[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65210-65214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31431]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5663-4]


Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants 
Program; Request for Applications (RFA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997; 
Sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of 
Environmental Justice

Purpose of Notice

    The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible 
candidates under the Environmental Justice Community/University 
Partnership Grants Program, sponsored by the Environmental Protection 
Agency.

Grants Program Overview

    The grant program was established to help community groups and 
tribal governments effectively address local

[[Page 65211]]

environmental justice issues through active partnerships with all 
institutions of higher education. These institutions are expected to 
have an ongoing relationship with the community partner, including 
institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
(HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges (TC), 
urban institutions and those serving Asian-American (AA) and other 
minority as well as low-income communities. The Universities/Colleges 
shall support affected environmental justice community groups and 
American Indian tribes who engage in or plan to carry out projects that 
address environmental justice issues. The Universities/Colleges that 
focus on the design, methods, and techniques to evaluate and solve the 
environmental justice issues of concern of affected communities, in 
actual partnership with these communities, will be given priority. This 
grants program will further the federal government's commitment to 
develop stronger partnerships with stakeholders in order to enhance 
community-based environmental protection.
    The emphasis of this grants program is on meaningful, two-way 
cooperation between communities or tribes and institutions of higher 
education serving disproportionately exposed communities or tribes in 
order to address environmental justice issues. Partnerships must be 
established with formal agreements (i.e. Memorandum of Agreements) 
between at least one College/University and at least one socio-
economically disadvantaged community or tribes which is adversely 
impacted by an environmental hazard and public health concerns. These 
partnerships become the catalyst for increasing environmental awareness 
and involvement in resolving environmental problems, such as exposure 
to environmental pollutants in minority and low-income communities and 
on Tribal lands.
    The main objective of this grants program is to link community 
residence/organizations and tribes with their neighboring or affiliated 
academic institutions to forge partnerships to address local 
environmental and public health concerns. This effort is designed to 
ensure that these partners:
     Are aware of basic environmental regulations, laws, 
concepts, issues, and resources;
     Understand their role in identifying and defining 
problems, and monitoring contaminants related to environmental 
exposures;
     Are included in the dialogue that results in shaping 
future policies, guidances, and approaches to problem solving; and
     Are encouraged to be active partners in developing 
responses and setting priorities for intervention.
    Through these partnerships, communities will be encouraged to 
become involved in accessing information from environmental databases, 
in cleaning-up and restoring environmental quality in communities that 
have environmental insults, and in surveying and monitoring 
environmental quality.
    Number of Grants Proposed: A minimum of six grants are expected to 
be awarded for fiscal year (FY) 1997.
    Grant Award Amount: A maximum of $250,000 will be awarded to each 
recipient, contingent upon the availability of funds. Work funded by 
this program is expected to begin upon award of the grant. All grants 
under this notice are expected to be awarded by September 1997.
    Grant Term: The grant award will be a maximum of $250,000, but the 
project period can extend up to three years, if necessary. However, if 
the project period extends beyond one year the funding will be 
dispersed to the grantee over the course of the project period, not all 
in the first year.
    Eligibility: Participation is limited to institutions of higher 
education, including Historically Black Colleges or Universities 
(HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges (TCs), 
and institutions serving Asian-American (AA's) and other minority 
communities, low-income communities or tribes that have formal 
partnerships (i.e., a signed Memorandum of Agreement) with any affected 
party which is eligible under applicable statutory authorities (i.e., 
community-based/grassroots organizations, churches, schools or other 
non-profit community organizations, etc.) and tribal governments. 
``Preference will be given to University or Community groups who have 
not previously been recipients of a CUP award''.
    The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnerships may be 
either a partnership among two single entities or consortium of 
entities. If a consortium is proposed, the lead academic institution 
must be identified and be one of the eligible applicants. This lead 
institution is recognized as the grantee and as such is responsible for 
all activities under the agreement.
    Statutory Authorities: The granting authority is multi-media and 
the grant proposal must address two or more of the statutory 
requirements.

Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3)
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a)
Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3)
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203
Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a)
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b)(3)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20(a)

Background

    In its 1992 report, Environmental Equity: Reducing Risk for All 
Communities, EPA found that people of color and low-income communities 
experience higher than average exposure to toxic pollutants than the 
general population. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) was 
established in 1992 to help these communities identify and assess 
pollution sources, implement environmental awareness and training 
programs for affected residents and work with local stakeholders 
(community-based organizations, academia, industry, local governments) 
to devise strategies for environmental improvements.
    In June of 1993, OEJ was delegated granting authority to solicit 
projects, select suitable projects from among those proposed, supervise 
such projects, evaluate the results of projects, and disseminate 
information on the effectiveness of the projects, and feasibility of 
the practices, methods, techniques and processes in environmental 
justice areas.

