[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14281-14285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6505]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5173-2]


Office of Environmental Justice and the Office of Civil Rights 
Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995; Environmental Justice 
Community/University Partnership Grants Program

Purpose of Notice

    The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible 
candidates under the Environmental Justice Community/University 
Partnership Grants Program of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Grants Program Overview

    The grants program was established to help community groups to 
efficiently address local environmental justice issues through active 
partnerships with institutions of higher education, such as 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving 
Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges (TC) and institutions of higher 
education serving Asian-American (AA) and other minority or low-income 
communities. Executive Orders 12876 (HBCUs) and Executive Order 12900 
(Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans) are designed to futher 
opportunities for HBCU participation in Federal programs and for 
Hispanic American participation in Federal education programs. This 
grants program will further the Agency's commitment, as expressed in 
its March 14,1994 reaffirmation of EPA's 1984 Indian Policy, to develop 
a stronger partnership with Tribal governments in protecting the 
environment.
    Under this program, EPA will emphasize meaningful, fully 
interactive two-way cooperation between communities and HBCUs, HSIs, 
TCs, and institutions of higher education serving Asian-Americans and 
other minority or low-income communities, to address environmental 
justice issues (e.g., waste sites that are polluting water bodies, or 
pesticide contamination of farm workers), and to identify pollution 
sources, train residents on their rights and responsibilities, and help 
to resolve environmental problems. Partnerships must be established 
with formal agreements (ie. Memorandum of Understanding) between a 
University or College and at least one socio-economically disadvantaged 
community which is adversely impacted by an environmental hazard. 
Participation by these institutions and communities in government 
programs is advanced by expanding community outreach, and providing 
training, and education. These initiatives become the catalyst for 
increasing environmental awareness and involvement in resolving 
environmental problems such as exposure to environmental pollutants in 
minority and low-income populations.
    The main objective of the program is to link members of a 
community, who are directly affected by adverse environmental 
conditions with an academic institution's staff. This effort is 
designed to ensure that both:
    <bullet> are aware of basic environmental regulations, laws, 
concepts, issues, and resources;
    <bullet> understand their role in identifying and defining 
problems, and monitoring contaminants related to environmental 
exposures;
    <bullet> are included in the dialogue that results in shaping 
future policies, guidances, and approaches to problem solving; and
    <bullet> are encouraged to be active partners in developing 
responses and setting priorities for intervention and legal recourse. 
[[Page 14282]] 
    Through these partnerships, communities will be encouraged to 
become involved in accessing information from environmental databases, 
in cleaning-up and restoring communities that have environmental 
insults, and in surveying and monitoring environmental quality.
    Number of Grants Proposed: A minimum of four grants will be awarded 
for the fiscal year 1995.
    Grant Award Amount: $300,000 to each award recipient contingent 
upon the availability of funds. Work funded by this program is expected 
to begin upon award of the grant. All grants under this notice are 
expected to be awarded by September 1995.
    Grant Term: The term of the grant is one year. However, the EPA 
reserves the right to offer the grantee a renewal not to exceed one 
additional year, provided that conditions within the Agency remain the 
same and funds are available.

Eligibility

    Participation is limited to institutions of higher education, 
including Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic 
Serving Institutions (HSIs), institutions of higher education serving 
Asian-American (AA's) and other minority or low-income communities, and 
Tribal Colleges (TCs) which have formal partnerships (i.e., a signed 
agreement or Memorandum of Understanding) with any affected community 
group which is eligible under applicable statutory authorities (for 
example, community-based / grassroots organizations, churches, schools 
or other non-profit community organizations) and Tribal governments.
    The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants 
Program may be either a single institution or consortium. If a 
consortium is proposed, the lead institution must be identified and be 
one of the eligible applicants. This lead institution is recognized as 
the grantee and as such is responsible for all activities under the 
agreement.
    Statutory Authority(ies): the granting authority is multi-media and 
the grant proposal must address two or more of the statutory 
requirements.

Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3)
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a)
Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3)
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203
Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a)
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b)(3)
    Application Instructions--Applications will serve as the sole basis 
for evaluation and recommendation for funding. This notice contains all 
information and forms necessary to submit an application.
    Application deadline: Applications must be received or postmarked 
no later than midnight, May 17, 1995.
    Applications must be mailed to: United States Environmental 
Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, Mail Code 3903F, 
Environmental Justice Community/University, Partnership Grants, 401 M 
Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.
    All Applications must be sent to the headquarters address.

