[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28512-28513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12940]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[Program Announcement 01044]


Program To Build Capacity Among American Indian Tribes Impacted 
by Releases from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation; Notice of 
Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2001 funds for a 
cooperative agreement program to Build Capacity among American Indian 
Tribal Governments impacted by releases from the Hanford Nuclear 
Reservation. The program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus 
areas of Environmental Health, Health Communication, Mental Health and 
Mental Disorders, and Public Health Infrastructure.
    The purpose of the program is to address the Tribal public health 
issues that result from hazardous substances in the environment due to 
the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in the southeastern area of Washington 
State. The program will focus on: (1) Building Tribal environmental 
health capacity (2) addressing health issues from releases of hazardous 
substances into the environment (3) develop culturally appropriate 
health education materials and/or vehicles to engage Tribal community 
members in public health activities.
    These awards are intended to enhance the Tribes ability to 
collaborate with ATSDR in conducting public health activities related 
to potential human exposures from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. 
ATSDR understands that the nine Tribes eligible under this program are 
sovereign nations, and that each Tribe's capacities and capabilities 
are unique and different. To address the individual nature of Tribal 
issues, ATSDR is prepared to work collaboratively with each Tribe 
individually to develop a unique program to address each Tribe's needs.

B. Eligible Applicants

    This program is directed only to the following federally recognized 
American Indian Tribal Governments: Coeur d'Alene Tribe; Coville 
Confederated Tribes; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian 
Reservation; Kalispel Tribe; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Nez Perce Tribe; 
Spokane Tribe; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of 
Oregon; and Yakama Indian Nation. This announcement is limited to only 
these tribes due to their proximity to the site and the pre-determined 
air pathway emissions affecting their respective reservation.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, Section 
1611 states that an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying 
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an 
award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, or any other 
form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $450,000 is available in FY 2001 to fund 
approximately 9 awards. It is expected that the average award will be 
$50,000. It is expected that the awards will begin on or about 
September 30, 2001, and will be made for a 12-month budget period 
within a project period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be expended for reasonable program purposes, such as 
personnel, travel, supplies and services. Funds for contractual service 
may be requested; the primary recipient of ATSDR funds must perform a 
substantive role in carrying out project activities and not merely 
serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provide funds to an 
ineligible party. Equipment may be purchased with these funds; however, 
the equipment proposed should be appropriate and reasonable for the 
activity to be conducted. Equipment may be acquired only when 
authorized, and the application should provide a justification of need 
to acquire equipment, the description, and the cost of purchase versus 
leasing. At the completion of the project, the equipment will be 
returned to ATSDR.

D. Program Requirements

    In order to achieve the purpose of this program, the recipient will 
be responsible for the activities under 1. (Recipient Activities) and 
ATSDR will be responsible for the activities listed under 2. (ATSDR 
Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    a. Review and update the needs assessment to verify knowledge, 
skills, and capabilities to address the health issues as a result of 
releases of hazardous substances into the environment from the Hanford 
Nuclear Reservation.
    b. Develop an Environmental Health Plan (EHP) related to public 
health needs resulting from exposures and potential exposures to 
releases of hazardous substances into the environment from the Hanford 
Nuclear Reservation. The EHP will build Tribal capacity to address 
public health issues, based on the outcomes of the needs assessment. 
The EHP can be part of or spur the development of a Tribal 
Comprehensive Environmental Health Plan that addresses more general 
environmental health needs.
    c. Based on activities in the EHP, actively engage with ATSDR in 
site-specific activities, including public health assessments, health 
consultations, community involvement, community health education, and 
health outcome data education.
    d. Develop Tribal capacity to assist in the implementation and 
evaluation of health education activities for Tribal community members.
    e. Develop culturally appropriate health education materials for 
Tribal members, community members, Tribal health and environmental 
professionals and paraprofessional, and other health care providers 
working with native communities.
    f. Participate in and contribute to the Hanford Health Effects 
Subcommittee and Inter-Tribal Council on Hanford Health Projects.
    g. Develop Tribal capacity to use toxicological databases and other 
databases to continue to identify toxicological issues.
    h. Identify environmental health issues and tools necessary to 
benchmark Tribal health to be included in the EHP.
    i. Review and participate in ATSDR public health assessment and 
consultation activities.

