[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20406-20412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9913]



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Part V





Environmental Protection Agency





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Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice: 
Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 24, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 20406]]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7175-4]


Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice: 
Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG) 
is soliciting a second round of nominations for collaborative 
partnerships working to address local environmental justice concerns. 
The following information outlines the goals, guidelines, and 
nomination procedures for IWG Environmental Justice/Revitalization 
Demonstration Projects.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency and postmarked no later than midnight Thursday, 
August 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: For Regional questions:
    Region l: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, Vermont.

Name: Kathy Castagna
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, One Congress Street, 
11th Floor, Boston, MA 02203-0001
Phone: 617-918-1429 F: 617-918-1029
e-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Name: Terry Wesley
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 26th 
Floor, New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-637-5027 F: 212-637-4943
e-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 3: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, West Virginia

    Name: Reginald Harris
    Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch St. (MC-
3ECOO), Philadelphia, PA 19103
    Phone: 215-814-2988 F: 215-814-2905
    e-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Name: Cynthia Peurifoy
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street, 
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-562-9649 F: 404-562-9664
e-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Name: Karla Owens
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Blvd. T-
16J, Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: 312-886-5993 F: 312-886-2737
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Name: Olivia R. Balandran
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fountain Place, 12th 
Floor., 1445 Ross Ave., (RA-D), Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-7257 F: 214-665-6648
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska

Name: Althea Moses
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 901 North 5tth Street 
(ECORA), Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7649 F: 913-551-7941
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming

Name: Elisabeth Evans
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 999 18th Street, Suite 
500, Denver, CO 80202-2405
Phone: 303-312-6053 F: 303-312-6409
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam

Name: Willard Chin
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street, San 
Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-972-3797 F: 415-947-3562
    E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Name: Michael Letourneau
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue (CEJ-
163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-1687 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: [email protected]

Name: Victoria Plata
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue (CEJ-
163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-8580 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: [email protected]

    To submit nominations: Delta Valente, Office of Environmental 
Justice, Mail Code 2201A, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Delta Valente, Office of Environmental 
Justice, Mail Code 2201A, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone (202) 564-2594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: What are the main goals of the IWG 
Environmental Justice/Revitalization Demonstration Projects: (1) To 
support and encourage better leveraging of existing federal resources 
in supporting local efforts to address environmental justice concerns, 
(2) To support strong potential partnerships, and (3) To identify the 
``best practices'' of effective collaborative partnerships for 
communities, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders working on 
solutions to environmental justice issues facing communities.
    What are the benefits of being designated an IWG Environmental 
Justice/Revitalization Demonstration Project: Selection is not 
accompanied by any specific funding commitment from any federal agency; 
however, selection will bring the project national exposure and 
recognition, provide greater access to resources from various 
stakeholders, and promote the project as a model for future 
collaborative partnerships.
    Who may apply to be an IWG Environmental Justice/Revitalization 
Demonstration Project: Any organization or group of organizations 
involved in collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to address 
local environmental justice concerns. These organizations include 
community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, academia, 
business and industry, faith-based organizations, and other interested 
groups, and all levels of government (federal, state, local or tribal). 
Each project must serve a minority, low-income, or tribal community and 
address one or more environmental justice concerns. Each project must 
include at least two federal agencies and a mix of other stakeholder 
partners.
    How does one apply to be an IWG Environmental Justice/
Revitalization Demonstration Project: Submit a proposal of 
approximately 10 pages in length, describing community based 
environmental justice issue(s) and how a project, through a community-
based process that includes a multi-stakeholder partnership will 
address them. Proposal should include description of community vision, 
implementation approaches and work plan, roles and commitments of 
partners, and the project's expected benefits--including its 
contribution to community revitalization. Proposals should describe to 
what extent the project includes the following elements:

    1. Community-based Leadership Formation and Issue 
Identification.
    2. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in Multi-Stakeholder 
Process.
    3. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government.
    4. Strategic Planning and Community Vision.

[[Page 20407]]

    5. Sound Implementation.
    6. Identification of Lesson Learned and Replication of Best 
Practices.

    How can I get information and/or assistance about preparing a 
nomination: Detailed instructions are provided in the IWG Environmental 
Justice/Revitalization Demonstration Project Request for Nominations 
Announcement (IWGDP-02), available through the EPA Office of 
Environmental Justice (OEJ). Federal Agency Environmental Justice 
Coordinators and IWG Representatives also can provide assistance. 
Information can be obtained from Delta Valente, OEJ, 800-962-6215. The 
OEJ Web site is http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.