Background

    In its 1992 report, Environmental Equity: Reducing Risk for All 
Communities, EPA found that people of color and low-income communities 
experience higher than average exposure to toxic pollutants than the 
general population. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) was 
established in 1992 to help these communities identify and assess 
pollution sources, implement environmental awareness and training 
programs for affected residents and work with local stakeholders 
(community-based organizations, academia, industry, local governments) 
to devise strategies for environmental improvements.
    In June of 1993, OEJ was delegated granting authority to solicit 
projects, select suitable projects from among those proposed, supervise 
such projects, evaluate the results of projects, and disseminate 
information on the effectiveness of the projects, and feasibility of 
the practices, methods, techniques and processes in environmental 
justice areas.

General

    The following questions and answers are designed to respond to 
frequent concerns of applicants.

A. What Is the Purpose of the Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnership Grants Program?

    The purpose of this grants program is to provide financial 
assistance to institutions of higher education, including HBCU's, 
HSI's, AA's and TC's, to establish or enhance environmental justice 
outreach programs with community groups. The University/Colleges shall 
support affected environmental justice community groups (community-
based/grassroots organizations, churches, schools, or other non-profit 
community organizations) and tribal governments who engage in or plan 
to carry out projects that address environmental justice issues. The 
Universities/Colleges that focus on the design, methods, and techniques 
to evaluate and solve environmental justice issues of concern to 
affected communities will be given priority.

B. What Specific Requirements Exist for the Environmental Justice 
Community/University Partnership Grants Program?

    The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants 
Program shall include, but not be limited to:
    1. Design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and 
techniques, including assessment and analysis of environmental justice 
conditions and problems which may have a wide applicability and/or 
addresses a high priority environmental justice issue (e.g., 
socioeconomic impact studies, natural resource clean-up efforts);
    2. Research projects to understand, assess or address, regional and 
local trends in environmental justice issues or problems (e.g., 
monitoring of socioeconomic changes in a community as a result of an 
environmental abuse);
    3. Demonstration or dissemination of environmental justice 
information, including development of educational tools and materials 
(e.g. establish an Environmental Justice Clearinghouse of successful 
environmental justice projects and activities or teach about risk 
reduction, pollution prevention, or ecosystem protection as potential 
strategies for addressing environmental justice problems or issues);
    4. Determine the necessary improvements in communication and 
coordination among local, state and tribal environmental programs and 
facilitate communication, information exchange, and community 
partnerships among all stakeholders to enhance critical thinking, 
problem solving, and decision making;
    5. Provide technical expert consultation for accessing, analyzing, 
and interpreting public environmental data (e.g., TRI, GIS, etc.);
    6. Provide for a minimal ``hard science'' analysis capability (e.g. 
analyze water and soil samples to test for basic pollutants, provide 
radon testing kits); In addition, the following items must be 
addressed;
    7. Projects should involve new and innovative approaches and/or 
significant new combinations of resources, both of which should be 
identified in the partnership agreements; [[Page 14283]] 
    8. An applicant is required to include in the application a signed 
agreement which describes the role of the prospective partner(s) in the 
project and its implementation, and which includes a commitment or 
intent to commit resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent 
only upon receipt of funds. Where appropriate the University may 
identify community residents as part of the partnership team and the 
residents may be compensated for this effort; and
    9. Applications should include partnerships between universities, 
colleges, or tribal colleges which are providers of training and 
programs for these communities. One of the goals of the partnerships 
should be a developing shift of focus within these organizations from 
maintenance to that of self-sufficiency;

C. What does Environmental Justice Involve Under the Environmental 
Justice Community/University Partnership Grant?

    Environmental justice involves the fair treatment of people of all 
races, cultures, and income with respect to the development, 
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and 
policies. It seeks to ensure that the communities, private industry, 
local governments, states, tribes, federal government, grassroots 
organizations, and individuals act responsibly and environmental 
protection to all communities. Environmental justice efforts may 
include, but are not necessarily limited to enhancing the gathering, 
observing, measuring, classifying, experimenting and other data 
gathering techniques that assist individuals in discussing, inferring, 
predicting, and interpreting information about environmental justice 
issues and concerns. Environmental justice projects or activities 
should enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and effective 
decision-making skills.

D. Who May Submit An Application?

    Any institution of higher education, including Historically Black 
College or University (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), 
Tribal Colleges (TC), and institutions of higher education serving 
Asian-American (AA) and other minority or low-income communities, may 
submit an application upon publication of this solicitation. University 
consortiums are eligible to apply.
    Given the limited funding available for this grant program, 
priority will be given to applicants with a demonstrated capacity to 
develop partnerships with socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

E. May An Individual Apply?

    No. Only institutions of higher education may apply. The 
professional qualifications or community-based experience of those 
individuals participating in the proposed project will be an important 
factor in the selection process.

Funding Priorities

F. What Types of Proposed Environmental Justice Community/University 
Partnerships Will Have the Best Chance of Being Funded?

    The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnerships must 
meet the objectives and criteria spelled out in section B.

