to improve local environments in the future.
- Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program
- Surveys, Studies, Investigations and Special Purpose Activities Relating to Environmental Justice
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) Training of two environmental youth organizations to identify and categorize contamination levels at key sites along the creek using available site histories and local knowledge.
Based on the type and level of contamination, the groups will research and identify best practices for remediation of those sites as well as determine possible liability issues.
Students will research policy barriers preventing the transfer of control over the identified sites to partners wishing to create public open space on the site.
(2) Development of a health communication model which will provide information about ways to prevent exposure and reduce risk from the harm associated with the organic, chemical and heavy metal compounds/ substances found in fish and seafood from an Estuary System.
The goals of the research will be to gather the necessary cultural data to: (1) increase awareness of fish contamination and prevention measures; (2) isolate data gaps in the information about the complex socio-cultural environment of fish consumption among the resident population; (3) develop a collaborative relationship between public health researchers, community advocates, and health care professionals serving the affected communities, and (4) acquire the information needed to foster behavior changes among the vulnerable populations at risk from potential exposure(s); (5) Creation of a one-hour documentary and two 20-minute documentaries on the environmental concerns associated with three copper mines including the history of the mines and the combined work of citizens and the EPA to clean up the mines; (6) Construction of a safe, affordable off-ground garden structure and share its designs and curriculum with local educators and community members wanting safe alternatives to deal with environmental and public health issues at the site.
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
In FY 2007, 74 applications were received and 20 grants were awarded. At the end of these projects, OEJ anticipates the following accomplishments, outputs, results achieved and services rendered from the diverse group of projects: in-home trainings on Integrated Pest Management, which focus on using safer pest elimination methods and reducing the number of pesticides used in the homes; indoor air quality management programs to improve the indoor air quality of the schools in Chicago, IL; and an analysis of the numerous environmental and public health issues that confront the Hyde Park community in Richmond, GA and potential remedies to resolve these issues. It is anticipated that approximately 150 applications will be received in fiscal year 2008 and 40 awards will be granted.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved surveys, studies, and investigations plus allowable direct costs in accordance with established EPA policies and procedures.
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).ble for use in lobbying or underwriting legal actions, including the preparation of court testimony and hiring of expert witnesses.
Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
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.
An eligible applicant MUST BE: (1) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service; (2) a nonprofit organization, recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth, or tribe in which it is located; (3) a city, township, county government; OR (4) a Native American tribal government (Federally recognized)(AND)(5) located within the same state, territory, commonwealth, or tribe that the proposed project will be located.
In addition, an eligible applicant must be able to demonstrate that it has worked directly with, or provided services to, the affected community.
An "affected community" for the purposes of this assistance agreement program, is a community that is disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks and has a local environmental and public health issue that is identified in the proposal.
The following entities are INELIGIBLE: colleges and universities; hospitals; state governments; quasi-governmental entities (e.g., water districts, utilities)*; national, multi-state, or state-wide organizations with chapters; and nonprofit organizations that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
Generally, a quasi-governmental entity is one that: (1) has a close association with the government agency, but is not considered a part of the government agency; (2) was created by the government agency, but is exempt from certain legal and administrative requirements imposed on government agencies; or (3) was not created by the government agency but performs a public purpose and is significantly supported financially by the government agency.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Nonprofit organizations and local government organizations as described in "Applicant Eligibility," above.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations and OMB Circular A-102 for local governments. 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
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. Application kits should be requested from and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice, Mail Code 2201A, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460 or the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified under Information Contacts. Detailed information and assistance including an application may also be found at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/index.html. For grant awards, Requests for Applications 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.
Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Request for Application.
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3); Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b)(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.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
About 150 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 training, research, 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. bility of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The project grant will be awarded for a 1 year project period. Activities must be completed within the timeframe of the project's budget period and all grants will be 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 interim and final progress reports and financial 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 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
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each assistance agreement must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA assistance accounts. All records must be maintained until the expiration of three years from the date of submission of the Financial Status Report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as the result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obigations
FY 07 $1,000,000; FY 08 $800,000; and FY 09 $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$20,000 to $50,000/fiscal year; FY 08 average $20,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
40 CFR Part 30.
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, Office of Environmental Justice, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 2201A Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Sheila Lewis, Office of Environmental Justice, (2201A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0152. Fax: (202) 501-1107. E-mail: lewis.sheila@epa.gov. Or call toll free (1-800) 962-6215).
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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