[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15430-15433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6718]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00711; FRL-6775-7]


FY2001 Tribal Pesticide Water Quality Project Solicitation; 
Notice of Availability of Funds

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 ACTION:  Notice.

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 SUMMARY:  The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), in coordination with 
the EPA Regions, is soliciting Tribal pesticide water quality projects 
for FY2001 funding. The total amount of funding available in FY2001 to 
be awarded to tribal governments and/or intertribal consortia for 
pesticide-water quality projects is $245,500.

 DATES:  Project proposals, identified by docket control number OPP-
00711, must be received by EPA Regional staff on or before May 15, 
2001.

 ADDRESSES:  Applications may be submitted by mail or electronically. 
Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as provided in 
Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by 
EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number OPP-00711 
in the subject line on the first page of your response.

 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Regina Langton, Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 305-7161; fax number: 
(703) 308-1850; e-mail address: [email protected].

 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

     This action is directed to any federally-recognized tribal 
government or intertribal consortia eligible to receive Federal funds. 
Only one water quality project application may be submitted by each 
Tribal government or intertribal consortia.
    If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this 
action to a

[[Page 15431]]

particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

    You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain 
other related documents that might be available electronically, from 
the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. To access this 
document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and Regulations,'' 
``Regulations and Proposed Rules,'' and then look up the entry for this 
document under the ``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You 
can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. You may also access this document on the Home 
page for the Office of Pesticide Programs at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. Select ``What's New''.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit an Application?

     You may submit comments through the mail or electronically to the 
EPA Tribal Pesticide staff in your Region, as listed below. To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number OPP-00711 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.
1. EPA Region 1
 Rob Koethe
 John F. Kennedy Federal Building (CPT)
 One Congress Street
Suite 1100
 Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1535
 [email protected]

2. EPA Region 2
 Adrian Enache
 U.S. EPA Facilities
 Raritan Depot
 2890 Woodbridge Avenue
 Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(732) 321-6769
 [email protected]

 3. EPA Region 3
 Fatima El Abdaoui
 1650 Arch Street (3WC32)
 Philadelphia , PA 19103-2029
(215) 566-2129
 [email protected]

 4. EPA Region 4
 Jeaneanne Gettle
 61 Forsyth Street, S.W. (4APT-PS)
 Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-8979
 [email protected]

5. EPA Region 5
 Meonii Crenshaw
 77 West Jackson Boulevard (DRT8J)
 Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-4716
 [email protected]

 6. EPA Region 6
 Jerry Collins
 1445 Ross Avenue
Suite 1200
 Dallas, TX 75202.2733
(214) 665-7562
 [email protected]

 7. EPA Region 7
John Tice
100 Centennial Mall N.
Room 289
Lincoln, NB 68508
(402) 471-5080
[email protected]

 8. EPA Region 8
 Ron Schiller
 999 18th Street (8-P-TA)
Suite 500
 Denver, CO 80202-2466
(303) 312-6017
 [email protected]

 9. EPA Region 9
 Marcy Katzin
 75 Hawthorne Street (CMD-4-3)
 San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1097
 [email protected]

 10. EPA Region 10
 Gary McRae
 Idaho Operations Office
 1435 North Orchard Street
 Boise, ID 83706
(208) 378-5765
 [email protected]

D. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Water Quality Project 
Proposal for EPA?

