Grants are awarded to support projects that meet two criteria: (1) They must be located in and directly benefit one or more Target Investment Areas (Environmental Justice Areas of Potential Concern, Places with High Risks from Toxic Air Pollution, Sensitive Populations, and/or Urban Areas); and (2) They

credit: National Environmental Education Week

must achieve measurable environmental and public health results in one or more of the Target Program Areas (generally defined in the annual competitive funding announcement).

Funds for all projects should support activities to restore or revitalize the environment, provide education, outreach, training, organize, or conduct community planning activities in the Target Program Areas.

The Regional Office will only accept submissions for projects that affect the States, Tribes, and Territories within the six New England States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Projects that are National in scope are not eligible for funding under this Regional Program.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Asthma: Projects that increase the number of people with asthma who take actions to reduce their exposure to environmental triggers (improved self-management of asthma).

Projects should identify, disseminate and promote the use of existing or innovative education and outreach products and services with proven effectiveness.

Projects can target geographic areas and various settings (e.g., communities, schools, homes/housing, etc.) and address indoor air quality issues.

Healthy homes approaches should include interventions to reduce environmental triggers such as integrated pest management and reduction of indoor air pollutants (e.g.

particulate matter, dust, mold, environmental tobacco smoke, etc.).

Applicants are encouraged to integrate environmental trigger avoidance into comprehensive asthma management programs, as recommended by the National Asthma Education Prevention Program (NAEPP) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp/.

Applicants are further encouraged to integrate comprehensive asthma management programs into holistic "Healthy Homes" approaches to environmental diseases as well as partnerships with managed care organizations and health care payers to incorporate the environmental aspects of asthma into provider referral and reimbursement systems.

While it is appropriate to place environmental trigger avoidance into the broader context of medical management in EPA-funded activities, where non-environmental asthma management (e.g., medical management) activities are proposed, applicants must be prepared to document alternative funding sources for such activities.

Capacity Building on Environmental and Public Health Issues: Projects that increase regional, state, tribal, community, and neighborhood access to information, dialogue, collection and use of data (e.g., GIS mapping, risk evaluation, risk mitigation, collecting emissions data, etc.), and/or improve methods of risk characterization; organize and sponsor community training events, or other forums that increase citizen involvement in understanding or addressing environmental and public health issues (topics may include, but are not limited to: environmental justice, indoor/ambient air quality, lead, asthma, pesticides, transportation, urban rivers/wetlands, water quality, open/green space, and/or energy); build new or strengthen existing coalitions to address schools, States, or regional programs and one or more other environmental and public health issue(s) are encouraged.

Research projects, surveys, trainings and/or studies that address tribal compliance assistance, tribal compliance monitoring, and/or tribal enforcement issues associated with waste management, schools and public water systems on federally recognized tribal lands in New England are also encouraged.

Clean Energy: Projects that promote clean energy, through energy efficiency measures that reduce energy consumption, or through the generation of energy from renewable resources, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal sources are priorities for EPA.

Priority sectors for energy efficiency and renewables include municipalities, schools, and colleges and universities.

Municipal projects should focus on reducing energy consumption within municipal buildings, including offices, schools and wastewater treatment plants.

In general, these projects should focus on more efficient use of energy, and water, as well as the potential use of renewable energy to supply electricity or heat to a facility in place of power provided by the local utility.

Proposed projects in this Target Program Area require a 5% match.

Please see Section III B, Matching for additional information.

Healthy Indoor/Outdoor Environments: Projects that focus on reducing and/or preventing childhood lead poisoning, reducing asthma triggers, promoting integrated pest management; reducing childhood exposure to one or more toxins (PCBs, dioxin, mercury, lead, pesticides, etc.) and promoting comprehensive healthy homes and other indoor environments are encouraged.

Projects that reduce indoor or ambient air toxics in a city, community or county, including those to create and implement risk management plans, conduct risk screening, build technical training capacity to help reduce community exposure to indoor and or outdoor air toxics are also encouraged under this category.

