[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38325-38327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16332]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2003-0141; FRL-7304-5]


Region III Strategic Agricultural Initiative Grants; Notice of 
Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is soliciting proposals to help implement the Food Quality 
Protection Act (FQPA) and to support ``transition'' to using less and 
lower risk pesticides in food production. The program supports 
innovative efforts that enable growers to decrease reliance on 
agricultural pesticides while maintaining economical outcomes, by 
developing, demonstrating and/or applying reduced risk alternatives and 
ecologically based integrated approaches to pest management. This grant 
program encourages ``systems'' approaches that integrate pest, soil, 
and crop management practices. Although the focus is on reducing 
dependency on pesticides and developing alternatives to pesticides 
targeted under FQPA, a broader approach to problem solving is 
encouraged in the development of project proposals under FQPA and 
section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA) as amended.

DATES: Proposals must be postmarked/received by 5 p.m. eastern standard 
time, July 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be submitted electronically, by mail, or 
through hand delivery/courier to John Butler at the address/e-mail 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Butler, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Region III, Mail code 3WC32, Waste & Chemicals Management 
Division, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029; telephone 
number: (215) 814-2127; fax number: (215) 814-3113; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, 
however, be of interest to eligible applicants who primarily operate 
out of and will conduct the project in one of the following Region III 
States: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia 
or the District of Columbia. Since other entities may also be 
interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific 
entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under docket identification (ID) number OPP-2003-0141. The 
official public docket consists of the documents specifically 
referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other 
information related to this action. Although a part of the official 
docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials 
that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and 
Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 
1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. Additional information is 
available on EPA's PESP website at http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/PESP/regional_grants.htm.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' 
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
    3. By mail or in person. Contact the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. Purpose of this Request

    EPA's, Waste & Chemicals Management Division, Pesticides/Asbestos 
Programs & Enforcement Branch, Region III, is requesting proposals 
which will help implement requirements of FQPA, and to support the 
transition to using less and lower risk pesticides in food production. 
The program supports innovative efforts that enable growers to decrease 
reliance on agricultural pesticides while maintaining economical 
outcomes, by developing, demonstration and/or applying reduced risk 
alternatives and ecologically based integrated approaches to pest 
management. This program is included in the catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under number 66.716.

III. High Priority Areas for Consideration

    EPA will award Food Quality Protection Act Strategic Agricultural 
Initiative grants under the authority of section 20 of FIFRA as amended 
by FQPA, for projects involving research, development, monitoring, 
public education, training, demonstrations and studies that enable 
growers to decrease reliance on agricultural pesticides while 
maintaining economical outcomes, by developing, demonstration and/or 
applying reduced risk alternatives and ecologically based integrated 
approaches to pest management. These proposals should incorporate the 
following techniques:
    1. Utilize demonstration projects, outreach and/or education to 
increase the adoption of integrated or sustainable agricultural 
production practices which provide alternatives to pesticides impacted 
negatively by FQPA decisions.
    2. Work collaboratively with producers, commodity groups, and other 
stakeholders by making the best use of expert field consultants, USDA 
research, EPA's safer substitutes, and university technical support on 
alternatives and integrated pest management practices.
    3. Actively engage scientists, farmers, industry, and local, State 
and Federal

[[Page 38326]]

 partners in the specifics of implementing FQPA.
    4. Demonstrate region-specific pest management technologies and 
integrated crop management systems to replace pesticide uses which may 
be canceled under FQPA.
    5. Use ``farmer to farmer'' training and communication methods, 
community participation, and/or other forms of public-private 
cooperation.

