[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 136 (Friday, July 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42723-42727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16212]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-2004-0171; FRL-7361-8]
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) Regional
Grants; Notice of Funds Availability
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice
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SUMMARY: EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), in coordination with
the EPA Regional Offices, is soliciting proposals for the Pesticide
Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) from eligible applicants who
include the 50 States, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands,
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United
States, any agency or instrumentality of a State including State
universities, and
[[Page 42724]]
all federally recognized Native American Tribes. Under this program,
cooperative agreement awards will provide financial assistance to
eligible applicants to carry out projects that reduce the risks
associated with pesticide use in agricultural and non-agricultural
settings. The total amount of funding available for award in fiscal
year 2004 is expected to be approximately $500,000 with a maximum
funding level of $40,000 per project.
DATES: Applications must be received by your EPA Regional Office on or
before August 30, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Proposals must be mailed to your EPA Regional Office. Please
follow the detailed instructions provided in Unit IV.H. of
theSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Your EPA Regional PESP Coordinator
listed in Unit IV.H. of the Supplementary Information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Overview Information
The following listing provides certain key information concerning
the proposal opportunity.
Federal agency name: Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
Funding opportunity title: Pesticide Environmental
Stewardship Program (PESP) Regional Grants; Notice of Funds
Availability.
Announcement type: The initial announcement of a funding
opportunity.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number(s):
66.714.
Dates: Applications must be received by EPA on or before
August 30, 2004.
II. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
This action is directed to the public in general but will be of
particular interest to eligible applicants which include the 50 States,
District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
any territory or possession of the United States, any agency or
instrumentality of a State including State universities, and all
federally recognized Native American Tribes. If you have any questions
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity,
consult your EPA Regional PESP Coordinator listed under Unit IV.H.
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-2004-0171. 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 athttp://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. Additional information is
available on EPA's PESP Website athttp://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 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.
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through
the docket facility identified in Unit II.B.1. Once in the system,
select ``search,'' then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
3. By mail or in person. Contact your EPA Regional PESP Coordinator
listed under Unit IV.H.
III. Introduction
The goal of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP)
is to reduce the risks associated with pesticide use in agricultural
and non-agricultural settings in the United States. Each year since
1996, EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, in coordination with the EPA
Regional Offices, has published similar solicitations, awarding
approximately $500,000 annually to eligible State and Tribal entities
for projects supporting pesticide risk reduction. This Federal Register
notice provides qualification and application requirements to parties
who may be interested in submitting proposals for fiscal year 2004
monies. The total amount available for award during this funding cycle
is expected to be approximately $500,000. Maximum award amount per
proposal is set at $40,000. Indirect cost rates will not increase the
$40,000 maximum funding amount.
A list of projects funded since fiscal year 1998 and their
proposals may be obtained athttp://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/PESP/regional_grants.htm or from your Regional PESP Coordinator.
IV. Purpose and Objectives
A. Purpose and Scope
Cooperative agreements awarded under this program are intended to
provide financial assistance to eligible States and Tribal governments
for projects that address pesticide pollution prevention, integrated
pest management (IPM), IPM in schools, children's health issues related
to pesticides, and those research methods for documenting IPM adoption
or the reduction of risks associated with changes in pesticide use.
Other projects will be considered as they complement these goals
through public education, training, monitoring, demonstrations, and
other activities. Emphasis will be placed on those projects with
defined outcomes that can quantitatively document project impacts.
Although the proposal may request funding for activities that will
further long-term objectives, this program provides one time funding,
and the maximum period of performance for funded activities is expected
to be not more than 24 months.
This program is included in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance at http://www.cfda.gov/public/whole.pdf under number 66.714.
B. Goals and Objectives
EPA intends that recipients will use funding provided under this
Regional Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program Grants program to
help address specific pesticide risk reduction concerns. The Agency
will consider funding a broad range of projects that reduce pesticide
risk to human health and the environment. For a partial listing of
eligible types of projects, see Unit IV.E.
C. Eligibility
1. Applicants. The 50 States, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin
Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of
the United States, any agency or instrumentality of a State including
State universities, and
[[Page 42725]]
all federally recognized Native American Tribes that are eligible to
receive federal funding may submit a project proposal. Local
governments, private universities, private nonprofit entities, private
businesses, and individuals are not eligible. The organizations
excluded from applying directly are encouraged to work with eligible
applicants in developing proposals that include them as participants in
the projects.
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 consideration for
funding:
The applicant must be eligible to receive funding under
this announcement.
The proposal must meet all format and content requirements
contained in this notice.