    1. Scope and purpose of the Office of Pesticide Programs' tribal 
water quality pesticide cooperative agreements. The purpose of tribal 
pesticide water quality project cooperative agreements is to provide 
financial assistance to eligible tribal governments or intertribal 
consortia that are working on or plan to carry out projects in support 
of the development and implementation of a pesticide program to protect 
water quality. Funds can be used for new activities or to further an 
existing eligible project.
    These funds may be used to help develop or advance the Tribe's 
program to address pesticides and water quality issues. Tribes may 
focus on their specific needs, as related to ground or surface water 
quality.
    2.  Eligible applicants and activities--i. who may submit 
applications and may an applicant submit more than one?  Any federally-
recognized tribal government or intertribal consortia eligible to 
receive Federal funds may submit an application. Only one water quality 
project application may be submitted by each Tribal government or 
intertribal consortia. (See notice for Special Project Solicitation 
published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.)
    ii.  What types of water quality projects are eligible for funding? 
The Agency will consider projects that support the development or 
implementation of a pesticide program to protect water resources. These 
may include but are not limited to products such as the following: Work 
products focused on monitoring, either surface or ground water, which 
can support a variety of programs and goals. For example, monitoring 
could be valuable in: (1) assessing dietary exposure to pesticides via 
drinking water, (2) determining those water bodies that may be impaired 
due to pesticides, (3) predicting potential exposure to endangered and 
threatened aquatic species, or (4) establishing a baseline of 
contamination from which to measure progress in the future. Work may 
also focus on information gathering and development such as undertaking 
a vulnerability assessment, determining the pesticides that are most 
likely to impact water quality, and/or providing information to 
pesticide users on ways they can assist in ensuring quality water 
sources. Finally, work may also focus on the development or 
implementation of programs aimed at preventing contamination of water 
sources or mitigating already contaminated water sources.
    Special Project proposals will not be considered under this 
solicitation, but may be submitted in accordance with the FY2001 Tribal 
Special Projects Solicitation. (See Notice for Special Project 
Solicitation published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register.)
    iii.  How much money may be requested, and are matching funds 
required? Maximum funding awarded will not exceed $50,000 per project. 
Applicants should note that a 15% match for pesticide water quality 
funds is recommended. Tribal monies or ``in-kind services'' may be used 
as the 15% match. Indirect cost rates will not increase the $50,000 
maximum funding amount.
    3. Application requirements--  i.what is required for applications? 
 In order to be considered for funding, applicants must submit the 
following to the regional tribal pesticide staff contact:
     a. A water quality Project Proposal (maximum 6 pages of 
narrative), including:
     A. Name of Project
    B. Tribal Project Contact
    C. Project Description, including:
     Purpose and Goal(s) of the Project
     New or continuing project
     Environmental or Health Issues Addressed

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     Approach and Methods (How the project will be carried out)
     Expected/Desired Outcome
     Indicators/Measures of Success
     Resources and Time Frame Required for Project, including 
beginning and ending dates