IV. Grant Specifics

    1. Amount of funding available. A total of approximately $100,000 
in Federal funds is available to award for projects in Region III. The 
number of awards will depend on individual proposal cost; the final 
aggregate amount of Federal funding for all proposals; and the total 
amount of Federal funding available. Should additional funding become 
available for award, the Agency may award additional grants based on 
this solicitation and in accordance with the final selection process, 
without further notice of competition.
    2. Funding type. The funding for selected award projects is in the 
form of a grant awarded under FIFRA.
    3. Right to reject all initial proposals. The Agency reserves the 
right to reject all proposals and make no awards.
    4. Matching/cost share requirements. There are no cost share 
requirements for these projects. However, matching funds are 
encouraged.
    5. Project period time frame. The project period time frame should 
not exceed 2 years.
    6. Eligible applicants. Grant funds are available to non-profit 
groups, including commodity groups/associations and farmers' groups, 
State agencies, Tribal governments, cooperative extension, 
universities, and institutes of higher learning. Ineligible groups are 
encouraged to work with an eligible organization to submit proposals. 
Implementation of all projects must occur within one of the States of 
EPA Region III (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West 
Virginia) or the District of Columbia. EPA will consider only one 
proposal by an applicant.
    7. Proposal submittal. All proposals should be mailed or hand 
delivered to: John Butler, Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 
Waste & Chemicals Management Division, Mail code (3WC32), 1650 Arch 
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029.
    8. Due dates. EPA will consider all proposals which are postmarked 
by the U.S. Postal Service, hand delivered, or electronically delivered 
to the Agency, or include official delivery service documentation 
indicating EPA acceptance from a delivery service, on or before the 
deadline published in the request for initial proposals. This due date 
is on or before 5 p.m. eastern standard time, July 31, 2003. Proposals 
received after the due date will not be considered for funding.
    9. Statutory and regulatory authorities. Strategic Agricultural 
Initiative Grants will be awarded under the authority of section 20 of 
FIFRA, as amended, for research, public education, training, 
monitoring, demonstration and studies. The regulations governing the 
award and administration of these grants can be found at 40 CFR part 30 
for institutions of higher education, colleges and universities, and 
non-profit organizations; and 40 CFR part 31 for States and local 
governments.
    10. Allowable costs. EPA grant funds may only be used for the 
purposes set forth in the grant agreement, and must be consistent with 
the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds may not be used for 
matching funds for other Federal grants, lobbying, or intervention in 
Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, Federal 
funds may not be used to sue the Federal government or any other 
government entity. All costs identified in the budget must conform to 
applicable Federal Cost Principles contained in OMB Circular A-87; A-
122; and A-21, as appropriate.
    11. Federal requirements. An applicant whose proposal is selected 
for Federal funding must complete additional forms prior to award (see 
40 CFR 30.12 and 31.10). In addition, successful applicants will be 
required to certify that they have not been debarred or suspended from 
participation in Federal assistance awards in accordance with 40 CFR 
part 32.
    12. Intergovernmental review. Applicants must comply with the 
Intergovernmental Review Process and/or consultation provisions of 
Executive Order 12372 or section 204 of the Demonstration Cities and 
Metropolitan Development Act, if applicable, which are contained in 40 
CFR part 29. Further information regarding this requirement will be 
provided if your proposal is selected for funding.
    13. Pre-application assistance. None planned.

V. Proposal Format and Contents

    Proposals must be typewritten, double spaced in 12 point or larger 
print using 8.5 x 11 inch paper with minimum 1 inch horizontal and 
vertical margins. Pages must be numbered in order starting with the 
cover page and continuing through the appendices. One original and one 
electronic copy (e-mail or disk) is required. All proposals must 
include:
    1. Completed Standard Form SF 424*, Application for Federal 
Assistance. Please include organization fax number and e-mail address.
    2. Completed Section B--Budget Categories, on page 1 of Standard 
Form SF 424A*, (See Unit IV.10.--Allowable Cost). Blank forms may be 
located at http://www.epa.gov/region03/grants/appforms.htm.
    3. Detailed itemization of the amounts budgeted by individual 
Object Class Categories (See Unit IV.10.--Allowable Cost).
    4. Statement regarding whether this proposal is a continuation of a 
previously funded project. If so, please provide the assistance number 
and status of the current grant/cooperative agreement.
    5. Executive Summary. The Executive Summary shall be a stand alone 
document, not to exceed one page, containing the specifics of what is 
proposed and what you expect to accomplish regarding measuring or 
movement toward achieving project goals. This summary should identify 
the measurable environmental results you expect including potential 
human health and ecological benefits.
    6. Table of contents. A one page table listing the different parts 
of your proposal and the page number on which each part begins.
    7. Proposal narrative. Includes Parts I-VI (Parts I through VI 
listed below are not to exceed 10 pages).
    [sbull] Part I--Project title. Self explanatory.
    [sbull] Part II--Objectives. A numbered list (1, 2, etc.) of 
concisely written project objectives, in most cases, each objective can 
be stated in a single sentence.
    [sbull] Part III--Justification. For each objective listed in Part 
II, discuss the potential outcome in terms of environmental, human 
health, pesticide risk and/or use reduction or pollution prevention. If 
appropriate, the target pest(s) and crop(s) should be explicitly 
stated. This section should be numbered with a justification 
corresponding to each objective.
    [sbull] Part IV--Literature review. Briefly, describe relevant 
information currently available. This should also include information 
on projects currently in progress that are relevant to or provide the 
basis for either the experimental design or the validation of a new 
approach to pest management.
    [sbull] Part V--Approach and methods. Describe in detail how the 
program will be carried out. Describe how the system