    Dated: April 17, 2002.
Barry E. Hill,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.

Request for Nominations (April 15, 2002-August 16, 2002)

FY 2002

Identification Number: IWGDP-02
Date of Notification: April 15, 2002
Submission Due Date: August 16, 2002

Contents

I. Introduction: Background and Benefits of Participation
II. Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects Overview
III. Project Technical Considerations
IV. Project Descriptions
V. Selection Process
VI. Program Schedule for 2002
VII. Reporting
Appendix A: Elements of Success for Environmental Justice 
Collaborative Model
Appendix B. Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental 
Justice (IWG)
Appendix C: Contacts

I. Introduction

    The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice 
(IWG) is soliciting a second round of nominations for collaborative 
partnerships working to address local environmental justice concerns 
and promote community revitalization. This announcement outlines the 
purpose, goals, and general procedures and guidelines for nominating 
demonstration projects, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002.
    The purpose of the demonstration projects is to examine how 
collaborative models can be utilized for achieving environmental 
justice and promoting community revitalization. The selected projects 
will be designated as IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization 
Projects. In FY 2000, the IWG selected 15 collaborative projects.
    Selection is not accompanied by any specific funding commitment 
from any federal agency; however, selection will bring the project 
national exposure and recognition, provide greater access to resources 
from various stakeholders, and promote the project as a model for 
future collaborative partnerships.
    Nominations must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) and postmarked no later than midnight Friday, August 16, 
2002. Nominations may be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service or other 
carriers. Nominations must be submitted to:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (MC 
2201A), Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Delta Valente, IWG 
National Program Manager

    Due to possible delays in postal delivery, project narratives also 
should be sent to Delta Valente via e-mail ([email protected]) or 
fax 202-501-1163. For further information, contact Delta Valente (800-
962-6215) or visit http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.

A. Background

    The IWG is composed of representatives from different federal 
agencies and White House offices identified in Executive Order 12898. 
(``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 
Populations and Low-Income Populations,'' February 11, 1994) The IWG's 
primary goal is to work with each federal agency to integrate 
environmental justice within its programs, policies, and activities. An 
important strategy to promote such integration is greater interagency 
cooperation and coordination within the context of multi-stakeholder 
collaborative partnerships. Interagency coordination and cooperation is 
needed to effectively identify available federal government-wide 
resources which are available to meet environmental justice 
opportunities presented by the stakeholders. Once the available federal 
agency resources are identified it is critical to identify all 
resources within the various stakeholders that can be partnered with or 
enhanced by the collaborative effort. The IWG has focused on three 
activities to support such partnerships: (1) Nurturing and promoting 
local demonstration projects; (2) promoting a national dialogue on 
collaborative models; and (3) identifying the elements of success for 
developing a coherent collaborative model.
    Since environmental justice concerns are beyond the scope of any 
single federal agency, the IWG is working to ensure that federal 
agencies effectively coordinate and collaborate to address the range of 
issues that environmental justice embodies. At the heart of the IWG's 
efforts are demonstration projects, which are intended to serve as 
future models for successful environmental justice initiatives. These 
projects feature collaborative partnerships among two or more federal 
agencies, state and local governments, tribal governments, community-
based organizations, academia, non-governmental organizations, and 
business/industry. As a result of the initial round of IWG 
demonstration projects, a coherent collaborative problem-solving model 
is beginning to emerge. In addition, it became clear that promoting 
community revitalization is an underlying goal of virtually all efforts 
to address environmental justice. To enhance this model, the EPA, as 
chair of the IWG, is coordinating a second round of demonstration 
projects to identify additional ``best practices'' for effective 
environmental justice collaborative partnerships to promote community 
revitalization.

