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. Records: Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries in accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipient grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of an audit remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Account Identification: 68-0103-0-1-304. Obligations: (Project Grants) FY 11 $35,000,000; FY 12 est $19,000,000; and FY 13 est $10,500,000 Range and Average of Financial Assistance: There is no minimum amount of assistance. Smaller grants typically range from $100,000-$300,000 with an average award of $125,000. Larger grants typically range from $500,000 - $2 million with an average award of $650,000. Recovery Act Funding under the National Clean Diesel Emissions Reduction Program totaled $205,800,000. National Clean Diesel Emissions Reduction Program is divided into 3 competitive categories: (1) National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program; (2) Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program; (3) SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2011: For FY 2011, $35,000,000 was dispersed through approximately 49 grants nationwide. For a list of awarded grants, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel and click on "Grants and Funding.". Fiscal Year 2012: In FY 2012, the DERA program awarded 26 grants nationwide, for a total of approximately $20,000,000. For a list of awarded grants, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel and click on "Grants and Funding. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Diesel Emissions Reduction program assistance agreements are subject to EPA's general grant regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and Part 31, as applicable). Regional or Local Office: See Regional Agency Offices. EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or Jennifer Keller. Headquarters Office: Jennifer Keller, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code: 6405J, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: keller.jennifer@epa.gov Phone: (202) 343-9541. Website Address: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel RELATED PROGRAMS: 66.040 State Clean Diesel Grant Program EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: Projects include a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of low-cost revolving loan programs to finance diesel emissions reduction projects. Eligible vehicles, engines and equipment may include: buses (including school buses); medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines or vehicles used in: i) construction; ii) handling or cargo (including at a port or airport); iii) agriculture; iv) mining; or v) energy production (including stationary engines such as generators or pumps). Fiscal Year 2012: Projects include a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of low-cost revolving loan programs to finance diesel emissions reduction projects. Eligible vehicles, engines and equipment may include: buses (including school buses); medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines or vehicles used in: i) construction; ii) handling or cargo (including at a port or airport); iii) agriculture; iv) mining; or v) energy production (including stationary engines such as generators or pumps). Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. 66.040 STATE CLEAN DIESEL GRANT PROGRAM (DERA State Program) FEDERAL AGENCY: Office of Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency The Energy Policy Act of 2005 as amended (The Diesel Emissions Reduction OBJECTIVES: The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, 42 U.S.C. 16131 et seq., as amended, authorizes EPA to award assistance agreements to States to develop and implement such grant, rebates, and low-cost revolving loan programs in the State as are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions. Projects should also focus on addressing environmental justice (EJ) concerns in communities. EJ is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2012: In providing grants, rebates, and loans under this program, States must give priority to projects which: Maximize public health benefits; Are the most cost-effective; Serve areas with the highest population density, that are poor air quality areas (including nonattainment or maintenance of national ambient air quality standards for a criteria pollutant; Federal Class I areas; or areas with toxic air pollutant concerns); Serve areas that receive a disproportionate quantity of air pollution from diesel fleets, including truck stops, ports, rail yards, terminals, construction sites, schools, and distribution centers or that use a community-based multi-stakeholder collaborative process to reduce toxic emissions; will only include a certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology that has a long expected useful life; Maximize the useful life of any certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology used or funded by the eligible entity; and Conserve diesel fuel. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Formula Grants USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support the development and implementation of such grant, rebate, and low-cost revolving loan programs in a State as are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions. A grant or loan funded by the State using funds from the DERA State Program must be used for projects involving EPA-verified and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified diesel emissions reduction technologies and/or EPA certified engines, or emerging diesel emissions reduction technologies or strategies. Funds received under the DERA National Program (see CFDA 66.039) may not be used to pay a matching share under this program. States must use the same statutory priorities as the national competitive program when selecting projects. States receiving funding under this program must comply with public notification requirements. Recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Applicant Eligibility: Assistance under this program is available to the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Beneficiary Eligibility: State, Local, Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization, Anyone/General Public. Costs for State governments will be determined in accordance with Office of Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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 Procedures: OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. Standard Form 424 is also available for download at EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) web site, http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm, from www.grants.gov, or from EPA Regional Collaborative assistance agreement websites. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. Award Procedure: EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and/or the 10 EPA Regions will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the Federal Register Notice of Availability of Funds for this program. Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately 180 days after the request for applications. Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable. Permitted. Generally, EPA incrementally funds cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the projects to EPA's priorities, availability of funds, and Agency policy on the cooperative agreement process. Formula and Matching Requirements: Statutory Formula: Title 42 U.S.C. 16133(c). This program has no matching requirements. This program has a statutory This program does not have MOE requirements. Assistance agreements funded under this program may have up to a seven-year 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. Specific reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations at 40 CFR Part 31. Recipients must make a public notification listing project information on their State websites within 60 days of a grant, rebate, or loan. Website postings must include the total number and dollar amount of rebates, grants, or loans provided, as well as a breakdown of the technologies funded. Grantees are required to submit program reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102. Grantees are required to submit financial reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Financial Reporting and Financial Management Systems requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102. Grantees are required to submit progress reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No.A-102. No expenditure reports are required. Grantees are required to perform performance monitoring in accordance with Agency policy and requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 and OMB Circular No. A-102. 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. Records: Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries in accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipient grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of an audit remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Account Identification: 68-0103-0-1-304. Obligations: (Formula Grants) FY 11 $15,000,000; FY 12 est $8,900,000; and FY 13 est $4,500,000 Range and Average of Financial Assistance: There is no minimum or maximum amount of assistance. The range is estimated from $28,000 (Island Base Amount) to approximately $168,000 (non-Island State Base Amount), depending on whether all eligible states participate in FY 2012. If fewer than 53 eligible states participate, the base amount of the non participating states will be distributed among the participating states according to population, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 16133(c)(2)(C). PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2011: In FY 2011, 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands participated in the program. Each State was awarded a cooperative agreement for clean diesel activities. Fiscal Year 2012: In FY 2012, 39 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands will participate in the program. Each State will be awarded a cooperative agreement for clean diesel activities. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: State Clean Diesel Grant Program grants and cooperative agreements are See Regional Agency Offices. EPA encourages potential applicants to Jennifer Keller, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code: 6405J, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: keller.jennifer@epa.gov Phone: (202) 343-9541. Website Address: http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel RELATED PROGRAMS: 66.039 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: States may use funds under this program to develop and implement grant and loan programs that are designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions. State grant and loan programs may fund projects relating to a certified engine configuration or a verified technology for vehicles, engines and equipment, including: buses; medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines or vehicles used in: i) construction; ii) handling or cargo (including at a port or airport); iii) agriculture; iv) mining; or v) energy production. Projects under the State's grant program may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of low-cost revolving loan programs to finance diesel emissions reduction projects. Fiscal Year 2012: States may use funds under this program to develop and implement grant and loan programs that are designed to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and are appropriate to meet State needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions. State grant and loan programs may fund projects relating to a certified engine configuration or a verified technology for vehicles, engines and equipment, including: buses; medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines or vehicles used in: i) construction; ii) handling or cargo (including at a port or airport); iii) agriculture; iv) mining; or v) energy production. Projects under the State's grant program may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emissions reductions solutions such as: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies; cleaner fuel use; engine repowers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of low-cost revolving loan programs to finance diesel emissions reduction projects. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The evaluation and selection criteria for awards under this CFDA description will be described in the FY 2012 State Program Guidelines, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 16133(b). 