State and Tribal Environmental Justice Grants Program; Request for Applications GuidanceFY 2000

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6467-2]

State and Tribal Environmental Justice Grants Program; Request

for Applications Guidance--FY 2000

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 and FY 1999, EPA awarded five STEJ grants each fiscal

year totaling $500,000 to (4) states and (1) tribe. Thus, there have

been ten grants awarded totaling $1,000,000. A list of the recipients

and their project descriptions are provided in Appendix E.

For FY 2000, EPA expects to once again award a total of $500,000 to

states and tribes to demonstrate how to effectively address

environmental justice issues. 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 2000 STEJ Grants.

The application must be postmarked no later than Friday, January

28, 2000.

Grants Program Overview

The STEJ Grants Program was created to provide financial assistance

to state and tribal environmental departments that are working to

address environmental justice issues, and to support efforts to

establish environmental justice programs.

A. Program Goals

The STEJ Grants Program is intended to assist states and tribes in

ultimately achieving the following environmental justice goals and

objectives:

Reduce or prevent disproportionately high and adverse

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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, operations and activities.

Provide financial and technical resources to help build

the capacity to address environmental justice issues at the state/local

community level and tribal/tribal community level.

Set up model programs to address enforcement and

compliance issues in affected communities.

Integrate measurable environmental justice goals within

the annual Performance Partnership Agreement (PPAs) and Memoranda of

Understanding (MOUs) between a state and EPA, or within the Tribal

Environmental Agreement (TEAs) between EPA and a tribe.

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 equal environmental

protection, and the equal enforcement of protective environmental laws,

rules, regulations, and policies for all.

Eligible Applicants and Activities

C. Who May Submit an Application?

Any state or tribal agency may submit an application if it manages,

or is eligible to manage, an EPA program and 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.

D. 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

community-based grassroots organizations when developing their

proposals. Preference will be given to the states or tribes who involve

community-based grassroots organizations in the development of their

proposals.

E. What Types of Projects Are Eligible for Funding?

Funds are to be used for activities authorized by the appropriate

statutory provisions listed in paragraph F below, to accomplish the

following: 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 will 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.

F. What Activities Are Authorized To Be Conducted by Grant Recipients?

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(b)(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 10(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,

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.

G. 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 OMB Circular A-87. Note, in

particular, that there are restrictions on the use of grant funds for

lobbying and that grant funds may not be used for intervention in

federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings.

Funding

H. Are Matching Funds Required?

Matching funds are not required, but are strongly encouraged. EPA

may give preference to those states or tribes which provide matching

funds, since this would demonstrate a greater commitment.

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Application Requirements

I. What Is Required for Applications?

In order to be considered for funding under this program, proposals

must have the following: (Note--the points identified after the

specific criteria will be used to quantitatively evaluate the proposal,

with a maximum of 100 points)

1. Completed Federal Standard Forms (5 Points)

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. Signed ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and

Other Responsibility Matters'' form, and ``Certification Regarding

Lobbying'' form.

2. Clear and Concise Narrative/Work Plan

The Narrative/Work Plan must:

a. effectively describe the project and how it addresses the

Eligible Projects, as defined in Section E, (35 points)

b. discuss how the proposed project will meet the Program Goals, as

described in Section A, (10 Points)

c. describe how the project addresses issues related to at least

two of the environmental statutes listed in Section F, and (10 Points)

d. discuss how the project will be evaluated, what will be the

measures of success, and describe how the project/program will be

sustained. (25 Points)

The pages of the Work Plan must be letter size (8\1/2\'' x 11''),

with normal type size (12 cpi), and at least 1'' margins. The

narrative/work plan should be no more than five pages.

3. A letter of commitment from the department head or government

head (e.g. governor, president, chairperson, commissioner). (10 Points)

4. 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. (5 Points)

(*) 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 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.

J. 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, January 28, 2000.

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

Nov. 1-January 28 States and Tribes Develop Proposals and Submit to

EPA Regions

February 2-March 3 EPA Regions Review Proposals and Provide

Recommendations to Headquarters March 10-April 14 OEJ Headquarters

Convenes Review Panel and Receives Recommendations

April 14-May 12 Headquarters Completes Selections and Submits Final

Selections to EPA Regional Offices

June 12-July 14 EPA Regional Grants Management Offices Process

Applications and Award Grants

August 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 sections 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 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: Ngozi Oleru (617) 918-1120; Pat O'Leary (617) 918-

1978

Region II--New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

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--

(3EC00), 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029

Secondary Contact: Kathy Duran (215) 814-5441

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

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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 Cooks (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

(8ENF-EJ), 999 18th Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2466

Secondary Contact: Deldi Reyes (303) 312-6055

Region IX--Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam

Primary Contact: Diane Uribi (415) 744-1597, USEPA Region IX (CMD-6),

75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

Secondary Contact: Romel Pascual (415) 744-1212

Region X--Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Primary Contact: Mike Letourneau (206) 553-1687, USEPA Region X (CEJ-

163), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

Secondary Contact: Victoria Plata (206) 553-8580

Note: To obtain copies of the appendices referenced in this

document, please contact the individuals identified above for a

complete application.

Dated: October 25, 1999.

Barry E. Hill,

Director, Office of Environmental Justice.

[FR Doc. 99-28505 Filed 10-29-99; 8:45 am]

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