[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79083-79088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32773]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7431-6]


Notice of National Environmental Information Exchange Network 
Grant Guidelines

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for proposals.

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

SUMMARY: The goal of the National Environmental Information Exchange 
Grant Program is to advance the National Environmental Information 
Exchange Network (Network) by encouraging State and Tribal 
environmental data integration efforts. The Network was created almost 
three years ago in an effort to integrate the environmental data 
management systems of the States, Tribes, and federal government by 
using the Internet and creating standardized information exchange 
formats. Completion of this integrated network will enable fast and 
timely sharing of environmental information from across the country and 
improve our ability to more effectively distribute that information to 
the public.
    The Network supports one of the major goals of the President's 
Management Agenda for E-Government by helping create a seamless, 
citizen-centered government. The Network uses technologies and 
approaches that are found in E-commerce and provides an alternative to 
the historic approaches for exchanging data that rely upon data being 
processed directly to multiple EPA national data systems. Ultimately, 
network participants will house information on their own nodes or 
portals where it will be available upon authorized request.
    EPA and the Environmental Council of the States have developed the 
Network Implementation Plan and the Network Blueprint that further 
explain the goals and operating principles for the Network. The Network 
Implementation Plan describes in detail the activities and mechanisms 
that must be developed to operate and manage the Network; the Network 
Blueprint document describes the foundation for the Network 
Implementation Plan. Both documents can be accessed at: http://www.epa.gov/neengprg/library/.
    The President's fiscal year (FY) 2003 budget, which is now before 
Congress, includes $25 million for this grant program. Subject to 
availability of appropriations for this purpose, EPA plans to select, 
through a competitive process, grant proposals that will be awarded to 
States, the District of Columbia, Trust Territories (referred to as 
States in the remainder of this guidance), and Federally Recognized 
Indian Tribes (referred to as Tribes in the remainder of this guidance) 
for capacity building capabilities for Network participation. Tribes 
will receive funds from a designated set-aside pool of resources. A 
designated set-aside of funds will also support the Network 
Administration for States and Tribes. This notice sets forth the 
process that will be used for selecting proposals and forms necessary 
to prepare a proposal.

DATES: Proposals must be postmarked and also received electronically by 
EPA on or before February 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted by mail or courier to U.S. EPA 
Headquarters, Office of Information Collection, Attn: Lyn Burger, EPA 
West, Mail Code 2821T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20460 and electronically by e-mail: [email protected]. This 
notice for request for proposals is final. However, comments and 
questions may

[[Page 79084]]

be directed to e-mail at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lyn Burger, U.S. E.P.A., Office of 
Information Collection, Mail Code 2821T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; Phone (202) 566-1024; E-mail at 
[email protected] or one of the regional contacts listed in 
Section VII. For additional information, please visit the Grant Program 
website at http://www.epa.gov/neengprg.

    Dated: December 20, 2002.
Kimberly T. Nelson,
Assistant Administrator and Chief Information Officer, Office of 
Environmental Information.

FY2003 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant 
Program.

Section I. Overview

    This document solicits grant proposals from States and Tribes. 
Proposals will be due to EPA on or before February 18, 2003. There are 
no matching requirements for any part of the Grant Program.
    Only those States and Tribes whose proposals are selected for 
funding will need to proceed through the formal grant application 
process. After notification by EPA that the applicant's proposal has 
been selected for funding, the successful nominees will have 60 days to 
complete and submit the formal grant application. EPA may ask 
successful nominees to modify objectives, work plans or budgets prior 
to the final approval of the award. Final FY 2003 awards will be 
subject to availability of appropriations for this purpose. Subsequent 
year funding beyond FY 2003 depends on continued appropriations.
    Although the selections will be announced and awarded at the 
national level, Network grants will be managed by the respective EPA 
Regional Office. The final scope of activities to be completed and the 
duration of the projects will be determined in pre-award negotiations 
between the nominee and the respective EPA Regional Project Coordinator 
(see Section VII for a listing of EPA Regional Project Coordinators). 
The Regional Project Coordinator 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 should refer to the web site http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/.

