[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10712-10715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5448]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00763; FRL-6827-4]


Fiscal Year 2002 Tribal Pesticide Project Solicitation; Notice of 
Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), in coordination with 
the EPA Regions, is soliciting Tribal pesticide projects for fiscal 
year (FY) 2002 funding. The total amount of funding available in FY 
2002 to be awarded to Tribal governments and/or intertribal consortium 
for pesticide projects is $445,500.

DATES: Project proposals, identified by docket control number OPP-
00763, must be received by EPA Regional staff on or before May 15, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Project proposals may be submitted by mail, fax, or 
electronically. Please follow the instructions for submissions as 
provided in Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number OPP-00763 in the subject line on the first page of your 
proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Regina Langton, Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Mail Code 7506C, 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 consortium eligible to receive federal funds. 
Only one project proposal may be submitted by each Tribal government or 
intertribal consortium. If you have any questions regarding the 
applicability of this action, 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

[[Page 10713]]

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 a Project Proposal?

    You may submit a project proposal through the mail, by fax, 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-00763 in the subject line on the 
first page of your proposal.
EPA Region I (Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
    Rob Koethe, EPA Region I, One Congress St., Suite 1100, (CPT), 
Boston, MA 02114-2023, telephone: (617) 918-1535, fax: (617) 918-1505, 
e-mail: [email protected].
EPA Region II (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
    Adrian Enache, EPA Region II, U.S. EPA Facilities, Raritan Depot, 
2890 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837-3679, telephone: (732) 321-
6769, fax: (732) 321-6771, e-mail: [email protected].
EPA Region III (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, West Virginia)
    Fatima El Abdaoui, EPA Region III, Chestnut Building (3AT11), 
Philadelphia, PA 19107,telephone: (215) 814-2129, fax: (215) 814-3114, 
e-mail: [email protected].
EPA Region IV (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)
    Jeaneanne Gettle, EPA Region IV, 61 Forsyth St., SW., Atlanta, GA 
30303, telephone: (404) 562-8979, fax: (404) 562-8972, e-mail: 
[email protected].
EPA Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin)
    Meonii Crenshaw, EPA Region V, 77 West Jackson Boulevard (DRT8J), 
Chicago, IL 60604-3507,telephone: (312) 353-4716, fax: (312) 353-4788, 
e-mail: [email protected].
EPA Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)
    Jerry Collins, EPA Region VI, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-
2733,telephone: (214) 665-7562, fax: (214) 665-7263, e-
mail:[email protected].
EPA Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)
    John Tice, EPA Region VII, 100 Centennial Mall N., Room 289, 
Lincoln, NB 68508,telephone: (402) 437-5080, fax: (402) 323-9079, e-
mail: [email protected].
EPA Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming)
    Art Roybal, EPA Region VIII, 999 18th St., (8P-P3T), Denver, CO 
80202-2466,telephone: (303) 312-6395, fax: (303) 312-6044, e-mail: 
[email protected].
EPA Region IX (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, 
Guam)
    Marcy Katzin, EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne St., (CMD-4-3), San 
Francisco, CA 94105,telephone: (415) 947-4215, fax: (415) 947-3583, 
[email protected].
EPA Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
    Gary McRae, EPA Region X, Idaho Operations Office, 1435 North 
Orchard St., Boise, ID 83706, telephone: (208) 378-5765, fax: (208) 
378-5744, e-mail: [email protected].
    Contact the appropriate regional staff person listed above if you 
need assistance or have questions regarding the creation or submission 
of a project proposal.