2. ATSDR Activities

    a. Assist the recipient in developing the Environmental Health Plan 
to build Tribal capacity and address health issues and identified 
releases of hazardous materials into the environment from the Hanford 
Nuclear Reservation.
    b. Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of 
culturally competent health education materials/activities for Tribal 
community members.
    c. Assist in the development of community profiles using the 
results of the needs assessment that has been developed by the Tribe.
    d. Provide support for Tribal participation in the Hanford Health

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Effects Subcommittee and Inter-Tribal Council on Hanford Health 
Projects.
    e. Provide support and training to allow the Tribes to effectively 
interact and provide information for public health assessments and 
consultations. ATSDR will identify and make available appropriate 
training courses as resources permit.
    f. Assist in the development and use of toxicological information 
resources.
    g. Provide support for the coordination of activities between 
Tribal Governments and Federal and State public health agencies.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. The application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out the program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 20 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and 12 point font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are available in the application kit and at the following 
Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfor.htm.
    On or before July 25, 2001, submit the application to the Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'' section of this announcement.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are either:
    (a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
    (b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
submission to the independent review group. (Applicants must request a 
legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated 
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private 
metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in 
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be 
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by ATSDR.
    Evaluations will be based on the extent to which the applicant has:
    1. Developed and administered effective culturally competent 
measures to engage community members in environmental public health 
activities. Describe the ability to provide environmental health 
education in a timely manner in response to Tribal issues which are 
specific to the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. (10 Percent)
    2. Described how the environmental health needs assessment that was 
completed under the previous cooperative agreement announcement will be 
used for environmental health. (10 Percent)
    3. Outlined the activities to develop an Environmental Health Plan 
(EHP) which includes; statement of the problem, methods of analysis, 
implementation strategies, implementation and evaluation. Within the 
plan, described the environmental health needs/issues of the Tribe and 
explain the strategies in which the Tribe plans to resolve each need/
issue. Explained the ability of the Tribe to respond to environmental 
health needs/issues. Specifically, demonstrated the Tribes' ability to 
address health issues that occur as a result of actual or potential 
human exposures to hazardous substances including methods to analyze 
and evaluate toxicological, community and environmental health data/
information. Ensure the Hanford Nuclear Reservation is addressed in the 
EHP. (40 Percent)
    4. Described the Tribes capability (or inability) to carry out the 
proposed EHP. Describe the technical assistance needed to develop the 
EHP. Explain what additional items or issues you will have to address 
when developing the EHP. (20 Percent)
    5. Described how the Tribe will resolve current problems of 
exposures of hazardous substances in the environment related to the 
Hanford Nuclear Reservation. (20 Percent)
    6. Budget Justification (Not Scored)--The budget will be evaluated 
for the extent to which it is reasonable, clearly justified, and 
consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds. The 
applicant should describe and indicate availability of facilities and 
equipment necessary to carry out this project.

H. Other Requirements

    Technical Reporting Requirements
    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual reports;
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the 
application kit.

AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-9  Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-18  Cost Recovery
AR-19  Third Party Agreements

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 104(i)(14)(15), and (17) 
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability 
Act [42 U.S.C. sections 9604(i)(14)(15), and (17)], as amended. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.236.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other ATSDR announcements can be found on the CDC home 
page Internet address-- http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then 
``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
    To obtain business management technical assistance, contact: Nelda 
Godfrey, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, Room 3000, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone number: 770-488-2722, Email address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Dean Seneca, MPH, MCURP, 
Coordinator, Office of Tribal Affairs, Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE (E-32), Atlanta, GA 30333, 
Telephone number: 404-639-4507, Email address: [email protected].

    Dated: May 16, 2001.
Georgi Jones,
Director, Office of Policy and External Affairs, Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry.
[FR Doc. 01-12940 Filed 5-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P