[Federal Register: December 18, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 243)]
[Notices]
[Page 70502-70504]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18de03-43]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7599-8 ]
Notice of Request for Initial Proposals (IPs) for Projects To Be
Funded From the Water Quality Cooperative Agreement Allocation (CFDA
66.463--Water Quality Cooperative Agreements)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA is soliciting Initial Proposals (IPs) from States, Tribes,
local governments, universities, non-profits, and other eligible
entities, as shown below in the section called Eligible Applicants,
interested in applying for Federal assistance for Water Quality
Cooperative Agreements (CFDA 66.463) under the Clean Water Act (CWA)
section 104(b)(3). EPA Headquarters intends to award an estimated $3.5
million to eligible applicants through assistance agreements ranging in
size from $10,000 up to $500,000 for Water Quality Cooperative
Agreements, which are for unique and innovative projects that address
the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
Systems (NPDES) program with special emphasis on wet weather
activities, i.e., storm water, combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer
overflows, and concentrated animal feeding operations as well as
projects that enhance the ability of the regulated community to deal
with non-traditional pollution problems in priority watersheds. From
the IPs received, EPA estimates that 30 to 35 projects may be selected
to submit full applications.
The Agency intends to make available at least $200,000 per year of
the annual appropriation for Water Quality Cooperative Agreements, from
FY 2004 through FY 2005, for projects which address cooling water
intake issues to include technical and environmental studies. The
Agency has made available $600,000 from FY 2001 through FY 2003. It is
expected that the $200,000 available for cooling water intake projects
in FY 2004 will be used to fund a project approved in a prior year.
The Agency reserves the right to reject all IPs and make no awards.
DATES: EPA will consider all IPs received on or before 5 p.m. Eastern
Time, February 17, 2004. IPs received after the due date, may be
reviewed at EPA's discretion.
ADDRESSES: It is preferred that IPs be electronically mailed (E-mailed)
to WQCA2004@EPA.GOV. If mailed through the postal service or other
means, three copies should be sent to: Barry Benroth, 4204M, WQCA2004
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20460.
The following address must be used for delivery of the copies by an
overnight delivery or courier service: Barry Benroth, 4204M, WQCA2004,
Phone 202-564-0672, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Room 7324 J,
EPA East, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Benroth by telephone at 202-564-
0672 or by E-mail at benroth.barry@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of This Request Is for Initial Proposals
The Office of Wastewater Management, Office of Water at EPA
Headquarters is requesting IPs from States, Tribes, local governments,
non-profit organizations and other eligible entities under the Clean
Water Act Section 104(b)(3) for unique and innovative projects that
address the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination Systems (NPDES) program with special emphasis on wet
weather activities, i.e., storm water, and concentrated animal feeding
operations as well as projects that enhance the ability of the
regulated community to deal with non-traditional pollution problems in
priority watersheds.
An organization whose IP is selected for possible Federal
assistance must complete an EPA Application for Assistance, including
the Federal SF-424 form (Application for Federal Assistance, see 40 CFR
30.12 and 31.10).
Organizations who have an existing agreement under this program are
eligible to compete with proposals for new awards.
The Office of Wastewater Management, Office of Water, EPA Headquarters
Has Identified the Following High Priority Areas for Consideration
Assistance agreements awarded under Section 104(b)(3) may only be
used to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of
activities such as research, investigations, experiments, training,
education, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes,
effect, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water
pollution. These activities, while not defined in the statute, advance
the state of knowledge, gather information, or transfer information.
For instance, ``demonstrations'' are generally projects that
demonstrate new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches
and the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can
benefit from the knowledge gained. A project that is accomplished
through the performance of routine, traditional, or established
practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a task
rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge,
however worthwhile the project may be, is not a demonstration. Research
projects may include the application of established practices when they
contribute to learning about an environmental concept or problem.
The Office of Wastewater Management at EPA Headquarters has
identified several subject areas for priority consideration. EPA will
award Assistance Agreements for research, investigations, experiments,
training, demonstrations, surveys and studies related to the causes,
effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water
pollution in the subject areas shown below in bold. Example projects
are shown for each area.
[[Page 70503]]
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Benefits assessment of wastewater infrastructure investments
including funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.
Tools, techniques, benchmarking, or training for more efficient
wastewater and other systems performance.
Capacity development for Tribes, Native Villages, and small
communities to effectively operate and maintain water and wastewater
treatment facilities.
Innovative water efficiency programs or techniques to reduce
infrastructure costs or municipal water use.
Demonstration of remote techniques for assessing the performance
and environmental impacts of on-site/decentralized wastewater systems.
Innovative approaches or methods to reduce risk or impact of
terrorist or other attacks to integrity and effectiveness of wastewater
collections and treatment.
Impacts of Wet Weather Flows
Test results achieved by peak excess flow technologies in
collection systems at CSO outfalls and at treatment plants, and test
performance of devices before and after blending. Testing may include
pollutants in effluent or ambient settings.
Measure, or develop tools to determine the effectiveness of storm
water BMPs.
Develop and pilot storm water discharge and ambient water
monitoring techniques for gauging water quality improvements.
Develop and pilot sample performance measures for use by small
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) to incorporate into storm
water management plans.
Outreach on low impact development (LID) and its potential uses.
Provide tools to help permitees select options and overcome
barriers in storm water pollution prevention plan development.
Pathogens
Conduct studies on monitoring pathogens in wastewater and
biosolids, including bacterial, viruses and parasites.
