[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53925-53930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21196]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7262-8]


Watershed Initiative: Call for Nominations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is launching a new grant program to encourage the 
protection and restoration of our country's water bodies through the 
use of watershed approaches. The President's fiscal year (FY) 2003 
budget, which is now before Congress, incorporates a request for $21 
million for this Watershed Initiative. Subject to the availability of 
appropriations for this purpose, EPA plans to select through a 
competitive process up to 20 watersheds throughout the country for 
grants to support promising watershed-based approaches to clean water. 
This notice sets forth the process that will be used for selecting the 
watersheds and serves as the call for nominations from Governors and 
Tribal Leaders.

DATES: Governor or Tribal Leader nominations must be postmarked and 
received electronically by EPA on or before November 21, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Nomination packages must be submitted both by mail or 
courier and electronically. Please follow the detailed instructions 
provided in section V of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Peterson, telephone: 202-566-
1304; e-mail: [email protected] or one of the regional contacts 
listed in section VI of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. 
Additional information and any updated guidance will be posted on the 
Watershed Initiative's website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/initative.

[[Page 53926]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

A. The Watershed Approach

    To address water resource problems more effectively, water resource 
managers at all levels have been adopting a more comprehensive 
approach--one that recognizes that the health of aquatic resources is 
affected by what happens on the land that drains in to a water body. A 
watershed can be large or small. It can encompass the entire 
Mississippi River basin or a small stream in western Georgia. The 
``watershed approach'' addresses natural resource issues that cross 
geographic, jurisdictional and political boundaries. This approach 
recognizes needs for water supply, water quality, flood control, 
navigation, hydropower generation, fisheries, biodiversity, habitat 
preservation and recreation--and it recognizes that these needs often 
compete. It provides for establishing local priorities in the context 
of national goals, coordination of public and private actions, 
encouragement of partnerships to affect change, and enlists the support 
and knowledge base of the public at the local level.
    Over the years, many communities around the country have joined 
forces to protect their watersheds, often using innovative and novel 
approaches that are geared toward solving the problems that make sense 
for their locality. In recent years, governments, non-profit 
organizations, businesses, and citizens have employed watershed-based 
approaches to refocus their efforts to protect and restore the nation's 
waters. These refocused efforts have brought positive results and 
attainment of State/Tribal water quality standards in some areas.

B. Goals of the Watershed Initiative

    On January 25, 2002, EPA announced that it would request $21 
million in its fiscal year 2003 budget for a new Watershed Initiative. 
Subject to the availability of appropriations, EPA will employ a 
competitive grant process to select up to 20 watersheds in which to 
award grants under this program. These grants will fund eligible 
activities in support of comprehensive watershed-based approaches to 
protecting and restoring water resources.
    The Watershed Initiative will build upon the Agency's holistic 
watershed approach to water quality management. The Initiative will 
encourage coalition-based strategies for attaining water quality 
standards and improving water resource protection and restoration on a 
watershed level. EPA hopes the Initiative will encourage practical and 
efficient models that can be adapted to local circumstances across the 
country. The goal of this Initiative is to advance the successes of 
partnerships and coalitions that have undertaken the necessary 
watershed evaluations and assessments and have a technically sound 
watershed plan ready to carry out. EPA believes the Watershed 
Initiative will help encourage the kind of pro-active, incentive-based 
protection and restoration measures that will ultimately yield cleaner 
water.

