Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year 1995; Environmental Education Grants Program ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]

[Unknown Section]

[Page 0]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 94-14174]

[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part V

Environmental Protection Agency

_______________________________________________________________________

Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year 1995; Environmental Education

Grants Program

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-4895-7]

Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year 1995; Environmental Education

Grants Program

Section I. Important Pre-Application Information

A. What is the purpose of this solicitation notice:

This notice solicits pre-applications from eligible organizations

and institutions for grants to support projects to design, demonstrate,

or disseminate practices, methods, or techniques related to

environmental education as specified under Section 6 of the National

Environmental Education Act of 1990 (the Act). The Section 6

Environmental Education Grants Program is separate from the

Environmental Education and Training Program authorized under Section 5

of the Act in which EPA awards a cooperative agreement on a three year

basis to support a national teacher training program. For information

on the teacher training program, contact the EPA representative listed

at the end of this notice.

B. When is my pre-application due to EPA and when will EPA announce the

grant awards?

Pre-applications (a signed original plus two copies of the

original) must be mailed to EPA postmarked no later than Friday,

October 14, 1994. Pre-applications which are postmarked after October

14, 1994 will not be considered for funding. EPA expects to announce

the grant awards in the Spring of 1995.

C. Do I mail my pre-application to EPA headquarters or an EPA regional

office? Is there a difference between the type of project that is

funded by EPA headquarters as opposed to EPA's regional offices?

Pre-applications requesting between $25,001 and $250,000 in federal

environmental education grant funds must be mailed to EPA headquarters

in Washington, DC. Pre-applications requesting $25,000 or less in

federal environmental education grant funds must be mailed to the EPA

regional office where the project will take place (rather than to the

regional office where the applicant is located, if these locations are

different). A list of addresses is included at the end of this notice.

The EPA headquarters and regional grants will be evaluated using the

same criteria as defined in this solicitation. The only difference

between grants that are awarded by EPA headquarters and by EPA's

regional offices is the size of the grant.

D. Where do I get the information and forms needed to prepare my pre-

application?

EPA strongly encourages applicants to read the solicitation notice

carefully. This notice contains all the information and forms necessary

to prepare a pre-application. If your project is selected as a finalist

after the evaluation process is concluded, EPA will provide you with

additional forms that must be completed in order to process your pre-

application further.

E. How much money can I request and how does the dollar amount

requested affect my chance of being funded?

Applicants may request up to the statutory ceiling of $250,000 in

environmental education grant funds for any one grant. However, pre-

applications which request relatively small amounts of funding have a

much better chance of being funded because EPA awards a much greater

number of grants at lower funding levels. A significant number of small

awards are made because EPA is required, under Section 6(i) of the Act,

to award 25% of funds for grants of $5,000 or less. In addition, EPA

has chosen to award very few of the largest grants (e.g., those over

$100,000) so that we may support a greater number of efforts. Thus,

your chance of being funded increases dramatically as the amount of

money you request decreases as illustrated below.

EPA has awarded grants under the Environmental Education Grants

Program in Fiscal Years 1992, 1993, and 1994. Individual awards have

ranged from less than $5,000 up to $250,000. During this three year

period, EPA has funded only about 10 proposals annually for projects

requesting between $25,001 and $250,000; only 1 proposal each year has

been funded at or near the $250,000 level. By contrast, EPA has funded

about 30 proposals annually for projects requesting between $5,001 and

$25,000. Furthermore, EPA has funded about 200 proposals annually for

projects requesting $5,000 or less. EPA has received between 1,500 and

3,000 pre-applications each year. To increase your chance of obtaining

funding in FY 1995, EPA strongly encourages applicants to request

regional grants of $5,000 or less. If larger sums are needed, EPA

strongly encourages applicants to request a headquarters grant closer

to $25,000 rather than the maximum of $250,000.

Section II. Laws and Regulations Governing Grants Program

F. Under what authority has this grants program been established and

what laws and regulations do I need to follow in applying for a grant?

On November 16, 1990, the President signed the National

Environmental Education Act (Pub. L. 101-619) into law. Section 6 of

the Act requires that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

administer an environmental education grants program to support

projects that design, demonstrate, or disseminate practices, methods,

or techniques related to environmental education. The Act also requires

that EPA establish a program which includes a process for soliciting,

selecting, supervising, evaluating results, and disseminating

information on the effectiveness of projects funded under this program.

EPA published the Environmental Education Grant Program Regulations

in the Federal Register on March 9, 1992 which provides additional

information on how EPA is administering this program (57 FR 8390; Title

40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 47 (40 CFR part 47). In

addition to the requirements of the Act and part 47, recipients of

section 6 grants must comply with EPA's general assistance regulations

at 40 CFR part 31 for states, local governments, and Indian tribes and

Part 30 for all others.