66.042 TEMPORALLY INTEGRATED MONITORING OF ECOSYSTEMS (TIME) AND LONG-TERM MONITORING (LTM) PROGRAM TIME/LTM FEDERAL AGENCY: Office of Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F); Clean Air Act, Section Clean Air Act section 103(b)(3) authorizes EPA to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys, studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention and control of air pollution. Clean Water Act section 104(b)(3) authorizes EPA to award grants to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution. EPA will award cooperative agreements to study the ecological response to pollution reduction and emissions control programs. The programs will assist in understanding biogeochemical changes in sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, and carbon in streams and lakes in relation to changing pollutant emissions and deposition, as well as other factors, such as potential climate change (e.g., temperature, precipitation, timing of storm events). The TIME/LTM programs will support initiatives that demonstrate the potential for tracking and understanding the ecological response to air pollution reduction programs in acid-sensitive regions of the U.S. Funding will be available for applicants that demonstrate the ability to provide consistent, reliable, quality-assured data from lakes and streams for a variety of surface water chemistry parameters (e.g., pH, sulfate and nitrate concentrations, acid neutralizing capacity, aluminum concentrations, base cations). TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: EPA will implement this grant authority by awarding cooperative agreements to state and local governments, institutions of higher education, and quasi-public and non-profit organizations that demonstrate the capability to perform the sampling, measurement, and parameter characterization of the lakes and streams in this long-term ecological system response program. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Applicant Eligibility: Assistance under this program is generally available to States, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia); public and private universities and colleges; hospitals; laboratories; public or private nonprofit institutions; intertribal consortia; and individuals. Nonprofit 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. An intertribal consortium must meet the definition of eligibility in the Environmental Program Grants for Tribes Final Rule, at 40 CFR 35.504 (66 FR 3782. January 16, 2001) (FRL-6929-5) and be a non-profit organization within the meaning of OMB Circular A-122. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA 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. Beneficiary Eligibility: State and local governments in acid-sensitive regions of the U.S., institutions of higher education, scientific research community, general public. Credentials/Documentation: OMB Circular A-87 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. Preapplication Coordination: 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 "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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 Procedures: OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 are applicable. In addition, EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. Standard Form 424 is also available for download at EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) web site, http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm, from www.grants.gov. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. Award Procedure: 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 180 days. 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 the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable. Renewals: Not Applicable. Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. This program has no matching requirements. While there is no statutory or regulatory cost sharing requirement for this program, as a matter of policy the Agency may impose a cost sharing requirement in specific competitions. If the Agency decides to do this, the cost sharing terms will be stated in Section III of the competitive announcement. This program does not have MOE requirements. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: EPA normally funds assistance agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 7 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Assistance agreements may be incrementally (quarterly) or fully (lump sum) funded. 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 Part 30 and Part 31, as applicable. Grantees are required to submit program reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 or 40 CFR Part 30, as applicable. Grantees are required to submit financial reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Financial Reporting and Financial Management Systems requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 or 40 CFR Part 30, as applicable. Grantees are required to submit progress reports in accordance with Agency policy and the Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 or 40 CFR Part 30, as applicable. No expenditure reports are required. Grantees are required to perform performance monitoring in accordance with Agency policy and requirements stated in Federal Grant Regulations 40 CFR Part 31 or 40 CFR Part 30, as applicable. 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. Records: Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants or cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Account Identification: 68-0107-0-1-304. Obligations: (Project Grants) FY 11 $366,000; FY 12 est $382,000; and FY 13 est $391,500 Range and Average of Financial Assistance: There is no minimum amount of assistance. EPA anticipates awards ranging in total value of $640,000 to $1,400,000. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fiscal Year 2011: The two grantees successfully fulfilled their assistance agreement project performance and financial obligations. Approximately 750 lake and stream samples from 108 TIME and LTM sites in NY and VT were collected and analyzed, thus continuing a 30-year data set for the TIME/LTM sites. Fiscal Year 2012: The two grantees successfully fulfilled their assistance agreement project performance and financial obligations. Approximately 750 lake and stream samples from 108 TIME and LTM sites in NY and VT were collected and analyzed, thus continuing a 30-year data set for the TIME/LTM sites. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: TIME/LTM assistance agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant None. Headquarters Office: Clara Funk US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code: 6204J, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: funk.clara@epa.gov Phone: (202) 343-9622 Website Address: http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/assessments/surface water.html RELATED PROGRAMS: 66.034 Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act; 66.436 Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Training Grants and Cooperative Agreements Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Fiscal Year 2011: Projects consisted of monitoring of small headwaters streams in undeveloped watersheds; monitoring of lakes smaller than four hectares with low acid neutralizing capacity levels in acid-sensitive regions; monitoring of lake and stream sulfate and nitrate concentrations in acid-sensitive regions of the eastern U.S. Fiscal Year 2012: Projects consisted of monitoring of small headwaters streams in undeveloped watersheds; monitoring of lakes smaller than four hectares with low acid neutralizing capacity levels in acid-sensitive regions; monitoring of lake and stream sulfate and nitrate concentrations in acid-sensitive regions of the eastern U.S. Fiscal Year 2013: No Current Data Available CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: EPA selects proposed TIME/LTM projects for funding based on factors such as relevancy to EPA's mission, technical merit, and the likelihood of success. If EPA issues a solicitation for applications for a particular project or group of projects, the solicitation will identify specific criteria. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement. 66.050 POTOMAC HIGHLANDS IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS FEDERAL AGENCY: Region 3, Environmental Protection Agency AUTHORIZATION: EPA's Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriation Act ("Department of the Interior, OBJECTIVES: To protect and restore the resources of the Potomac Highlands through implementation of conservation and restoration work. The Mid-Atlantic Highland's Action Program (HAP) is the foundation for the Potomac Highlands Implementation Grant. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands encompasses 79,000 square miles in the Central Appalachians of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The region hosts some of the most diverse and globally important resources on Earth. It is rich in natural and cultural heritage where the environment plays an important role in the quality of life. After years of resource extraction and lack of regard for natural resources, the Mid-Atlantic Highlands has become an area in need of attention. Congress recognized the uniqueness of the area and the need to perform restoration, conservation and protection projects. In 2002, Congress funded the Mid-Atlantic Highland Action Program (HAP). HAP uses the best available science including strategic conservation, to improve the natural resources and socio-economic conditions in the Highlands. Strategic conservation aims to build networks and connections between high value ecosystems by protecting intact resources and enhancing or restoring other areas. This strategic approach provides a framework for revitalizing and connecting forested headwaters and lands through river corridors and natural stream channel design, wetlands, working lands, ridge lines, steep slopes, riparian buffers, and flood plains. HAP is working toward achieving the following program goals: -Highlighting, protecting, and conserving special places that have ecological and cultural importance; -Highlighting important connections between these special places; -Revitalizing damaged ecosystems especially in key ecological corridors; -Empowering citizens and communities to strengthen the linkages among cultural heritage, economic viability and the condition of the environment; -Enhancing opportunities for the restoration industry in the Highlands, which will enhance lasting employment opportunities for its residents; and -Leveraging existing resources to support all these goals. Potomac Highlands Implementation Grants will support the HAP goals within the geographic boundaries as defined above. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2021: This program is not being funded in FY12. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Funds are used to support on-the-ground project work relating to protection of ecological resources and services to improve the Potomac Highlands ecosystem. For the purposes of the Potomac Highlands implementation grants, EPA considers the Potomac Highlands to be the Potomac Watershed west of and above the fall line plus the eight counties in the east central portion of West Virginia defined as the WV Potomac Highlands by the WV Department of Commerce. The eight counties are: Mineral, Hampshire, Grant, Tucker, Randolph, Pendleton, Pocahontas, and Hardy. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Funds are awarded to eligible entities that best meet the selection criteria described in the Request for Proposals. Applicant Eligibility: Assistance under this program will be available to State and local governments, as defined in 40 CFR Part 31.3, universities and colleges and other public and private nonprofit organizations. For-profit commercial entities are not eligible. Nonprofit 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. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA 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. Beneficiary Eligibility: Assistance under this program will be available to State and local governments, as defined in 40 CFR Part 31.3, universities and colleges and other public and private nonprofit organizations. Credentials/Documentation: Documentation of nonprofit status may be required. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate that they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. OMB Circular Nos. A-21, A-87, and A-122 apply to this program. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program. Preapplication Coordination: Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally |