[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70502-70504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31236]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7599-8 ]


Notice of Request for Initial Proposals (IPs) for Projects To Be 
Funded From the Water Quality Cooperative Agreement Allocation (CFDA 
66.463--Water Quality Cooperative Agreements)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is soliciting Initial Proposals (IPs) from States, Tribes, 
local governments, universities, non-profits, and other eligible 
entities, as shown below in the section called Eligible Applicants, 
interested in applying for Federal assistance for Water Quality 
Cooperative Agreements (CFDA 66.463) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) 
section 104(b)(3). EPA Headquarters intends to award an estimated $3.5 
million to eligible applicants through assistance agreements ranging in 
size from $10,000 up to $500,000 for Water Quality Cooperative 
Agreements, which are for unique and innovative projects that address 
the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
Systems (NPDES) program with special emphasis on wet weather 
activities, i.e., storm water, combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer 
overflows, and concentrated animal feeding operations as well as 
projects that enhance the ability of the regulated community to deal 
with non-traditional pollution problems in priority watersheds. From 
the IPs received, EPA estimates that 30 to 35 projects may be selected 
to submit full applications.
    The Agency intends to make available at least $200,000 per year of 
the annual appropriation for Water Quality Cooperative Agreements, from 
FY 2004 through FY 2005, for projects which address cooling water 
intake issues to include technical and environmental studies. The 
Agency has made available $600,000 from FY 2001 through FY 2003. It is 
expected that the $200,000 available for cooling water intake projects 
in FY 2004 will be used to fund a project approved in a prior year.
    The Agency reserves the right to reject all IPs and make no awards.

DATES: EPA will consider all IPs received on or before 5 p.m. Eastern 
Time, February 17, 2004. IPs received after the due date, may be 
reviewed at EPA's discretion.

ADDRESSES: It is preferred that IPs be electronically mailed (E-mailed) 
to [email protected]. If mailed through the postal service or other 
means, three copies should be sent to: Barry Benroth, 4204M, WQCA2004 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460.
    The following address must be used for delivery of the copies by an 
overnight delivery or courier service: Barry Benroth, 4204M, WQCA2004, 
Phone 202-564-0672, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Room 7324 J, 
EPA East, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Benroth by telephone at 202-564-
0672 or by E-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose of This Request Is for Initial Proposals

    The Office of Wastewater Management, Office of Water at EPA 
Headquarters is requesting IPs from States, Tribes, local governments, 
non-profit organizations and other eligible entities under the Clean 
Water Act Section 104(b)(3) for unique and innovative projects that 
address the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination Systems (NPDES) program with special emphasis on wet 
weather activities, i.e., storm water, and concentrated animal feeding 
operations as well as projects that enhance the ability of the 
regulated community to deal with non-traditional pollution problems in 
priority watersheds.
    An organization whose IP is selected for possible Federal 
assistance must complete an EPA Application for Assistance, including 
the Federal SF-424 form (Application for Federal Assistance, see 40 CFR 
30.12 and 31.10).
    Organizations who have an existing agreement under this program are 
eligible to compete with proposals for new awards.

The Office of Wastewater Management, Office of Water, EPA Headquarters 
Has Identified the Following High Priority Areas for Consideration

    Assistance agreements awarded under Section 104(b)(3) may only be 
used to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of 
activities such as research, investigations, experiments, training, 
education, demonstrations, surveys, and studies 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. A project that is accomplished 
through the performance of routine, traditional, or established 
practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a task 
rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge, 
however worthwhile the project may be, is not a demonstration. Research 
projects may include the application of established practices when they 
contribute to learning about an environmental concept or problem.
    The Office of Wastewater Management at EPA Headquarters has 
identified several subject areas for priority consideration. EPA will 
award Assistance Agreements for research, investigations, experiments, 
training, demonstrations, surveys and studies related to the causes, 
effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water 
pollution in the subject areas shown below in bold. Example projects 
are shown for each area.

[[Page 70503]]

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

    Benefits assessment of wastewater infrastructure investments 
including funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.
    Tools, techniques, benchmarking, or training for more efficient 
wastewater and other systems performance.
    Capacity development for Tribes, Native Villages, and small 
communities to effectively operate and maintain water and wastewater 
treatment facilities.
    Innovative water efficiency programs or techniques to reduce 
infrastructure costs or municipal water use.
    Demonstration of remote techniques for assessing the performance 
and environmental impacts of on-site/decentralized wastewater systems.
    Innovative approaches or methods to reduce risk or impact of 
terrorist or other attacks to integrity and effectiveness of wastewater 
collections and treatment.

Impacts of Wet Weather Flows

    Test results achieved by peak excess flow technologies in 
collection systems at CSO outfalls and at treatment plants, and test 
performance of devices before and after blending. Testing may include 
pollutants in effluent or ambient settings.
    Measure, or develop tools to determine the effectiveness of storm 
water BMPs.
    Develop and pilot storm water discharge and ambient water 
monitoring techniques for gauging water quality improvements.
    Develop and pilot sample performance measures for use by small 
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to incorporate into storm 
water management plans.
    Outreach on low impact development (LID) and its potential uses.
    Provide tools to help permitees select options and overcome 
barriers in storm water pollution prevention plan development.

Pathogens

    Conduct studies on monitoring pathogens in wastewater and 
biosolids, including bacterial, viruses and parasites.
    Conduct studies on treatability of pathogens in wastewater.
    Characterization of impacts of PH levels on municipal 
infrastructure systems (pretreatment discharges to POTWs).

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program 
Strategies To Implement Watershed-based Efforts

    Conduct a demonstration project that provides support to facilitate 
watershed-based permitting and trading.
    Develop and pilot innovative techniques to facilitate NPDES program 
management for enhanced results, integrity and/or efficiency.

