[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15167-15170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7509]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7474-9]


Notice of Availability for FY 03 Enforcement and Compliance 
Assurance Multi-Media Assistance Agreements

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Compliance (OC), within EPA's Office of 
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), is soliciting proposals 
for a Environmental Compliance Grant program assistance for States and 
tribes in two focus areas: environmental enforcement training and 
supporting improved linkages between EPA and State/tribal systems. 
Grants will be in the range of $50,000-$200,000. The total number and 
amount of the awards will depend on the amount of funds made available.

DATES: Pre-proposals should not exceed 5 pages. (12 point font, on 8\1/
2\ by 11 inch paper.) Pre-proposals must be received electronically or 
hard copy by May 5, 2003. Funding decisions will be made by late June 
based on the pre-proposals. Applicants selected to receive funds will 
be required to submit final proposals to the appropriate EPA Region by 
September 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Copies of Pre-proposals should be sent to David Piantanida 
(2222A), U.S. EPA--Ariel Rios South Rm 6149D, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460, e-mail: [email protected], Tel: (202) 
564-8318, Fax: (202) 564-0034; and simultaneously to the appropriate 
Regional Enforcement Coordinator. This document will be posted on the 
EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Web site at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/planning/state/grants.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Piantanida at (202) 564-8318.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Eligibility and Authority

    The funds available are from OECA's Multi-Media State and Tribal 
Assistance Grants (STAG) appropriation. Eligible applicants include 
States, tribes, inter-tribal consortia, territories, local governments, 
and multi-jurisdictional organizations. Where a lead State 
environmental agency exists, applicants should work with and coordinate 
through the lead State environmental agency.

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    EPA expects to award these grants under the following grant 
authorities: Clean Water Act, section 104; Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, section 20; Clean Air Act, section 103; 
Solid Waste Disposal Act, section 8001; Safe Drinking Water Act, 
section 1442 (c); Toxic Substances Control Act, section 10; Marine 
Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, section 203; Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, section 311; 
National Environmental Policy Act, section 102(2)(F) for international 
awards; and Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act. The 
applicable grant regulations for this grant program are in 40 CFR part 
31 for State and local governments and Indian tribes.
    Authority to enter into assistance agreements for the purposes 
described in this notice are delegated to OECA in EPA Delegation 1-47, 
Assistance Agreements for Economic, Social Science, Statistical, and 
Other Research, Development, Studies, Surveys, Demonstrations, 
Investigations, Public Education Programs, Training, and Fellowships.
    Funding priorities must be allowable under 66.709 (Capacity 
Building Grants and Cooperative Agreements for States and Tribes) of 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

Desired Projects

    OECA will only consider funding projects for the two focus areas 
described below, and for projects which can be completed in 3 years or 
less. Projects will be evaluated for potential funding based on the 
extent to which they address the information below. Please note, 
applicants should not address both focus areas in their pre-proposals. 
Each focus area is separate and proposals from each category will be 
evaluated independently.

Table of Contents

1. Environmental Enforcement Training
2. Support Improved Linkages Between EPA and State/Tribal Systems:
    (A) Permit Compliance System (PCS) Modernization
    (B) Air Facility System (AFS)--Universal Interface (UI)

1. Environmental Enforcement Training

    OECA's Office of Compliance is seeking ways to improve and build 
capacity among State and tribal personnel in the area of environmental 
enforcement training. We are looking for States/tribes or organizations 
to host training workshops or sponsor State and tribal personnel 
attendance at existing training programs (e.g., inspector, case 
developer).
    Since EPA has discretionary authority to ask States and tribes to 
conduct inspections on behalf of the Agency under each Federal 
environmental statute, strengthening enforcement skills through 
training is important. To ensure that State, local and tribal 
environmental personnel conduct and perform specific responsibilities 
appropriately, OECA will consider funding pre-proposals that fall into 
the following training areas:

--Inspector training and inspector training involving cross-training 
with other specialities--including cross-media, and criminal 
investigation,
--Single and multi-media enforcement for case developers,
--Basic and multi-media inspector/compliance training; and,
--Environmental benefits of enforcement cases.