[[Page 38327]]

or approach will support the program goals.
    [sbull] Part VI--Impact assessment. Please state how you will 
evaluate the success of the program in terms of measurable 
environmental results. How and with what measures will humans or 
ecosystems be better protected as a result of the program.
    8. Proposal appendices. These appendices must be included in the 
grant proposal. Additional appendices are not permitted.
    [sbull] Literature cited. List cited key literature references 
alphabetically by author.
    [sbull] Timetable. A timetable that includes what will be 
accomplished under each of the objectives during the project and when 
completion of each objective is anticipated.
    [sbull] Major participants. This appendix should list all farmers, 
farm organizations, researchers, educators, and conservationists and 
others having a major role in the proposal. Provide name, 
organizational affiliation or occupation (such as farmer) and a 
description of the role each will play in the project. A brief resume 
(not to exceed two pages) should be submitted for each major researcher 
or other educator.
    9. Electronic copy. The electronic copy should be e-mailed to 
[email protected] or submitted on a 3.5 disk, IBM compatible, 
readable in Word Perfect WP6/7/8 for Windows. The electronic copy 
should be consolidated into a single file. Original copy and disk 
should be sent to: John Butler, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 
III, Waste & Chemicals Management Division, 1650 Arch Street, Mail Code 
(3WC32), Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029. Disks will be checked for 
computer viruses. Proposals that are submitted with viruses will be 
disqualified. To be considered, both the paper and electronic copy must 
be received by the due date.

VI. Preliminary Eligibility Screening Requirements

    To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet all of the 
following criteria. Failure to meet the following criteria will result 
in the automatic disqualification of the proposal for funding 
consideration:
    1. Be a applicant who is eligible to receive funding under this 
announcement.
    2. The proposal must address one of more of the High Priority Areas 
for Consideration.
    3. The proposal must meet all format and content requirements 
contained in this notice.
    4. The proposal must comply with the directions for submittal 
contained in this notice.

VII. Proposed Evaluation Criteria

    All proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria and 
weights (Total: 100 points) :
    1. Qualification and experience of the applicant relative to the 
proposed project activity. (Weighting: 30 points)
    2. Project proposal is consistent with the goals of the FQPA 
Strategic Agricultural Initiative. (Weighting: 30 points)
    3. Provisions for a quantitative or qualitative evaluation of the 
project success at achieving stated goals. (Weighting: 20 points)
    4. Likelihood that the project can be replicated in other areas by 
other organizations to their benefit. (Weighting: 20 points)

VIII. Processes

A. Evaluation Process

    Applicants will be screened to ensure that they meet all 
eligibility criteria and will be disqualified if they do not meet the 
criteria. All proposals will be reviewed, evaluated, and ranked by a 
selected panel of EPA reviewers based on the evaluation criteria listed 
in Unit VII.

B. Selection Process

    The funding decision will be made from the group of top rated 
proposals based on the following additional factors:
    [sbull] Region III's environmental priorities which include 
preventing pollution from one media to another and to strive towards 
the reduction or elimination of environmental contamination.
    [sbull] The extent of anticipated environmental impact of the 
project in Region III.
    1. Selection official. The final selection of initial proposals 
will be made by the Region III, Director, Waste & Chemicals Management 
Division.
    2. Notification. The Region III EPA Office will mail 
acknowledgments to applicants upon receipt of the proposal. Once 
proposals have been reviewed, evaluated, and ranked, applicants will be 
notified regarding the outcome of the competition. A listing of the 
successful proposals will be posted on the Region III website address 
at the conclusion of the competition. This website may also contain 
additional information about this announcement including information 
concerning deadline extensions or other modifications.

C. Dispute Resolution Process

    The procedures for dispute resolution at 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 
31.70 apply.

IX. Confidential Business Information

    Applicants should clearly mark information contained in their 
proposal which they consider confidential business information. EPA 
reserves the right to make final confidentially decisions in accordance 
with Agency regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B. If no such claim 
accompanies the proposal when it is received by EPA, it may be made 
available to the public by EPA without further notice to the applicant.

X. Congressional Review Act

    Under the Agency's current interpretation of the definition of a 
``rule,'' grant solicitations such as this which are competitively 
awarded on the basis of selection criteria, are considered rules for 
the purpose of the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA, 5 U.S.C. 
801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), generally provides that before a rule 
may take effect, the agency promulgating the rules must submit a rule 
report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the 
Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will 
submit a report containing this rule and other required information to 
the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller 
General of the United States prior to publication of the rule in the 
Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: June 6, 2003.
Thomas C. Voltaggio,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 03-16332 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S