The proposal must comply with the directions for submittal
contained in this notice.
2. Qualifications. Qualified applicants are limited to the 50
States, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, any
agency or instrumentality of a State including State universities, and
all federally recognized Native American Tribes as defined in Unit
II.A. Additional application requirements are listed under Unit IV.G.
D. Authority
EPA expects to award grants and cooperative agreements under the
authority provided in FIFRA section 20 which authorizes the Agency to
issue grants or cooperative agreements for research, public education,
training, monitoring, demonstration and studies.
The award and administration of these grants will be governed by
the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative
Agreements to States, Tribes, and local governments set forth at 40 CFR
part 31. Grants awarded pursuant to this solicitation are program
grants subject to the regulations for ``Environmental Program Grants''
set forth at 40 CFR part 35, subpart B. In addition, the provision in
40 CFR part 32, governing government-wide debarment and suspension, and
the provisions in 40 CFR part 40 regarding restrictions on lobbying,
apply.
All costs incurred under this program must be allowable under the
applicable OMB Cost Circular A-87. Copies of this circular can be found
athttp://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/. In accordance with the EPA
policy and the OMB circular, any recipient of funding must agree not to
use assistance funds for fund-raising, or political activities such as
lobbying members of Congress or lobbying for other federal grants,
cooperative agreements, or contracts. See 40 CFR part 40.
E. Activities that May be Funded
EPA specifically seeks to build IPM capacities or to evaluate the
economic feasibility of new IPM approaches at the local level (i.e.,
innovative approaches and methodologies that use application or other
strategies to reduce the risks associated with pesticide use).
Following are three examples of possible projects.
Researching the effectiveness of multimedia communication
activities for, including but not limited to promoting local IPM
activities, providing technical assistance to pesticide users,
collecting and analyzing data to target outreach and technical
assistance opportunities, developing measures to determine and document
progress in pollution prevention, and identifying regulatory and non-
regulatory barriers or incentives to pollution prevention.
Investigating methods for establishing IPM as an
environmental management priority, establishing prevention goals,
developing strategies to meet those goals, and integrating the ethic
within both governmental and non-governmental institutions of the State
or region.
Initiating projects that test and support innovative
techniques for reducing pesticide risk including reduced use and
improved application techniques to reduce worker and environmental
exposure.
F. Award and Distribution of Funds
1. Available funds. Funding for each award recipient will be in the
form of a cooperative agreement for $40,000 or less, under FIFRA
section 20. The total available for award is expected to be
approximately $500,000.
Should additional funding become available for award, the Agency
may make additional monies available, based on this solicitation and in
accordance with the final selection process, without further notice of
competition. The Agency also reserves the right to decrease available
funding for this program, or to make no awards based on this
solicitation. All costs charged to these awards must be allowable under
the applicable OMB Cost Circular, A-87 which may be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/.
2. Evaluation process and criteria. Proposals will be reviewed and
approved for validity and completeness by EPA Regional Office
personnel. If the Region determines that an application is incomplete,
the proposal will not be considered further. Each Region will convene a
panel consisting of regional staff to evaluate all complete proposal
packages. The highest ranked proposal in each Region will be funded.
Proposals ranked second highest in each Region will be placed into
a national pool. A panel, composed of three Regional Offices and one
Office of Pesticide Programs personnel will re-evaluate these
proposals. Funding decisions for these proposals will be based on their
ranking and available funds. Final selections will be made by close of
business 21 days after the closing date for receipt of proposals.
Applicants must submit information, as specified in this
solicitation, to address award criteria. Applicants must also provide
information specified in this solicitation that will assist EPA in
assessing their capacity to do the work outlined in the project
proposal. The proposed work plan and budget should reflect activities
that can realistically be completed during the period of performance of
the cooperative agreement. Criteria that will be used to review, rank,
and award funding are found below.
a. General background information request. EPA Regional Offices are
responsible for the receipt, screening, and selection of proposals. A
generic proposal format will be available on EPA's PESP Website on or
before July 23, 2004, athttp://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/PESP/regional_grants.htm.
b. Selection criteria. All proposal reviews will be based on the
following evaluation criteria and weights. (Total: 100 points)
Consistency with goals of PESP. Is the project consistent
with the risk reduction goals of PESP, pesticide pollution prevention
or IPM, or children's health issues related to pesticides? Does the
project implement reduced risk control techniques? Or, does the project
develop strategies that will lead to implementation of such projects,
or research methods for documenting the trends toward the adoption of
IPM or the reduction of risk associated with pesticide use? (Weight: 10
points)
Relevance. Does the project identify a critical issue in
the Region or nation? Does the project address a significant local or
widespread environmental concern? Does the project clearly target and
define the environmental problem? For EPA Region 4 only, preference
will be given to proposals that directly, measurably, and cooperatively
provide service and
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direct impact to a Tribe within the Region. (Weight: 15 points)
Project design. Does the project specify realistic goals
and objectives that deal with the identified environmental problem?