Conduct studies on treatability of pathogens in wastewater.
Characterization of impacts of PH levels on municipal
infrastructure systems (pretreatment discharges to POTWs).
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program
Strategies To Implement Watershed-based Efforts
Conduct a demonstration project that provides support to facilitate
watershed-based permitting and trading.
Develop and pilot innovative techniques to facilitate NPDES program
management for enhanced results, integrity and/or efficiency.
Animal Feeding Operations
Develop and demonstrate innovative or alternative technologies for
CAFOs to treat/process wastewater or manage manure.
CAFO producer outreach programs to train/educate the industry on
implementation of the CAFO rule.
EPA may also consider other project areas for funding to the extent
authorized by CWA section 104(b)(3) and to the extent funds are
available for such project areas.
Statutory Authority, Applicable Regulations, and Funding Level
Water Quality Cooperative Agreements are awarded under the
authority of section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (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 and 40 CFR part 35, subparts A and B (for States, Tribes,
local governments, intertribal consortia, and interstate agencies).
Applicants requested to submit a full application (SF-424) will be
required to comply with Intergovernmental Review requirements (40 CFR
part 29).
Applicants must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number with the full application. Organizations
may obtain the number by calling, toll free, 1-866-705-5711.
Total funding available for award by Headquarters will depend on
EPA's appropriation for Fiscal Year 2004; however, it is estimated that
$3.5 million will be available for funding approved projects. The
average size of an award is anticipated to be approximately $100,000.
Construction projects, except for the construction required to
carry out a demonstration project, and acquisition of land, are not
eligible for funding under this program. New or on-going programs to
implement environmental controls are not eligible for funding under
this program.
Request for Initial Proposal Format and Contents
IPs should be limited to four pages. Full application packages
should not be submitted at this time. It is recommended that
confidential information not be included in the IP. The following
format should be used for all IPs:
Name of Project:
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 the number and status of the current grant or
cooperative agreement):
Proposed Award Amount:
Proposed Awardee Cost Share: (Cost sharing is not required)
Description of General Budget Proposed To Support Project:
Project Area: (based on areas of interest shown above)
Project Description: (Should not exceed three pages of single-
spaced text)
Expected Accomplishments or Product, With Dates, Environmental
Results and Interim Milestones: This section should also include a
discussion of a communication plan for distributing the project results
to interested parties.
Describe How the Project Meets the Evaluation Criteria Specified
Below:
EPA IP Evaluation Criteria
EPA will award Water Quality Cooperative Agreements on a
competitive basis and evaluate IPs based on the following criteria
(maximum points for each element are shown).
[sbull] The relationship of the proposed project to the priorities
identified in this notice. (5)
[sbull] How well the project proposes to address a nationally
important need, issue, or interest. (30)
[sbull] Communication plan to transfer results of the project to
other potentially interested parties. (25)
[sbull] How well the project furthers the goal of the Clean Water
Act to prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution. (20)
[sbull] Leverage of other resources (e.g., cost share,
participation by other organizations) as part of the proposed approach.
(10)
[sbull] Cost effectiveness and reasonableness of the proposal. (10)
The IPs will be evaluated by EPA staff on the elements shown above.
Maximum points equals 100. EPA may consider IPs even if all criteria
are not fully met, provided the proposed projects meet the applicable
statutory and regulatory requirements and funds
[[Page 70504]]
are available for such projects. IPs which are not in compliance with
the notice, i.e., do not provide the required information, are
submitted by ineligible applicants, are considered to be primarily
construction projects, or are for the acquisition of land will not be
considered.
IP Selection
Final selection of IPs will be made by the Director, Office of
Wastewater Management. Selected organizations will be notified and
requested to submit a full application. It is expected that
unsuccessful applicants will be notified by e-mail.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for assistance agreements under section
104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act are State water pollution control
agencies, Tribal governments, intertribal consortia, interstate
agencies, and other public or non-profit private agencies,
institutions, organizations and individuals.
Application Procedure
Electronic transmittal of IPs is preferred to facilitate the review
process. Hard copies are acceptable. Please send three copies of the
IPs if it is not electronically transmitted.
Dispute Resolution Process
Procedures at 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 31.70 apply.
Type of Assistance
It is expected that all the awards under this program will be
cooperative agreements. States, interstate agencies, federally
recognized tribes, and intertribal consortia meeting the requirements
at 40 CFR 35.504 may include the funds for Water Quality Cooperative
Agreements in a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG) in accordance with
the regulations governing PPGs at 40 CFR part 35, subparts A and B. For
states and interstate agencies that choose to do so, the regulations
provide that the work plan commitments that would have been included in
the WQCA must be included in the PPG work plan. A description of the
Agency's substantial involvement in cooperative agreements will be
included in the final agreement.
Schedule of Activities
This is the estimated schedule of activities for submission, review
of proposals and notification of selections:
February 17, 2004--RFIPs due to EPA.
March 29, 2004--Initial approvals identified and sponsors of
projects selected for funding will be requested to submit a formal
application package. Schedule may be modified based on the level of
response.
A list of selected projects will be posted on the Office of
Wastewater Management Web site http://www.epa.gov/owm/wqca/2004.htm.
This web site may also contain additional information about this
request. Deadline extensions, if any, will be posted on this web site
and not in the Federal Register.
Dated: December 11, 2003.
Jane S. Moore,
Deputy Director, Office of Wastewater Management.
[FR Doc. 03-31236 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
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