Section II. Network Grant Components

    The Network Grant Program has four main parts which are:

1. Network One Stop
2. Network Readiness
3. Network Challenge
4. Network Administration

Section III. Guidance for Applicants

    This section describes the application process for each part of the 
Grant Program.
    Part 1--describes general requirements that apply to each part of 
the Grant Program.
    Part 2--describes the eligibility, availability and use of funds 
and the particular requirements for submitting proposals for Network 
One Stop Grants.
    Part 3--describes the eligibility, availability and use of funds 
and the particular requirements for submitting proposals for Network 
Readiness Grants.
    Part 4--describes the eligibility, availability and use of funds, 
and the particular requirements for submitting proposals for Network 
Challenge Grants.
    Part 5--describes the Network Administration Grant.
Part 1--Contents for Proposals

Federal Form

    Application for Federal Assistance (SF424), the official form 
required for all federal grants and the Budget Information (SF 424A) 
are federal forms that must be included with the submission of a 
federal grant proposal. The SF424 requests information about the 
grantee and the proposed project. A signed original of this form is 
required by EPA. The SF 424A requests budget information on the 
proposed project. An electronic copy of both forms and instructions for 
completing the forms can be obtained at http://www.epa.gov/neengprg.
    Applicants must also submit one paper copy of the work plan as well 
as the SF-424 and SF424-A by mail or courier with an electronic copy of 
the work plan by e-mail to [email protected].

    Please Note: Only applicants whose proposals are selected by EPA 
for funding will need to submit additional federal grant forms 
necessary to process their award. Please do not submit additional 
forms other than the SF 424, SF 424A and the work plan.

Work Plan

    A work plan describes your project. Clearly describe the goal(s) of 
the project in detail, what measures are to be used to evaluate the 
success of the project, and the plan for reporting results based on 
those measures.

Page Limits

    Work Plans for Network One Stop Grants should be no more than 15-20 
pages in length. Work Plans for Network Readiness Grants should be no 
more than 5-10 pages in length. Work Plans for Network Challenge Grant 
should be no more than 10-15 pages in length.
    Applicants should ensure that they adequately describe the project 
they plan to undertake within the page limitation. ``One page'' refers 
to one side of a single-spaced typed page. The pages must be letter 
sized (8\1/2\ x11 inches), with margins at least one-half inch wide and 
with normal type size (11 or 12 font).

Confidential Information

    Applicants should clearly mark information in their grant proposals 
that they consider to be confidential. EPA will make final 
confidentiality decisions in accordance with 40 CFR 2, Subpart B.

Submission of Multiple Grant Proposals

    States or Tribes submitting Network One Stop, Network Readiness 
and/or Network Challenge applications may submit applications at the 
same time.

Lead Agency

    Eligible entities (States and Tribes) should designate a single 
lead agency (e.g., an agency with responsibility for environmental 
regulation or management, natural resources, health, agriculture, etc.) 
to submit the proposal to EPA. Ideally, a proposal would describe the 
data integration efforts and coordination that has and will take place 
among various agencies of the State or Tribe. EPA strongly encourages 
State Environmental, Health, and Natural Resource Agencies to 
coordinate internally and submit proposals for funding. Ideally, one of 
these agencies would take the lead for submitting the Network proposal, 
but clearly demonstrate in the work plan that coordination has taken 
place among the internal agencies of the State.
    That single lead agency will have overall responsibility for 
developing the grant proposal, submitting the grant application, and 
managing grant funds from one grant cycle to the next. The lead agency 
may award sub-grants, contracts, and establish intra-governmental 
agreements as necessary to implement their work plan.

Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)

    If an approved QAP currently exists for data flows being proposed 
with the application, a copy of the plan should be referenced in the 
proposal. It is not

[[Page 79085]]

necessary to submit a copy of the plan with the proposal.
    Proposed projects that will collect, manage, and analyze/access 
environmental data will be subject to quality assurance and peer review 
requirements. 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.
    Applicants should allow sufficient time and resources for 
completing their QAP. Before federal funds will be released, applicants 
should work with the respective Regional Project Officer as well as the 
Regional Quality Assurance Manager to develop and implement a QAP that 
is acceptable to all parties. Additional guidance, as well as a listing 
of the Regional Quality Assurance Managers, can be found at http://www.epa.gov/quality.
    Where necessary, recipients may use the template developed for 
technology grants. A copy of this template can be found at the Network 
Grants web site www.epa.gov/neengprg. Regulations pertaining to quality 
assurance/quality control requirements can also be found in 40 CFR 
30.54 and 31.45.

Funding Vehicle Preference

    The grant proposal should indicate whether the applicant prefers 
receiving grant funds as part of an existing Performance Partnership 
Grant or as a separate grant.
Part 2--Network One Stop Grants

Eligibility and Availability of Funds

    All States and Tribes that have not previously received a One Stop 
Grant may apply for a One Stop Grant. States are eligible to receive a 
maximum of $500,000. Tribes are eligible to receive a maximum of 
$100,000 from the Tribal set-aside funds. Fiscal Year 2003 will be the 
last year for One Stop Grant Funds availability to States and Tribes as 
the EPA commitment to continue the One Stop Reporting Program through 
Fiscal Year 2003 will be met and completed.

    Note: A State or Tribe that received funding for a Network 
Readiness Grant in FY 2002 but has not previously been awarded a 
Network One Stop Grant will be eligible to apply for a Network One 
Stop Grant and a Network Readiness Grant in FY 2003. However, a 
State or Tribe may only receive funding in one category.

Use of Funds

    These grants are intended for the purpose of continuing EPA's 
commitment to offer funding under the One Stop Reporting Partnership 
Program through 2003. These grant funds are intended to support the 
broader goals of the One Stop program which are to (1) reduce the 
reporting burden on industry, States, and local governments; (2) foster 
multimedia (air, water, waste) and geographic approaches to problem 
solving; and (3) provide the public with meaningful, real-time access 
to environmental data.

Particular Requirements

    To receive a grant, each State/Tribe must submit a 15-20 page 
proposal. The proposal should address State/Tribal plans and activities 
that demonstrate the following:
    (1) Senior State/Tribal Leadership (Deputy Commissioner, 
Commissioner, Chief Information Officer, Governor, and Tribal 
equivalent) willingness to establish clear accountability for 
environmental reporting reforms and to participate with EPA and other 
participants in documenting and communicating the results of the grant.
    (2) A commitment to accomplishing burden reduction, data 
integration, and public access, as indicated by the level of investment 
in and capacity for environmental data management.
    (3) Readiness for full-scale implementation of programs to work 
toward the following established objectives, as indicated by 
accomplishments and planned activities.
    Integrating State/Tribal/EPA data management--EPA will give special 
attention to proposals that address the State or Tribe capacity and 
readiness to implement the cornerstone of integrating environmental 
data, the facility identifier. This approach is compatible with EPA's 
Facility Identification data standard, which was finalized in November 
2000. Integration of environmental data at the facility level is the 
primary thrust of the Facility Identification Template for States 
(FITS2) dated February 2000 and sponsored by ECOS and the EPA 
(www.sso.org/ecos/projects).
    Capitalizing on burden reduction opportunities--The measures that 
EPA is adopting to reduce reporting burden typically require State 
action to actually achieve the reductions. States/Tribes are not 
required to immediately and unconditionally implement these policies as 
a condition for receiving a grant; however, States/Tribes are expected 
to demonstrate a credible effort to adopt these or other measures for 
reducing reporting burden as part of their overall reforms.
    Employing an inclusive stakeholder process to design and implement 
reporting and data management reforms--EPA will not specify the form of 
the stakeholder process or specify requirements for representation. 
However, it is expected that States/Tribes will devise ways to ensure 
that local government, industry, environmental and other public 
interest groups, and the general public have an opportunity to 
participate in environmental reporting reforms.
    Enhancing electronic reporting--The efforts that will take place 
towards a long term goal of achieving universal access to electronic 
reporting for the regulated community.
    Enhancing public access to environmental performance data--Identify 
data from what sources, data about regulator performance, and data on 
environmental status and trends.
    Network Transition--Indicate the intent of adopting and adapting 
longer term efforts to participate on the Network.
    A State or Tribe grant proposal must also specify a commitment to 
produce the major deliverable of the grant which is a comprehensive 
three to five-year plan to reform environmental reporting and data 
management. In the past, the plan has been referred to as a 120-Day 
Plan, since each state awarded a grant was required to submit the plan 
120 days following their baseline visit.
    The baseline visit was an on-site visit by EPA's information 
technology experts (staff and consultants) that gave the State's 
leadership a snapshot of their agency's information opportunities and 
challenges. EPA will continue to offer this assistance to each State/
Tribe awarded a One Stop grant. EPA agrees to participate with the 
State/Tribe in developing this plan by ensuring the availability of key 
Agency staff and managers, by providing expert technical support 
including contractor assistance if required, and by giving prompt 
attention to State/Tribal requests for policy clarifications and 
decisions.
    The State/Tribe may begin implementation of its work program and 
expend funds received through this grant during the period in which 
this plan is being developed.
    The plan should include:
    a. A statement of State/Tribe goals and objectives for 
environmental reporting and data management for a three-to-five year 
period;
    b. A description of major outputs over the term of the program 
plan, projected dates for each major output, and