Healthy Schools: Projects that train K-12 school teams to implement EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tooklit.html) through state-wide, regional, or local workshops; develop or support a systems approach to improving environmental conditions in schools including customization and implementation of EPA's Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (Healthy SEAT); train K-12 school teams to address asthma triggers, deploy integrated pest management techniques particularly in urban areas and/or tribal schools (www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/asthma); or efforts which combine several project areas described in this grant solicitation are encouraged.

For more information on creating healthy school environments, please visit www.epa.gov/schools.

Pollution Prevention and Recycling: Projects that prevent pollution at the source of production through toxic use reduction and the more efficient use of materials, energy, water, and natural resources; and projects that reduce environmental impacts by promoting recycling, composting, waste minimization, beneficial reuse, market development, and sustainable purchasing practices.

Priority sectors for pollution prevention and recycling include K-12 schools, hospitals and healthcare facilities, marinas, and colleges and universities.

K-12 schools projects should focus on more efficient use of energy, water, reduction of waste generation and/or natural resources including recycling, composting, and/or chemical management (www.epa.gov/sc3).

Smart Growth: Projects that encourage compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly development in urban areas.

Smart growth can improve air quality by replacing some motor vehicle trips with walking, biking, and other clean forms of transportation, reducing exposure to airborne pollutants and risk of respiratory illnesses.

Smart growth also can improve water quality by reducing impervious surfaces and preserving green spaces both of which can reduce exposure to waterborne pollutants.

Examples of smart growth projects include community involvement in development and redevelopment projects; environmentally-sound reuse of vacant lots; improved transportation choices, including transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities; and projects that improve public health through improvements to the built environment.

Urban Natural Resources and Open/Green Space: Projects that train and educate the general public on ways to identify, prevent and/or reduce or eliminate toxic substances and contamination on vacant lots and open/green space; train and educate the general public or other community stakeholders on ways to increase community access to urban rivers and other urban natural resources if such access is related to the causes, effects, extent, reduction, prevention and/or elimination of pollution; train and educate groups of urban community stakeholders on methods to identify, reduce, prevent or eliminate exposures to pollution in soil, air or water; train groups, community/neighborhood stakeholders, and/or residents in holistic and comprehensive approaches for promoting pollution prevention efforts in a sustainable manner that improves, protects and/or enhances the ecological health of urban natural resources.

Water Quality Monitoring or Analyses: Projects that focus on determining the quality of a particular water body or watershed, identifying water quality problem(s), and/or determining the cause of pollution through water quality monitoring and/or analyses of water bodies.

Projects should involve community groups, educational institutions, watershed groups and/or other organizations.

Projects can provide and/or support educational opportunities for students, interns or citizens to learn more about science, biology and water quality monitoring.

Projects focusing on urban and/or environmental justice areas are encouraged.

Other Topics and Issues: On an annual basis, the competitive annoucement may identify additional funding priorities.

All projects funded through the Healthy Communities Program reduce environmental risks, and protect and improve human health and the quality of life to create healthy communities and ecosystems. Specific outputs, services and results vary based on each project and Target Program Area(s)identified. Overall program accomplishments include, but are not limited to: reduction in childhood lead poisoning, increased education and outreach related to environment and public health issues, reduction in asthma emergency room visits, increased water quality data and information on urban rivers and wetlands, and increased number of school teams trained or provided technical assistance. In 2007, 91 initial submissions were received and of those, 57 applicants were invited to submit a full proposal. Fifty-four applicants submitted full proposals and of those, 20 awards were granted in fiscal year 2007. It is anticipated that 10-20 awards will be granted in fiscal year 2008.

Uses and Use Restrictions

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.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Assistance under this program is available to State, Local, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions/organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, K-12 schools or school districts; and non-profit organizations (e.g.

grassroots and/or community-based organizations).

Funding will be considered for a college or university to support a project with substantial community involvement.