C. Process for Designing the Watershed Initiative

    Since January, EPA has been working with an array of people to 
gather ideas and suggestions on how to design the new Watershed 
Initiative. During the last few months, EPA has been interacting (via 
conferences, meetings, listening sessions, and speaking engagements) 
with States, Tribes, congressional staff, and a host of local 
government and community groups to: (1) Introduce the Initiative, (2) 
gain insight into potential challenges, and (3) solicit views on how to 
design the proposed program. An EPA work group was formed and consists 
of representatives from other offices within EPA as well as watershed 
experts from each of the Agency's Regional Offices. EPA held public 
listening sessions in Washington, DC, and published a notice and 
request for comments in the Federal Register (67 FR 36172; May 23, 
2002). Sixty-eight people attended one of the four listening sessions 
and over 105 responded to the Federal Register notice. The Agency 
considered all of the suggestions and viewpoints in formulating the 
Watershed Initiative outlined in this notice.
    The Agency received comments from a wide variety of interested 
parties, such as state agencies, county and local authorities, non-
profit organizations, academia, other federal agencies, and private 
citizens. One letter, received from 20 commenters, expressed opposition 
to the Initiative in general because of the concern that the Initiative 
would detract from EPA's core regulatory programs. To the contrary, the 
Watershed Initiative is intended to support any watershed with a far-
reaching, comprehensive plan, which could include a regulatory 
requirement, such as, EPA-approved Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
    The majority of the respondents were supportive of the Initiative 
and in agreement with EPA's general approach and suggested criteria. As 
a result of the comments received, the selection criteria were amended. 
The concept of a watershed being a ``high value'' resource was 
eliminated, and greater weight will be given to those nominations that 
focus on environmental results and show broad stakeholder involvement.
    Of all the questions posed, commenters were most divided on whether 
the Governors and Tribal Leaders should submit the nominations to EPA, 
or whether the individual watershed organizations should be able to 
submit their nominations directly to EPA. EPA elected to have the 
Governors and Tribal Leaders make the nominations. The Agency feels 
strongly that in order for the Initiative to be successful, the States 
and Tribes must be committed to the targeted watersheds and play an 
active role in the Initiative.

D. Funding Availability

    Subject to the availability of appropriations, $21 million will be 
available in FY 2003 for the Watershed Initiative. EPA expects to use 
the majority of the money for grants to the selected watersheds. EPA 
anticipates that typical grant awards for the selected watersheds will 
range from $300,000 to $1,300,000, depending on the amount requested 
and the overall size and need of the project. About five percent of the 
total appropriation will go toward enhancing national tools, training, 
and technical assistance that will help local partnerships be more 
effective at improving watershed health, so that watersheds which are 
nominated but not selected, and other watersheds, will also benefit 
from the Initiative. The total number and amount of the awards will 
depend on the amount of funds made available.
    EPA expects to announce selections early in 2003 and complete the 
grant award process, including grant work plan negotiations through the 
appropriate EPA Regional Office, by May 2003. Grants awarded will be 
one-time awards and grant recipients should use the funds within 2-3 
years. Subsequent funding would involve a new call for watershed 
nominations and is predicated on continued appropriations. Therefore, 
any proposal for work beyond the initial funding period would need to 
be submitted through the competitive process and will not receive 
preferential consideration based on the applicant's previous award.

II. Competing for a Watershed Initiative Grant

    EPA will select watersheds through a national competition and will 
fund projects consisting of eligible activities within each plan (see 
section IV.C for a

[[Page 53927]]

description of the activities that are eligible for funding under this 
grant program). The size or scale of the watershed is based on the 
range and geographic location(s) of the problem or threat, and the 
projects to be undertaken to address them. Therefore, the ``watershed 
plan,'' in this context may be a subset of a larger and more extensive 
formal watershed plan. Each watershed nomination must contain only one 
plan, yet a plan may include a single project or multiple projects 
within the watershed. Preference will be given to inter-jurisdictional 
watershed plans, that is, those that involve multiple states and/or 
tribes. Watershed plans that transcend international borders may also 
be considered provided that the appropriate water agency in the 
adjacent country is a partner or otherwise supports the project. 
Watersheds and watershed plans will be selected based on the quality of 
the nominations received and adherence to the selection criteria. 
Funding decisions will be made based on the eligibility of the project 
or projects within the selected watershed plan. A full grant 
application will be required only for the selected watersheds (see 
section III).