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

    1. Scope and purpose of the OPP Tribal Pesticide Project 
Cooperative Agreements. The purpose of Tribal pesticide project 
cooperative agreements is to provide financial assistance to eligible 
Tribal governments or intertribal consortium to carry out projects 
related to human health and the environment that assess or reduce risk 
from pesticide exposure. Funds can be used for new activities or to 
further an existing eligible project or program.
    2. Eligible applicants and activities--i.Who may submit a project 
proposal and may an applicant submit more than one? Any federally 
recognized Tribal government or intertribal consortium eligible to 
receive Federal funds may submit a project proposal. Only one project 
proposal may be submitted by each Tribal government or intertribal 
consortium.
    ii. What types of projects are eligible for funding? The Agency 
will consider projects related to human health and the environment that 
assess or reduce risk from pesticide exposure. Projects may be targeted 
to any pesticide concern or need facing a Tribe or intertribal 
consortium, including:
    a. Water quality.
    b. Subsistence.
    c. Assessment of the need for and/or development of a pesticide 
management policy or plan.
    d. Consideration of integrated pest management, reduced pesticide 
use, or alternatives to pesticides.
    e. Sampling.
    f. Effects of pesticides on cultural activities.
    g. Education about the use of pesticides in Tribal museum curation.
    h. Noxious weed educational materials and/or control alternatives.
    i. Public outreach/education materials relating to pest management 
and/or the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides.
    Water quality work products may be focused on monitoring of surface 
or ground water (e.g., assessing dietary exposure to pesticides via 
drinking water, determining those water bodies that may be impaired due 
to pesticides, predicting potential exposure to endangered and 
threatened aquatic species, or establishing a baseline of contamination 
from which to measure progress in the future.) Water quality projects 
may also include information gathering and development such as 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, water quality work may also focus on the development 
or implementation of programs aimed at preventing contamination of 
water sources, mitigating contaminated water sources or implementation 
of best management practices.
    Other types of projects not related to water quality may include 
the establishment of a Tribal code, a system for the proper disposal of 
pesticides, and/or educational outreach to the community. Sampling 
projects may include soil sampling, residue sampling on 
culturallysignificant/medicinal plants, or sampling to determine the 
effects of pesticides on cultural activities, such as subsistence 
hunting and fishing.
    iii. How much money may be requested, and are matching funds 
required? Maximum funding awarded will not exceed $50,000 per project. 
Indirect cost rates will not increase the $50,000 maximum funding 
amount. No matching funds are required.

[[Page 10714]]

II. Project Proposal Application Requirements

A. What is Required as Part of the Application Process?

    In order to be considered for funding, applicants must submit the 
following to the regional Tribal pesticide staff contact indicated in 
Unit I.C.:
    1. Project proposal (maximum 6 pages of narrative), including:
    i. Name of project.
    ii. Tribal project contact (including qualifications).
    iii. Project description, including:
      Purpose and goal(s) of the project.
      New or continuing project.
      Environmental or health issues addressed.
      Approach and methods (how the project will be carried 
out).
      Deliverables.
      Expected/desired outcome.
      Indicators/measures of success.
      Resources and time frame required for project, including 
beginning and ending dates.
    iv. 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 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 Tribal or other studies, surveys and 
other sources of information that document the environmental issues 
that will be addressed by the project.
    v.  Responsible parties and location.
      Identify persons in charge of the project and their 
qualifications.
      Identify major participants in the project and their 
qualifications.
      Identify location(s) where the project will be conducted.
    vi.  External stakeholders.
      Identify those who will be affected by the project and 
how they will be affected.
      Identify those who will participate in the project and 
their roles.
    vi. 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. For example, if the 
project includes sampling and writing of a Sampling and Analysis Plan, 
describe any experience the person(s) has in writing a Sampling and 
Analysis Plan, 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, etc.
    vii. Infrastructure and coordination.
      Identify coordination efforts required to conduct 
project, within or outside Tribe.
      Identify ways in which this project will improve or build 
Tribal capacity.
      Identify any assistance you may require in coordinating 
with other Federal, State or local agencies.
    2. Draft workplan (1-2 pages). The submitted draft workplan should 
outline:
    i. Deliverables.
    ii. The separate phases of the project.
    iiii. The tasks associated with each phase of the project.
    iv. The time frames for completion of each phase or task.
    v. The name, title of the person(s) who will conduct each phase or 
task.
    vi. The dates when progress reports will be provided to EPA, 
clearly showing deliverables, accomplishments, delays and/or obstacles. 
Project costs cannot be incurred until a final workplan has been 
approved by the appropriate EPA regional office.
    3. Estimated budget. The estimated budget should outline costs for 
personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, 
indirect cost rate, or any other costs associated with the proposed 
project.
    4. 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 original letter/resolution will 
still be required prior to project award.)
    5. Letter of confirmation for any other funds needed to complete 
project. If your proposal requires the use of additional funds for 
leveraging, 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 contribution, a letter of confirmation is not needed.
    6. Confidential business information. Applicants must clearly mark 
information considered confidential business information. EPA will make 
a final confidentiality determination for information the applicant 
claims as confidential business information in accordance with Agency 
regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.