General

    The following questions and answers are designed to respond to 
frequent concerns of applicants.

A. What Specific Requirements Exist for the Environmental Justice 
Community/University Partnership Grants Program?

    Projects or proposals that meet the Environmental Justice 
Community/University Partnership Grant requirements shall include, but 
are not limited to:
    1. Design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and 
techniques, including assessment and analysis of environmental justice 
conditions and problems which may have a wide applicability and/or 
addresses a high priority environmental justice issue (i.e., socio-
economic impact studies);
    2. Research projects to understand, assess or address, regional and 
local trends in environmental justice issues or problems (i.e., 
monitoring of socio-economic change in a community as a result of an 
environmental abuse);

[[Page 65212]]

    3. Demonstration or dissemination of environmental justice 
information, including development of educational tools and materials 
(i.e., establish an environmental justice clearinghouse of successful 
environmental justice projects and activities or teach about risk 
reduction, pollution prevention, or ecosystem protection as potential 
strategies for addressing environmental justice problems or issues);
    4. Determine the necessary improvements in communication and 
coordination among local, state and tribal environmental programs and 
facilitate communication, information exchange, and community 
partnerships among all stakeholders to enhance critical thinking, 
problem solving, and decision making;
    5. Provide technical expert consultation and training for 
accessing, analyzing, and interpreting public environmental data, and 
utilization of electronic communications technology (i.e., TRI, GIS, 
Internet and E-mail);
    6. Provide for a minimal ``hard science'' analysis capability 
(i.e., analyze water and soil samples to test for basic pollutants, 
provide radon testing kits, etc.);
    7. Projects that involve new and innovative approaches and/or 
significant new combinations of resources, both of which should be 
identified in the partnership agreements;
    8. An applicant is required to include in the application a signed 
agreement which describes the role of the prospective partner(s) in the 
project and its implementation, and which includes a commitment or 
intent to commit resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent 
only upon receipt of funds. The college/university must identify the 
community residents or tribal government representatives who will serve 
on the ``partnership team.'' It is expected that the community or 
tribal representatives on the team will be appropriately compensated 
for their work; and that overall resources will be balanced among the 
partners.
    9. Applications should include partnerships between colleges and 
universities which are providers of training and programs for these 
communities. One of the goals of the partnerships should be to develop 
a plan to shift the focus of these organizations from maintenance to 
that of self-sufficiency;

B. What Does Environmental Justice Involve Under the Environmental 
Justice Community/University Partnership Grant?

    Environmental justice involves 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. It seeks to ensure that all stakeholders (communities, 
industry, federal, tribal, state and local governments, grassroots 
organizations, and individuals) act responsibly to protect the 
environment and public health of all communities. Environmental justice 
efforts may include, but are not necessarily limited to enhancing the 
gathering, observing, measuring, classifying, experimenting and other 
data gathering techniques that assist individuals in discussing, 
inferring, predicting, and interpreting information to address 
environmental justice issues and concerns. Environmental justice 
projects or activities should enhance critical thinking, problem 
solving, and effective decision-making skills.

C. Who May Submit An Application?

    Any institution of higher education which has a working 
relationship with affected communities or American Indian tribes, such 
as Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Hispanic Serving 
Institutions (HSI), Tribal Colleges (TC), and institutions of higher 
education serving Asian-American (AA), other minority communities, or 
low-income communities may submit an application upon publication of 
this solicitation. College/University consortiums are eligible to 
apply. In order to be considered for funding, applicants must provide a 
signed Memorandum of Agreement which identifies the partners and 
defines the roles and responsibilities of each partner.

D. May An Individual Apply?

    No. Only institutions of higher education may apply. The 
professional qualifications or community-based experience of those 
individuals participating in the proposed project will be an important 
factor in the selection process.

Funding Priorities

E. What Types of Proposed Environmental Justice Community/University 
Partnerships Will Have the Best Chance of Being Funded?

    The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnerships must 
meet the objectives and criteria as described in section B. The 
evaluations will be conducted, and items weighed, as indicated in 
Section H.

F. Are Matching Funds Required?

    Yes. Federal funds for the Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnerships shall not exceed 95% of the total cost of the 
project. EPA encourages non-Federal matching shares of greater than 5%. 
The non-Federal share of costs 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 total project cost is approximately 
$260,000 then the Federal portion can be no more than $247,000, which 
is 95% of the total project cost. For this example, the grant recipient 
would be required to provide $13,000 for the project. The amount of 
non-Federal funds, including in-kind contributions, must be briefly 
itemized in Block 15 of the application form (SF 424) included at the 
end of this notice. Among other things, EPA funds cannot be used as 
matching funds for other Federal grant match requirements, nor used for 
construction, buying furniture, lobbying, or legal action (or any non-
federal contributions used as a match for the grant).