B. Benefits of Participation

What are the benefits of being designated an IWG Environmental Justice 
Revitalization Project?
    Being designated as an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization 
Project enhances the ability of community-based collaborative efforts 
to address environmental justice issues and promote community 
revitalization. A project's selection enables local partnerships to 
better access technical assistance, resources, and other means of 
support. The benefits include the following:
     Opportunities for participants (community-based 
organizations, academia, business and industry, civic and faith-based 
organizations, other interested parties, and all levels of government, 
i.e., federal, state, tribal or local) to learn valuable lessons for 
addressing and positively impacting complex environmental justice 
issues in various communities by pursuing holistic, proactive 
strategies;
     Opportunities to increase the effective use of federal and 
other partner resources in addressing environmental justice and 
community revitalization concerns;
     Opportunities for community-based organizations to play a 
major role in identifying and defining environmental justice issues 
affecting the community, and actively participating, from the 
beginning, in the creation, design, and

[[Page 20408]]

implementation of a proposal to address that problem;
     Opportunities to strengthen community capacity-building 
skills and expertise (e.g., effective grant writing and development, 
business plan drafting, navigating governments and private 
institutions, understanding how to leverage resources, develop 
partnerships with greater capacity to address concerns, and improve use 
of limited budgets to meet project goals);
     Opportunities for a business to move beyond the morass of 
controversy over past incidents and problems and to focus proactively 
on new, constructive collaborations and partnerships to help improve 
the conditions of the communities in which businesses operate 
(businesses wishing to join others in understanding community needs and 
vision are invited to support their communities' application and be 
full participants in the collaborative process); and
     Opportunities to leverage resources through the 
participation of additional federal partners and the participation and 
commitments of other stakeholders (state, tribal and local government 
agencies, businesses/industry, foundations, redevelopment and financial 
groups).
What Do Current IWG Demonstration Project Participants Have To Say?
    ``The demonstration project designation elevated the interest of 
local government, where as before communities concerns were not on 
their radar screen. The federal interest in partnering with our 
community, and the federal recognition of our role as a major 
stakeholder, ensured our participation in the planning, decision-
making, and implementation process. The federal interest and 
recognition secured our place at the table. Through initial support 
from federal agencies, funds were leveraged from the private sector to 
support project activities.''

Harold Mitchell, Executive Director, ReGenesis, Spartanburg, South 
Carolina, February 2002

    ``Bridges to Friendship (B2F) has benefitted in a number of ways 
from serving as a federal demonstration project. We came to the project 
with both a story to tell and a partnership to develop. We needed to do 
a better job at getting the word out on B2F accomplishments and the 
Interagency Work Group on Environmental Justice helped us to do that. 
We also wanted to connect with additional federal agencies with 
expertise, resources and a common desire to support our town, 
Washington DC. As a result of the project we are currently developing a 
Memorandum of Understanding to partner with US Department of 
Transportation. The most intangible but most important benefit is the 
extension of our networks, the connections. A new relationship, or just 
a conversation, that would not have otherwise taken place, brings 
tremendous value to our effort, our community and the EJ cause. Most 
importantly, serving as an EJ demonstration project has helped us in 
the most fundamental aspect of collaboration--that of building trust 
with our community.''

Rear Admiral Christopher Weaver, Commandant, Naval District Washington, 
January 2002
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN24AP02.022

    (English Translation) ``It is great to participate in the project. 
It is important that the officials hear directly from the community 
residents and learn other points of view. It has been great to have all 
of the agencies, organizations and community residents come together, 
in the same place.''

Sonia Rodriguez, Barrio Logan Community Resident, San Diego, 
California, February 2002

    ``Rhodia is pleased to be part of the Arkwright demonstration 
project in Spartanburg, S.C. The project has helped us to build a 
stronger partnership with our community and gain a better understanding 
of our neighbors and their concerns. Being actively involved in our 
communities is important to us. We look forward to continuing our 
participation in the project and supporting community activities in the 
Arkwright neighborhood.''

Jim Trafton, Plant Manager, Rhodia Inc., Spartanburg, S.C., March 2002

Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects Overview

A. Purpose of an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization Project

    The purpose of an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization Project 
is to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative models to achieve 
environmental justice and promote community revitalization. The 
projects selected are intended to demonstrate the ``best practices'' of 
comprehensive, collaborative, and integrated problem-solving approaches 
to address the range of interrelated environmental, public health, 
economic, and social concerns that collectively are known as 
environmental justice issues. These projects are based upon voluntary, 
local partnerships that build upon a holistic community vision. 
Centered in urban, tribal and rural communities across the country, the 
demonstration projects focus on improving the quality of life for 
minority, low-income, and tribal populations through environmental 
protection, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, 
community education, public health promotion, and capacity building.
    The IWG demonstration projects foster proactive, collaborative 
efforts that bring agencies, at all levels of government, to partner 
with diverse stakeholders in impacted communities. Together at ``the 
table'' for the first time, in some cases, participants: (1) Better 
understand each other's perspectives; (2) identify mutual interests and 
priorities; and (3) with this broader and shared view, mobilize 
existing resources (i.e., social, human, and financial resources) for 
the purpose of creating win-win solutions.

