Island environmental agencies have significantly bolstered water, air, RCRA, superfund, and pesticides programs through the consolidated grants. The grants have allowed island governments to focus on environmental results without being overly burdened by administering multiple smaller grants.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants and cooperative agreements are awarded to Insular Area agencies under the above referenced authorities to provide technical and managerial support in relation to continuing environmental program grants that serve to protect the public health and welfare of the Insular Areas.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive and administer funds for more than one environmental program.

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this description, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication communications should be directed to the appropriate EPA Regional office.

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

A-102 and 40 CFR 31.10 must be used for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the Regional office or official designated as the single point of contact for their Insular Area for more information on the process the Insular Area needs to follow when applying for assistance.

Application Procedures

U.S. Insular area agencies will be notified to submit grant application packages identifying required forms including a work plan. The application package should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedures

U.S. Insular area agencies will be notified of Federal assistance awards through the appropriate EPA Regional Office. 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

Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office for application deadlines.

Authorization

EPA grant programs eligible for consolidation include but are not limited to programs authorized under: Clean Water Act, Sections 104(b)(3), 106, 205(g), 205(j)(2), and 319(h); Safe Drinking Water Act, Sections 1443(a) and 1443(b); Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6908a ; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Sections 23(a)(1) and 23(a)(2); Toxic Substances Control Act, Sections 28(a), 404(g), and 306; Pollution Prevention Act, Section 6605; NEPA 102(2)(f). Consolidated grants to Insular areas under these programs are authorized by the Omnibus Territories Act are applicable: 48 U.S.C 1469a et seq.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 90 days.

Appeals

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 competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 31.70.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Matching requirements may be waived by the Agency pursuant to the Omnibus Territories Act.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance is usually awarded for a 1-year or longer period. The Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) is the preferred payment method.

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 and final performance reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports.

Reporting requirements are also identified in the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments - 40 CFR Part 31.

Additionally, progress reporting by the Insular Area agency and performance monitoring by EPA will be the minimum necessary for sound program management.

Reporting requirements may vary with each Insular Area agency depending upon the specific agency's demonstrated management abilities.

A financial status report is required within 90 days of the end of the budget period.

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

All records including documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for three years from the date of submission of the annual financial status report. If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the end of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until the litigations, claims or audit findings have been resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304; 68-0103-0-1-304;
20-8145-0-7-304; 20-8153-0-7-304.

Obigations

Grants obligated for American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam were the following: FY 07 $8,459,838; and FY 08 $6,603,700; FY 09 est. $8,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In general, financial assistance has increased annually depending on program funding that is consolidated into the grant. Financial assistance has generally ranged from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000/territory/fiscal year. The total estimated average is $8,500,000/fiscal year.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

40 CFR Part 31, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments; 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart A, Environmental Program Grants; EPA annual Program Guidance.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

EPA Region 2 Contact: Victor M.Trinidad, Chief, Environmental Management Branch, EPA Region 2, Caribbean Environmental Protection Division, Centro Europa Building, Suite 417, 1492 Ponce de Leon Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907-4127; Telephone: (787) 977-5870; Fax: (787) 729-7747; EPA Region 9 Contacts: Guam: Alba Espitia,Grants Management Specialist,Grants Management Office (PMD-7), U.S. EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105; Telephone: (415) 972-3667; Fax: (415) 947-3556; E-mail: espitia.alba@epa.gov; CNMI and American Samoa: Renee Chan,Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Office (PMD-7),U.S. EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105; Telephone: (415) 972-3675; Fax: 415-947-3556; E-mail: chan.renee@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

See the "Information Contacts" listed for the specific programs referred to in the "Uses and Use Restrictions" section.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications may be approved if: (1) funds are available; (2) if the application satisfies the requirements of 40 CFR Parts 31 and 35 and applicable statutes; and (3) if the proposed work program is feasible and compatible with the program priorities in EPA annual guidance. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.