[Federal Register: March 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 45)]
[Notices]
[Page 13728-13729]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07mr01-55]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6949-5]
Notice of Request for Proposals for Projects to be Funded from
the Water Quality Cooperative Agreement Allocation
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA Region 4 (Atlanta) is soliciting proposals from state
water pollution control agencies, interstate agencies, tribes, and
other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions and
organizations interested in applying for Federal assistance for Water
Quality Cooperative Agreements under the Clean Water Act section
104(b)(3) in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. EPA Region 4
will award an estimated $300,000 to eligible applicants through
assistance agreements ranging in size from $25,000 to $150,000 for
innovative projects/demonstrations/studies that have maximum
transferability or can be used as models relating to the prevention,
reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Priority will be given
to proposals that relate to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) activities
which support the development of TMDLs. TMDL support includes the
rotating basin approach and water quality monitoring.
DATES: EPA Region 4 will consider all proposals postmarked or received
on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time April 23, 2001. Proposals received
after this date will not be accepted.
ADDRESSES: It is preferred that three copies of the proposal be mailed
through the postal service or other means to: Dorothy Rayfield, Chief,
Grants & Technical Assistance Section, Water Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth St., SW., Atlanta, Georgia
30303. Proposals may also be electronically mailed to
rayfield.dorothy@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorothy Rayfield by telephone at 404-
562-9278 or by E-mail at rayfield.dorothy@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What is the Purpose of This Request for Proposals?
EPA Region 4, Water Management Division is requesting proposals
from state water pollution control agencies, interstate agencies,
tribes, and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions,
and organizations under the Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3) for
unique and innovative projects.
An organization whose proposal is selected for Federal assistance
must complete an EPA Application for Assistance, including the SF-424
form (Application for Federal Assistance, see 40 CFR 30.12 and 31.10).
Has EPA Region 4, Water Management Division Identified High
Priority Areas for Consideration?
The Water Management Division, EPA Region 4 has identified project
areas for priority consideration to the extent they are for proposals
that are related to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) activities which
support the development of TMDLs. TMDL support includes the rotating
basin approach and water quality monitoring. Further priority will be
given to projects that are located within watersheds that have the
following characteristics:
Monitoring activities that support TMDL development on
303(d) listed waters.
Modeling activities that support TMDL development on
303(d) listed waters.
Other activities (e.g., watershed characterization, source
identification, etc.) that support TMDL development on 303(d) listed
waters
Additional consideration will be given to proposed projects that
are consistent with the States's TMDL development schedules, with
priority given to TMDL development processes, procedures or tools that
can be transferred to other waters.
Statutory Authority, Applicable Regulations, and Funding Level
Funding is authorized under the provisions of the Clean Water Act
section 104(b)(3), 33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(3).
The regulations governing the award and administration of Water
Quality Cooperative Agreements are 40 CFR part 30 (for institutions of
higher learning, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations) and 40
CFR part 31 (for States, Tribes, local governments, intertribal
consortia, and interstate agencies). In addition, EPA expects to
promulgate final rules in the near future that will include program
specific regulations for Water Quality Cooperative Agreements to
States, Tribes, local governments, interstate agencies and Intertribal
consortia. When the rules are finalized, they will be codified at 40
CFR part 35, subparts A and B.
Total funding available for award will depend on EPA Region 4's
appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001; however, it is estimated that
$300,000 will be available for funding approved projects. Projects may
range in size from $25,000 to $150,000.
Proposal Format and Contents
(A) The following format should be used for all proposals.
Name of Project:
Applicant Point of Contact: (Individual and Organization Name,
Address, Phone Number, Fax Number, E-mail address)
Is this a Continuation of a Previously Funded Project? (If so,
please provide its name, funding date, and expected final product with
the date)
Proposed Award Amount:
Proposed Applicant Cost Share: (A 5% match is encouraged)
Expected Budget: Please include a budget by salary, fringe
benefits, travel,
[[Page 13729]]
supplies, equipment, contractual and indirect costs and a budget by
activity, such as water monitoring, modeling, watershed
characterization, best management practices, etc. Identify all sources
of funding.
Project Description: (Should not exceed two (2) pages of single
spaced text)
Expected Accomplishments or Products(s) with Dates and Interim
Milestones: Since eligible activities must be of a relatively short
time frame with tangible results, the project and budget period should
not exceed two (2) years.
Describe How the Project Meets the Evaluation Criteria: EPA will
consider proposals based on the following criteria:
The relationship of the proposed project to the priorities
identified in this notice
How well the project proposes to address a need
How well the project is likely to increase water quality
protection
How reasonable the expectation of being successful and
implementable
Soundness of technical content
Applicant's financial commitment
Compliance with direction for submittal contained in this
notice.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for assistance agreements under Section
104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act are state water pollution control
agencies, tribes, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit
private agencies, institutions, and organizations. This solicitation is
limited to applicants within EPA Region 4.
Application Procedure
Please send three copies of the proposal if it is not
electronically transmitted. The completed proposals should be limited
to three pages. Full application packages should not be submitted at
this time.
Schedule of Activities
This is the estimated schedule of activities for review of
proposals and notification of selections:
Proposals due to EPA by April 23, 2001.
June 5, 2001--Initial approvals identified and sponsors of projects
selected for funding will be requested to submit a formal application
package.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 01-5573 Filed 3-6-01; 8:45 am]
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