EPA News: 2017-2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 Solicitation

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Solicitation Now Open Through Dec. 19, 2017

Open: Oct. 31, 2017 Close: Dec. 19, 2017

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the release of its 2017-2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Solicitation to develop innovative technologies that will help protect human health and the environment.

EPA is calling for small businesses to apply for Phase I awards up to $100,000 to demonstrate proof of concept in the following topic areas: air quality, manufacturing, clean and safe water, land revitalization, homeland security, and building construction materials. See the full solicitation posted on FedConnect to learn more about these topic areas, view specific subtopics for each area, and access instructions on how to apply.

EPA is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR program enacted in 1982 to strengthen the role of small businesses in federal research and development, create jobs, and promote U.S. technical innovation from idea conception to commercialization. EPA’s SBIR funding boosts local economies by creating jobs and promoting collaborations among communities and small businesses. This funding also supports technologies aimed at creating cleaner manufacturing materials and better infrastructure in communities. Successful Phase I companies are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, which awards up to $300,000 for two years with a commercialization option of up to $100,000, to further develop and commercialize their technologies.

All applications must be submitted through FedConnect.  For more information on eligibility, application process and the SBIR program, visit the EPA SBIR website at www.epa.gov/sbir.

Missed the Sept. 28, 2017, informational webinar on how to apply for the 2017-2018 EPA SBIR Phase I Solicitation? View the presentation at https://www.epa.gov/sbir/us-epa-2017-2018-small-business-innovation-research-sbir-solicitation-webinar.

The EPA SBIR Program is part of EPA’s Sustainable and Healthy (SHC) research program.

EPA NEWS: FY 2017 Grant Announcement: FY 2017 Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program

Request For Proposals

2017 Pollution Prevention (P2) Source Reduction Assistance Grant Request for Proposal for EPA Region 1

RFP# EPA-Region10-P2-2017-001

Open Date: June 16, 2017

Closing Date: Wednesday July 26, 2017, 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (8:59pm Pacific Daylight Time)

P2 Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) awards support pollution prevention through source reduction and resource conservation work. You can read a description of SRA awards in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 66.717.

  • Eligibility: The fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the U.S., local governments, city or township governments, independent school district governments, state controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (other than institutions of higher education), private institutions of higher education, community-based grassroots organizations, and federally-recognized tribes and intertribal consortia.
  • Match requirement: 5%
  • Range of possible award amounts: $20,000 – $95,000.
  • Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov “FY 2017 Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program for Region 10″
  • For more information, contact Robert Drake (drake.robert@epa.gov), 206-553-4803
Related information:

EPA Grant Opportunities!!

Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities
Local Foods, Local Places 2016-2017 Application, EPA
Applications due by November 6, 2016.
Local Foods, Local Places helps communities create more livable neighborhoods by promoting local foods. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority.
The Local Foods, Local Places program will provide selected communities planning assistance that centers around a two-day community workshop. At the workshop, a team of experts will help community members develop an implementable action plan that promotes local food and neighborhood revitalization. Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city of any size anywhere in the United States. We expect that many of the communities we select will be economically challenged and in the early phases of their efforts to promote local foods and community revitalization.
 
Healthy Places for Healthy People, EPA
Applications due by November 6, 2016.
Healthy Places for Healthy People helps communities create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant places by engaging with their health care facility partners such as community health centers (including Federally Qualified Health Centers), nonprofit hospitals, and other health care facilities. The pilot phase of this program is sponsored by EPA and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Healthy Places for Healthy People will provide selected communities with expert planning assistance that centers around a two-day community workshop. A team of experts will help community members develop an implementable action plan that will focus on health as an economic driver and catalyst for downtown and neighborhood revitalization. Eligible applicants include local government representatives, health care facilities, local health departments, neighborhood associations, main street districts, nonprofit organizations, tribes and others proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city located anywhere in the United States. Applications that include representatives from both the community (local government or non-governmental organization) and a health care facility will receive special consideration.
 