Animal Feeding Operations

    Develop and demonstrate innovative or alternative technologies for 
CAFOs to treat/process wastewater or manage manure.
    CAFO producer outreach programs to train/educate the industry on 
implementation of the CAFO rule.
    EPA may also consider other project areas for funding to the extent 
authorized by CWA section 104(b)(3) and to the extent funds are 
available for such project areas.

Statutory Authority, Applicable Regulations, and Funding Level

    Water Quality Cooperative Agreements are awarded under the 
authority of section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 
1254(b)(3)).
    The regulations governing the award and administration of Water 
Quality Cooperative Agreements are 40 CFR part 30 (for institutions of 
higher learning, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations) and 40 
CFR part 31 and 40 CFR part 35, subparts A and B (for States, Tribes, 
local governments, intertribal consortia, and interstate agencies).
    Applicants requested to submit a full application (SF-424) will be 
required to comply with Intergovernmental Review requirements (40 CFR 
part 29).
    Applicants must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number with the full application. Organizations 
may obtain the number by calling, toll free, 1-866-705-5711.
    Total funding available for award by Headquarters will depend on 
EPA's appropriation for Fiscal Year 2004; however, it is estimated that 
$3.5 million will be available for funding approved projects. The 
average size of an award is anticipated to be approximately $100,000.
    Construction projects, except for the construction required to 
carry out a demonstration project, and acquisition of land, are not 
eligible for funding under this program. New or on-going programs to 
implement environmental controls are not eligible for funding under 
this program.

Request for Initial Proposal Format and Contents

    IPs should be limited to four pages. Full application packages 
should not be submitted at this time. It is recommended that 
confidential information not be included in the IP. The following 
format should be used for all IPs:
    Name of Project:
    Point of Contact: (Individual and Organization Name, Address, Phone 
Number, Fax Number, E-mail Address)
    Is This a Continuation of a Previously Funded Project (if so, 
please provide the number and status of the current grant or 
cooperative agreement):
    Proposed Award Amount:
    Proposed Awardee Cost Share: (Cost sharing is not required)
    Description of General Budget Proposed To Support Project:
    Project Area: (based on areas of interest shown above)
    Project Description: (Should not exceed three pages of single-
spaced text)
    Expected Accomplishments or Product, With Dates, Environmental 
Results and Interim Milestones: This section should also include a 
discussion of a communication plan for distributing the project results 
to interested parties.
    Describe How the Project Meets the Evaluation Criteria Specified 
Below:

EPA IP Evaluation Criteria

    EPA will award Water Quality Cooperative Agreements on a 
competitive basis and evaluate IPs based on the following criteria 
(maximum points for each element are shown).

    [sbull] The relationship of the proposed project to the priorities 
identified in this notice. (5)
    [sbull] How well the project proposes to address a nationally 
important need, issue, or interest. (30)
    [sbull] Communication plan to transfer results of the project to 
other potentially interested parties. (25)
    [sbull] How well the project furthers the goal of the Clean Water 
Act to prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution. (20)
    [sbull] Leverage of other resources (e.g., cost share, 
participation by other organizations) as part of the proposed approach. 
(10)
    [sbull] Cost effectiveness and reasonableness of the proposal. (10)

    The IPs will be evaluated by EPA staff on the elements shown above. 
Maximum points equals 100. EPA may consider IPs even if all criteria 
are not fully met, provided the proposed projects meet the applicable 
statutory and regulatory requirements and funds

[[Page 70504]]

are available for such projects. IPs which are not in compliance with 
the notice, i.e., do not provide the required information, are 
submitted by ineligible applicants, are considered to be primarily 
construction projects, or are for the acquisition of land will not be 
considered.

IP Selection

    Final selection of IPs will be made by the Director, Office of 
Wastewater Management. Selected organizations will be notified and 
requested to submit a full application. It is expected that 
unsuccessful applicants will be notified by e-mail.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for assistance agreements under section 
104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act are State water pollution control 
agencies, Tribal governments, intertribal consortia, interstate 
agencies, and other public or non-profit private agencies, 
institutions, organizations and individuals.

Application Procedure

    Electronic transmittal of IPs is preferred to facilitate the review 
process. Hard copies are acceptable. Please send three copies of the 
IPs if it is not electronically transmitted.

Dispute Resolution Process

    Procedures at 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 31.70 apply.

Type of Assistance

    It is expected that all the awards under this program will be 
cooperative agreements. States, interstate agencies, federally 
recognized tribes, and intertribal consortia meeting the requirements 
at 40 CFR 35.504 may include the funds for Water Quality Cooperative 
Agreements in a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG) in accordance with 
the regulations governing PPGs at 40 CFR part 35, subparts A and B. For 
states and interstate agencies that choose to do so, the regulations 
provide that the work plan commitments that would have been included in 
the WQCA must be included in the PPG work plan. A description of the 
Agency's substantial involvement in cooperative agreements will be 
included in the final agreement.

Schedule of Activities

    This is the estimated schedule of activities for submission, review 
of proposals and notification of selections:
    February 17, 2004--RFIPs due to EPA.
    March 29, 2004--Initial approvals identified and sponsors of 
projects selected for funding will be requested to submit a formal 
application package. Schedule may be modified based on the level of 
response.
    A list of selected projects will be posted on the Office of 
Wastewater Management Web site http://www.epa.gov/owm/wqca/2004.htm. 
This web site may also contain additional information about this 
request. Deadline extensions, if any, will be posted on this web site 
and not in the Federal Register.

    Dated: December 11, 2003.
Jane S. Moore,
Deputy Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 03-31236 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
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