B. When and Where Must Project Proposals be Submitted?

    The applicant may submit a project proposal to the appropriate EPA 
Regional contact by mail, fax, or electronically. The proposal must be 
received by the EPA Regional contact listed in Unit I.C. no later than 
close of business May 15, 2002. If the project proposal is submitted by 
fax or electronically by May 15, 2002, the EPA Regional contact must 
receive an original copy of the proposal by mail as soon as possible 
thereafter. Incomplete or late proposals will be disqualified for 
funding consideration.

III. Process For Awarding Cooperative Agreements

A. How Will Project Proposals be Reviewed and Selected?

    Tribal project proposals will be reviewed and approved for validity 
and completeness by each respective region and then forwarded, along 
with regional comments, to an OPP review team. 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, 2002. EPA reserves the right 
to reject all applications or initial/final proposals and make no 
awards. All costs charged to these awards must be allowable under OMB 
circular A-87.

B. How will Applicants be Notified?

    Regions will notify their respective applicants of the selections. 
Those applicants not awarded funds may request an explanation from EPA 
regional staff.

IV. Criteria For Awarding Project Cooperative Agreements

    Criteria on which the project proposals will be ranked 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 
project work outlined in the project proposal. The workplan and budget 
should reflect the training and the work that can realistically be 
accomplished.

[[Page 10715]]

Selection criteria: Total possible points: 80
    Environmental issues addressed. Does the project proposal identify 
the environmental and human health benefits associated with the 
activity? What are the quality of life issues (benefits) gained by the 
project?   [0 to 20 points]
    Deliverables/outcome. What are the deliverables expected from this 
project? What is the environmental outcome of the project? Does the 
project have limited or broad application to address risks related to 
pesticides? Does the project proposal clearly state what it expects to 
achieve or deliver?   [0 to 10 points]
    Past performance. If the Tribe has received project funding from 
EPA in the past, was the outcome/deliverable(s) of the project a 
success? If the project is still ongoing, was progress made?    [0 to 
10 points]
    Impact assessment/indicators. How does the project propose to 
quantify and measure its success? How will you evaluate the success of 
the project in terms of measurable environmental results?   [0 to 10 
points]
    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]
    Tribal project contact(s). Does the person(s) designated to lead 
the project have technical expertise and experience? If the project 
contact(s) assigned to this project do not have relevant training or 
experience, how will the training necessary to ensure successful 
completion of the project be obtained?   [0 to 5 points]
    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 5 points]
    Coordination/capacity building. Does the applicant understand/
acknowledge the need for coordination between Tribal departments and 
with outside communities, Federal, State or local government? Will the 
project help build Tribal infrastructure or capacity?   [0 to 5 points]
    Transferability. Can the project results be incorporated into the 
Tribe's pesticide program (if the Tribe has one) or future activities? 
Can any of the deliverables, experiences, products, or outcomes gained 
as a result of the project be transferred to other communities? Could 
this project be implemented by another Tribe?   [0 to 5 points]

V. Post Selection Activity

    Selected applicants must formally apply for 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.

VI. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    The Office of Pesticide Programs, in coordination with the EPA 
regions, is soliciting Tribal pesticide projects for FY 2002 funding. 
The total amount of funding available in FY 2002 to be awarded to 
Tribal governments and/or intertribal consortium for pesticide projects 
is $445,500.

VII. 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 FY 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. 
Grants awarded pursuant to this solicitation are program grants subject 
to the regulations for ``Environmental Program Grants for Tribes'' set 
forth at 40 CFR part 35, subpart B.

VIII. Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The number assigned to this grant in the Catalogue of Domestic 
Assistance is 66.500.

IX. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    Grant solicitations such as this 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.

    Dated: March 1, 2002.
Kennan Garvey,
Acting Director, Field and External Affairs Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 02-5448 Filed 3-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S