D. Need for Assistance

    Provide the following information to the extent it relates to and 
is relevant to demonstrating the need for the specific project that is 
proposed:
     A list of other sources of funding that you have sought 
for the project
     A description of similar, identical, or otherwise relevant 
work that you have undertaken, including sources of funding for that 
work
     A description of studies, surveys and other sources of 
information that document the environmental issues that will be 
addressed by the project.
    E. Responsible Parties and Location
     Identify persons in charge of the project
     Identify major participants in the project
     Identify location(s) where project will be conducted
    F. External Stakeholders
     Identify those affected by the project and how they will 
be affected
     Identify those who will participate in the project and 
their roles
     G. Resources
     Identify any personnel and/or contractors to be involved in the 
project, including their role and qualifications. Description should 
include any relevant training or experience the persons(s) has in 
writing a Sampling and Analysis Plan for a project, in conducting soil 
or water sampling, etc.
     Identify existing resources/information that will be used 
in conducting project
     Identify any additional resources (including but not 
limited to training) that will be required for project
     Describe any EPA training or assistance that will be 
required for tribal personnel who will be working on the project. Such 
training may include the development of outreach material or a Sampling 
Analysis Plan, sampling, etc.
     H. Infrastructure and Coordination
     Identify coordination efforts required to conduct project, 
within or outside tribe
     Identify ways in which this project will affect tribal 
capacity
     Identify any assistance you may require in coordinating 
with other Federal, State or local agencies
    ii.  Draft workplan (1-2 pages). The submitted draft workplan 
should outline: (1) the separate phases of the project; (2) the tasks 
associated with each phase of the project; (3) the time frames for 
completion of each phase or task; (4) the name and title of the 
person(s) who will conduct each phase or task, and (5) the dates when 
progress reports will be provided to EPA. Project costs cannot be 
incurred until a final workplan has been approved by the appropriate 
EPA Regional office.
    iii.  Estimated budget. The estimated budget should outline 
estimated costs for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, 
supplies, contractual, indirect cost rate, or any other estimated costs 
associated with the proposed project.
    iv.  Letter or resolution from Tribal Council or Chairperson 
showing support for and commitment to the project. (If it is not 
possible to obtain a letter/resolution from the tribal council or 
chairperson to submit with your project proposal, an interim letter of 
explanation must be included with the proposal. The letter/resolution 
will still be required prior to project award.)
    v. Letter of confirmation for any matching funds needed to complete 
the project. If your proposal requires the use of matching funds, 
please include a letter from the funding source confirming that these 
monies are available for the project. If the budget includes a tribal 
in-kind match, a letter of confirmation is not needed.
    4.  When and where must applications be submitted? The applicant 
must submit/mail one signed original application and one copy of the 
application. The application and copy must be received by the EPA 
Regional contact listed in Section C of this document no later than 
close of business May 15, 2001. Incomplete or late proposals will be 
disqualified for funding consideration.
    5.  Process for awarding cooperative agreements--i. How will 
Applications be Reviewed and Selected?  Tribal project proposals will 
be reviewed and approved for completeness by each respective region and 
then forwarded through OPP, along with comments, to a review team. The 
review team will consist of OPP and Regional staff members. The team 
will consult with Regional staff regarding their comments as necessary. 
If there is money left over after the selection process is completed, 
the review team will discuss and determine the allocation of the money. 
Selections will be made by close of business June 15, 2001.
    ii.  How will Applicants be Notified?  Regions will notify their 
respective applicants of the selections. Those applicants not awarded 
funds may request an explanation from their regional staff.
    6.  Criteria for awarding water quality project cooperative 
agreements. Criteria on which the water quality project proposals will 
be ranked and selected are listed below. Applicants must submit 
information specified in this solicitation to address the award 
criteria. Applicants must also provide information specified in this 
solicitation that will assist both a tribe and EPA in assessing the 
tribe's capacity to do the water quality project work outlined in the 
project proposal. The information will not be used when ranking the 
proposals; however, it will help EPA determine the appropriateness of 
the workplan and budget estimate provided. For example, if a tribe does 
not have personnel experienced in sampling, then training might be 
warranted. This in turn can leave less time for actual sampling or 
completing other aspects of the proposal. The workplan and budget 
should reflect the training and the work that can realistically be 
accomplished.
     i. Environmental issues addressed. What are the environmental and 
human health issues addressed by the proposed project? What are the 
environmental and human health issues related to pesticides in water 
quality? 0 to 20 points
     ii. Outcome/justification. What is the potential outcome of the 
project? What are the benefits of conducting this project? Does the 
project have limited or broad application to address risk related to 
pesticides in water quality? Is the project proposal thoroughly and 
clearly written? 0 to 20 points
     iii.  Impact assessment/indicators. How will you evaluate the 
success of the project in terms of measurable environmental results? 
Does the project propose to quantify and measure its success? 0 to 10 
points
     iv.  Resources and time frame required for project. Can the 
project be accomplished with available or existing resources (tribal or 
non-tribal) and within the identified time frame? 0 to 10 points
    v.  Major participants/external stakeholders. Has the tribe 
identified the need for other parties (tribal or non-tribal) who will 
be involved or who will participate in the project? Who will be 
affected by the outcome of the project? 0 to 10 points
    vi.  Coordination/capacity building. Has the tribe identified the 
need to coordinate with outside communities, Federal, State or local 
government? Will the project help build tribal infrastructure or 
capacity? What coordination will be necessary between tribal 
departments, offices, etc.? 0 to 5 points
     Total possible points: 75

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    7.  Post selection activity. Selected applicants must formally 
apply for receipt of funds through the appropriate EPA Regional office. 
In addition, selected applicants must negotiate a final workplan 
including reporting requirements with the designated EPA Regional 
project officer. For more general information on post award 
requirements and the evaluation of grantee performance, see 40 CFR part 
31.

II. What Action is the Agency Taking?

     The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), in coordination with the 
EPA Regions, is soliciting Tribal pesticide water quality projects for 
FY2001 funding. The total amount of funding available in FY2001 to be 
awarded to tribal governments and/or intertribal consortia for 
pesticide water quality projects is $245,500.

III. Statutory Authority and Regulations

     Sections 23(a) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and 
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorize EPA to enter into cooperative 
agreements with States and Indian Tribes to implement pesticide 
enforcement programs. Pursuant to the Departments of Veterans Affairs 
and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies 
Appropriations Act for fiscal year 1999, pesticide program 
implementation grants under section 23(a)(1) of FIFRA are available for 
``pesticide program development and implementation, including 
enforcement and compliance activities.''
     The award and administration of these grants will be governed by 
the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and Local Governments set forth at 40 CFR part 31.

IV. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    Under the Agency's current interpretation of the definition of a 
``rule '', grant solicitations such as this which are competitively 
awarded on the basis of selection criteria, are considered rules for 
the purpose of the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA, 5 U.S.C. 
801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), generally provides that before a rule 
may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule 
report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the 
Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will 
submit a report containing this rule and other required information to 
the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller 
General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the 
Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule '' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Grants, Water quality.

    Dated: March 7, 2001.
Anne E. Lindsay,
Director, Field and External Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 01-6718 Filed 3-16-01; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S