Cool & Connected Fall 2016 Application, EPA
Applications due by November 6, 2016.
Communities interested in using broadband service to revitalize main streets and promote economic development are encouraged to apply for Cool & Connected, a planning program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities. Through Cool & Connected, a team of experts will help community members develop strategies and an action plan for using broadband service to promote smart, sustainable community development. Eligibility:
·        Any community representative is welcome to submit an application to participate in Cool & Connected.
·        Special consideration will be given to small towns and rural communities that face economic challenges.
·        Special consideration will be given to communities in places where USDA has provided loans or grants in support of broadband services.
·        Your community should have existing or anticipated broadband service that can be leveraged for community development.
 
Preservation Technology and Training Grants, National Park Service
Applications due November 3, 2016.
Funding Opportunity Number: P16AS00579
2017 Preservation Technology and Training Grants are intended to create better tools, better materials, and better approaches to conserving buildings, landscapes, sites, and collections. The competitive grants program will provide funding to federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations. Grants will support the following activities:
·        Innovative research that develops new technologies or adapts existing technologies to preserve cultural resources (typically $25,000 to $40,000)
·        Specialized workshops or symposia that identify and address national preservation needs (typically $15,000 to $25,000)
·        How-to videos, mobile applications, podcasts, best practices publications, or webinars that disseminate practical preservation methods or provide better tools for preservation practice (typically $5,000 to $15,000)
The maximum grant award is $40,000. The actual grant award amount is dependent on the scope of the proposed activity.
 
Environmental Education Grants, Captain Planet Foundation
Funding range: $500 to $2,500
Applications due by January 31, 2017
The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to give the next generation of environmental stewards an active understanding and love for the natural world in which they live. The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. Grants are made for activities that conform to the mission of the Captain Planet Foundation and MUST have all four of the following to be considered for funding:
·        Be project-based;
·        Projects must be performed by youth;
·        Projects must have real environmental outcomes;
·        Be based in the United States.
Grants from the Captain Planet Foundation are intended to:
·        Provide hands-on environmental stewardship opportunities for youth;
·        Serve as a catalyst to getting environment-based education in schools;
·        Inspire youth and communities to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities.
Also of interest, EPA Long-Term Stormwater Planning Effort
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a new voluntary stormwater planning initiative to help communities plan long-term strategies for managing stormwater pollution. EPA has released a step-by-step guide to help communities develop long-term stormwater plans, a web-based toolkit for the planning process, and technical assistance for five communities to develop plans as national models. This effort promotes the use of flexible solutions that spur economic growth, stimulate infrastructure investments, and help compliance with environmental requirements.
 
 
 For more information contact:
Rachel Herbert
EPA/Office of Water/Stormwater Team
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, MC 4203M
Washington, DC 20460
herbert.rachel@epa.gov
202.564.2649

Announcement: Final Coordinated Response gets Task Force approval, has been sent to EPA

A consensus agreement was reached during the June 15, 2015 phone conference meeting among the 11 voting members of the Task Force. The consensus was to approve the final document titled, “Coordinated Response to EPA Regarding the Remand from Judge Rothstein”  (and attachments) and submit it to EPA for its submittal to the judge.

SRRTTF Coordinated Response FINAL 6.15.2015

Coordinated Task Force Response: Final Draft ready for Review

Members of the Task Force have drafted a coordinated response (see below) to contribute to EPA’s submittal to the United States (federal) District Court Judge. There is a very short timeline for review and approval of this document. The process for reviewing, editing, and finalizing the coordinated Task Force Response is as follows: (REVISED on 5/29/15, UPDATED 6/5/15)

  • Written comments on version provided at the Task Force meeting are due by 5 pm, Monday June 1, 2015. Comments and revisions are to focus on high level, content related edits. (COMPLETE)
  • Comments and proposed edits will be sent out via email to the Task Force and posted to the Task Force Website no later than Monday evening on June 1st, 2015. (COMPLETE)
  • Small Work group to meet on Tuesday June 2, 2015 from 1-4 pm at the Spokane County Water Resource Center to review the document and any edits received. (To Join by phone: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#). (COMPLETE)
  • Edited/Revised Version will be sent out via email to the Task Force and posted to the Task Force Website by 12 pm on Wednesday June 3, 2015. (Will be posted by Thursday morning by 9 am at the latest)
  • Small work group meeting on Thursday June 4, 2015 from 9 am-12 pm at the Department of Ecology. (To Join by phone: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#). (COMPLETE)
  • Task Force conference call from 9-11 am on Friday June 5, 2015. (phone: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#). (COMPLETE)
  • Edited/Revised Version will be sent out via email to the Task Force and posted to the Task Force Website by 12 pm on Monday June 8, 2015.
  • Task Force Decision call on Monday June 15 at 12 pm to approve the final coordinated response. (requires a quorum of voting members). (phone: 800-704-9804 Participant Code: 34863442#).

FINAL DRAFT:
–  SRRTTF-Work-Summary-FINAL-DRAFT-for-SRRTTF-6-8-2015 (FINAL DRAFT For DECISION)


–  VERSION 4_SRRTTF DRAFT Response Revised 6.4.2015 (Task Force To Review for conference call Friday June 5)


Comments:
  Ecology_Adriane Borgias Comments on Coordinated Response to EPA
–   Greg Lahti _ comments on Draft Response
   Riverkeeper and Lands Council comments
   RICK E. Mike P._Jerry W. proposed edits_track changes
   Riverkeeper_Lands Council_ Alternate EPA feedback format
–   Post Falls Task Force Submittal Comments 6.01.15
   Post Falls additional Comments on EPA Submittal Letter


DRAFT Documents

Revisions
–  SRRTTF Coordinated Response Revised Draft 6.3.2015_clean
–  SRRTTF Coordinated Response Revised Comparison from original Draft 6.3.2015


Original Version Presented to Task Force:
–  SRRTTF Work Summary – draft 3 for SRRTTF_ 5-27-2015 (pdf)
–  SRRTTF Work Summary – draft 3 for SRRTTF_ 5-27-2015 (word doc)
–  Appendix A: Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force Final Memorandum of Agreement
–  Appendix B: SRRTTF-Work-Plan-First-Draft-Adopted-10-24-12 , SRRTTF-Work-Plan-Milestone-Schedule-10-24-2012
–  Appenix C: – Measurable Progress SRSP PCB reduction activities 9_9_2014  (note: Appendix C is a DRAFT that is still awaiting feedback)

Per Task Force Request: EPA Comments from December 2011

On December 14, 2011, EPA submitted comments to the Memorandum of Agreement.

These were received after the MOA was finalized and not incorporated into the document.

EPA will be reviewing these comments for relevancy and sending an updated version for discussion at the January 22, 2014 Task Force meeting.

Many of the comments will be revised because they are no longer relevant.

Conditions 10 and 11 on page 2 of 20 of the MOA will be relevant:
SRRTTF MOA DRAFT dated 11-09-2011 Annotated

EPA Comments on Spokane MOA

EPA Proposes Rule Updates to Federal Water Quality Standards Regulations

To Those Interested in Water Quality Regulation:

The Department of Ecology Water Quality Program was made aware that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing rule updates to federal water quality standards regulations.  For the first time in 30 years, EPA is proposing changes to the core requirements of the federal water quality standards (WQS) regulation that interprets part of the Clean Water Act.

The proposed rule addresses the following key areas: Administrator’s determinations that new or revised WQS are necessary, designated uses, triennial reviews, antidegradation, variances to WQS, and compliance schedule authorizing provisions.

Proposed changes are available online at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-21140.