    Pre-proposal Criteria: All training pre-proposals will be evaluated 
and ranked based on the criteria outlined below. The following seven 
criteria and associated points will be used by EPA to evaluate the pre-
proposals.
    (a) (10 points) Clearly identify intended audience by identifying 
other States and tribes within an EPA region to host or participate in 
a workshop that includes training from the areas listed above.
    (b) (10 points) Explicitly state and describe the training and 
verify that the particular training can accommodate the number of 
participants specified in the pre-proposal.
    (c) (25 points) Description of course outline and content shows 
consistency with EPA Federal guidelines and is supportive of an 
authorized program (e.g., training provides information on Federal 
inspection law and policy). Course content may also provide information 
on inspection issues that arise under State and tribal laws.
    (d) (10 points) Pre-proposals that include development of new 
training must show evidence that existing course materials will be used 
(e.g., EPA's NETI-West Basic Inspector Training Course materials). 
Funding should be used to revise/adapt existing training as much as 
possible and not used to duplicate training that is readily available 
from other sources.
    (e) (10 points) All training funding pre-proposals must include 
payment of full travel and lodging costs for State and tribal training 
participants.
    (f) (15 points) Address sharing results. Describe how you will 
share training materials and products (e.g., archive training materials 
on CD-ROM; make available on Web site; distribute training materials at 
conferences).
    (g) (20 points) Identify output and outcome measures (i.e., 
identify number/type of personnel to be trained as well as describe how 
this training will improve skillfulness or job performance). Describe 
how success will be measured (e.g., use of questionnaires and surveys 
before and after training).
    Applicants are encouraged to consult and utilize EPA's Guide to 
Compliance Assistance Outcome Measurement. This document is available 
at http://es.epa.gov/oeca/perfmeas/full-oec.pdf. If you do not have 
access to the Internet, you may request a hard copy by contacting David 
Piantanida on (202) 564-8318.

2. Support Improved Linkages Between EPA and State/Tribal Systems

    It is critical that State or tribal data systems be able to report 
data to EPA that is consistent with EPA/State data standards and in 
line with new requirements of media data systems (e.g. Permit 
Compliance System) being modernized as well as consistent with current 
requirements of legacy media systems. OECA is making funds available to 
support the provision of quality data to EPA from States and/or tribes 
through improved system interfaces, data linkages, and data clean-up. 
States/tribes need to make sure their systems are compatible with EPA's 
systems and that they can accurately transmit data to EPA. The funds 
will allow the States/tribes to go out and procure the expertise they 
need in order to do that.
    This notice also solicits projects that assist States/tribes with 
reporting of consistent streamlined environmental compliance data to 
EPA including the following:
    (A) Permit Compliance System (PCS) Modernization: Grant funding 
would support State efforts to procure technical assistance and 
technical expertise for State system modifications to ensure the 
continued flow of nationally required National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) data from State systems to the PCS. This 
effort would ensure that States will be able to continue to meet 
delegation and regulatory reporting requirements to EPA. Areas of 
technical assistance may include: (1) Support for modification of 
existing State/tribal system interfaces or development of new State/
tribal system interfaces to the new modernized system format (IDEF/XML 
format, revised flat file or batch card format), (2) support to develop 
capability of State/tribal systems to incorporate new data requirements 
for new NPDES programs (i.e., biosolids, CAFO, SSO/CSO, storm

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water), and (3) data clean-up/data migration efforts.
    (B) Air Facility System (AFS) Universal Interface (UI): Grant 
funding would support State/tribal efforts to procure technical 
assistance to incorporate the AFS UI software with their current 
systems resulting in improved system interfaces, data linkages and data 
clean-up; and to support State/tribal efforts to build system 
capability to implement the air compliance monitoring strategy (CMS) 
data reporting requirements. To support the CMA, grant funding would 
assist States/tribes to streamline the capture and transmission of 
nationally required air compliance and enforcement data with special 
emphasis on reporting of the following data: (a) Stack tests and 
results; (b) compliance certification due, received, and reviewed 
dates; and (c) information on compliance certification deviations and 
certification review results.
    Pre-proposal Criteria: All support pre-proposals will be evaluated 
and ranked based on the criteria outlined below. The following three 
criteria and associated points will be used by EPA to evaluate the pre-
proposals:
    (a) (20 points) The pre-proposal must describe briefly the existing 
State/tribal data system;
    (b) (30 points) The pre-proposal must describe briefly the 
technical aspects of methods for currently exchanging nationally 
required NPDES and AFS data with EPA; and,
    (c) (50 points) Pre-proposal must clearly identify and describe the 
States/tribes development efforts to support the modernized system 
formats (i.e., revised IDEF/XML format, revised flat file or batch card 
format, or AFS UI interface software), to incorporate new data 
requirements for NPDES programs (i.e., biosolids, CAFO, SSO/CSO, storm 
water) or the CMS data reporting requirements, and support for data 
clean-up, linkage, and migration efforts.

Past Performance

    In addition to the above criteria, EPA will also be looking at past 
performance of a grantee under this grant program (e.g., timely and 
complete quarterly/semi-annual reports, results/outcomes are apparent 
during the project, final reports are timely and complete). Where there 
are two pre-proposals that have been ranked equally, the one with a 
better track record will win based on their past performance. If a 
grantee should have no record under this program, they will not be 
unfairly penalized.

Funding

    The grants/cooperative agreements should be in the range of $50,000 
to $200,000, although proposals below or above that range will be 
considered. The total number and amount of the awards will depend on 
the amount of funds made available. The U.S. EPA reserves the right to 
make no awards under this solicitation.
    State and tribal matching funds are not required. However, 
preference will be given to pre-proposals which also make a commitment 
of State or tribal resources towards the total project cost. This can 
be State or tribal personnel salary dedicated to the project, cash 
contribution to the project budget or other ``in kind'' contributions. 
The value of donated or ``in-kind'' services in the performance of a 
project should be considered in accordance with OMB Circular A-87, 
``Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments.'' 
Lastly, Federal funds cannot generally be used to provide a match or 
cost-share for other Federal projects.
    EPA can not predict that additional funds for these focus areas 
will be available in future years. Therefore, States and tribes should 
assume that these funds will be available on a one-time only basis and 
should not propose projects requiring annual funding.