[[Page 79086]]

assignment of responsibility for each project output;
    c. A list of key program participants and a description of their 
roles;
    d. An approach for tracking program progress and measuring success 
during the described period in the plan.

Criteria and Selecting Proposals

    The Network One Stop grants are intended to stimulate a partnership 
with applicants who have decided to undertake a comprehensive re-
engineering of their information management process in order to reduce 
the burden of environmental reporting on the regulated community, 
integrate agency data and data management processes across program and 
organizational lines, and improve public access to environmental 
information.
    EPA will focus on: (1) The applicant's commitment to accomplishing 
the above goals as indicated by their level of investment in and 
capacity for environmental data management; (2) the applicant's 
readiness for full-scale implementation of programs to accomplish the 
above goals over the long term, specifically including standards for 
identifying and locating regulated facilities across all programs; (3) 
the applicant's commitment to produce a comprehensive three to five-
year plan to reform environmental reporting and data management which 
clearly identifies the intent to adapt longer term efforts toward 
participation on the Network; and (4) Senior Leadership commitment.
    EPA's Office of Environmental Information (OEI) will form a 
proposal review panel consisting of representatives from OEI, EPA's 
American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO), and EPA's Regional 
Offices. The panel members will separately review and then discuss each 
proposal. OEI will make final selections based on panel recommendations 
and feedback on project proposals from Regional Project Coordinators. 
EPA Headquarters will award and Regional Program Offices will manage 
these grants.
Part 3--Network Readiness Grants

Eligibility and Availability of Funds

    All States and Tribes may apply for a Network Readiness Grant. 
States are eligible to receive a maximum of $400,000 for a grant. 
Tribes are eligible to receive a maximum of $100,000 for a grant from 
the Tribal set-aside funds. States or Tribes awarded a Readiness grant 
in FY 2002 may submit a Readiness Grant proposal for FY 2003. However, 
the new work plan must clearly identify how the work will relate to and 
build upon work planned or accomplished for FY 2002. Applicants must 
clearly define how the FY 2003 Readiness project complements the FY 
2002 Readiness project and how both efforts collectively will advance 
the applicant's participation in the Network.

Use of Funds

    These grants are intended to assist States and Tribes to build upon 
their priority internal information technology investments while 
constructing initial linkages to the Network. These grants must be used 
for work that advances the quality and availability of environmental 
data, and that produces a material advancement in one or more of the 
Network's components (Trading Partner Agreements, Data Standards, Data 
Exchange Templates, technical infrastructure, etc.). Each applicant 
will provide a work plan that addresses their commitment to participate 
on the Network and the actual development of a node or portal on the 
Network.

