[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35240-35241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16686]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7006-5]


Program To Build Local Capacity To Conduct Assessments of the 
Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Aquatic Ecosystems and 
Water Quality

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds and request for applications 
for cooperative agreements.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research 
and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Global 
Change Research Program is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for 
Cooperative Agreements to Provide Assistance to State/Tribal/Other 
Local Environmental Protection Agencies to Conduct Location-Specific 
Assessments of the Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Aquatic 
Ecosystems and Water Quality. (For the purposes of this solicitation, 
``local'' describes any entity that operates at a smaller spatial scale 
than the regional or national scale. Examples include states, tribes, 
U.S. territories, counties, municipalities, and watersheds.) In 
addition, universities and non-profit organizations may apply for 
assistance under this program if they will use EPA funds to provide 
support to state/tribal/other local government environmental protection 
agencies.
    Specifically, funding recipients will assess the potential effects 
of climate change and variability on water quality (with respect to 
drinking water, wastewater treatment, surface water, and/or ground 
water) and/or the effects on aquatic ecosystems (streams, rivers, 
lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and/or coral reefs). The purpose of these 
cooperative agreements is to build local capacity by providing physical 
resources (through cooperative agreement funding) and technical 
assistance necessary to conduct pilot assessment projects. These pilot 
projects will help groups that receive funds to develop the capacity to 
conduct additional assessments on their own, and will generate model 
methodologies and approaches that can be applied by other local 
authorities. Applicants are encouraged to develop cooperative

[[Page 35241]]

relationships with other organizations, educational institutions, 
citizens groups, water quality authorities (e.g., water suppliers, 
treatment plants) and/or other non-federal governmental entities to 
achieve these purposes. Any transactions with such groups involving 
transfer of EPA funds must comply with applicable regulations. Awards 
are estimated to range from $25,000 to $100,000 total over a one- to 
three-year period. Depending on funding availability, up to 
approximately $300,000 will be available to fund approximately three to 
six awards.

DATES: Applications must be postmarked, dated by a delivery service, or 
marked received by NCEA/Global personnel by October 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Solicitation packages are available on NCEA's web site 
(http://www.epa.gov/ncea/) and on the Global Change Research Program's 
web site (http://www.epa.gov/globalresearch/). A list of resources that 
may be useful to applicants is also posted on the Global Change 
Research Program web site. Information about the full application 
process and application forms are found in the ``Application Kit for 
Assistance.'' Paper copies may be requested from the EPA contact person 
at the address and phone number below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Kelley, preferably by email: 
[email protected]; also by mail: National Center for Environmental 
Assessment (8623D); Office of Research and Development, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20460; physical location and overnight delivery: 808 
17th Street, NW., 5th floor, Washington, DC 20006; telephone: 202-564-
3263; or facsimile: 202-564-2268.

    Dated: June 21, 2001.
Arthur F. Payne,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 01-16686 Filed 7-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P