Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Regional Grants (66.714)
Program
66.714 Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Regional Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF PREVENTION, PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, Research and Monitoring, as amended.
Program Number
66.714
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide risk reduction from the use of pesticides in agricultural and non-agricultural settings in the United States. Funding Priority: The Regions will award grants to fund projects that further the goals of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP). The objective is to provide risk reduction from the use of pesticides in agricultural and non-agricultural settings in the United States. This program is competed and the grants are awarded by EPA's Regional grant offices.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants may be used to fund projects that further the goals of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP). The type of projects that will be considered include research, monitoring, demonstration, and related activities. Other projects may be considered if they complement these goals such as work with nutrient management. Projects must address the risk reduction goals of the PESP, pesticide pollution prevention or Integrated Pest Management (IPM). There are no discretionary funds available to fund projects.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 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. 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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any State, U.S. Territory/Possession, Native American Organization, or other entities working in conjunction with these eligible applicants.
Credentials/Documentation
Application should present a well thought out work plan with established infrastructure to execute the work plan. Key officials should have and document appropriate work experience or education to effectively carry out the proposed work plan or research. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Grants are awarded on the basis of merit. The call for proposal is announced in the Federal Register and by other established mechanisms early in the fiscal year. The proposal format is specified in the call. Proposals not using the published format will not be considered. National criteria are established in the call and the Regional Offices may add additional criteria that may tailor the project proposals to specific environmental projects within the Region. Once the grant process is announced nationally, interested applicants are urged to contact the appropriate EPA Regional Office for detailed instructions. Proposals are submitted to an EPA Regional Office. All proposals received are rated using the published criteria and compete for funding against all acceptable proposals received. The program receives from 80 to 100 proposals per call and awards 13 to 14 grants per year with a maximum value of $40,000. Consultation or assistance in filling out a project proposal is available from any of the EPA Regional Offices either by phone, mail, fax or electronic mail. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Submitters of successful proposals are notified and invited to complete and sign a Standard Form 424, (an application form) which will be supplied upon notification. Questions about this form will be answered by the Regional representative who contacts the applicant.
Award Procedure
Procedures for awards are outlined in General Grant Regulation 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31.
Deadlines
Varies from year to year. The call for proposals is published during the first or second quarter of the fiscal year and project proposals are due 60 days after publication (generally late in the second quarter).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are awarded for a project period not to exceed 2 years. Funds are released by a letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Organizations that are awarded grant/cooperative agreement funds will be required to submit at least annual progress reports, during the life of the project, to the EPA Project Officer. Each report will summarize funds expended, tasks accomplished, and results achieved to date. A summary final report will also be required at the end of the project period. This final report should include a discussion of the prospects of continuation, further development of the effort, project evaluation and future direction.
Audits
Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and condition of grants and other agreements. In accordance with provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records to substantiate charges to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for 3 years from the date of submission of the annual financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, 13 State agencies received grant funding to conduct research and/or demonstration projects that promoted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or other practices that reduced the use and risks associated with the use of pesticide products.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-2-1-304.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $500,000; FY 03 est $500,000; and FY 04 est $500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$20,000 to $40,000. Average: $38,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
40 CFR Parts 29, 30, 31, 32 and "EPA Assistance Administration Manual," available from the National Technical Information Services, Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis, Order No. NTIS UB/031.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
For program information, contact the Environmental Stewardship Program, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511-C), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: 1-800-972- 7717.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/PESP/regional_grants.html
Examples of Funded Projects
1) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) education programs; 2) research dealing with new, safer methods for controlling agricultural pests; 3) urban IPM projects; 4) research on safer methods for using standard agricultural chemicals; and 5) non-herbicide methods for managing aquatic vegetation in irrigation canals.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals are evaluated based on the following: 1) Qualifications and experience of the applicant relative to the proposed project, 2) consistency of the applicant's proposed project with the risk reduction goals of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), 3) provision for measuring and documenting the project's results quantitatively and qualitatively (evaluation), 4) likelihood that the project can be replicated in other areas by other organizations to benefit other communities or that the product may have broad utility to a widespread audience, and 5) other criteria as announced by the regional offices.