Does the project demonstrate potential for long-term benefits? Can the
project be accomplished within the designated24-month time frame? Does
the project apply holistic problem-solving, particularly biological
systems, and address multiple components of the system in focus? For
example, if an agricultural project, does it consider soil, water, air,
plant, animal and human resources? If non-agricultural, does it
consider sanitation, exclusion, multiple vectors, etc.? Does the
project build upon or consider lessons learned from existing efforts,
or leverage other significant activities? (Weight: 20 points)
Qualifications. Does the applicant demonstrate experience
in the field of the proposed activity? Does the applicant have the
properly trained staff, facilities or infrastructure in place to
conduct the project? (Weight: 5 points)
Measurement. Is the project designed in such a way that it
is maximized to measure and document the results quantitatively and
qualitatively? Are the measures relevant to EPA's goals and objectives?
Does the applicant identify the method that will be used to measure and
document the project's results quantitatively and qualitatively? Will
the project assess or suggest a new means of measuring progress in
reducing pesticide risks and result in information that will be
valuable to other efforts? (Weight: 20 points)
Outreach and extension. Does the project include
participation of partner organizations? Does the project include the
involvement of local stakeholders, farmer-to-farmer education or
farmer-to-scientist interaction to achieve technology transfer?
(Weight: 15 points)
Transferability. Is the project likely to be replicated in
other areas by other organizations to benefit other communities, or is
the product likely to have broad utility to a widespread audience? Does
the project address the sociological or economic forces that support
adoption, or those impediments that limit adoption, of environmentally
sensitive system? (Weight: 15 points)
3. Dispute resolution process. The procedures for dispute
resolution at 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 31.70 apply.
G. Application Requirements
Content requirements. 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) are required.
The electronic copy must be submitted on a 3.5'' disk or CD in
Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect for Windows. The electronic copy
must be consolidated into a single file. Please check your electronic
submission to ensure that it does not contain any computer viruses. To
be considered, both the paper and electronic copy must arrive by the
due date. In order to be considered for funding, proposals must be
submitted to the EPA Regional PESP Coordinator indicated in Unit IV.H.
of this solicitation.
A generic proposal format is available from the EPA Internet
athttp://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/PESP/regional_grants.htm. Your
application package must include the following information:
Cover Page (page 1). The cover page should list the following
information: EPA docket ID number OPP-2004-0171; project title; project
coordinator; organization; address; telephone number; fax number; e-
mail address; and project duration. A budget table should also be
included that lists first year funding, second year funding, and total
funding being requested and any matching funds that will be provided.
Executive Summary (page 2). The Executive Summary shall be a stand-
alone document, not to exceed one page. It should quickly explain the
high points of the proposed project and why it is important. It should
also explain 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.
Table of Contents (page 3). List the different sections of your
proposal and the page number on which each section begins.
Proposal narrative (page 4 up to page 14). Includes sections I-VI
as identified below. The narrative should not exceed 10 pages.
Part I--Project title. Descriptive project title.
Part II--Project description and objectives. What is this project?
Please clearly state its objectives and goals. (In most cases, each
objective can be stated in a single sentence, perhaps followed by a
brief discussion of timing, methods, expected outcomes, including
impacts on human and environmental health, pesticide risk reduction,
etc.). Does the project have a definite end point or might it give rise
to future activities? If the latter, what future endeavors might it
generate? What will you consider to be indicators/measures of success?
How will this project benefit your State or Tribe?
Part III--Justification. For each objective listed in Part II
above, 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.
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.
Part V--Approach and methods. Describe in detail how you will go
about implementing the project and how your planned approach will
support project success. Identify any personnel and/or contractors that
you expect to involve in this project. Describe their roles and
qualifications, including relevant training or experience.
Part VI--Impact assessment. How will you evaluate the success of
the project in terms of measurable environmental results? How and with
what measures will human health and the environment be better protected
as a result of this project?
Part VII--Proposal appendices. Continue page numbering. These
appendices must be included in the grant proposal. The appendices may
be single spaced. Additional appendices are not permitted.
Appendix A--Literature cited. List cited key literature references
alphabetically by author.
Appendix B--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.