G. Are Matching Funds Required?

    Yes. Federal funds for the Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnerships shall not exceed 95% of the total cost of the 
project. EPA encourages non-Federal matching shares of greater than 5%. 
The non-Federal share of costs may be provided in cash or by in-kind 
contributions and other non-cash support. In-kind contributions often 
include salaries or other verifiable costs. In the case of salaries, 
applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value. The 
proposed match, including the value of in-kind contributions, is 
subject to negotiation with EPA. All grants are subject to audit, so 
the value of in- kind contributions must be carefully documented.
    The matching (non-Federal) share is a percentage of the entire cost 
of the project. For example, if the total project cost is approximately 
$315,000 then the Federal portion can be no more than $300,000, which 
is 95% of the total project cost. For this example, the grant recipient 
would be required to provide $15,000 for the project. The amount of 
non-Federal funds, including in-kind contributions, must be briefly 
itemized in Block 15 of the application form (SF 424) included at the 
end of this notice. Among other things, EPA funds cannot be used as 
matching funds for other Federal grant match requirements, for 
construction, or buying furniture.

Application Procedure

    An ``Application for Federal Assistance'' form (Standard Form 424 
or SF 424), a ``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs'' form 
(SF 424a), and a Work Plan (described below) must be submitted. These 
documents contain all the information EPA needs to evaluate the merits 
of your proposed grant proposal.
    Each instrument approved under the environmental justice delegation 
must be consistent with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements 
Act of 1977, Public Law 95-224, as amended, 31 U.S.C. Section 6301; 
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 30,31,33,40,45 and 
47, as appropriate; and existing media-specific regulations pertinent 
to the statement of work.

H. How Must the Application Be Submitted and Specifically What Must the 
Standard Form (SF) 424, Standard Form (SF) 424, and Work Plan Include?

    The applicant must submit one original, signed by a person 
authorized to receive funds for the applicant, and two copies of the 
application (double-sided copies encouraged). Applications must be 
reproducible (for example; stapled once in the upper left hand corner, 
on white paper, and with page numbers).
    As described above, an application contains an SF 424 and a work 
plan. The following describes what an SF 424 and a work plan are and 
what they must contain.
    1. APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE (SF 424). An SF 424 is an 
official form required for all Federal grants. A completed SF 424 must 
be submitted as part of your preapplication. This form, along with 
instructions are included at the end of this notice.
    2. BUDGET INFORMATION: NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS (SF 424A). An SF- 
424A is an official form required for all Federal grants. A completed 
SF 424A must be submitted as part of your application. This form, along 
with instructions are included at the end of this notice.
    3. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN. It is not necessary to prepare such a 
plan in response to this solicitation.
    4. NECESSARY SIGNED FORMS. Procurement Systems Certification, 
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 
Matters, Certification Regarding Lobbying. These forms are provided in 
the grant package.
    5. WORK PLAN. A work plan describes the applicant's proposed 
project. Work plans must be no more than 15 pages total. One page is 
one side of a single spaced typed page. The pages must be letter size 
(8 \1/2\ x 11), with normal type size (19 or 12 cpi) and at least 1'' 
margins. The only appendices and letters of support that EPA will 
accept are a budget, resumes of key personnel, and commitment letters, 
and an agreement signed between one or [[Page 14284]] more community 
organizations and the applicant university.
    Work plans must be submitted in the format described below. The 
percentages next to the items are the weights EPA will use to evaluate 
the applicant's work plan. Please note that certain sections are given 
greater weight than others.
    (a.) A concise introduction of no more than 3 pages that states the 
nature of the college or university, how the college or university has 
been successful in the past, proposed uses, objectives, methods, plans, 
target audiences, and expected results of the proposed project. (10%)
    (b.) Clear and concise description of the project which describes 
the following:
    (1.) A section describing the field methods, practices, and 
techniques, including assessment and analysis, which the partnership 
expects to implement. (10%)
    (2.) A section discussing how the partnerships will assess or 
address national, regional and local environmental justice issues. 
(10%)
    (3.) A section describing how the partnerships will disseminate 
environmental justice information, including educational tools and 
materials. (10%)
    (4.) A section describing how the partnerships will improve 
communications and coordination among local, state, tribal and federal 
environmental programs and how the partnership will enhance critical 
thinking, problem solving and decision making among all stakeholders. 
Specify effective and realistic methods for involving members of the 
targeted population. (10%)
    (5.) A section describing who or how the partnership will obtain 
expert consultation to access, analyze and interpret public 
environmental data. (10%)
    (6.) A section describing the ``hard science'' analysis capability 
of the University, college or organization. (10%)
    (c.) A conclusion discussing how the applicant will evaluate the 
success of the partnership, in terms of the anticipated strengths and 
challenges in developing and administering the partnership. (10%)
    (d.) An appendix with a budget describing how funds will be used in 
terms of personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, 
contract costs, and other. Funds can not be used for construction. The 
budget must list proposed milestones with deadlines and estimated cost 
and completion dates. All costs must be consistent with the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles, such as A-87 and A-122. 
(10)%
    (e.) An appendix with one or two page resumes of up to five key 
personnel. (5%)
    (f.) An appendix with one page letters of commitment from 
community-based organizations with a significant role in the developing 
and administration of the partnership. Letters of endorsement will not 
be considered. (5%)