Process and Schedule

    Electronic pre-proposals must be received by EPA by May 2, 2003, 
and should follow the format below. Pre-proposals should be submitted 
simultaneously to the appropriate Regional Enforcement Coordinator, and 
to David Piantanida, OECA, (see Contact Information below.) Funding 
decisions will be made by late June 2003 based on the pre-proposals. 
Applicants selected to receive funds will be required to submit final 
proposals electronically by August 29, 2003. Regions will provide 
application materials to selected applicants.
    FOIA, CBI, and Enforcement Screening: Applicants should be aware 
that pre-proposals submitted under this or any other EPA grant program 
are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This means that 
anyone can request and receive copies of all the information submitted 
in your grant proposal. If your application contains any Confidential 
Business Information (CBI), be sure to highlight it so the 
confidentiality can be protected in the event of a FOIA request.

Proposed Milestones for 2003 OECA Multi Media Assistance Agreements

    May 5--Electronic Pre-Proposals due simultaneously to the 
appropriate EPA Regional Enforcement Coordinator, and David Piantanida, 
OECA. (See Contact Information below.)
    Late June--EPA notifies all applicants via e-mail of funding 
decisions.
    July 31--Selected recipients receive final application materials 
from EPA Regional office and name and contact information of Regional 
Project Officer and Regional Grants Contact.
    September 15--Final Proposals/Work Plans due to Regional Project 
Officers and Regional Grants Contact, and David Piantanida, OECA.
    September--Grants awarded.

Format for Pre-Proposals

    Pre-proposals should not exceed 5 pages and follow the format 
below:

I. Project Information

State/Tribe and Department:
Title of Project:
Focus Area: (From Notice of Availability)
Total Funds Requested from EPA:
Total Project Cost: (Including state/tribe cash and in-kind 
contributions)
Contact Person: (Name, title, address, phone, fax, & email)
Preferred Assistance Agreement: (Grants or cooperative agreements)

II. Summary

--Summary of the problem being addressed;
--Summary of project goal(s);
--Summary of project components;
--Summary of how the project components will address the problem & 
attain the goals.

III. Summary Work Plan

--Proposed activities--List and describe activities and how they relate 
to the evaluation elements listed under Desired Projects above;
--Measures--How will the success of the project be measured? (E.g., 
training--return on investment and number trained.) Include both output 
and outcome measures.
--Sharing results--How will the results of the project be shared across 
States/tribes? (E.g., training--how will the archived materials be 
disseminated to other States/tribes?)

IV. Project Milestones

--List project milestones with estimated dates, including estimated 
duration of project.

V. Project Costs

--Include an itemized budget for all project costs--distinguish the 
funds

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requested from any State/tribe contributions (in kind or other).

Reports

    Awardees will be required to submit semi-annual and final progress 
reports to their project officer and to David Piantanida at the address 
below. A template reporting form will be provided to all funded 
grantees. Recipients will also be required to complete annual Financial 
Status Reports. All reports must be prepared in either Word or 
Wordperfect formats and delivered electronically to the appropriate 
project officer and to David Piantanida.

Contact Information

    For more information regarding this process, please contact David 
Piantanida at the address below: David Piantanida (2222A), US EPA--
Ariel Rios South Rm 6149D, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20460. [email protected]. Tel: (202) 564-8318. Fax: (202) 
564-0034.

EPA Regional Contacts

EPA Region I

Enforcement Coordinator: Ken [email protected].
Enforcement Division Director: Sam [email protected].

EPA Region II

Enforcement Coordinator: Barbara [email protected].
Enforcement Division Director: Richard [email protected].

EPA Region III

Enforcement Coordinator: Samantha Fairchild--
[email protected].

EPA Region IV

Enforcement Coordinators: Sherri [email protected]. Bruce 
[email protected].
Enforcement Division Director: William Anderson--
[email protected].

EPA Region V

Enforcement Coordinator: Tinka [email protected].

EPA Region VI

Enforcement Coordinator: Walter [email protected].
Enforcement Division Director: Samuel [email protected].

EPA Region VII

Enforcement Coordinator: Cecilia [email protected].

EPA Region VIII

Enforcement Coordinator: Eddie [email protected].
Enforcement Division Director: Carol [email protected].

EPA Region IX

Enforcement Coordinator: Jim [email protected].

EPA Region X

Enforcement Coordinator: Lauris [email protected].

    Dated: March 24, 2003.
Michael M. Stahl,
Director, Office of Compliance.
[FR Doc. 03-7509 Filed 3-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P