Application Procedure

    An ``Application for Federal Assistance'' form (Standard Form 424 
or SF 424), a ``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs'' form 
(SF 424A), a Work Plan (described below), and a Memorandum of Agreement 
must be submitted. These documents contain all the information EPA 
needs to evaluate the merits of your proposed grant proposal.
    Each instrument approved under the environmental justice delegation 
must be consistent with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements 
Act of 1977, Public Law 95-224, as amended, 31 U.S.C. Section 6301; 
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 30, 31, 33, 40, 45 
and 47, as appropriate; and existing media-specific regulations 
pertinent to the statement of work.

[[Page 65213]]

G. How Must the Application Be Submitted and Specifically What Must It 
Include?

    The applicants must submit one original, signed by a person 
authorized to receive funds for the applicant, and two copies of the 
application (double-sided copies encouraged). Applications must be 
reproducible (for example; stapled once in the upper left hand corner, 
on white paper, and with page numbers).
    For the purposes of this grants program, an application must 
contain an SF 424, SF 424A, 424B, a work plan, a Memorandum of 
Agreement (MOA), and the Certification Forms. The following describes 
these items:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424). An SF 424 is an 
official form required for all Federal grants. A completed SF 424 must 
be submitted as part of your preapplication. This form, along with 
instructions are included at the end of this notice.
    2. Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). An SF 
424A is an official form required for all Federal grants. A completed 
SF 424A must be submitted as part of your application. This form, along 
with instructions are included at the end of this notice. In addition, 
a detailed budget which breaks down the budget categories is required.
    3. Work Plan. A work plan describes the applicant's proposed 
project. Work plans must be no more than 15 pages total. One page is 
one side of a single spaced typed page. The pages must be letter size 
(8\1/2\  x  11), with normal type size (19 or 12 cpi) and at least 1'' 
margins. The only appendices and letters of support that EPA will 
accept are a budget, resumes of key personnel, and commitment letters.
    4. Memorandum of Agreement. The Memorandum of Agreement will 
provide the foundation for the working relationship between the 
college/university and the partners involved in the project. This 
agreement must be signed and have the roles and responsibilities of 
each partner clearly defined.
    5. Necessary Signed Forms. Procurement Systems Certification, 
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 
Matters, Certification Regarding Lobbying. These forms are provided in 
the grant package.

H. How Will the Applications Be Evaluated?

    The applications will be evaluated by a review panel and selected 
according to the following criteria. The percentages next to the items 
are the weights EPA will use to evaluate the applications. Please note 
that certain sections are given greater weight than others.
    (a) A concise introduction of no more than three pages that states 
the nature of the college/university, how the college/university has 
been successful in the past, proposed uses, objectives, methods, plans, 
target audiences, and expected results of the proposed project. (10%)
    (b) Clear and concise description of the project which includes the 
following:
    1. A section describing the field methods, practices, and 
techniques, including assessment and analysis, which the partnership 
expects to implement to address national, regional and local 
environmental justice issues. (10%)
    2. A section describing how the partnership will disseminate 
environmental justice information and provide training, including 
educational tools and materials. (10%)
    3. A section describing how the partnership will improve 
communications and coordination among local, state, tribal and federal 
environmental programs and community organizations, and how the 
partnership will enhance critical thinking, problem solving and 
decision making among all stakeholders. Specify effective and realistic 
methods for involving members of the targeted population. (10%)
    4. A section describing who or how the partnership will obtain 
expert consultation and provide training for the partners to access, 
analyze and interpret public and environmental data and utilize 
electronic communications technology. (10%)
    5. A section describing the ``hard science'' analysis capability of 
the college(s)/university(ies). (10%)
    (c) A conclusion discussing how the applicant will evaluate the 
success of the partnership, in terms of the anticipated strengths and 
challenges in developing and administering the partnership. (10%)
    (d) An appendix with a budget describing how funds (including 
Federal and non-Federal shares) will be used in terms of personnel, 
fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs, and 
other. Funds cannot be used for construction, lobbying, or legal 
action. The budget must list proposed milestones with deadlines and 
estimated cost and completion dates. All costs must be consistent with 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ``The Cost Principles for 
Educational Institutions,'' such as A-87 and A-122. (10%)
    (e) An appendix with one or two page resumes of up to five key 
personnel. (5%)
    (f) An appendix with one page letters of commitment from community-
based organizations with a significant role in the development and 
administration of the partnership. Letters of endorsement will not be 
considered. (5%)
    (g) A Memorandum of Agreement signed by each representative of the 
partnership team which identifies the roles and responsibilities of 
each partner. (10%)

I. When and Where Must the Applications Be Submitted?

    An original plus two copies of the application must be mailed to 
EPA postmarked no later than Friday, March 7, 1997. Applications must 
be submitted to this EPA headquarters address:

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Environmental Justice, Mail Code 2201-A
Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants, 401 M 
Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460

Review and Selection Process

J. How Will Applications Be Reviewed?

    EPA's Office of Environmental Justice will form a selections 
committee comprised of EPA, other federal agency staff, and outside 
reviewers to evaluate proposals and recommend selections. Applications 
will be screened to ensure they meet all eligible activities described 
in Sections A-I. Reviewers will specifically evaluate the degree to 
which the applications meet EPA's objectives and criteria as discussed 
in section H. Applications will be disqualified if they are incomplete 
or do not meet EPA's basic criteria.

K. How Will the Final Selections Be Made?

    After the applications are reviewed and ranked as described in 
section H, EPA officials will compare the best applications and make 
final selections. Factors EPA will take into account include: 
geographic and socio-economic balance, diversity, substantial community 
group participation in development of proposal and if the partnership's 
benefits can be sustained after the grant is completed.

L. How Will Applicants Be Notified?

    After all applications are received, EPA will mail acknowledgments 
to each applicant. Once applications have been recommended for funding, 
EPA will

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notify those applicants selected and request any additional information 
necessary to complete the award process. The EPA Office of 
Environmental Justice will notify those applicants whose grant 
applications were not selected for funding.

Post-Award

M. When Should the Proposed Partnership Begin Functioning?

    Partnerships cannot operate or begin development on this specific 
project before funds are awarded. Start dates are currently targeted 
for September 15, 1997. It is EPA's intent to fund each center only 
once. Future funding is dependent upon congressional appropriations.

N. How Much Time Do Grant Recipients Have To Complete the Work 
Proposed?

    Activities must be completed within the time frame specified in the 
grant award, usually two or three years from the award date. Grant 
project periods may be approved for up to three years.

O. Who Will Develop and Manage the Partnerships?

    EPA requires that partnerships be developed and managed by the 
applicant or by persons satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All 
applications must identify any person(s) other than the applicant for 
approval. The lead institution (applicant) is recognized as the grantee 
and as such is responsible for all activities under the agreement.

P. What Reports Must Grant Recipients Complete?

    Recipients of grants will be expected to report on quarterly 
progress, as well as final project completion. All recipients must 
submit final reports for EPA approval prior to the expiration of the 
project period. Specific reporting requirements will be detailed in the 
award agreement. EPA plans to collect, evaluate, and disseminate 
grantees' final reports to serve as model programs. Since networking is 
crucial to the success of the program, grantees may be asked to 
transmit an extra copy to a central collection point.

Q. What Is the Expected Time Frame for the Review and Awarding of the 
Grants?

December 15, 1996--Request for Applications Published in the Federal 
Register
December 15, 1996--Eligible grant recipients develop their proposals 
March 7, 1997
March 7, 1997--Applications must be postmarked or received by EPA by 
this date
April 15, 1997--Federal Agency Officials and review panel evaluate and 
recommend award
May 9, 1997--Selection
May 12, 1997--EPA grants division processes grants and makes awards
July 31, 1997--Applicants will be contacted by the grants office if 
their proposals were selected for funding. Additional information may 
be required from the selectees
September 15, 1997--EPA anticipates the awarding of the grants and the 
beginning of the partnership projects/activities

Fiscal Year 1998 Grants

    To receive information on the Fiscal Year (FY) 1998 Environmental 
Justice Community/University Partnership (CUP) Grants Program and 
future year grants, please mail or fax your request along with your 
name, organization, address, and phone number to the Office of 
Environmental Justice (OEJ), FY 1997 CUP Grants. OEJ's address is 
provided in Section I. OEJ's fax number is (202) 501-0740. You may also 
obtain this information by calling OEJ's 24 hour hotline number 1-800-
962-6215.

Available Translations

    A Spanish translation of this announcement is available upon 
request. Please call the Office of Environmental Justice at 1-800-962-
6215 for a copy.
    Hay traducciones disponsibles en espanol. Si usted esta interesado 
en obtener una traduccion de este anuncilo en espanol, por favor llame 
a la Oficina de Justicia Ambiental conocida como ``Office of 
Environmental Justice'', linea de emergencia (1-800-962-6215).
    Thank you for your interest in our Community/University Partnership 
Grant and we wish you luck in the application process.

    Dated: December 5, 1996.
Clarice E. Gaylord,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
[FR Doc. 96-31431 Filed 12-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M