[[Page 20409]]

B. Main Goals of an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization Project

    The main goals of the IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization 
Projects are: (1) To support and encourage better leveraging of 
existing federal resources to support local efforts to address 
environmental justice concerns and promote community revitalization, 
(2) to support strong potential partnerships, and (3) to identify the 
``best practices'' of the effective collaborative partnerships with 
communities, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders working on 
solutions to environmental justice issues facing communities.

C. Elements of Success for Environmental Justice Collaborative Model

    Six major design elements have been identified from the first round 
of IWG demonstration projects as key factors to the success of the 
environmental justice collaborative model. These are the following:
    1. Community-based Leadership Formation and Issue Identification.
    2. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in a Multi-Stakeholder 
Process.
    3. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government.
    4. Strategic Planning and Community Vision.
    5. Sound Implementation.
    6. Identification of Lessons Learned and Replication of Best 
Practices.
    A table with examples of these design elements is provided in 
Appendix A. These elements are offered as a framework for thinking 
about how to describe the proposed project. They provide useful 
parameters to identify a potentially successful project. Please note 
that no single project is expected to have all these elements.

D. Assistance in Developing Project Nominations

    The IWG recognizes that putting together a project proposal for a 
multi-stakeholder collaborative partnership capable of addressing the 
issues in environmentally and economically distressed communities is 
difficult, particularly for community-based organizations with limited 
resources. The IWG suggests that project applicants rely on assistance 
from federal agencies as well as other potential project partners. In 
most cases, such relationships and partnerships already exist, and 
potential project applicants should build upon such relationships.
    For example, interested parties who have an idea or question as to 
how a particular federal agency would fit into their vision could call 
one of the EJ Coordinators of the agency or that agency's IWG 
representative to discuss the possibility, ideas, and interest in the 
potential project. A community-based organization that does not have 
sufficient financial resources or skills in proposal writing might 
consider inviting and partnering with others (e.g., another 
organization, university, or local government agency) that have a 
greater capacity for preparing such a proposal. In addition, potential 
project applicants can obtain a description and contact information for 
each of the 15 current IWG demonstration projects from the EPA 
environmental justice Web site. These demonstration project contacts 
also can be a source of valuable advice.
    A list of the IWG federal agency representatives and EPA Regional 
Environmental Justice Coordinators is provided in Appendix C. The EPA 
Environmental Justice Web site (Page 1) provides copies of the Federal 
Interagency Environmental Justice Directory as well as information on 
current IWG demonstration projects, including the IWG Demonstration 
Projects Status Report, Environmental Justice Collaborative Model: A 
Framework to Ensure Local Problem-Solving.

III. Project Technical Considerations

A. Potential Applicants

    Any organization or group of organizations involved in 
collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to address local 
environmental justice concerns can submit their proposal for 
consideration. These organizations include community-based 
organizations, academia, business and industry, civic and faith-based 
organizations, other interested groups, and all levels of government 
(federal, state, tribal or local). Each project must include at least 
two federal agencies, and serve a minority, low-income, or tribal 
community by addressing one or more environmental justice concerns.

B. Essential Project Components

    1. To be eligible, each project must include at least two federal 
agencies. Federal involvement must include some type of resource 
contributions to the project, such as contributions of staff time, 
grants, loans, invitational travel, meeting support, in-kind services, 
technical resources or other funds.
    2. The project must have a mix or a potential mix of partnerships 
or established relationships that include local partners such as state, 
tribal and local government agencies, businesses and the private 
sector, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, local 
chapters of national associations (e.g., chambers of commerce or 
environmental organizations), community or economic development 
corporations, foundations, faith-based organizations, and other 
organizations that can contribute to the success of the project.
    3. The proposal must have clear objectives, implementation 
guidelines, and benefits for environmentally and economically 
distressed communities.
    4. The proposal must include non-federal partners committing 
resources to the project such as contributions of staff time, grants, 
loans, invitational travel, meeting support, in-kind services, 
technical resources, or other funds.
    5. The proposal must include verifiable partners. Information 
provided should include, where available and appropriate: Organization 
Names, Contact Names, Mailing and Electronic Mailing Addresses, and 
Phone Numbers.