EPA will accept public comments for 90 days beginning on September 4, 2013.  Comments must be received on or before December 3, 2013.  Details on how to submit formal comments are available here.

EPA is hosting two public webinars and one public meeting during the public comment period.  To register for the public webinars and/or public meeting, please visit: http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/wqsregs/public/.   The public webinar and public meeting dates and times are as follows: • Public Webinar 1: September 24, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST) • Public Meeting: October 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST) at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the Visitor Center Auditorium in Washington, DC. • Public Webinar 2: November 14, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (EST)

For more information about the proposed rule, see: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/wqs_index.cfm

For further information contact: Janita Aguirre Environmental Protection Agency Telephone number: 202-566-1860 Fax number: 202-566-0409 Email address: WQSRegulatoryClarifications@epa.gov.

August 28, 2013 Spokane River Regional Task Force Meeting

Spokane River Regional Task Force Meeting Announcement

Date: August 28, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location: Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District Office
22510 E. Mission Avenue
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Click here for a map

Call In Number: 800-704-9804
Participant Code: 34863442#

Please note, the conference call in number will remain open until 15 minutes until after the meeting begins. It will continue to remain open as long as there are callers on the line. If you wish to join the meeting by phone late, please notify Adriane Borgias (abor461@ecy.wa.gov) ahead of time.

Meeting Documents
–  SRRTTF Meeting Summary 8-28-13
–  SRRTTF Meeting Agenda DRAFT 8-28-13
–  LimnoTech Task 4: Data Acquisition Contact Log (revised 8-12-13)
–  Limno Tech Task 5: Data Review Memo (revised 8-15-13)
–  EPA TSCA Compliance Letter DRAFT (r2)
–  EPA TSCA Compliance (r2) WORD VERSION
–  SR Basin Toxics Sampling & Research Interest Inquiry DRAFT
–  SR Basin Toxics Sampling & Research Interest Inquiry FINAL
–  SRRTTF Proposed Agenda Topics Aug-Dec 2013 (8-28-13)
–  NCASI WCRM 2013 podcast invitation memo
–  SRRTTF EPA Small Business Advisory Committee Letter of Support: Eichstaedt
–  SRRTTF EPA Small Business Advisory Committee Letter of Support: Krapas
–  Draft NPDES Permits for Idaho Dischargers on the Spokane River – letter to EPA

Link to Technical Consultant Status Page with Final Work Products

Presentations
  EPA Columbia River Toxics Reduction Strategy
–  2013 Spokane River Sediment & Fish Sampling Update (REVISED)

August 7, 2013 Technical Track Work Group Meeting

Spokane River Regional Task Force

Beginning in August 2013, the work group meetings will alternate months, meeting from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. at the Department of Ecology.

The Technical Track Work Group will meet on even numbered months (August, October, December, etc.) and the Funding Work Group will meet on odd numbered months (September, November, January, etc.).

Technical Track Work Group Meeting
Date: August 7, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Department of Ecology
N. 4601 Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99205
Click here for a map.

Call In Number: 800-704-9804
Participant Code: 34863442#

Please note, the conference call in number will remain open until 15 minutes until after the meeting begins. It will continue to remain open as long as there are callers on the line. If you wish to join the meeting by phone late, please notify Adriane Borgias (abor461@ecy.wa.gov) ahead of time.

Meeting Documents
Tech Track Work Group Meeting Summary 8-7-13
Tech Track Work Group DRAFT Agenda 8-7-13
 Technical Consultant Work Tasks STATUS 7-10-13
PCB Rule Revision Request: July 15, 2013
TSCA Rulemaking Overview TTWG 8-7-13
Guidance-Reg Flex Act
Letter to EPA Compliance DRAFT 8-7-13

For Technical Track Work Group Review
Please provide comments to Bud Leber (bud.leber@kaisertwd.com) by Tuesday, August 13th, 2013.
DRAFT MEMO Review and Evaluation of Existing Data