Particular Requirements

    An applicant must produce a comprehensive three-year transition 
plan that addresses critical steps and milestones that will demonstrate 
their commitment to participate on the Network. Ideally, the State/
Tribe transition plan should align with EPA's Central Data Exchange 
(CDX) data flow priorities and would demonstrate how the Network data 
standards, which have been developed by the Environmental Data 
Standards Council (EDSC), will be implemented. While States and Tribes 
are not restricted to proposed CDX data flows, they are strongly 
encouraged to align their proposals with EPA's CDX data flow priority 
listing. Similarly, States and Tribes are not required to develop and 
implement the EDSC approved standards but are strongly encouraged to 
address current or future plans for adopting and implementing the EDSC 
approved data standards.
    For the most current information on CDX flow priorities and status, 
please refer to the CDX web site at www.epa.gov/cdx/priority. The EDSC 
has approved the following data standards: facility identification, 
chemical identification, biological taxonomy, date, latitude/longitude, 
classification of business establishments, permitting, enforcement/
compliance, tribal identifiers, and water quality monitoring. See 
http://www.epa.gov/edsc/data_standards.html for more details.
    The transition plan must precisely describe and clearly identify 
which core capacity building functions, based on the list below, the 
applicant plans to undertake and complete.
    (1) Establish an official information source and steward. The 
establishment will enhance the capacity to identify and manage an 
official, high quality data source (e.g., at least one source of data 
in a mature stage of production that is used for agency business, 
reconciled data across multiple sources using supported keys/linkages, 
and/or at least one source of data that would likely be used within the 
Network).
    (2) Develop technical infrastructure for Internet node operation 
that will enhance the technical infrastructure and capabilities needed 
to support node operation (e.g., web server hardware in production, 
management of a relational database, IT personnel available to develop, 
establish, and support State node projects).
    (3) Connection of information resources to the node which will 
extend the range of data sharing, data access, data integration and 
decision tools to partners on the Network and/or stakeholders in need 
of access to the information resources.
    (4) Node implementation which will establish the agency's single 
management point for providing its information to the Network.
    (5) Node/TPA Management which will enhance the overall management 
capacity to be a participant on the Network, to execute data exchanges, 
to establish Trading Partner Agreements, to manage and operate on the 
Network with adequate and appropriate security protocols, and/or to 
conduct strategic information and architecture planning.
    Eligible activities, which support one or more of the above listed 
functions, could be, but are not necessarily limited to:
    Management Capabilities--consultation services, technical 
architecture planning and implementation support activities that 
promote Network participation. These services include: development and 
implementation of EPA adopted data standards, trading partner 
agreements, data format design templates and schemas, strategic 
planning, technical architecture planning, and implementation support 
activities that promote Network participation.
    Technical Infrastructure Capacity--servers, processors, storage 
devices and storage media, telecommunications products and services, 
computer peripherals, and other capital expenditure items necessary to 
assist in the building of or acquiring the necessary technical 
architecture or infrastructure to be part of and a

[[Page 79087]]

participant on the Network. This includes Internet services that assist 
an organization to participate on the Network, security products and 
services necessary to safeguard data access on the Internet and 
Network.
    Systems Development--consultant services, software design, 
development, operations or evaluation services for database management; 
services for application development and operations; product purchases 
or development services; and activities that assist in providing the 
capability to format, store, transform, transmit, manipulate, reconcile 
and/or improve the quality of data that might be available to the 
Network. These services, products, and development activities can 
include functions that support the following: central data exchange 
services, database management systems, data registries, data 
integration systems and applications, data access activities, and 
applications that support the Network.
    Geospatial Development--Geographic Information System (GIS) 
consultation services, infrastructure development, geospatial data 
acquisition, locational data improvement, planning, data acquisition, 
and database development that would enhance the ability to integrate 
and use geospatial information for environmental decision-making and 
for public access. Activities can include, but are not limited to, 
functions that would improve locational coordinates for facilities in 
the Facility Registry System (FRS); documenting the improvements and 
uploading locational data and metadata through a State or EPA portal; 
and improving locational data for other point locations (i.e., in 
addition to FRS facilities), areas, or boundaries needed to carry out 
EPA, State, Tribal, and/or local environmental programs in accordance 
with EPA's latitude/longitude data standards and Federal Geographic 
Data Committee (FGDC) standards. Additional activities might include 
developing, improving or contributing to efforts for collection of high 
quality locational data and metadata for specific environmental program 
areas such as water, air, waste, toxics, pesticides and enforcement for 
use by EPA, States, Tribes, local, and other federal agencies.

Criteria and Selecting Proposals

    EPA will evaluate work plans on how they best address critical 
steps and milestones that will be taken over the next three years that 
demonstrate commitment for participation on the Network. Work plans 
should address the purpose of the project and how it will demonstrate a 
commitment to participate on the Network by one of the following 
activities: (1) Establish an official information source and steward; 
(2) Develop technical infrastructure for Internet node operation; (3) 
Connection of information resources to a node; (4) Node implementation 
for providing information to the Network; (5) Node/Trading Partner 
Agreement and management.
    OEI will form a proposal review panel consisting of representatives 
from OEI, AEIO, and EPA's Regional Offices. The panel members will 
separately review and then discuss each proposal. OEI will make final 
selections based on panel recommendations and feedback on project 
proposals from Regional Offices. EPA Headquarters will award and 
Regional Program Offices will manage these grants.
Part 4--Network Challenge Grants

Eligibility and Availability of Funds

    All States and Tribes may apply for Challenge Grants. States are 
eligible to receive a maximum of $1,000,000 for a grant. Tribes are 
eligible to receive a maximum grant of $300,000 from the Tribal set-
aside funds.

Use of Funds

    Challenge grants will support single State/Tribe or multi-State/
Tribe collaborative efforts to advance the Network's development and 
implementation and create benefits for multiple States/Tribes. Examples 
of collaborative efforts in the past include the Michigan Technology 
Assessment and e-DMR XML Pilot and Data Exchange project; the Pacific 
Northwest Water Quality Data Exchange efforts between Oregon, Alaska, 
Idaho, and Washington State; and the Multi-Tribe (Confederated Tribes 
of the Umatilla, the Yakima Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe) 
collaborative project for Air Quality Analysis in the Columbia River 
Gorge. A narrative description of these projects and other Challenge 
Grants funded in FY 2002 can be found at http://www.epa.gov/neengprg. 
Challenge Grant applicants should review this listing to ensure that 
they do not propose a similar project but build upon the efforts that 
are currently funded through the Challenge Grants.
    Another example of a collaborative effort could be a multi-State 
and/or multi-Tribe group that has demonstrated success in data 
integration. This group would offer to provide active, structured 
technical assistance to other States and/or Tribes that are beginning 
their efforts for data integration. The multi-State and/or multi-Tribe 
group would help the less advanced States and/or Tribes to develop, 
implement and maintain their information technology/information 
management program and capabilities, which would then place them in a 
position to become an active participant in the Network.

Particular Requirements

    An applicant must produce a comprehensive proposal that addresses 
the following:
    (1) Critical steps and milestones for the project that will be 
undertaken and demonstrate commitment to actual development of the 
project. The project may be media-specific or multi-media in nature.
    (2) Explanation of why the proposed project would benefit the 
Network and data integration. Explain the potential for other States/
Tribes to collaborate and learn from the success of the project and the 
broad applicability for participation in the Network.
    (3) Clear definition of project goals and measures. Clearly 
describe the goal(s) of the project, describe in detail the measures 
used to evaluate the success of the project, and the plan for reporting 
results based on the measures. The goal(s) should be stated in terms of 
the State/Tribe efforts, and the measures should emphasize results and 
outcomes to be achieved, not just activities or outputs produced.
    (4) Clear and detailed description of the strategy. Clearly 
describe the strategy and how it will address the project identified. 
The strategy should demonstrate innovative and creative solutions to 
Network exchanges and should specify the tools or actions to be used, 
the schedule for implementing the project, the agencies/entities 
involved in implementing the strategies and their respective roles, and 
other resources leveraged to address the problem.