IV. Project Descriptions

A. Proposal Format

    1. Proposal narratives should be approximately 10 pages in length. 
While it is estimated that 10 pages is an optimal length, all 
proposals, no matter how short or how long, will be given full 
consideration.
    2. To the greatest extent possible, each project narrative should 
follow the six questions provided in the Project Narrative Section 
below. Project applicants should attempt to answer each question to the 
best of their abilities, but should not be discouraged if they cannot 
answer all questions completely. As emphasized in other sections of 
this document, no single project is expected to contain all the 
elements identified in the Elements of Success for Environmental 
Justice Collaborative Model (Page 11).
    3. Supportive materials, where available, should be attached. These 
supportive materials may include photos, maps, news articles, and 
commitment or endorsement letters.

B. Proposal Narratives

    1. Describe and discuss how the project will address one or more 
environmental justice concerns of a minority, low-income, or tribal 
community(ies). Provide a description of the project's overall 
objectives/expected benefits, the community(ies) being served, 
geographic location of the community, and implementation approaches. 
This should include the following:

[[Page 20410]]

    a. Work plan which describes the project's overall objectives, 
milestones, and expected benefits.
    b. Description of the community(ies) being served (e.g. 
demographics, geographic location, community history and assets, 
issues).
    c. Description of the project's implementation process.
    2. As stated earlier in Section II-C, six major design elements 
have been identified as being key factors to the success of 
environmental justice collaborative models. They are the following:
    a. Community-based Leadership Formation and Issue Identification.
    b. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in a Multi-Stakeholder 
Process.
    c. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government.
    d. Strategic Planning and Community Vision.
    e. Sound Implementation.
    f. Identification of Lessons Learned and Replication of Best 
Practices.
    Please provide the following responses as appropriate:
    a. Description of any of the design elements that are in the 
project design and how they contribute to the overall success of the 
project.
    b. Description of how the remaining elements not covered in the 
response to Question 2-a will be integrated into the project.
    c. Description of ways that participating federal agencies can 
provide assistance in developing and incorporating any of the design 
elements in the project.
    A great deal of thought should be given to the responses for 
Question 2 because these design elements are essential to the success 
of the environmental justice collaborative model. To assist in 
answering this question, a table containing examples of these design 
elements is provided in Appendix A. No single project is expected to 
have all these elements. Nor should the list of design element examples 
be used as a checklist because every community and every issue is 
unique.
    3. Describe the partnership(s) and how they were formed, the roles 
and responsibilities of each partner, leadership role(s) of the 
relevant organizations, and the factors that enable the partnership to 
function well. This should include the following:
    a. Description of how the relationship(s) or partnership(s) were 
formed.
    b. Description of what elements or factors enable the 
partnership(s) to function well.
    c. Description of the leadership roles of the local community 
organizations.
    4. List the federal agency partners. Describe the federal agencies' 
role, commitment of staff, funding resources, and other contributions 
to the partnership. Include commitment letters from the federal 
agencies, and identify the agency's role in the project and an agency 
point of contact. This should include the following:
    a. Description of the federal agencies' roles (e.g. 
responsibilities, commitment of staff, federal agency coordinator's 
contact information, funding resources, and other contributions).
    b. Commitment letters from federal agencies discussing their roles 
and commitments.
    c. Description of other federal agencies that should be involved in 
the future and ways by which IWG (or existing partners) can assist to 
bring about such involvement.
    5. Describe how the non-federal partners (such as, state, local or 
tribal government agencies, businesses and the private sector, 
community-based organizations, local chapters of national associations 
such as chambers of commerce or environmental organizations, community 
development corporations (CDCs), and other organizations) are 
contributing to the success of the project. Include a list of the 
partners (contact name, address, phone number, electronic mail and fax 
numbers--if applicable), their resource commitments (e.g. staff, funds, 
meeting space), a clear description of their roles in the project, and 
letters of commitment from the leadership of the various partners is 
required. Describe how other government agencies and organizations 
(currently not partners) can contribute to the project. This should 
include the following:
    a. Description of the roles and responsibilities of each non-
federal partner, including the resource commitments of each partner 
(e.g. staff, funding, meeting space).
    b. Provide a list of the partners' points of contact (e.g. name, 
address).
    c. Discussion on how other (non-partner) government agencies and 
organizations can contribute to the project.
    6. Describe how the proposed project will contribute to some aspect 
of community revitalization (e.g., land use, environmental and 
ecological, health, economic, social, and local capacity)?