Private businesses, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to be grant recipients; however, they are encouraged to work in partnership with eligible applicants on projects.

Applicants need not be located within the boundaries of the EPA regional office to be eligible to apply for funding but must propose projects that affect the States, Tribes, and Territories within their Region.

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, Local, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions/organizations, anyone/general public.

Credentials/Documentation

Tribes may be asked to demonstrate that they are federally recognized. Interstate organizations may be asked to provide a citation to the statutory authority, which establishes their status. Intertribal consortia may be asked to provide documentation that they meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 35.504. Non-profit applicants are not required to have a formal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) nonprofit designation, such as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4); however they must present their letter of incorporation or other documentation demonstrating their non-profit or not-for-profit status. This requirement does not apply to public agencies or Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. Failure to enclose the letter of incorporation or other documentation demonstrating non-profit or not-for-profit status will render full proposal submissions incomplete and they will not be reviewed. Applicants who have an IRS 501(c)(4) designation are not eligible for grants if they engage in lobbying, no matter what the source of funding for the lobbying activities. For-profit enterprises are not eligible to receive sub-grants from eligible recipients, although they may receive contracts, subject to EPA's regulations on procurement under assistance agreements, 40 CFR 30.40 (for non-governmental recipients) and 40 CFR 31.36 (for governments).

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

For competitive awards, a one page summary format is provided in the competitive announcement.

Applicants invited to submit a full proposal are required to submit the SF 424, 424A, 424B, and the pre-award compliance report.

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.

Interested applicants should review information on the Internet at: http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/uep/hcgp.html.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

The Healthy Communities Grant Program has a two step process for evaluating competitive applications which is described in the annual Request for Initial Proposals. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. Application forms are available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm and by mail upon request to the Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division at (202) 564-5305. Completed applications should be submitted to the Region I Office. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedures

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

Deadlines for competitive awards will be specified in the annual competitive funding announcement.

Authorization

Clean Air Act, Section 103; Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3); Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, Section 1442(a)(b)(c); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; National Environmental Education Act, Section 6; Pollution Prevention Act, Section 6605; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; and Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Applicants will be notified within 60 days of receipt of submission for funding.

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

All competitive grant awards should be prepared and submitted as new projects, which will be evaluated based on criteria specified in annual competitive funding announcement. Renewals or extensions of existing projects may be available.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The grant program generally allows a match of up to 5 percent of the total budget but it is not required. Any exceptions will be identified in the competitive funding announcement. Award recipients can use contributions from entities other than themselves as a match. However, other Federal money cannot be used as the match for this grant program. Matching funds are considered grant funds. They must be used for the reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the assistance agreement work plan. Any restrictions on the use of grant funds (e.g., prohibition of land acquisition with grant funds) also apply to the matching funds. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance agreements are normally funded on a 12 (annual) or 24 month basis, at the discretion of the applicant. There is no restriction placed on the time permitted to spend the money awarded as long as the money is spent within the budget and project periods of the award specified in the workplan and the budget worksheet in the SF 424.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

EPA includes reporting requirements for cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.

Cooperative agreements require quarterly and final progress and expenditure reports; program evaluations and other reports as detailed by the specific terms and conditions of the agreements.

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 Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal 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. 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 OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure 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.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304.

Obigations

FY 07 $592,410; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not available. The Healthy Communities Grant Program combines resources across contributing regional and national programs and varies annually.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$10,789 to $35,000/fiscal year; $29,621/fiscal year.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Grants and cooperative agreements awarded under the Healthy Communities Grant Program are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations, and Procedures (40 CFR Parts 30 and 40 CFR Parts 31). Costs will be determined on accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and Local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular A-21 for educational institutions and OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit institutions.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Sandra Brownell, EPA Region I, 1 Congress Street, CPT, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02114. Telephone: (617) 918-1797. Toll Free: (888) 372-7341. TTY: (617) 918-2028. Fax: (617) 918-0797. E-Mail: Brownell.Sandra@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.