Criteria and Selecting Proposals

    EPA will evaluate proposals on their feasibility, and on their 
potential to make a contribution to nationwide Network capacity. The 
proposals should clearly address how the project would (1) advance the 
functionality of the Network through the immediate flow of higher 
quality environmental data; (2) create a model that would be easily 
implemented, have broad applicability, and would be readily 
transferable to a wide group of Network participants; (3) achieve a 
reduction in reporting and accessing burden; (4) provide increased 
public access to environmental data; and (5) involve collaboration 
throughout the project.
    OEI will form a proposal review panel consisting of representatives 
from OEI, AIEO, EPA's Regional Offices and

[[Page 79088]]

technology experts (federal staff and/or consultants). EPA will make 
final selections based on panel recommendations and feedback on project 
proposals. EPA Headquarters will award and Regional Program Offices 
will manage these grants.
Part 5--Network Administration Grants
    Network Administration Funds will be set aside in the amount of 
$1.5 million.

Section IV. Awarding of Grants

    States and Tribes that are selected to receive both a Network One 
Stop or Network Readiness Grant and a Network Challenge grant may 
receive the combined grant funds in a single award. However, if a State 
or Tribe elects to receive the combined grant funds in a single award, 
it will have to wait until the Network Challenge grant selections are 
made to be awarded funds. EPA will award funds to those States and 
Tribes that only apply for the Network One Stop or Network Readiness 
Grants after final selections are made.
    Funds that States or Tribes do not apply for, or ultimately qualify 
for, under the Network One Stop Grant or the Network Challenge Grant, 
will be made available through the Network Readiness Grants. EPA 
reserves the right to reject any application or proposal. For questions 
concerning grant award decisions please refer to the contact 
information in Section VII.

Section V. Post Award Requirements

    Grant recipients must submit a copy of the semiannual program 
report to the regional grant manager and the headquarters contact. At a 
minimum, program reports will include:

--An update on the schedule and status of the implementation of the 
project, including any implementation problems encountered and 
suggestions to overcome them;
--An explanation of expenditures to date, and unless the grant is 
included in the PPG (40 CFR Part 35.530(b) and 40 CFR Part 35.130(b)), 
expenditures linked to project results; and
--An assessment of progress in meeting project goals, including output 
and outcome measures when available.

Section VI. Authority & Applicable Regulations

--Subject to Availability: FY 2003 VA-HUD and Independent Agencies 
Appropriations Bill
--Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 66.608
--Delegation of Authority: 1-47
--40 CFR Part 31 and 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart A and Subpart B apply to 
this grant program.

Section VII. Points of Contact

    Headquarters Contact--Lyn Burger, Office of Environmental 
Information, Washington, D.C. 20460, Phone, 202-566-1024, FAX, 202-566-
1624, E-mail, [email protected].
Regional Contacts
EPA Region I
    Mike MacDougall, US EPA Region I, 1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 
(RSP), Boston, MA 02114, (617) 918-1941, [email protected].
EPA Region II
    Robert Simpson, US EPA Region II, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007-
1866, (212) 637-3335, [email protected].
EPA Region III
    Joseph Kunz, US EPA Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 
19103, (215) 814-2116, (215) 814-5251 Fax, [email protected].
EPA Region IV
    Richard Nawyn, US EPA Region IV, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, GA 
30303, (404) 562-8320, [email protected].
EPA Region V
    Noel Kohl, US EPA Region V, Resource Management Division, 77 W. 
Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 886-6224, 
[email protected].
EPA Region VI
    Dorian Reines, US EPA Region VI, 1445 Ross Ave., US EPA Region X, 
1200 6th Avenue (EMI-095), Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 553-1761, 
[email protected].
Web Site information--http://www.epa.gov/neengprg.

[FR Doc. 02-32773 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P