A. The Nomination and Selection Process

    Watersheds must be nominated by Governors or Tribal Leaders. Each 
Governor or Tribal Leader will prepare or solicit proposed watershed 
plans from eligible entities in a manner most appropriate to their 
state or tribe and nominate the most meritorious to EPA.
    Governors or Tribal Leaders are invited to nominate two state or 
tribal watersheds each. There is, however, no limit on the number of 
inter-state or joint state and tribal watersheds that can be nominated. 
For inter-state or joint state and tribal watershed plans, any of the 
involved Governors/Tribal Leaders may submit the nomination. Such 
watershed nominations must have the endorsement of all affected state 
or tribal governmental entities before submittal to EPA.
    Governors and Tribal Leaders are to submit their watershed 
nominations to EPA (see section V for the specific details). All 
nominations will be screened by EPA staff prior to review to determine 
if they are eligible, complete, and in accordance with instructions 
laid out in this notice. Once received by EPA, the nominations will 
undergo two levels of review--one at the regional level and one at the 
national level. Each of the Agency's Regional Offices will convene a 
Review and Evaluation Panel that will assess how well the overall 
watershed plan meets the program criteria described below. Based on the 
panel review and recommendation, each Regional Administrator will then 
forward his/her region's top four candidates to EPA's Office of Water 
at Headquarters. The Office of Water will convene a Technical Advisory 
Panel at the national level consisting of representatives from the 
Agency's Program and Regional Offices, as well as members of other 
federal agencies, to review the technical merit of the watershed plan 
and eligible projects and rank the watershed nominations sent forward 
by the EPA Regional Offices. In addition to the prescribed criteria, 
factors such as geographic diversity, project diversity, watershed 
size, urban/rural mix, and cost will be considered in ranking 
nominations for consideration by the Administrator. The Administrator 
will select the watersheds and the watershed plans to be funded.

B. Matching Requirement

    EPA is requiring applicants to demonstrate a minimum non-federal 
match of 25% of the total cost of the project or projects. The Agency 
considers this matching contribution as evidence of community support 
and commitment, and an opportunity to increase the overall scope of the 
proposed project. In addition to cash, the match can come from in-kind 
goods and services such as the use of volunteers and their donated 
time, equipment, expertise, etc., consistent with the regulation 
governing match requirements (40 CFR 31.24 or 40 CFR 30.23). Other 
federal funds may be used to meet the match requirement for this grant 
program if authorized by the statute governing the award of the other 
federal funds. EPA encourages applicants to leverage as much investment 
as possible, and those entities that exceed the minimum requirement may 
be preferred in the selection process (see section II.E).
    Tribes and tribal watershed groups may be exempt from this match 
requirement if they are constrained to such an extent that fulfilling 
the match requirement would impose undue hardship. EPA acknowledges the 
limited means of many tribes and the difficulty they may have in 
obtaining non-federal matching contributions.

C. Format of the Nomination

    In addition to a one-page cover letter signed by the Governor or 
Tribal Leader, the narrative portion of a single nomination should be 
no more than ten double-spaced pages long, using a 12-point font. The 
submission should be printed on one side only of an 8\1/2\'x11'' page 
and not bound. Each submission must include all of the required 
elements listed below. A nomination containing a narrative that exceeds 
10 pages will not be considered. Project budgets, maps, letters of 
support, and match certifications may be appended and will not count 
toward the 10-page limit.

D. Required Elements of the Nomination

    In general, nominees should provide a description of what efforts 
have been done thus far to carry out their watershed plan, and how the 
infusion of additional funds can result in a synergistic effect and 
results beyond the existing level of investment. In preparing 
nomination materials, nominees are to keep in mind the criteria by 
which their overall watershed plan will be judged as distinct from the 
individual projects that will be eligible for funding under the grant. 
Within these required elements, nominees should address completely and 
to the best of their ability the evaluation criteria outlined below in 
section II.E.
    1. Narrative Description. Each nomination must contain the 
following components as part of the 10-page narrative portion.
(a) Characterization of the Watershed and Watershed Planning Effort
    An assessment of the natural resource and environmental conditions, 
and an identification of problem sources and areas for treatment are 
required. These include:
    (1) A description of the watershed's biological, physical, and, if 
relevant social and/or cultural characteristics.
    (2) An identification of problems or threats facing the watershed.
    (3) A comprehensive description of the watershed plan. This should 
include: (i) Short- and long-term watershed goals, (ii) identification 
and prioritization of the projects necessary to address the problems or 
threats facing the watershed; (iii) delineation of which projects that 
are part of the plan but are not eligible for funding; and (iv) person, 
or entity, who will be responsible for implementing the watershed plan.
(b) Description of the Proposed Projects
    A description of the projects expected to be undertaken using the 
EPA grant are required. Included in this section should be:
    (1) A description of the relationship of the projects to the 
watershed plan and goals.
    (2) A detailed description of the proposed projects for EPA funding 
including: (i) A description of the

