Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 47 results

• What is a site assessment and what is the difference between a site assessment and a site investigation?

  The first step of the site assessment process is known as a preliminary assessment (PA). This assessment gathers historical and other readily available information on site conditions and surroundings to evaluate whether the site poses a potential threat to human health and the environment and/or whether further investigation is needed…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• Why hasn’t the Norwood Landfill Site been identified as a Superfund Site? Two nearby landfills, Folcroft and Clearview, which were established and in use at the same time as Norwood Landfill and Dump have both been designated as Superfund sites.

  EPA is still conducting its investigation of the Norwood Landfill Site to determine if it should be placed on the National Priorities List (NPL), or Superfund List. Thus far, the data collected has not demonstrated that the site warrants placement on the NPL. Both the Folcroft and Clearview Landfills went…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Are organizations located outside of the Great Lakes region eligible to apply for this RFA?

  Your organization could be eligible. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section III.A., B., & C. of the RFA in order to apply. Only applications from eligible entities that meet the threshold eligibility requirements will be considered. Applicants should carefully review all threshold eligibility requirements. Applicant eligibility information…

  • Last published: April 23, 2024

• Can foreign governments or private entities apply?

  No. From page 21 of the RFA: Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities: State agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies; and federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations. Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply. Non-profit…

  • Last published: April 23, 2024

• What is the definition of “overburdened community” that is relevant for EPA Actions and Promising Practices?

  EPA Actions and Promising Practices apply the description of overburdened communities articulated in EPA’s Plan EJ 2014. The term is used to describe the minority, low‐income, tribal and indigenous populations or communities in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and risks due to exposures or cumulative impacts…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• How will an EPA regional office determine whether a permitted activity impacts a potential overburdened community? What screening tool or process will EPA regional offices use to screen permit applications?

  The Agency has developed a nationally consistent screening tool to help identify communities that are potentially overburdened. This tool, known as EJSCREEN, is one of several tools being developed under Plan EJ 2014. EPA anticipates that its regional offices will use EJSCREEN and other readily available information, including known community…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• Some of the Promising Practices are mentioned in EPA regulations, guidance and recommendations that EPA has issued in the past. So why is EPA issuing the Promising Practices?

  EPA is issuing Promising Practices to encourage permit applicants to strategically plan and conduct enhanced outreach to overburdened communities in the permitting process. As some commenters noted, EPA has recommended some of the outreach strategies included in Promising Practices previously. Nevertheless, EPA believes that it is important to issue Promising…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• Applications focused solely on applications on improving access, recreational, and workforce development activities are prohibited, but may a PR propose a project that solely focuses on these activities?

  No, subawards focused solely on those things are also not eligible. From page 10: Note: Subawards may also include activities that improve communities’ access and enjoyment of restored areas, provided they are a part of and enhance an eligible project that accomplishes and is directly related to one of the…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Would surveying or similar human subject research be allowable as a component of a PG’s application or is any such research expressly prohibited?

  Human subjects research and surveys could be eligible activities, provided they are part of a project that otherwise meets the eligibility requirements stated in the RFA. Applicants and potential subawardees should be advised that those activities are subject to the human subjects research and Paperwork Reduction Act review processes, which…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Are projects located in Lake Champlain eligible for funding?

  Projects located in Lake Champlain are not within the eligible geographic bounds. Proposed GLEJGPs must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin, including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River (at or upstream from…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Is this grant eligible to all of Ohio or only portions of Ohio within the Great Lake's watershed.

  Proposed projects must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin , including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River (at or upstream from the point at which the St. Lawrence River becomes the international…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• What does the reporting look like? Will the PR have to report back on the impact of all grantees funded, and if so, how often will this be required?

  Yes, reporting will be required. EPA will help facilitate the reporting process, but we will be looking for reporting from the principal recipient on all sub awarded projects and the impacts that that have that those projects have had, as well as all final reports.

  • Last published: September 5, 2024

• Why did EPA wait so long to begin its investigation of the Norwood Landfill and Old Norwood Dump?

  In the months leading up to the preliminary assessment, EPA gathered information on the property to determine whether a site investigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) was warranted. EPA determined to proceed with an investigation and EPA began procuring contractor services to conduct the preliminary…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• Are permit applicants required to adopt the Promising Practices?

  EPA is not requiring permit applicants to adopt the Promising Practices. Promising Practices are simply that: good ideas in the form of suggestions to permit applicants. Permit applicants may benefit from applying these Promising Practices. EPA hopes that when permit applicants practice early and meaningful dialogue with the community, they…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• EPA Actions does not require EPA regional offices to prioritize the same types of permits and adopt the same outreach activities. Why doesn’t EPA require regional offices to always prioritize certain permits and always do certain outreach activities?

  EPA Actions strikes an important balance between national consistency and regional flexibility. The Agency‐wide guidelines establish national consistency by providing EPA’s expectations for the regional implementation plans. At the same time, EPA recognizes that the regional offices need the flexibility to take actions suited to the types of permits and…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024