Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP) Research Projects (66.512)
Program
66.512 Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP) Research Projects
Federal Agency
NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS LABORATORY, MID-CONTINENT ECOLOGY DIVISION, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104, as amended.
Program Number
66.512
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) is a long-term research program designed to statistically monitor the conditions of our Nation's ecological resources. REMAP, which is a component of EMAP, is a partnership between the Office of Research and Development (ORD), EPA's Regional Offices, other federal agencies, States, local governments, and U.S. tribal nations. It was developed to test the applicability of EMAP's probabilistic approach to answer questions about ecological conditions at regional and local levels. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2005: REMAP's goals are to: (1) Evaluate and improve probability based monitoring designs and tools for state and local use; (2) Assess the applicability of indicators at differing spatial scales; and (3) Demonstrate the utility of probability based data for resolving issues of importance to EPA Regions and States. REMAP funds research projects to meet these goals while focusing on objectives that are consistent with current monitoring needs within the EPA Regions. The primary objectives of the solicited research are to assist the Regions, States, local governments, and tribes in incorporating the latest science on ecological monitoring into their environmental decision-making process. Research projects should address real regional environmental issues where monitoring results will influence decisions, address data gaps, and advance the science of ecological monitoring. Projects must be relevant to Regional, State, and Tribal monitoring needs. Projects must link research outputs and outcomes that are consistent with the EPA's strategic plan and research priorities. The funding priorities for 2005 fiscal year projects include approaches designed to advance integrated monitoring. These would include (but are not limited to): (1) Designs and tools for assessments of great/large rivers, wetlands, and lakes; (2) Integration of 305 (b) reports and other existing data sources with the 303(d) listing process; (3) Improved development of biological reference conditions for establishing biological criteria; and (4) Approaches to demonstrate the effectiveness of restoration/remediation at the watershed level.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The REMAP Projects will advance the overall scientific knowledge in the area of bioassessment. The primary audience for the research results is State and Tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, and the academic community. Data from REMAP sampling activity will be used to develop a database of regional reference sites. The database will be analyzed in collaboration with regional scientists to develop proposed benchmark values for selected ecological indicators. The final validated databases will be made available online for use by multiple state collaborators or other interested scientists. Workshops are often convened to familiarize collaborators and other potential users of the description, functions, and use of the regional reference database. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Generally, ORD does not fund unsolicited proposals. Awards are made in response to announced requests for applications. Funds are awarded via cooperative agreements for allowable direct cost expenditures incident to the performance of research plus allocable portions of allowable indirect costs of the institution, in accordance with the established policies and regulations of EPA. No construction costs are allowed in this agreement. Foreign travel is not allowed unless specifically agreed upon. No large capital equipment items, such as vehicles or boats, will be allowed for purchase under these agreements.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA program description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Entities that are eligible to receive federal assistance under the Clean Water Act which includes the States, their territories and possessions, local governments, and federally recognized U.S. Tribal Nations (40 CFR part 31); institutions of higher education; hospitals; and other non-profit organizations (40 CFR part 30). Eligible nonprofit organizations include any organizations that meet the definition of nonprofit in OMB Circular A-122. However, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities, as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, are not eligible to apply. Universities and educational institutions must be subject to OMB Circular A-21. Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a consortium and submit a single application for this assistance agreement. The consortium must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the assistance agreement and which eligible organizations(s) will be sub-awardees of the recipient. Sub-awards must be consistent with the definition of that term in 40 CFR 30.2(ff). The recipient must administer the assistance agreement, be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds, and be the point of contact for the consortium. As provided in 40 CFR 30.2(gg), sub-recipients are accountable to the recipient for proper use of EPA funding. Consortiums may not include for-profit organizations that will provide services or products to the successful applicant.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Federal, Intrastate, State, Local, Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government, Health Professional, Education Professional, and Scientist/Researchers will receive the ultimate benefit from the REMAP program.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. Submitted applications must include the proposal, Application for Federal Assistance Standard Form 424 and accompanied budget Standard Form 424a. The standard forms are available at www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
If an applicant submits an unsolicited proposal it will be reviewed and evaluated in accordance with Agency policy and procedures. For more information regarding the procedures for submitting unsolicited proposals, applicants may contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information contact the individual(s) listed as "Informational Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Application information is provided in the RFA. Applications in response to the 2005 RFA must be submitted to: Jo A. Thompson, National Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Coordinator, U.S. EPA, NHEERL, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Condon Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55804.
Award Procedure
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria as stated in the announcement of the competitive funding opportunity. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
The deadline for applications in response to the 2005 Request for Applications is March 14, 2005.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are normally funded on a 12-month basis (annual) through competitively selected cooperative agreement applications. The competitively selected cooperative agreements have project periods up to five years.
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, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports. Reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations, 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31.
Audits
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
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31 are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records, and substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Award recipients must agree to make methods, models, and data resulting from this agreement accessible to the public and to EPA. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
any outputs are available on REMAP's home page (www.epa.gov/emap/remap).
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0107-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 04 $646,000; FY 05 est $1,694,000; and FY 06 est $1,991,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
During FY 04, the awards range from approximately $10,000 to $278,000 per EPA Region annually. The approximate average amount of the financial assistance awards made during FY 04 was $1,355,372. Current fiscal year financial assistance award information is not available at this time.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
EPA's General Grant Regulations, 40 CFR Part 31; EPA's Interim Regulations, Research and Demonstration Grants, 40 CFR Part 40. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes and OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Individuals are encouraged to communicate with the appropriate ORD or Regional Office listed on REMAP's website at www.epa.gov/emap/remap, and listed in the RFA for this program.
Headquarters Office
For technical information on grant applications and procedures, contact Jo Thompson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55804; Telephone: (218) 529-5198; e-mail: Thompson.jo@epa.gov. For administrative questions, contact Craig L. Johnson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Continent Ecology Division, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55804; Telephone: (218) 529-5016; e-mail: Johnson.craig@epa.gov.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/emap/remap/
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) Designing and Implementing a Program to Evaluate New England's Lakes and Ponds: Currently, there is not a statistically-valid design in place to perform a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of New England lakes and ponds. This study is addressing that need in order to meet 305b reporting requirements and provide information on status and trends of these ecosystems. (2) Validation and Sensitivity Analysis for Rapid Wetland Assessment using Comprehensive Wetland Assessment Data: This project is addressing the need for methods to assess and report on the ecological condition of wetlands in the State of Delaware. (3) A Biological Assessment of the Large Rivers of the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River Basins in Region 5: There is currently no statistically valid method to assess large rivers. This study is developing calibrated biological assessment tools and designing a systematic and standardized approach for the assessment of these large river systems. (4) Monitoring, Modeling and Assessment of the Everglades Ecosystem, REMAP Phase III: Previous REMAP projects in the Everglades have developed a statistically valid approach to assess this ecosystem. The current study builds on previous studies by using the statistical approach to document responses of the everglades to restoration efforts. (5) Refinement of Aquatic Use Categories and Water Quality Criteria for the Western Gulf Coastal Plains Ecoregion of Louisiana: Within this ecoregion of Louisiana, dissolved oxygen standards are not attainable due to naturally dystrophic waters. This project demonstrates the probabilistic approach to identify reference streams in this region and to determine biologically relevant water quality criteria.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Competitive applications and proposals will be selected in accordance with announced criteria. Projects will be selected by a panel of reviews at the EPA region for which the project is intended. Generally, the proposals will be judged for (A) Relevancy to objectives stated in the announcement, monitoring and assessment needs within the region, and consistency with EPA's strategic goals; and (B) Technical issues including budget information. Specific criteria are listed in the annual announcement.
