State Senior Environmental Employment Program (66.518)

 

Program

66.518 State Senior Environmental Employment Program

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

 

Authorization

Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984, Public Law 98-313, 42 U.S.C. 4368a.

 

Program Number

66.518

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To use the talents of Americans 55 years of age or older to provide technical assistance to State environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control to achieve the Agency's goals of Clean Air and Global Climate Change; Clean and Safe Water; Land Preservation and Restoration; Healthy Communities and Ecosystems; and Compliance and Environmental Stewardship. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2005: The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-313) authorized the Administrator of the EPA "to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements, with private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965." These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." "Technical assistance" may include any activity performed for the State in support of its projects ranging from inspections of large capacity cesspools, to support for a State environmental staff office. This allows for the coverage of all types of SEE program positions from professional to clerical. Annual funding priorities are established by EPA Program officials and the participating state office requiring SEE program support. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2006: The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-313) authorized the Administrator of the EPA "to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements, with private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965." These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." "Technical assistance" may include any activity performed for the State in support of its projects ranging from inspections of large capacity cesspools, to support for a State Environmental staff office. This allows for coverage of all types of SEE program positions from professional to clerical. Annual funding priorities are established by EPA Program officials and the participating state program office requiring SEE Program support.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

The SEE Act states that only nonprofit organizations which are designated by the Secretary of labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act can participate. These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control."

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State environmental agencies and individuals 55 years old or older.

Credentials/Documentation

The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 requires a certification by the Federal, State, or local agency that is to receive the SEE workers that the grant/cooperative agreement will not displace any Federal or State workers, prevent the rehiring of any laid-off Federal/State workers or affect existing service contracts. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

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. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.12372.

Application Procedure

Requests for application forms must be submitted to: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460. Completed applications must be sent to the same address, and a copy of the completed application should also be sent to: Susan Street, Director, SEE Program, Office of Human Resources, Customer Services Support Center, (3661A), Washington, DC 20460. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. Basic steps of the application procedure are outlined in the application package containing the application forms.

Award Procedure

Each application shall be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine adequacy of application in relation to assistance regulations, and to program objectives.

Deadlines

None.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

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

Renewals

None.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance covers a period of one to three years and is awarded in increments during that period.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Recipients must furnish quarterly reports on expenditures by cooperative agreement.

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

Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each assistance agreement, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA assistance accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

 

Program Accomplishments

In Fiscal Year 2004, 1 cooperative agreement/amendment was awarded to provide senior assistance for the management and implementation of the ban and closure of large capacity cesspools in the State of Hawaii.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304.

Obligations

FY 04 $0; FY 05 est $500,000; and FY 06 est $500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

New awards and amendments, $50,000/FY 2004; Average $50,000/FY 2004; no new FY2005 awards and amendments to date.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Assistance Administration Manual, available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis; 40 CFR Part 30, General Regulation for Assistance Programs; Office of Administration and Resources Management for the Management of the Senior Environmental Employment Program.

 

Related Programs

66.508, Senior Environmental Employment Program.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Susan Street, Director, SEE Program, (3661A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0410, FAX: (202)564-0735; e-mail: Street.susan@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

Linda Wallace, Director, Customer Services Support Center, (3661A), Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Administration and Resources Management, Office of Human Resources, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202)564-3182; FAX: (202) 564-0356; e-mail: Wallace.linda@epa.gov.

Web Site Address

http://epa.gov/epahrist/see/brochure

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Focus is on State level programs. Similar programs conducted at the Federal level provided senior citizens conduct national non-agricultural pesticide surveys, monitor for asbestos compliance in schools, provide review and monitoring support for the Import Car Program, monitor the anti-fuel switching program, conduct research, and general administrative and clerical tasks.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals must demonstrate that the organizations have the capability of operating nationwide; can manage the program within the prescribed administrative funding limits; and provide a quality fringe benefit package to enrollees under the proposal (including health insurance).