V. Selection Process

    A. Review Panel
    A panel consisting of representatives from the various federal 
agencies participating in the IWG will review the proposals. Conference 
calls will be held with the ``finalists'' to ensure all parties 
understand the intent of the program and to confirm the roles of the 
partners, prior to selections. The IWG will make the final selections 
from among the top applicants.
    Among the proposals receiving the highest ranking, the IWG may take 
into account the geographic location and diversity of the proposed 
projects when making final selections.

B. Selection Date

    Selections are expected to be completed by November 15, 2002. 
Applicants will be notified by December 1, 2002.

VI. Program Schedule for 2002

Development of Proposals and Submission to EPA/IWG--April 15-August 16
IWG Reviews Proposals--September 1-October 15
Final Selections Completed--November 15
National Announcement of Selections--December 1, 2002

VII. Reporting

    The lead coordinators of the selected demonstration projects will 
be asked to submit semi-annual reports to update the IWG on the 
project's progress. The reports should include, but not be limited to, 
information on:
     Tasks accomplished.
     Results achieved.
     Resources committed.
     Partners added.
     Issues/problems encountered and method for resolution.

Appendix A

Elements of Success for Environmental Justice Collaborative Model

    The following major design elements have been identified as 
being key factors to the success of the environmental justice 
collaborative model. Examples are provided in the following table. 
The IWG identified these elements of success in order to develop a 
template for a holistic, integrated, and collaborative approach to 
addressing the environmental justice needs of distressed 
communities. Given that each community and each issue is unique, no 
single project is expected to have all these elements. Nor should 
the list of design element examples be used as a check list. The IWG 
believes that this template is a tool that all groups engaged in 
building collaborative community-based partnerships could find 
useful. Such groups should use these elements as a guide for 
strategic planning and project design.

Element of Success and Examples of Design Elements

    1. Community-Based eadership Formation and Issue Identification
     Identify and build on existing leadership and expertise 
in impacted communities.
     Involve residents at the beginning in identifying 
concerns and crystallizing issues.

[[Page 20411]]

     Conduct local education, outreach, fact-finding and 
assessments.
     Build from a strong understanding of community history, 
practice and culture.
     Identify early on potential partners from all 
stakeholder groups.
     Provide training on environmental justice for all 
stakeholder groups.
     Assess whether or not conditions are ripe for 
collaboration.

2. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in a Multi-Stakeholder 
Process

     .Facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders.
     Build upon existing organizational capacity within 
community.
     Use consensus building or alternative dispute 
resolution, as appropriate.
     Secure commitments from multiple, appropriate 
government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
     Establish a formal multi-stakeholder partnership.
     Design processes to ensure fair treatment and 
meaningful participation of all stakeholders.
     Foster capacity-building through training, mentoring, 
technical assistance, or resource support.
     Integrate environmental justice into ongoing training 
efforts.
     Design processes that help ensure community education 
and capacity building in the future.
     Establish processes that allow for inclusion of new 
partners as they emerge.

3. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government

     Ensure interagency coordination and cooperation between 
multiple federal agencies.
     Foster intergovernmental coordination and cooperation 
between federal, state, local and/or tribal agencies.
     Secure clear commitments (technical assistance, 
coordination, resources) from government agencies.

4. Strategic Planning and Community Vision

     Facilitate articulation of community vision, its 
aspirations based upon community-based planning and methods.
     Determine community assets (e.g., technical, financial, 
social, cultural, natural resource) and deficits (e.g., 
environmental degradation, abandoned buildings, lack of 
infrastructure).
     Utilize tools for comprehensive community planning 
(e.g. GIS, planning charettes).
     Identify, target and leverage assets from all sources 
(e.g. community, government, industry, academia, foundations).
     Reinforce community values.