[[Page 53928]]

components and goals of the projects, (ii) a schedule for implementing 
the projects; (iii) the project's itemized estimated budget including 
any leveraging commitment; and (iv) environmental milestones for 
determining whether the goals of the watershed projects are being 
realized.
    (3) A monitoring and evaluation component including performance 
measures and quarterly progress goals, as well as a description of how 
the ultimate success of the projects and watershed plan will be 
measured. The progress and performance of the projects and watershed 
plan must be measurable by technically sound practices.
    (4) A description of how the projects complement or are consistent 
with other EPA, federal, and/or state programs or mandates.
    (5) Person, or entity, who will be responsible for coordinating the 
proposed projects.
(c) Description of Management and Stakeholder Involvement
    A description of the management, staff, supporters, and 
stakeholders for both the watershed plan and the proposed projects is 
required, including:
    (1) Identification, qualifications, and past experience of the 
plan's leader, staff, and other active public and private partners who 
currently participate or are expected to participate in implementation 
of the watershed plan, along with a description of their specific roles 
and responsibilities.
    (2) Identification, qualifications, and past experience of the 
project's leader, staff, and other active public and private partners 
who currently participate or are expected to participate in 
implementation of the proposed projects, along with a description of 
their specific roles and responsibilities.
    (3) A description of the sources and nature of any technical 
expertise needed and/or obtained to carry out the projects.
    (4) A description or listing of other stakeholders who may play an 
indirect role in the specific project or overall watershed plan.
(d) A Description of Outreach Activities
    Because the selected watersheds are intended to serve as models for 
other communities and community projects, the following are required:
    (1) A strategy for transferring the knowledge gained from this 
effort to other areas.
    (2) A description of an information and outreach component that 
will be used to enhance public understanding of the watershed and 
encourage participation in the local project or projects, and future 
activities regarding implementing the goals of the watershed plan.
    2. Other Requirements. To substantiate the information contained in 
the narrative portion of the submission, proof and/or documentation to 
verify partnerships and matching funds is required and may be submitted 
as appendices. Items that must accompany the narrative description 
include:
    (a) One-page cover letter signed by the Governor or Tribal Leader.
    (b) Budgets reflecting a detailed breakdown of cost by category for 
each project.
    (c) Signed letter(s) from active partners indicating their 
commitment to implementing the watershed plan or for specific proposed 
projects.
    (d) Signed letter(s) from entities committing to provide matching 
funds, either cash or in-kind, and the amount of equivalent value of 
the commitment toward the projects.
    (e) For inter-state or joint nominations, signed letter(s) 
expressing the support of the other participating governmental 
entities.
    (f) Maps (optional).

E. Evaluation Criteria

    Watersheds will be nominated and selected based on the submitted 
watershed plan. Watershed nominations will be scored for each of the 
following four criteria for a possible total score of 50. Watershed 
plans that are inter-jurisdictional (i.e., multi-state or state/tribe) 
will be awarded five points, and nominations that exceed the minimum 
match requirement will receive five points. Please note that the 
evaluation criteria focus on the overall watershed plan and not the 
proposed projects.
    1. Focus on Results (20 total points). Successful nominees will 
have demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the watershed ecology, 
presented a sound approach for combating threats or impairments to the 
water system, and identified a primed plan that is likely to achieve 
tangible, defensible environmental results in a relatively short time 
period. Reviewers could consider any number of components for this 
criterion, but will focus on the following:
    (a) Watershed plan feasibility and readiness to proceed (10 
points). Points will be awarded based on the overall feasibility of the 
plan from both a biological and engineering perspective. Reviewers also 
will look at the readiness of the plan and those plans that can be 
implemented quickly will receive more points. Plans will be evaluated 
on the technical merit and adequacy of each project. In sum, higher 
scores will be given to those nominees that have demonstrated a 
knowledge and understanding of priority water resource problems within 
the watershed; have substantially completed the assessment and planning 
phase of the plan; and are ready to begin.
    (b) Demonstrated ability (5 points). Plans will be scored based on 
the qualifications and management capability of the nominee. Reviewers 
will assess the past experience of project leader(s) and/or partners in 
designing, implementing, and effectively managing and coordinating 
activities. Communities or organizations that have no prior experience 
and have developed their first watershed plan will be evaluated on the 
basis of their plan and their potential to effectively manage and 
oversee all phases of the proposed plan and demonstrated working 
relationship with their partners.
    (c) Accountability (5 points). A nomination will be scored based on 
how well it is supported by a clearly articulated set of performance 
and progress measures, as well as a description of how these measures 
will be monitored. Reviewers will evaluate the plan in relation to its 
likelihood to achieve measurable, defensible environmental results in a 
relatively short time period, including attaining performance 
expectations, reaching project goals, and producing objective 
environmental results.
    2. Broad Support (10 points). Watershed plans that incorporate a 
wide variety of state and local participation will be favored. The 
score for this criterion will be based on the level to which a nominee 
can demonstrate strong and diverse stakeholder stewardship and support. 
Reviewers will look for documented effective working relationships 
among state and local authorities, along with evidence of broad-based 
community involvement.
    3. Innovation (5 points). Reviewers will be looking for progressive 
and forward-thinking plans when evaluating the nominations. Because the 
selected watersheds are expected to serve as models, watershed plans 
that undertake unique, innovative, or novel approaches to environmental 
problem-solving will be scored higher. Watershed plans that address 
regulatory challenges or provide for market-based incentives are two 
examples.
    4. Compatibility with other Federal or State Programs (5 points). 
Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the watershed plan and the 
proposed projects are linked to other existing state or federal 
programs. Points will be awarded to those watershed plans and

[[Page 53929]]

proposed projects that integrate the common goals and complement the 
ongoing efforts occurring at the federal, state, or local level.

III. Applying for a Grant

    Only the selected watersheds need to proceed through the grant 
application process. Once selected to receive a grant, the successful 
nominee will have 60 days to complete the formal grant application 
process (i.e., Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424 et 
al). The standard EPA grants application package must be filed 
according to Agency guidelines. Detailed information and assistance, 
including an application kit, required forms, and a check list, can be 
found at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/. Successful nominees may be 
asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets prior to the final 
approval of the award. The exact amount of funds to be awarded, the 
final scope of activities, the duration of the projects, and specific 
role of the EPA Regional project coordinator will be determined in pre-
award negotiations between the nominee and EPA.
    Although the selections will be announced at the national level, 
Watershed Initiative grants will be awarded and managed by the 
respective EPA Regional Offices. The designated EPA Regional Contact 
listed in section VI will be available to provide additional guidance 
in preparing the application, filling out the necessary forms, and 
answering any questions. In anticipation of this process, all 
applicants may want to explore this website for useful and pertinent 
information prior to preparing and submitting their nomination 
materials.

IV. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

A. Authority

    EPA expects to award most, if not all, of these grants under the 
authority of section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This 
section authorizes the Agency to award grants to conduct and promote 
the coordination and acceleration of activities such as demonstrations, 
training, education, experiments, investigations, surveys, studies, and 
research relating to the causes, effect, extent, prevention, reduction, 
and elimination of water pollution. While the Agency plans to rely 
primarily on section 104 for authority to award these grants, grant 
projects, if eligible, could possibly be funded under the CWA 
authorities found in section 121 (Wet Weather Watershed Pilot Projects) 
or section 320 (National Estuary Program). Regulations pertaining to 
EPA grants are in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
parts 30, 31 and 35.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Under section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act, the following 
entities are eligible to receive grants: state and tribal water 
pollution control agencies, interstate or inter-tribal agencies, other 
public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, organizations, and 
individuals. The term ``State'' is defined to include the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and 
the Northern Mariana Islands.

C. Eligible Activities

    All activities must directly support the watershed plan submitted. 
Grants awarded under section 104(b)(3) for this Initiative may only be 
used to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of 
activities such as demonstrations, training, education, experiments, 
investigations, surveys, studies, and research relating to the causes, 
effect, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water 
pollution. These activities, while not defined in the statute, advance 
the state of knowledge, gather information, or transfer information. 
For instance, ``demonstrations'' are generally projects that 
demonstrate new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches 
and the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can 
benefit from the knowledge gained. The innovative compilation of 
individual projects to create a comprehensive approach to a watershed 
clean-up or protection effort could constitute a demonstration project 
under this authority. For example, if a watershed establishes a ten-
year goal for its waters and establishes an innovative collaboration of 
projects and measurement tools to achieve and judge its success, 
replication of this approach in varying geographic locations or in a 
diversity of circumstances (i.e, rural vs. urban) could be considered a 
demonstration under section 104(b)(3). Research projects may include 
the application of established practices when they contribute to 
learning about an environmental concept or problem.
    Other activities are eligible for funding if the grants are awarded 
under section 121 (Wet Weather Pilot Projects) or section 320 (National 
Estuary Program) of the CWA. Candidates wishing to be considered for 
Watershed Initiative funding under section 121 or section 320 are urged 
to consult the Agency prior to initiating the nomination process 
because the requirements for those grants are different from those 
discussed in this notice.

