[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44522-44523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21168]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6417-7]


U.S.-Mexico Border Grants; Request for Proposals

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requesting grant 
proposals from U.S. nongovernment organizations, municipalities, 
federally recognized tribes, communities, higher education facilities, 
and schools for projects within the U.S.-Mexico Border region, that 
area within 100 km on either side of the inland and maritime U.S.-
Mexico border as defined in the La Paz Agreement (1983).

DATES: The original proposal plus one (1) copy must be mailed to the 
appropriate regional contact (see below) for the state in which the 
project will occur no later than October 22, 1999. Proposals received 
after that date will not be considered for funding. EPA expects to 
announce grant awards in January 2000. Applicants should anticipate 
project start dates no earlier than March 1, 2000. Grants will be 
managed separately by EPA staff in Region 6 and Region 9.

ADDRESSES: Grant Applications should be submitted to: Region 6 (TX, 
NM): Gina Weber, U.S.-Mexico Border Coordinator (6WQ-D); U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6; 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 
1200, Dallas, TX 75202-2733; Telephone: 214-665-8188; Email: 
[email protected].
    Region 9 (CA, AZ): Wendy Laird-Benner, U.S.-Mexico Border 
Coordinator (WTR4); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9; 75 
Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3901; Telephone: 415-744-
1168; Email: [email protected].
    Additional copies of this grant application can also be obtained 
through the EPA Border Liaison Offices located in El Paso (915-533-
7273) or San Diego (619-235-4765). Or call 1-800-334-0741.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Region 6 (TX, NM): Gina Weber, U.S.-
Mexico Border Coordinator (6WQ-D); Telephone: 214-665-8188; Email: 
[email protected]
    Region 9 (CA, AZ): Wendy Laird-Benner, U.S.-Mexico Border 
Coordinator (WTR4); Telephone: 415-744-1168; Email: laird-
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    This is a regionally managed grants program whose goals and 
objectives directly relate to and are linked with the Border XXI 
Program. Successful grant applications will meet objectives of the 
Border XXI Program as outlined in the U.S.-Mexico Border XXI Program 
Framework Document and/or the annual Implementation Plans (1996, 1997-
1998, 1998). The mission of the Border XXI Program is to protect public 
health and natural resources, and encourage sustainable development 
along the U.S.-Mexico border. For purposes of this grants program, 
sustainable development is defined as ``conservation oriented social 
and economic development that emphasizes the protection and sustainable 
use of resources, while addressing both current and future needs, and 
present and future impacts of human actions as defined in the Border 
XXI environmental program developed by U.S. and Mexican authorities' 
(for further information see the Border Environmental Cooperation 
Commission Project Certification Criteria). This definition is based on 
the

[[Page 44523]]

internationally accepted sustainable development definition from the 
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development: development that meets 
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future 
generations to meet their own needs.
    A total of $250,000 will be awarded for ten (10) grants not to 
exceed $25,000 each. Each Region expects to award five (5) grants. The 
project period is for one (1) year upon award of the grant. US EPA 
Region 6 and Region 9 will jointly manage the U.S.-Mexico Border Grants 
Program.
    Entities receiving grants under this program are required to 
contribute a minimum 5% matching share (in dollars or in-kind goods/
services). The U.S.-Mexico Border Grants Program strongly encourages 
partnering with community members, business, and government agencies to 
work cooperatively to identify and develop innovative, effective and 
efficient projects.

Eligibility

    Applicants who are eligible to receive these grants include, but 
are not limited to, the following: U.S. county and city governments, 
U.S. councils of government, U.S. Indian tribes, U.S. nongovernment 
organizations, and U.S. schools and universities. Special consideration 
will be given to U.S. counties, schools, community colleges, and 
nongovernment organizations who meet the above criteria and submit a 
complete proposal by the stated deadline.
    No awards will be granted for the purchase of equipment for 
projects or for maintaining existing equipment.
    Applicants must identify the environmental statute the project will 
address. Projects must fall within one of the below environmental 
statutes:
    a. Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3): conduct and promote research 
investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and 
studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, 
and elimination of water pollution.
    b. Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 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.
    d. Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3): conduct and promote the 
coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, 
demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating 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 of monitoring activities on toxic substances.
    f. Comprehensive Environmental Response and Sanctuaries Act, 
Section 311(a): conduct basic research and training related to the 
detection, assessment, and evaluation of the risks and human effects of 
exposure to hazardous substances.

Applications

    The original and one (1) copy of the project proposal must be sent 
to the regional contact listed below for the state in which the project 
will take place. Proposals are limited to one (1) cover page and a five 
(5) page, double spaced narrative of the proposed project. Proposals 
must include the following:
    (1) Cover Sheet (not to exceed one page) that must include:
    (a) Project title;
    (b) Applicant's name, address, phone number and organization type 
(i.e. community college, nongovernment organization, tribe);
    (c) A list identifying project staff;
    (d) A list of entities or organizations that will be providing 
matching funds to the project and their organization type; and
    (e) Environmental statute that the project will address (see 
Eligibility above).
    (2) Narrative (not to exceed five pages, double spaced) that must 
include:
    (a) Project goals;
    (b) Workplan;
    (c) Proposed schedule for the workplan;
    (d) Anticipated results, measures of success, and ``where 
possible-- anticipated environmental improvements as a direct result of 
project implementation;
    (e) Budget (i.e., salaries, supplies, travel, consultants, other 
direct costs, and overhead); and
    (f) Plan for evaluating the success of the project.
    The proposal must also include letters of commitment from all 
contributing partners matching funds to the project. These letters must 
specify the nature of the match (whether it is in-kind services or 
cash) and the estimated dollar value of the match. These attachments 
will not be counted in the five (5) page narrative limit. Any other 
attachments or enclosures will not be considered as part of the 
proposal.

Final Report

    Upon completion of the project, one (1) final report will be 
required which includes the following information: (a) description of 
project results, including an evaluation of overall project performance 
and any environmental improvements directly resulting from project 
implementation, and (b) financial report. Grants are subject to audit.

Criteria

    EPA will use the following evaluation criteria in reviewing 
proposals (weighting of each criterion is indicated in parentheses):
     The application presents a clear description of a U.S.-
Mexico border transboundary issue or concern (20 points);
     The application identifies realistic goals in addressing 
objectives and priorities as outlined in the U.S.-Mexico Border XXI 
Program Framework Document and/or annual Implementation Plans (20 
points);
     The proposed project focuses on sustainable development, 
practices and improvements in the following areas: environmental 
health, risk reduction, hazardous and solid waste reduction, recycling, 
and water conservation at the local and/or regional level, defined 
above (20 points);
     The proposal outlines how the applicant will measure 
improvements in one or more of the above mentioned areas resulting from 
implementation of the project (15 points);
     The application involves a number and variety of bi-
national and U.S.-Mexico border collaborators (i.e., community, 
nongovernment organizations, Indian tribes, local and regional 
governments, schools, and universities) (15 points);
     Project funding will be utilized as seed money, supporting 
innovative projects that would empower communities to take an integral 
role in protecting their environment (10 points).
    No awards will be granted for the purchase of equipment for 
projects or for maintaining existing equipment.

    Dated: August 10, 1999.
Alan D. Hecht,
Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of International 
Activities.
[FR Doc. 99-21168 Filed 8-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U