G. How much money has Congress appropriated for this grants program?

The Act requires that 38% of the total funds Congress appropriates

in a given fiscal year under the National Environmental Education Act

be awarded as grants under the section 6 environmental education grants

program. Based on this percentage, EPA has awarded approximately $8.1

million in grants under section 6 of the Act over the past three years

(approximately $2.5 in Fiscal Year 1992, $2.7 in Fiscal Year 1993, and

$2.9 in Fiscal Year 1994). EPA will award grants in Fiscal Year 1995

subject to the amount of funds appropriated by Congress. EPA may use up

to 15% of these funds to support environmental education projects which

meet the requirements under section 6, but are outside of the

competitive process established under the solicitation notice. If funds

are used in this manner, EPA will publish a separate solicitation

notice in the Federal Register to cover the award of these funds.

Section III. Eligible Applicants

H. Who is eligible to submit pre-applications?

Any local or tribal education agency, college or university, state

education or environmental agency, not-for-profit organization, or

noncommercial educational broadcasting entity may submit a pre-

application. These terms are defined in Section 3 of the Act and 40 CFR

47.105.

I. May an organization submit more than one pre-application for Fiscal

Year 1995?

Yes, an organization may submit more than one pre-application for

Fiscal Year 1995, but only if the pre-applications are for completely

different projects. For example, a national non-profit organization or

a large university may wish to submit pre-applications from different

chapters or departments for different projects. No organization will be

awarded more than one grant for the same project during the same fiscal

year.

J. May I submit a pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995 even though I

have been awarded funding under this program for Fiscal Years 1992,

1993, and/or 1994?

Yes, applicants who were awarded funding previously may submit a

pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995. The Fiscal Year 1995 pre-

application may or may not have any relationship to the project funded

in a previous year. Every pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995 will be

evaluated based upon the merit of the proposed project in relation to

the other Fiscal Year 1995 pre-applications and the new criteria set

forth in this solicitation, regardless of whether the proposal would

expand a project funded in a previous year.

K. May a teacher or educator apply?

No, an individual teacher or educator cannot apply. Only education

agencies and organizations--not individuals--are eligible to apply for

grants. For example, a teacher's school, school district, or state or

local education agency or organization may apply.

Section IV. Eligible Activities and Funding Priorities

L. What type of activities are eligible for funding under this program?

As specified in the Act, the environmental education activities

that are eligible to receive funding under this program must include at

least one of, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The design, demonstration, or dissemination of environmental

curricula, including development of educational tools and material;

2. The design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and

techniques, including assessment of environmental and ecological

conditions and analysis of environmental pollution problems;

3. The assessment of a specific environmental issue or a specific

environmental problem;

4. The provision of training or related education for teachers,

faculty, or related personnel in a specific geographic area or region;

and

5. The design and demonstration of projects to foster international

cooperation in addressing environmental issues and problems involving

the United States and Canada or Mexico.

In reference to Section IV.L.1. above, EPA strongly encourages

applicants to focus on the demonstration or dissemination of existing

environmental curricula rather than the design or development of new

curricula. Environmental educators and other experts have conveyed to

EPA that the field needs to improve its use and dissemination of

existing curricula more than it needs to develop new curricula.

Focusing on demonstrating or disseminating existing curricula will also

help ensure that federal funds are not used to duplicate already

existing curricula.

Nonetheless, EPA does recognize that there are gaps in the types of

curricula that presently exist and that there is some difficulty in

gaining access to quality materials. Thus, applicants who propose to

design new curricula in their pre-applications must demonstrate that

there is a need to develop these new materials.

For example, the applicant may show that the curriculum proposed

for development has not been designed for a particular target audience,

that existing curricula cannot be adapted well to a particular local

environmental concern, or that existing curricula are not otherwise

readily accessible. In demonstrating the need for new curricula, the

applicant must specify what steps they have taken to determine this

need (e.g., the applicant may cite a conference where this need was

discussed, the results of inquiries made within the community or with

various educational institutions or organizations, or a published

survey or research document).

M. What activities are not eligible for funding under this program?

Funds cannot be used for:

1. construction projects;

2. technical training of environmental management professionals;

3. non-educational research and development; and/or

4. environmental information projects.

In reference to Section IV.M.1., EPA will not fund construction

activities such as the acquisition of real property (including

buildings) or the construction or modification of any building. EPA

may, however, fund activities such as creating a nature trail or

building a bird watching station as long as these items are an integral

part of the proposed project.

In reference to Section IV.M.4., EPA will fund only environmental

education projects as opposed to projects that are solely designed to

develop or disseminate environmental information. The long term goal of

environmental education is to increase public awareness and knowledge

about environmental issues as well as provide the public with the

skills necessary to make informed decisions and the motivation to take

responsible actions. Environmental education enhances critical-

thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills and may

take place in formal or informal settings. Environmental education

engages and motivates individuals, and enables them to weigh various

sides of an environmental issue to make informed and responsible

decisions.

Environmental information provides facts or opinions about

environmental issues or problems, but does not enhance critical-

thinking, problem-solving, or effective decision-making skills.

Although information is an essential element of an educational effort,

environmental information is not, by itself, environmental education.

N. What kind of projects will EPA consider funding?

EPA will consider funding only those proposed projects which meet

the criteria specified under #1 and #2 below. Any proposed project

which does not meet these criteria will not be funded.

1. As required under the Act, all projects must develop an

environmental education practice, method, or technique which meets all

three of the following criteria:

a. Is new or significantly improved;

b. Demonstrates the potential for wide application; and

c. Addresses a high priority environmental issue.

EPA defined the terms ``new or significantly improved,'' ``wide

application,'' and ``a high priority environmental issue'' in

``relative terms'' (i.e., applicants must define these terms as they

relate to their individual projects). For example, in reference to

Section IV.N.1.a., EPA may consider a project new or significantly

improved if it reaches a specific community or audience for the first

time, develops a new or improved teaching strategy, or uses a new or

improved method of applying existing materials.

In reference to Section IV.N.1.b., EPA may consider a project to

have wide application if it targets a large and diverse audience in

terms of numbers and demographics. It may also have wide application if

it can serve as a model program elsewhere such as another school,

community, state, or region.

In reference to Section IV.N.1.c., EPA may consider that a project

addresses a high priority environmental issue if the applicant

demonstrates that a particular issue is important to the community,

state, or region being targeted by the project. For example, one

community may have significant air pollution problems which would make

teaching about solutions to air pollution important to that community.

In another community, unplanned development may threaten a nearby

wildlife habitat, thus, making habitat or ecosystem protection a high

priority issue. In still another community, urban decay may make

education about lead poisoning from paint or lead pipes important,

especially for culturally diverse or low-income residents who often

live in inner-city communities.

2. All proposals must also focus on one of the following types of

projects:

a. Projects that improve educators' environmental education

teaching skills (e.g., through workshops);

b. Projects that build state, local, or tribal capacity to develop

and deliver environmental education programs;

c. Projects that educate members of a community through a

grassroots community-based organization; or

d. Projects that motivate the general public to be more

environmentally conscious in making informed decisions and taking

responsible actions through vehicles such as print, film, or broadcast

media.

All pre-applications must clearly identify which type of project,

described under Section IV.N.2.a, b, c, or d above, the proposal will

focus on. Note that these types of projects have been chosen precisely

because they reach different audiences through different means. EPA

believes that requiring you to focus on one of the above types of

projects will help ensure that your proposal has a clear target

audience and a well defined vehicle for reaching that audience.

Although your proposal may include more than one of the types of

projects described above, doing so will not likely improve your chance

of being funded (unless focusing on more than one strengthens rather

than dilutes the focus of your proposal). EPA's overall goal is to fund

a balanced range of projects to increase environmental literacy

throughout the country as described under Section VI.V.1-6.

In reference to Section IV.N.2.a., the term workshop refers to

training activities that better prepare educators to utilize existing

or new environmental education materials. Such workshops may be

directed toward young people and/or adults in formal and/or informal

settings. A formal setting is a school or other similar institution

devoted to learning and an informal setting includes institutions such

as museums, nature centers, parks, and community centers.

Workshops should emphasize the process, problem-solving, and

investigative approach to learning that is a fundamental aspect of most

established environmental education materials and curricula. Workshops

should, in all cases, use a ``hands-on'' process approach to learning

that leads to the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking

skills. Workshops may be specific to a particular set of environmental

education materials and may include youth leaders and other

professionals who work in the environmental education field.

In reference to Section IV.N.2.b., the term building state, local,

or tribal capacity refers to the development and implementation of

plans designed to improve the coordinated delivery of environmental

education at the state, local, or tribal level. Pre-applications

addressing this priority should involve a coordinated effort by the

primary environmental education providers from the respective state,

local, or tribal government in the planning and implementation of the

project. Examples of primary environmental education providers includes

State Departments of Education or Natural Resources, local school

districts, and state, local, and tribal environmental education

coordinating councils or associations. Examples of how an applicant may

propose to build state, local, or tribal capacity includes the

development of plans for:

Identifying and assessing needs as well as setting

priorities for environmental education;

Creating grant programs or identifying funding sources for

environmental education providers; and/or

Identifying environmental education teacher training

needs.

In reference to Section IV.N.2.c., the term grassroots community-

based organization refers to organizations in which local problems are

addressed by individuals who reside in the community being served.

Section V. The Pre-Application

O. What is a pre-application?

The pre-application contains three parts: (1) The ``Application for

Federal Assistance'' (Standard Form 424/SF 424, attached), (2) the

``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs'' (Standard Form 424A/

SF 424A, attached), and (3) a work plan (described below). To ensure

your pre-application is completed properly, carefully follow the

instructions on the SF 424, SF 424A, and those provided below. The SF

424, SF 424A, and the completed work plan contain all the information

EPA will use to evaluate the merits of your pre-application. Applicants

will not be asked to submit additional information to support their

projects unless applicants are identified as finalist. Finalists will

be asked to submit various other forms necessary to complete formal

application.

P. Are matching funds required?

Yes, non-federal matching funds of at least 25% of the total cost

of the project are required, although EPA encourages matching funds of

greater than 25%. Federal funds to support the project must not exceed

75% of the total cost of the project. The 25% match may be provided by

the applicant or any other organization or institution, except that no

portion of the 25% match can include federal funds (unless specifically

authorized by statute). The 25% match may be provided in cash or by in-

kind contributions and other non-cash support. In-kind contributions

often include salaries or other verifiable costs. In the case of

salaries, applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value.

The proposed match, including the value of in-kind contributions, is

subject to negotiation with EPA. All grants are subject to audit, so

the value of in-kind contributions must be carefully documented.

The matching non-federal share is a percentage of the entire cost

of the project. For example, if the 75% federal portion is $5,000, then

the entire project should, at a minimum, have a budget of $6,667, with

the recipient providing a contribution of $1,667. The amount of non-

federal funds, including in-kind contributions, must be briefly

itemized in Block 15 of the SF 424 included at the end of this notice.

Q. Can I use federal funds other than those provided by this program to

support the same project?

Yes, you may use federal funds other than those provided by the

Environmental Educational Grants Program to support the same project,

but only for different activities. Furthermore, you may not use any

federal funds to meet all or any part of the required 25% match as

stated in Section V.P. above. If you have already been awarded federal

funds for a project in which you are seeking additional support from

this program, you must indicate in the budget section of the work plan

that you have been awarded other federal support for this project. You

must also identify the project officer, agency, office, address, phone

number, and the amount of the award.

R. Can I request funding for any budget category on the SF 424A (i.e.,

personnel/salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies,

contractual, construction, and indirect charges)?

Yes, you may request funding for any of the budget categories

identified above with the following exceptions. First, as indicated

under Section VI.M.1. above, EPA will not fund the acquisition of real

property (including buildings) or the construction or modification of

any building under this program.

Second, you may request funds to pay for salaries, but only for

those personnel who are directly involved in implementing the proposed

project and whose salaries are directly related to specific products or

outcomes of the proposed project. EPA also strongly encourages

applicants to request reasonable amounts of funding for salaries.

Third, you may include a request for indirect costs if your

organization has already negotiated and received an indirect cost rate

from the federal government.

S. What must the pre-application contain and how must the information

be presented in the pre-application?

The pre-application must contain an SF 424, and SF 424A, and a work

plan as described below:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424). The SF 424 is an

official form required for all federal grants. A completed SF 424 must

be submitted as part of your pre-application. This form, along with

instructions and a sample, are included at the end of this notice.

Please carefully review the instructions and the sample.

2. Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). The SF

424A is an official form required for all federal grants. A completed

SF 424A must be submitted as part of your pre-application. This form,

along with instructions and a sample, are included at the end of this

notice. Please carefully review the instructions and the sample. Refer

to Section V.R. above for information on what types of activities can

and cannot be funded.

3. Work Plan. A work plan describes the applicant's proposed

project. Work plans must contain all four sections (a-d) submitted in

the format described below. Each section of the work plan is assigned

points which indicate how your proposal will be scored. Note that

certain sections and subsections are given more points than others.

Work plans must contain the following four sections:

a. Project Summary: A synopsis of no more than one page stating:

(1) The nature of the organization requesting funds;

(2) The type of project proposed as described under Section IV.N.2;

(3) The overall purpose and specific objective of the project;

(4) The target audience as well as the total number of individuals

to be reached and their demographics;

(5) The expected results of the project; and

(6) How the funds will be used. (Do not include a detailed budget

in the summary section).

The project summary will be scored on its overall clarity and the

extent to which all six of the subsections identified above are

addressed.

Project Summary Maximum Score: 12 points (2 points for each of the

six subsections identified above)

b. Project Description: A concise description which explains how

the proposed project meets #1 and #2 below.

(1) Explain how the proposed project (a) is new or significantly

improved, (b) has wide application, and (c) addresses a priority issue

as described under Section IV.N.1.a, b, and c.

This subsection will be scored on the extent to which you clearly,

fully, and effectively explain how your proposal meets the three

elements identified above. Subsection maximum score: 15 points (5

points for each of the three elements identified above)

(2) Explain how the proposed project (a) improves teaching skills;

(b) builds state, local, or tribal capacity; (c) reaches a community

through a grassroots community-based organization; or (d) motivates the

general public as described under section IV.N.2.a, b, c, or d.

This subsection will be scored on the extent to which you clearly,

fully, and effectively: (a) Identify which type of project you have

chosen from among the four types identified above, (b) establish

realistic goals and objectives, (c) identify an effective means to

implement your project, and (d) demonstrate how your project enhances

critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Subsection maximum score: 44 points (11 points for each of the four

elements identified in this paragraph)

Project Description Maximum Score: 59 Points

c. Project Evaluation and Sustainability: A discussion of the

following:

(1) The anticipated strengths and challenges in implementing your

project;

(2) The expected outcome of your project (i.e., how you will know

whether your project is successful); and

(3) The sustainability of your project over the long-term (i.e.,

how the benefits of your project will be sustained over the long-term

after the EPA budget period is completed).

Project Evaluation and Sustainability Maximum Score: 9 points (3

points for each of the three elements identified above)

d. Appendices: Attachments to the work plan which contain

information on the budget, key personnel, and letters of commitment.

(1) Budget: An appendix with a budget describing how funds will be

used for personnel/salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment,

supplies, contract costs, and indirect costs. You must include budget

milestones for each major proposed activity and a timetable showing the

month/year they will be completed.

This subsection will be scored on the extent to which (a) the

budget information clearly and accurately shows how funds will be used,

and (b) the funding request is reasonable given the activities

proposed. Subsection maximum score: 10 points (5 points for each of the

two elements described in this paragraph)

(2) Key Personnel and Letters of Commitment: An appendix with one

or two page resumes for up to three key personnel implementing the

project. Also, you are required to include one page letters of

commitment from any partner with a significant role in the proposed

project. Letters of endorsement will not be considered in evaluating

pre-applications.

This subsection will be scored based upon whether resumes of key

personnel are included and the extent to which the resumes show that

the key personnel are qualified to implement the proposed project. In

addition, the score will reflect whether letters of commitment are

included (if partners are used) and the extent to which a firm

commitment is made. Subsection maximum score: 10 points

Appendices Maximum Score: 20 Points

Work plans must be no more than 10 pages for requests for federal

funds of more than $5,000 from this environmental education grants

program and no more than 5 pages for requests of $5,000 or less. These

page limits apply only to Section V.S.3.a, b, and c. of the work plan

(i.e., the ``summary,'' ``project description,'' and ``project

evaluation and sustainability''). These page limits do not apply to

Section V.S.3.d. (i.e., the ``appendices''). ``One page'' refers to one

side of a single-spaced typed page. The pages must be letter sized

(8\1/2\ x 11 inches), with normal type size (10 or 12 cpi) and at

least 1 inch margins. To conserve paper, please provide double-sided

copies of the pre-application.

The only appendices EPA will accept are a budget, resumes of key

personnel, and commitment letters from organizations with a significant

role in the project. EPA will not accept brochures, video tapes,

notebooks, photographs, curriculum samples, or any other supporting

material not described as part of the work plan under Section V.S.3.a,

b, c, and d.

T. How Must the Pre-Application Be Submitted?

The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the

preapplication (a signed SF 424, an SF 424A, and a work plan). The pre-

application must be signed by a person authorized to receive funds.

Please sign the original pre-application in blue ink to help EPA

distinguish which document is the signed original and which documents

are copies. Pre-applications must be reproducible. They should be

stapled once in the upper left hand corner, on white paper, and with

page numbers in the upper right hand corner.

Section VI. Review and Selection Process

U. How will pre-applications be reviewed and who will conduct the

reviews?

Pre-applications will be reviewed in two phases--the screening

phase and the evaluation phase. During the screening phase, pre-

applications will be reviewed to determine whether they are consistent

with the requirements described in Section IV.L.1-5., Section IV.M.1-

4., and Section V.S.3.a-d. Only those pre-applications which meet all

of these requirements will enter the evaluation phase of the review

process. During the evaluation phase, pre-applications will be

evaluated based upon the quality of their work plans, especially the

degree to which the work plan meets the requirements set forth in

Section IV.N.1.a-c. and Section IV.N.2.a-d.

Reviewers conducting the screening and evaluation phases of the

review process will include EPA officials and external environmental

educators approved by EPA. At the conclusion of the evaluation phase,

the reviewers will rank each applicant's work plan based upon the

scoring system identified in Section V.S.3.a, b, c, and d.

V. How will the final selections be made?

After individual projects are evaluated and ranked by the reviewers

as described under Section VI.U. above, EPA officials in the regions

and at headquarters will identify finalists among the highest ranking

pre-applications. In identifying finalists and making final selections,

EPA's goal is to fund projects that, when viewed together, provide a

balance among the types of projects being funded, by taking into

account the following:

1. The target audience and their socioeconomic status;

2. The methods used to reach the target audience;

3. The type of organization submitting the proposal and/or whether

the proposal makes effective use of partnerships;

4. The type of environmental issue addressed;

5. The geographic location of the project; and

6. The cost.

In reference to socioeconomic status, under Section VI.V.1. above,

EPA's goal is to encourage applicants to submit proposals that promote

environmental justice for culturally-diverse and low-income

populations. EPA hopes to fund many proposals which score high in the

evaluation process and which promote environmental justice. The term

environmental justice refers to the fair treatment of people of all

races, cultures, and income with respect to the development,

implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and

policies. Fair treatment means that no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic

group should bear a disproportionate share of the negative

environmental consequences resulting from the operation of industrial,

municipal, and commercial enterprises and from the execution of

federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies.

Efforts to address environmental justice through environmental

education may include educational programs that provide culturally-

diverse and low-income populations with critical-thinking, problem-

solving, and decision-making skills to identify, assess, and address an

environmental problem that has a disproportionately high and adverse

human health or environmental impact in their community.

In reference to the effective use of partnerships, under Section

VI.V.3. above, EPA's goal is to encourage applicants to submit

proposals which form partnerships, where possible. EPA hopes to fund

many proposals which score high in the evaluation process and which

promote the effective use of partnerships between organizations. The

term partnerships refers to forming a collaborative working

relationship between two or more organizations such as governmental

agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and/or

the private sector.

In reference to the type of environmental issue, under Section

VI.V.4. above, EPA's goal is to encourage applicant to submit proposals

which use pollution prevention concepts or techniques to address a high

priority environmental issue (as discussed under Section IV.N.1.c.).

EPA hopes to fund many proposals which score high in the evaluation

process and which convey the importance of pollution prevention. The

term pollution prevention refers to reducing or eliminating waste or

pollution at the source. It means not creating waste or pollution in

the first place, instead of deciding how to recycle, treat, or dispose

of waste and pollution that has already been created. Pollution

prevention may include increasing energy efficiency and resource

conservation efforts, as well as finding non-polluting substitutes for

existing products and activities.

Pollution prevention is not the only strategy that EPA uses to

reduce risk to public health and the environment, but it is EPA's

preferred approach. Efforts to promote pollution prevention through

environmental education may include projects that educate the public

about the value of preventive approaches to environmental problems and

the choices they can make in their everyday lives to minimize adverse

effects of human activities on the environment (e.g., in the home, work

place, market place, and/or community).

EPA Regional Administrators will select grant recipients for

projects with federal environmental education grant funding of $25,000

or less, taking into account the recommendations of the regional

environmental education coordinators who will base their

recommendations on the factors discussed above. The Associate

Administrator for Communications, Education, and Public Affairs at EPA

headquarters will select the grant recipients for projects with federal

environmental education grant funding of more than $25,000 and up to

$250,000, taking into account the recommendations of the Environmental

Education Division Director who will base the recommendations on the

factors discussed above.

W. How and when will I be notified about the status of my proposal?

Headquarters and each regional office set up their own processes

for notifying applicants about the status of their proposals. Our goal

is to keep applicants informed as much as possible about the status of

their proposals and to assist those applicants who do not receive

funding to successfully compete in future years. To this end, all

applicants will be notified (in mid-December 1994) after their pre-

applications have been received and entered into a computerized data

base, and again (in late April to early May 1995) after awards have

been announced. To the extent possible, EPA will also provide

applicants with feedback on those proposals which were screened out of

the process early and on how proposals were evaluated. The degree to

which EPA can provide such feedback will vary among EPA offices

depending upon the availability of resources to conduct these

activities.

X. Where may I obtain more information on possible sources of funding

other than this program?

The large number of pre-applications EPA received in Fiscal Years

1992, 1993, and 1994 demonstrates the strong demand for funding

environmental education projects. EPA expects an equally large demand

for funding for Fiscal Year 1995. Unfortunately, EPA alone cannot meet

this demand. Thus, in cooperation with EPA, the North American

Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has developed a

publication called ``Grant Funding For Your Environmental Education

Program'' which provides strategies for identifying potential sources

of funding. This publication can be purchased for a $5.00 fee by

writing to NAAEE, Publications and Member Services, P.O. Box 400, Troy,

Ohio, 45373.

Section VII. Grant Recipient Activities

Y. When can I begin incurring costs?

Grant recipients may begin incurring costs on the start date that

is identified in your grant agreement with EPA. Since EPA plans to

announce awards in the Spring of 1995, EPA recommends that you do not

plan to begin incurring costs until June of 1995.

Z. When must proposed activities be completed?

EPA strongly encourages grant recipients to complete their projects

within the time period specified in the pre-application. Extensions may

be granted only in extenuating circumstances.

AA. May an applicant request Fiscal Year 1995 funds for a project that

extends beyond a one-year budget period?

Pre-applications submitted to EPA regional offices for up to $5,000

may request funds for only a one-year budget period. Pre-applications

submitted to EPA regional offices or headquarters requesting funds of

more than $5,000 may request funds for up to a two-year budget period,

although EPA strongly encourages applicants to request funds for only a

one-year budget period.

BB. Who will perform projects and activities?

The Act requires that projects be performed by the applicant or by

a person satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All pre-applications

must identify any person other than the applicant that will assist in

carrying out the project.

CC. What reports and work products must grant recipients submit to EPA

and when are they due?

All grant recipients must submit three copies of their final report

and three copies of all work products to the EPA project officer within

30 days after the expiration of the budget period. This report will be

accepted as the final report unless the EPA project officer notifies

you, within 30 days of your submittal date, that changes must be made.

Grant recipients with projects that have a two-year budget period must

also submit a progress report at the end of the first year. Grant

recipients with a federal environmental education grant share greater

than $5,000 may also be required to submit a quarterly or semi-annual

progress report. Specific report requirements will be identified in

your award agreement with EPA.

DD. What does EPA plan to do with the grant recipients' final reports

and final work products?

Copies of all final reports and final work products will be

assembled in a central library at EPA headquarters. EPA will evaluate

these final reports and final work products and may disseminate these

items to others to serve as model programs.

Section VIII--Additional Information on Preparing Pre-Applications

and for Fiscal Year 1996 Program

EE. Where can I get additional information in preparing my pre-

application?

EPA strongly encourages applicants to carefully read the

solicitation notice. Many questions, such as when is the deadline for

submitting pre-applications and what activities can be funded under

this program, are answered in this solicitation. Nonetheless, if you

need more information about this grant program or clarification about

specific requirements in this solicitation notice, you may contact the

EPA Environmental Education Division in Washington, DC for grant

requests of more than $25,000 or your EPA regional office for grant

requests of $25,000 or less. A list of the names and telephone numbers

of EPA representatives are listed at the end of this notice.

In addition, you may contact the National Consortium for

Environmental Education and Training (NCEET) at the University of

Michigan for general information on current environmental education

activities and recent developments in the field (e.g., information

about current in-service teacher education needs and opportunities as

well as resources that identify environmental education organizations,

curricula, and research). NCEET can also provide you with a list of all

environmental education grants awarded by EPA in FY 1992, FY 1993, and

FY 1994 as well as summaries of those projects completed under the FY

1992 program. NCEET will not provide sample curricula nor will they

evaluate products or funding proposals. NCEET was established in 1992

with financial support from EPA to facilitate teacher training

opportunities. You may contact NCEET by writing to NCEET, School of

Natural Resources, University of Michigan, Dana Building Ann Arbor,

Michigan 48109-1115 or by calling 313-998-6726.

FF. How can I get information on the Fiscal Year 1996 EPA Environmental

Education Grants Program?

After the Fiscal Year 1995 grants process is completed, EPA will

develop an entirely new mailing list for the Fiscal Year 1996

solicitation. The Fiscal Year 1996 mailing list will include all

applicants who submitted pre-applications for Fiscal Year 1995 as well

as anyone else who specifically requests to be placed on the mailing

list. If you did not submit a pre-application for Fiscal Year 1995 and

you wish to be added to our mailing list to receive information on the

Fiscal Year 1996 Environmental Education Grants Program, you must mail

your request--please do not telephone--along with your name,

organization, address, and phone number to: U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Environmental Education Division (1707), FY 1996

Environmental Education Grants Program, 401 M Street SW., Washington,

DC 20460.

Approved by:

Loretta M. Ucelli,

Associate Administrator; Office of Communications, Education and Public

Affairs.

U.S. EPA Representatives and Mailing Addresses

U.S. EPA Headquarters--For Grants Over $25,000

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Env Ed Grants, Environmental

Education, Division (1707/Room 333WT), Office of Communications,

Education, and Public Affairs, 401 M Street, SW. Washington, DC 20460

Information: George Walker or Kathleen MacKinnon, Environmental

Education Specialists, 202-260-8619 or 202-260-4951

U.S. EPA Regional Offices--For Grants of $25,000 or Less

EPA Region I--Ct, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region I, Env Ed Grants, Henry

Gurrell, Chief, Grants Information and Management Section, JFK Federal

Building (PGI), Boston, MA 02203

Hand-deliver to: One Congress Street, 11th Floor, Mail Room, Boston, MA

02114 (8am-4pm), Information: Maria Pirie, Environmental Education

Coordinator, 617-565-9447

EPA Region II--NJ, NY, PR, VI

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region II, Env Ed Grants, Grants

Administration Branch, 26 Federal Plaza (room 1714), New York, NY 10278

Information: Teresa Ippolito, Environmental Education Coordinator, 212-

264-2980

EPA Region III--DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region III, Env Ed Grants, Grants

Management Chief (3PM71), Grants Management Section, 841 Chestnut

Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Information: Bonnie Smith or Amelia Libertz, Environmental Education

Coordinators, 215-597-9076 or 215-597-9817

EPA Region IV--AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region IV, Env Ed Grants, Office of

Public Affairs (E2), 345 Courtland Street, NE., Atlanta, GA 30365

Information: Rae Hallisey, Environmental Education Office, 404-347-3004

EPA Region V--IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI

Mail pre-applications to:

U.S. EPA, Region V, Env Ed Grants, Grants Management Section (MC-10J),

77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604

Information: Suzanne Saric, Environmental Education Coordinator, 312-

353-3209

Region VI--AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region VI, Env Ed Grants,

Environmental Education Coordinator (6X), 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX

75202

Information: Sandy Sevier, Environmental Education Coordinator, 214-

655-2204

Region VII--IA, KS, MO, NE

Mail pre-application to: U.S. EPA, Region VII, Env Ed Grants, Grants

Administration Division, 726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101

Information: Rowena Michaels, Environmental Education Coordinator, 913-

551-7003

Region VIII--CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Env Ed Grants, 999

18th Street (80EA), Denver, CO 80202-2466

Information : Cece Forget, Environmental Education Coordinator, 303-

294-1113

Region IX--AZ, CA, HI, NV, American Somoa, Guam, Northern Marianas,

Republic of Palau

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region IX, Env Ed Grants, Office of

Public Affairs (E2), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Information: Ida Tolliver, Environmental Education Coordinator, 415-

744-1581 or 1582

Region X--AK, ID, OR, WA

Mail pre-applications to: U.S. EPA, Region X, Env Ed Grants, Public

Information Center (SO-143), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

Information: Sally Hanft, Environmental Education Coordinator, 206-553-

1207

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Instructions for the SF 424

This is a standard form used by applicants as a required

facesheet for preapplications and applications submitted for Federal

assistance. It will be used by Federal agencies to obtain applicant

certification that States which have established a review and

comment procedure in response to Executive Order 12372 and have

selected the program to be included in their process, have been

given an opportunity to review the applicant's submission.

Item and Entry

1. Self-explanatory.

2. Date application submitted to Federal agency (or State if

applicable) & applicant's control number (if applicable).

3. State use only (if applicable).

4. If this application is to continue or revise an existing

award, enter present Federal identifier number. If for a new

project, leave blank.

5. Legal name of applicant, name of primary organizational unit

which will undertake the assistance activity, complete address of

the applicant, and name and telephone number of the person to

contact on matters related to this application.

6. Enter Employer Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the

Internal Revenue Service.

7. Enter the appropriate letter in the space provided.

8. Check appropriate box and enter appropriate letter(s) in the

space(s) provided:

--``New'' means a new assistance award.

--``Continuation'' means an extension for an additional funding/

budget period for a project with a projected completion date.

--``Revision'' means any change in the Federal Government's

financial obligation or contingent liability from an existing

obligation.

9. Name of Federal agency from which assistance is being

requested with this application.

10. Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and

title of the program under which assistance is requested.

11. Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If more than

one program is involved, you should append an explanation on a

separate sheet. If appropriate (e.g., construction or real property

projects), attach a map showing project location. For

preapplications, use a separate sheet to provide a summary

description of this project. Also circle a b c or d to indicate the

focus of project as described in Section I.2 of Solicitation Notice.

12. List only the largest political entities affected (e.g.,

State, counties, cities).

13. Self-explanatory.

14. List the applicant's Congressional District and any

District(s) affected by the program or project.

15. Amount requested or to be contributed during the first

funding/budget period by each contributor. Value of in-kind

contributions should be included on appropriate lines as applicable.

If the action will result in a dollar change to an existing award,

indicate only the amount of the change. For decreases, enclose the

amounts in parentheses. If both basic and supplemental amounts are

included, show breakdown on an attached sheet. For multiple program

funding, use totals and show breakdown using same categories as item

15.

16. Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact

(SPOC) for Federal Executive Order 12372 to determine whether the

application is subject to the State intergovernmental review

process.

17. This question applies to the applicant organization, not the

person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of

debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.

18. To be signed by the authorized representative of the

applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for you to

sign this application as official representative must be on file in

the applicant's office. (Certain Federal agencies may require that

this authorization be submitted as part of the application.)

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TN17JN94.046

TN17JN94.047

Instructions for the SF-424A

All applications should contain a breakdown by the object class

categories shown in Lines a-k if Section B.

Section B Budget Categories

In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles of the

same programs, functions, and activities shown on Lines 1-4, Column

(a), Section A. When additional sheets are prepared for Section A,

provide similar column headings on each sheet. For each program,

function or activity, fill in the total requirements for funds (both

Federal and non-Federal) by object class categories.

Lines 6a-i--Show the totals of lines 6a to 6h in each column.

Line 6j--Show the amount of indirect cost.

Line 6k--Enter the total of amounts on Lines 6i and 6j. For all

applications for new grants and continuation grants the total amount in

column (5), Line 6k, should be the same as the total amount shown in

Section A, Column (g), Line 5. For Supplemental grants and changes to

grants, the total amount of the increase or decrease as shown in

Columns (1)-(4), Line 6k should be the same as the sum of the amounts

in Section A, Columns (e) and (f) on Line 5.

Line 7--Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected to

be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this amount from

the total project amount. Show under the program narrative statement

the nature and source of income. The estimated amount of program income

may be considered by the Federal grantor agency in determining the

total amount of the grant.

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TN17JN94.048

[FR Doc. 94-14174 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-C