D. Project Implementation and Management

    Project monitoring and reporting requirements can be found in 40 
CFR 30.50-30.54 and 40 CFR 31.40-30.45. In general, grantees are 
responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and supported 
activities of the grant to assure compliance with applicable federal 
requirements, and for ensuring that established milestones and 
performance goals are being achieved. Performance reports and financial 
reports must be submitted quarterly and are due 30 days after the 
reporting period. The final report is due 90 days after the grant has 
expired. Grant managers should consult, and work closely with, their 
regional contact person throughout the award period.
    If the project involves the collection of environmental data, 
certain quality assurance and/or quality control (QA/QC) and peer 
review requirements may be applicable. Applicants should allow 
sufficient time and resources for this process in their proposed 
projects. Environmental data are any measurements or information that 
describe environmental processes, location, or condition; ecological or 
health effects and consequences; or the performance of environmental 
technology. Environmental data also include information collected 
directly from measurements, produced from models, and obtained from 
other sources such as data bases or published literature.
    Regulations pertaining to QA/QC requirements can be found in 40 CFR 
30.54 and 31.45. Additional guidance can be found at http://www.epa.gov/quality/qa_docs.html#noeparqt or by calling the Agency's 
Office of Environmental Information at 202-564-6830.

V. Call for Nominations

    EPA invites each Governor and Tribal Leader to submit two 
nominations for Watershed Initiative grants. Please send the electronic 
version of the nomination to [email protected]. No 
confidential business information should be sent via e-mail and only 
nomination materials are to be sent to this e-mail box. If unusual or 
extraordinary circumstances prevent electronic submission of the 
nomination, please contact the appropriate Regional contact person 
listed below to discuss alternate arrangements.

[[Page 53930]]

    EPA requests that 2 paper copies of the full nomination package 
also be sent to EPA. Submissions submitted by mail should be sent to: 
Robert Wayland, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds; 
Mail Code 4501T; USEPA; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20460. Submissions delivered by courier should be sent to: Robert 
Wayland, Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds; USEPA; 
Rm. 7130; 1301 Constitution Avenue; NW, Washington, DC 20004. Mark all 
submissions: ATTN: EPA Watershed Initiative.
    Please direct all questions to the Regional contact person and not 
to the watershed initiative e-mail box. Designated Agency Contacts for 
each Region are listed in section VI below. All nominations must be 
postmarked and received electronically by EPA by the November 21, 2002 
deadline. Any nomination received after the deadline will not be 
considered. Please note that the US Government continues to experience 
security-related delays in US Postal Service deliveries, so the Agency 
encourages courier service.

VI. Agency Contacts

Region I--Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New 
Hampshire
    Contact: William Walsh-Rogalski or Lynne Hamjian, telephones 617-
918-1035 and 617-918-1601; e-mails [email protected] and 
[email protected], respectively.
Region II--New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
    Contact: Theresa Faber or Cyndy Belz, telephones 212-637-3844 and 
212-637-3832; e-mails [email protected] and [email protected], 
respectively.
Region III--Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, 
Washington, DC
    Contact: Bernie Sarnoski, telephone 315-814-5756; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region IV--Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, 
South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee
Contact: William L. Cox, telephone 404-562-9351; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region V--Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
    Contact: Paul Thomas, telephone 312-886-7742; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region VI--Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico
    Contact: Brad Lamb, telephone 214-665-6683; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region VII--Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
    Contact: Julie Elfving, telephone 913-551-7475; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region VIII--Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah
    Contact: Karen Hamilton, telephone 303-312-6236; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region IX--Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Mariana 
Islands, Guam
    Contact: Sam Ziegler, telephone 415-972-3399; e-mail 
[email protected].
Region X--Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
    Contact: Bevin Reid, telephone 206-553-1566; e-mail 
[email protected].

    Dated: August 14, 2002.
G. Tracy Mehan, III,
Assistant Administrator for Water.
[FR Doc. 02-21196 Filed 8-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P