5. Sound Implementation

     Develop Implementation Plan with shared goals, well 
defined objectives, timelines, action plans, commitments.
     Design projects to build on strengths, deficits, 
resources, and capacity of partners, especially the community's.
     Identify, nurture and promote collaborations with win/
win scenarios.
     Obtain clear, written commitments from partners 
(possibly use a memorandum of agreement).
     Cluster and order tasks to promote efficient use of 
time and resources
     Develop methodology to measure and evaluate impact on 
community and stakeholders.
     Identify and build upon small successes.
     Add to and strengthen partnerships as new issues and 
relationships are understood.
     Build on community and organizational capacity through 
implementation to facilitate next phase.
     Ensure resolution of conflict or potential conflicts 
(possibly through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution).

6. Identification of Lessons Learned and Replication of Best 
Practices

     Clearly define measures of success of project of 
objectives, processes, outputs, institutional effects, and quality-
of-life results.
     Understand and evaluate, from different stakeholder 
perspectives, indicators used to measure success.
     Incorporate lessons learned into ongoing processes, 
both inside and outside of the community.
     Develop a ``template'' for successful collaborative 
models, based upon community experience.
     Develop mechanisms to integrate lessons into future 
efforts as new issues and challenges are identified.
     Share, publish, and disseminate experiences and lessons 
learned.

Appendix B

    Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice
    The Federal Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Environmental 
Justice was created by Executive Order 12898 (1994).
    The Executive Order delineates the IWG agency responsibilities 
as follows: ``To the extent practicable and permitted by law, and 
consistent with the principles set forth in the report on the 
National Performance Review, each Federal agency shall make 
achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying 
and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse 
human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and 
activities on minority populations and low-income populations'. * * 
*'' Additionally, the order calls for the IWG to ``develop 
interagency model projects on environmental justice that evidence 
cooperation among Federal agencies'.
    The IWG has focused on three activities to support 
collaborative, problem-solving partnerships: (1) Nurturing and 
promoting local demonstration projects, (2) promoting a national 
dialogue on collaborative models; and (3) identifying the elements 
of success for developing a coherent collaborative model.

Nurture and Promote Local Demonstration Projects

    The IWG demonstration projects foster proactive, collaborative 
efforts that bring agencies, at all levels of government, together 
with diverse stakeholders in impacted communities. The main goal is 
to encourage better leveraging of existing federal resources, 
support local projects that promote among other federal agencies the 
addition of other federal resources to the projects.

Promote National Dialogue on Building Collaborative Models

    In order to create a broad-based consensus on the appropriate 
use of a collaborative model, the IWG is promoting a national 
dialogue on building collaborative models to achieve environmental 
justice goals. One goal of such a dialogue is to ensure a common 
understanding among all stakeholder groups of this framework and 
share lessons which each group can apply. IWG members have conducted 
meetings and briefings for community, business, industry, faith-
based groups, and state, local and tribal government partners and 
stakeholders. This also has identified new partners and builds 
interest in applying this model to their situations.

Identify Elements of Success for Developing a Coherent Collaborative 
Framework

    Based upon the experience gained thus far, the IWG is 
systematically identifying the elements of success common to all 
collaborative models. In addition, the IWG, through the efforts of 
the EPA Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation, is developing 
an evaluation framework for the IWG collaborative model. These 
activities have been instrumental for creating a common 
understanding of collaborative models to achieve environmental 
justice across the gamut of stakeholders. It is important to create 
a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved and to help 
diverse stakeholders in impacted communities to understand the value 
and benefits of the voluntary and cooperative approach. Without a 
common understanding of the appropriate use and value of these 
models, stakeholders will lack the knowledge they need to overcome 
the lack of trust and adversarial relations.
    Additional information on the Interagency Working Group on 
Environmental Justice can be found at the following Web address: 
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.

Appendix C--Contacts

Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Working Group Contacts

EPA: Charles Lee, Associate Director for Policy & Interagency 
Liaison, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW-Mail Code 2201 A, Washington, DC 
20460, Phone: 202/564-2597 Fax: 202/501-1163, E-mail: 
[email protected]
DOC/EDA: Dennis Alvord, Economic Development Specialist, Economic 
Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th St. & 
Constitution Ave., NW (Room 7326), Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202/
482-4320 Fax: 202/219-9007, E-mail: [email protected]
DOC/NOAA: Roan Conrad, Director, Office of Sustainable Development 
and Intergovernmental Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration

[[Page 20412]]