I. When and Where Must Application Be Submitted?

    An original plus two copies of the application must be mailed to 
EPA postmarked no later than Monday, May 17, 1995. Applications must be 
submitted to: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Grants 
Administration Division, Mail Code 3903F, Environmental Justice 
Community/University, Partnership Grants, 401 M Street SW., Washington, 
D.C. 20460.

Review and Selection Process

J. How Will Applications be Reviewed?

    EPA's Office of Environmental Justice will form a selections 
committee comprised of EPA Headquarters and Regional environmental 
justice personnel to evaluate proposals and make selections. 
Applications will be screened to ensure they meet all eligible 
activities described in Sections A through I. Reviewers will 
specifically evaluate the degree to which the applications meet EPA's 
objectives and criteria as discussed in section H.5(a-f). Applications 
will be disqualified if they are incomplete or do not meet EPA's basic 
criteria.

K. How Will the Final Selections Be Made?

    After the applications are reviewed and ranked as described in 
section J, EPA officials will compare the best applications and make 
final selections. Factors EPA will take into account include: 
geographic and socioeconomic balance, diversity, cost and if the 
partnerships benefits can be sustained after the grant is completed.

L. How Will Applicants Be Notified?

    After all applications are received, EPA will mail acknowledgements 
to each applicant. Once applications have been recommended for funding, 
EPA will notify those applicants selected and request any additional 
information necessary to complete the award process. The EPA Office of 
Environmental Justice will notify those applicants whose grant 
applications were not selected for funding.

Post-Award

M. When Should the Proposed Partnership Begin Functioning?

    Partnerships cannot operate or begin development on this specific 
project before funds are awarded. Start dates are currently targeted 
for September 1, 1995. It is EPA's intent to fund each center for one 
year. Future funding will be dependent upon appropriations.

N. How Much Time Does Grant Recipient Have To Complete the Work 
Proposed?

    Activities must be completed within the time frame specified in the 
grant award, usually one year from award date.

O. Who Will Develop and Manage the Partnerships?

    EPA requires that partnerships be developed and managed by the 
applicant or by persons satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All 
applications must identify any person other than the applicant for 
approval by EPA.

P. What Reports Must Grant Recipients Complete?

    Recipients of grants will be expected to report on quarterly 
progress, as well as final project completion. All recipients must 
submit final reports for EPA approval prior to the expiration of the 
project period. Specific report requirements will be detailed in the 
award agreement. EPA plans to collect, evaluate, and disseminate 
grantees' final reports to serve as model programs. Since networking is 
crucial to the success of the program, grantees may be asked to 
transmit an extra copy to a central collect on point.

Q. What Is the Expected Time Frame for the Review and Awarding of the 
Grants?

March 17, 1995--Request for Applications Notice (RFA) is published in 
the Federal Register.
March 17, 1995-May 16, 1995--Eligible grant recipients develop their 
proposals.
May 17, 1995--Proposals must be postmarked for or received by EPA 
Office of Environmental Justice by this date.
May 17, 1995-July 15, 1995--EPA officials review and select grants.
July 15, 1995-September 1, 1995--EPA grants division processes grants 
and makes awards. Applicants will be contacted by the grants office if 
their proposal were selected for funding. Additional information may be 
required from the selectees, as described in Section N above. 
[[Page 14285]] 
September 1, 1995--EPA anticipates the beginning of the Partnership 
development on or around this date.

Fiscal Year 1996 and Future Year Grants

    To Receive Information on the Fiscal Year 1996 Environmental 
Justice Community/University Partnership Grants Program and Future Year 
Grants, You must mail your request along with your name, organization, 
address and phone number to: Office of Environmental Justice (3103), 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnership Grants 1996, 401 M Street S.W., Washington, DC 
20460, FAX: (202) 260-0852.

Available Translations

    A Spanish translation of this announcement is available upon 
request. Please call the Office of Environmental Justice at 1-800-962-
6215 for a copy.
    Hay traducciones disponibles en espanol. Si usted esta interesado 
en obtener una traduccion de este anunclo en espanol, por favor llame a 
la Officina de Justicia Ambiental conocida como ``Office of 
Environmental Justice'', linea de emergencia (1-800-962-6215).

    Dated: March 10, 1995.
Clarice E. Gaylord,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
[FR Doc. 95-6505 Filed 3-15-95; 8:45 am]
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