Environmental Protection Consolidated Grants-Program Support (66.600)

Program

66.600 Environmental Protection Consolidated Grants-Program Support

Federal Agency

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Region 9

Authorization

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 23(a)(1)&(a)(2); Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 28(a),404(g); Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C 6908; Pollution Prevention Act, Section 6605; Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3)&106; National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F); Omnibus Territories Act , 48 U.S.C 1469; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1443(a)&1443(b); Clean Water Act, Section 205(g)&205(j)2; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 306; Clean Water Act, Section 319(h).

Program Number

66.600

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The consolidated program support grant is an alternative assistance delivery mechanism which allows an Insular Territory responsible for continuing pollution control programs to develop an integrated approach to pollution control. An agency eligible for assistance for two or more pollution control programs may consolidate its assistance requests into a single application and receive a single consolidated award in an effort to reduce administrative and application costs. The consolidated grants program does not represent funding in addition to grants provided under individual authorities, but merely represents the amount of consolidation taking place within the Agency's total grant appropriations. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: To provide technical and managerial support in relation to our consolidated environmental program grants for the protection of public health and welfare in the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (hereinafter referred to as "Insular Areas.") Funding priorities for the fiscal year include: 1) Clean and Safe Water: (a) Safe Drinking Water - To provide on-site technical assistance, training, funding towards building capacity at water utilities and environmental protection agencies, and addressing funding shortages for drinking water infrastructure improvements. We will work with DOI's Office of Insular Affairs and other federal agencies to explore ways of addressing the growing gap between available federal funding and the capital needs for sound infrastructure (b) Clean Water - To provide on-site technical assistance, training, funding, capacity building to utilities and environmental agencies for construction of wastewater treatment facilities; to assist government agencies in the development of surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement programs for streams, lakes, marine water, marine sediment, and coral reef protection through our comprehensive Watershed Management program that protects human health and the environment. 2) Preserve Land: To provide on-site technical assistance, training, and information exchange with other governments and international agencies to establish a regional recycling program that would reduce waste and the need for landfill area and eliminate possible incineration; to continue to inspections and establish training to prevent petroleum releases by working with environmental agencies, utilities, and Department of Defense by instituting comprehensive training, inspection, and on scene coordination concerning emergency responses. 3) Health Communities and Ecosystems: Reduce chemical and biological risks - To provide on-site technical assistance, training, capacity building, funding to eliminate the exposure to hazardous and nonhazardous chemicals, toxic waste, and pesticides for the protection of public health and the environment. Assist government with the removal and remediation of toxic and pesticide wastes; eliminate the illegal importation and improper use of pesticides; promote sustainable development; provide an information exchange and partnership for the utilization of international treaties regarding the transport and disposal of hazardous materials and waste. 4) Compliance and Environmental Stewardship: To provide on-site technical assistance, training, capacity building, and funding to continue to establish and develop key partnerships with territorial government agencies and federal agencies for enforcement issues concerning land based pollution, illegal toxic releases, and protection of the marine environment. As a result of EPA's continuing leadership and on-site assistance, the territorial governments look to EPA as a leader for all issues concerning environmental management and protection. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2010: To provide technical and managerial support in relation to our consolidated environmental program grants for the protection of public health and welfare in the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (hereinafter referred to as "Insular Areas.") Funding priorities for the fiscal year include: 1) Clean and Safe Water: (a) Safe Drinking Water - To provide on-site technical assistance, training, funding towards building capacity at water utilities and environmental protection agencies, and addressing funding shortages for drinking water infrastructure improvements. We will work with DOI's Office of Insular Affairs and other federal agencies to explore ways of addressing the growing gap between available federal funding and the capital needs for sound infrastructure (b) Clean Water - To provide on-site technical assistance, training, funding, capacity building to utilities and environmental agencies for construction of wastewater treatment facilities; to assist government agencies in the development of surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement programs for streams, lakes, marine water, marine sediment, and coral reef protection through our comprehensive Watershed Management program that protects human health and the environment. 2) Preserve Land: To provide on-site technical assistance, training, and information exchange with other governments and international agencies to establish a regional recycling program that would reduce waste and the need for landfill area and eliminate possible incineration; to continue to inspections and establish training to prevent petroleum releases by working with environmental agencies, utilities, and Department of Defense by instituting comprehensive training, inspection, and on scene coordination concerning emergency responses. 3) Health Communities and Ecosystems: Reduce chemical and biological risks - To provide on-site technical assistance, training, capacity building, funding to eliminate the exposure to hazardous and nonhazardous chemicals, toxic waste, and pesticides for the protection of public health and the environment. Assist government with the removal and remediation of toxic and pesticide wastes; eliminate the illegal importation and improper use of pesticides; promote sustainable development; provide an information exchange and partnership for the utilization of international treaties regarding the transport and disposal of hazardous materials and waste. 4) Compliance and Environmental Stewardship: To provide on-site technical assistance, training, capacity building, and funding to continue to establish and develop key partnerships with territorial government agencies and federal agencies for enforcement issues concerning land based pollution, illegal toxic releases, and protection of the marine environment. As a result of EPA's continuing leadership and on-site assistance, the territorial governments look to EPA as a leader for all issues concerning environmental management and protection.

Types of Assistance

Cooperative Agreements

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants and cooperative agreements are awarded to Insular Area agencies under the above referenced authorities to provide technical and managerial support in relation to continuing environmental program grants that serve to protect the public health and welfare of the Insular Areas.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive and administer funds for more than one environmental program. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this description, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The Territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication communications should be directed to the appropriate EPA Regional office. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 and 40 CFR 31.10 must be used for this program. An applicant should consult the Regional office or official designated as the single point of contact for their Insular Area for more information on the process the Insular Area needs to follow when applying for assistance. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. U.S. Insular area agencies will be notified to submit grant application packages identifying required forms including a work plan. The application package should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedure

U.S. Insular area agencies will be notified of Federal assistance awards through the appropriate EPA Regional Office. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 90 days.

Appeals

Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Matching requirements may be waived by the Agency pursuant to the Omnibus Territories Act.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance is usually awarded for a 1-year or longer period. The Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) is the preferred payment method. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Assistance is awarded as fiscal year program funds become available. Typically 2-3 awards/amendments are made per year.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require quarterly and final performance reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports. Reporting requirements are also identified in the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments - 40 CFR Part 31. Additionally, progress reporting by the Insular Area agency and performance monitoring by EPA will be the minimum necessary for sound program management. Reporting requirements may vary with each Insular Area agency depending upon the specific agency's demonstrated management abilities. A financial status report is required within 90 days of the end of the budget period. Program Reports are required. Cash Reports are required. Progress Reports are required. Expenditure Reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

All records including documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for three years from the date of submission of the annual financial status report. If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the end of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until the litigations, claims or audit findings have been resolved.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Island environmental agencies have significantly bolstered water, air, RCRA, superfund, and pesticides programs through the consolidated grants. The grants have allowed island governments to focus on environmental results without being overly burdened by administering multiple smaller grants. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

20-8145-0-7-304; 68-0103-0-1-304; 68-0108-0-1-304; 20-8153-0-7-304.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $7,947,730; FY 09 est $8,500,000; FY 10 est $8,500,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In general, financial assistance has increased annually depending on program funding that is consolidated into the grant. Financial assistance has generally ranged from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000/territory/fiscal year. The total estimated average is $8,500,000/fiscal year.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

40 CFR Part 31, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments; 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart A, Environmental Program Grants; EPA annual Program Guidance.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. EPA Region 2 Contact:Victor M.Trinidad,Chief, Environmental Management Branch,EPA Region 2, Caribbean Environmental Protection Division, Centro Europa Building, Suite 417,1492 Ponce de Leon Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907-4127;Phone: (787) 977-5870;FAX: (787) 729-7747;EPA Region 9 Contacts:Guam:Alba Espitia,Grants Management Specialist,Grants Management Office (PMD-7),U.S. EPA Region 9,75 Hawthorne St.,San Francisco, CA 94105;Ph: 415-972-3667;Fax: 415-947-3556;E-mail: espitia.alba@epa.gov; CNMI and American Samoa:Renee Chan,Grants Management Specialist,Grants Management Office (PMD-7),U.S. EPA Region 9 75 Hawthorne St.,San Francisco, CA 94105;Ph: 415-972-3675;Fax: 415-947-3556;E-mail: chan.renee@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

Alba Espitia Grants Management Office (PMD-7)
U.S. EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, California 94105 Email: espitia.alba@epa.gov Phone: 415-972-3667

Web Site Address

http://www.epa.gov/region9/

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Projects have been funded which combined as few as two to several eligible programs. Environmental program grants are awarded annually to Insular Area agencies which consolidate a number of different program funds. In FY04 a grant was awarded to a territorial utility agency which consolidated grant funds to support a water resources master plan project. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications may be approved if: (1) funds are available; (2) if the application satisfies the requirements of 40 CFR Parts 31 and 35 and applicable statutes; and (3) if the proposed work program is feasible and compatible with the program priorities in EPA annual guidance. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.