(NOAA), U.S. Department Of Commerce, 14th St. & Constitution Ave., 
NW (Room 5222), Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202/482-3384 Fax: 202/
482-2663, E-mail: [email protected]
DOE: Melinda Downing, Environmental Justice Program Manager, Office 
of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202/586-7703 
Fax: 202/586-0293, E-mail: [email protected]
DOL: Babette D. Williams, Program Analyst and Environmental Justice 
Coordinator, Office of the Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 
202/693-5910 Fax: 202/693-5960, E-mail: [email protected]
DOJ: Quentin C. Pair, Attorney, Environmental Enforcement Section, 
U.S. Department of Justice (DO/END/PLS), 1425 New York Avenue, NW 
(Room 11017), Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 202/514-1999 Fax: 202/
514-0097, E-mail: [email protected]
DOI: Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Policy and 
Compliance, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior-
MS2340, 1848 C Street, NW (Room 2355), Washington, DC 20240, Phone: 
202/208-3891 Fax: 202/208-6970, E-mail: [email protected]
DOT: Marc Brenman, Senior Policy Advisor for Civil Rights, Office of 
Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202/366-1119 Fax: 202/366-9371, E-mail: 
[email protected]
DOD: Len Richeson, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of 
the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, 
3400 Defense Pentagon, Room R3E792, Washington, DC 20301-3400, 
Phone: 703/604-0518 Fax: 703/607-4237, E-mail: [email protected]
HHS/NIEHS: Charles A. Wells, Director, Environmental Justice, Health 
Disparity and Public Health, Office of the Director, National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 31 Center Drive, 
Building 31-Room B1CO2-MSC 22-2256, Bethesda, MD 20892-22056, Phone: 
301/496-2920 Fax: 301/496-0563, E-mail: [email protected]
HHS/ATSDR: Reuben C. Warren, Associate Administrator for Urban 
Affairs, Office of Urban Affairs, Agency for Toxic Substances 
&Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE MS E28, Atlanta, GA 30333, 
Phone: 404/498-0111 Fax: 404/498-0087, E-mail: [email protected]
HUD: Richard Broun, Director, Office of Environment and Energy, U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451-7th Street, SW Room 
7240, Washington, DC 20410, Phone: 202/708-2894 ext. 4439 Fax: 202/
708-3363, E-mail: [email protected]
Antoinette Sebastian, Senior Community Environmental Planner, Office 
of Environment and Energy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development 451-7th Street, SW Room 7248, Washington, DC 20410, 
Phone: 202/708-0614 ext. 4458 Fax: 202/708-3363, E-mail: 
[email protected]
USDA/USFS: Robert Ragos, Title VI & Related Program Manager, Office 
of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Forest Service, 201 
14 Street SW, Room 4SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 202/205-0961 
Fax: 202/690-2510, E-mail: [email protected]

EPA Regional Environmental Justice Coordinators Contact Names and 
Addresses

    Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
Rhode Island, Vermont

Name: Kathy Castagna
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, One Congress Street, 
11th Floor, Boston, MA 02203-0001,
Phone: 617-918-1429 F: 617-918-1029
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Name: Terry Wesley
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 26th 
Floor,New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-637-5027 F: 212-637-4943
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 3: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia

Name: Reginald Harris
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch St. (MC-
3ECOO), Philadelphia, PA 19103,
Phone: 215-814-2988 F: 215-814-2905
E-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Name: Cynthia Peurifoy
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street, 
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-562-9649 F: 404-562-9664
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin

Name: Karla Owens
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Blvd. 
T-16J, Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: 312-886-5993 F: 312-886-2737
E-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Name: Olivia R. Balandran
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fountain Place, 12th 
Floor, 1445 Ross Ave., (RA-D), Dallas, TX 75202-2733,
Phone: 214-665-7257 F: 214-665-6648
E-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska

Name: Althea Moses
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 901 North 5th Street, 
(ECORA), Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7649 F: 913-551-7941
E-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming

    Name: Elisabeth Evans
    Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 999 18th Street, 
Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2405
Phone: 303-312-6053 F: 303-312-6409
E-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, 
Guam

Name: Willard Chin
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street, 
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-972-3797 F: 415-947-3562
E-Mail: [email protected]
    Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Name: Michael Letourneau
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue 
(CEJ-163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-1687 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: [email protected]
Name: Victoria Plata
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue 
(CEJ-163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-8580 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: [email protected]

    Dated: April 11, 2002.
Barry E. Hill,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.

[FR Doc. 02-9913 Filed 4-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P