Appendix C--Major participants. List all farmers/ranchers, farm/
ranch organizations, researchers, educators, 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.
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Appendix D--Project budget. Provide a budget matrix that outlines
costs for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies,
contractual, indirect cost rate, and any other costs associated with
the proposed project. Identify how the requested funds are to be used
and also identify how other funding will be used in this project.
Confidential business information. Applicants must clearly mark
information considered confidential business information. EPA will make
a final confidentiality determination for information the applicant
claims as confidential business information, in accordance with Agency
regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.
H. Application Procedures
Submission instructions. The applicant may contact the appropriate
EPA Regional PESP Coordinator, as listed below, to obtain clarification
and guidance. One original signed package must be sent by mail. An
electronic copy of the proposal (on a CD or 3.5'' diskette) is also
required and must accompany the mailed package. The proposal must be
received by your EPA Region no later than 5 p.m. August 30, 2004.
Incomplete or late proposals will be disqualified for funding
consideration. Contact the appropriate EPA Regional PESP Coordinator if
you need assistance or have questions regarding the creation or
submission of a project proposal. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it
is imperative that you identify docket ID number OPP-2004-0171 in the
subject line on the first page of your proposal. EPA Regional PESP
Coordinators are as follows:
Region I: (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, Vermont), Andrea Szylvian, 1 Congress St., Suite 1100, (CPT),
Boston, MA 02114-2023; telephone: (617) 918-1198; fax: (617) 918-2064;
e-mail: [email protected].
Region II: (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands),
Tara Masters, Raritan Depot, 2890 Woodbridge Ave., (MS-500), Edison, NJ
08837-3679; telephone: (732) 906-6183; e-mail:[email protected].
Region III: (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West
Virginia, District of Columbia), Fatima El-Abdaoui, 1650 Arch St.,
(3WC32), Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029; telephone: (215) 814-2129; fax:
(215) 814-3114; e-mail:[email protected].
Region IV: (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee), Troy Pierce, 61 Forsyth St., SW.,
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960; telephone: (404) 562-9016; e-
mail:[email protected].
Region V: (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin), Heather McDonald, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., (DT-8J), Chicago, IL
60604-3507; telephone: (312) 886-3572; e-mail:[email protected].
Region VI: (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas),
Jerry Collins, 1445 Ross Ave., Suite 1200, (6PD-P), Dallas, TX 75202-
2733; telephone: (214) 665-7562; fax: (214) 665-7263; e-
mail:[email protected].
Region VII: (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska), Brad Horchem, 901
N. 5th St., (WWPDPEST), Kansas City, KS 66101; telephone: (913) 551-
7137; fax: (913) 551-9137; e-mail: [email protected].
Region VIII: (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming), Peg Perreault, 999 18th St., Suite 300, (8P-P3T), Denver, CO
80202-2466; telephone: (303) 312-6286; fax: (303) 312-6064; e-mail:
[email protected].
Region IX: (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa,
Guam), Paul Feder, 75 Hawthorne St., (CMD-1), San Francisco, CA 94105;
telephone: (415) 947-4160; fax: (415) 947-3583; e-
mail:[email protected].
Region X: (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington), Sandy Halstead,
24106 North Bunn Road, Prosser, WA 99350; telephone: (509) 786-9225; e-
mail:[email protected].
V. Post Selection Activity
Selected applicants must formally apply for funds through the
appropriate EPA Regional Office. In addition, selected applicants must
negotiate a final work plan, including reporting requirements, with the
designated EPA Regional Project Officer. For more general information
on post award requirements and the evaluation of grantee performance,
see 40 CFR part 31.
VI. Intergovernmental Review
Applicants must comply with the Intergovernmental Review Process
and/or the consultation provisions of section 204, of the Demonstration
Cities and Metropolitan Development Act, if applicable, which are
contained in 40 CFR part 29. All State applicants should consult with
their EPA Regional Office or official designated as the single point of
contact in his or her State for more information on the process the
State requires when applying for assistance, if the State has selected
the program for review. If you do not know who your Single Point of
Contact is, please call the EPA Headquarters Grant Policy Information
and Training Branch at (202) 564-5325 or refer to the State Single
Point of Contact web site athttp://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. Federally recognized Tribal governments are not required to
comply with this procedure.
VII. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General
Grant solicitations such as this are considered rules for the
purpose for the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA, 4 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 rule 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, Pesticides, Risk reduction.
Dated: July 2, 2004.
Susan B. Hazen,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and
Toxic Substances.
[FR Doc. 04-16212 Filed 7-15-04; 8:45 am]
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