[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 183 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48455-48456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23461]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7059-2]


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 public schools for projects within the U.S.-Mexico Border Region, 
defined in the La Paz Agreement (1983) as that area within 100 km on 
either side of the inland and maritime U.S.-Mexico Border.

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 November 5, 2001. Proposals 
postmarked after that date will not be considered for funding. EPA 
expects to announce grant awards in January 2002. Applicants should 
anticipate project start dates no earlier than April 1, 2002. 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), Alfredo Coy, U.S.-Mexico Border Program (6PD), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 
75202-2733, Telephone: 214-665-2206; E-mail: [email protected]>. 
Region 9 (CA, AZ): Dave Fege, Assistant Director, San Diego Border 
Liaison Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, 610 
West Ash Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Telephone: 619-235-4765, E-mail: 
[email protected]>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Region 6 (TX, NM), Alfredo Coy, U.S.-
Mexico Border Program (6PD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202-2733, 
Telephone: 214-665-2206; E-mail: [email protected]. Region 9 (CA, 
AZ): Dave Fege, Assistant Director, San Diego Border Liaison Office, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, 610 West Ash Street, 
San Diego, CA 92101, Telephone: 619-235-4765, E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Additional copies of this grant application can be obtained through 
the EPA Border Liaison Offices located in El Paso (915-533-7273); San 
Diego (619-235-4765); or call 1-800-334-0741.

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, & 1999). The mission of the U.S.-Mexico 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 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 $125,000 will be awarded in each of Regions 6 and 9.The 
maximum amount for any single grant award will be $25,000.
    Entities receiving grants under this program are required to 
contribute a minimum 5% matching share (in dollars or in-kind goods/
services). For example, to calculate the minimum matching share for 
federal funding of $25,000 use the following formula: $25,000  
95% = 26,315.79, subtract the grant amount from that figure, 
$26,315.79-$25,000 = $1,315.79.
    The resulting figure, $1,315.79, is applicant's matching share.
    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. community-based 
organizations (CBOs), and U.S. public schools and universities. Special 
consideration will be given to U.S. CBOs, public 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

[[Page 48456]]

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 Compensation and Liability 
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:
     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.

Gregg A. Cooke,
Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 6.
[FR Doc. 01-23461 Filed 9-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P