[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39115-39116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10868]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8195-3]


``Great Lakes Legacy Act--Request for Projects''

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice; funding availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Great Lakes 
National Program Office (GLNPO) is requesting proposals for projects, 
for up to $29,600,000, addressing contaminated sediment problems in 
Great Lakes Areas of Concern located wholly or partially in the United 
States (U.S. AOCs) as outlined in the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 
(the Legacy Act).

DATES: The deadline for all Project proposals is 5 p.m. Central Time, 
September 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (G-17J), 77 W. 
Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Tuchman, 312-353-1369/ 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Request for Projects (RFP) is available 
on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/glla. The purpose of this request 
is to solicit project proposals that would help to implement the Great 
Lakes Legacy Act. In order to receive funding under the Legacy Act, 
projects must be located in one of the 31 U.S. Great Lakes AOCs. Top 
priority will be given to projects that (1) Constitute remedial action 
for contaminated sediment; (2) have been identified in a Remedial 
Action Plan and are ready to be implemented; (3) use an innovative 
approach, technology, or technique that may provide greater 
environmental benefits, or equivalent environmental benefits at a 
reduced cost; or (4) included remediation to be commenced not later 
than one year after the date of receipt of funds for the project. 
Remediation projects would include, but are not limited to, remedial 
options such as: dredging, capping, monitored natural recovery, 
treatment technologies, or a combination of remedial alternatives for 
contaminated sediment.
    The next priority level would be given to projects that seek to 
monitor or evaluate contaminated sediment or prevent further or renewed 
contamination of sediment. These projects could include: site 
characterizations, site assessments, source identification/source 
control, monitoring, risk assessments, remedial alternatives 
evaluations and short-term/long-term effects analyses.
    The Legacy Act program is not a grant program, and it is not an 
enforcement or regulatory program. The process for the selection of 
Legacy Act projects is not a grants competition, but it is based on the 
development of a negotiated Project Agreement (PA) between USEPA and 
the non-federal sponsor. USEPA will consider projects based on the 
extent to which they meet the requirements of the Legacy Act and the 
RFP.
    The non-federal share of the cost of a project shall be at least 
35% of the total project costs in those cases where no responsible 
parties are clearly identified; when the non-federal sponsor is a 
responsible party, USEPA will require a substantially higher 
contribution (minimum of 40-50%). The non-federal sponsor is also 
responsible for 100% of cost of operation and maintenance of the 
project. The non-federal share may include the value of in-kind 
services contributed by the non-federal sponsor, and may include funds 
or in-kind services provided pursuant to an administrative order on 
consent or a judicial consent decree. The non-federal share of the cost 
of a project may not include any funds paid pursuant to, or the value 
of any in-kind service performed under, a unilateral administrative 
order or court order.
    GLNPO will review Legacy Act project proposals as they are 
received. GLNPO intends to enter into PA discussions with project 
applicants that meet the required components outlined in the RFP, and 
receive a high score (per the Legacy Act Rule), subject to the 
availability of funds. Projects that result in a PA will be funded with 
FY06 funds to the extent they are available. Other projects that result 
in a PA will be dependent upon funding, if any, received for the Legacy 
Act in FY07.
    Refer to ``Final Rule: Implementation of the Great Lakes Legacy Act 
of 2002'' at http://www.epa.gov/glla/rule/ for more detailed 
information on EPA's process for identification, evaluation, selection, 
and implementation of projects for funding under the Legacy Act.
    Funding (through project agreements) is available pursuant to 
section 118(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1268(c)). States, tribes, industry, non-governmental organizations, and 
other stakeholders are eligible to apply.


[[Page 39116]]


    Dated: June 23, 2006.
Gary V. Gulezian,
Director, Great Lakes National Program Office.
 [FR Doc. E6-10868 Filed 7-10-06; 8:45 am]
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