WEBINARS
COLLABORATION TO DRIVE A NEW RECYCLING ECONOMY
Thursday, March 11, 2021 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Webinar
Creating a new recycling economy requires building on past successes, trying innovative approaches, and embracing collaborations with all stakeholders. The US Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC), and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) have joined up to provide a free webinar on the evolution of recycling in EPA Region 5. Region 5 includes the states of IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI, and 35 Tribes. Hear how EPA Region 4 made a case for recycling. Learn about new initiatives in Region 5, including NextCycle Michigan, that are driving new local recycling markets and advancing existing recycling systems. Also, get an understanding of the national recycling focus and next steps. The free webinar is being held on Thursday, March 11th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (ET). Register at: https://recycle.zoom.us/webinar/register/7216127972868/WN_uqn4JDfPT5KWEdFRRHYIJA
THE INTERSECTION OF FOOD & LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Wednesdays, March 17 – April 7, 2021 Webinar Series
This Webinar Series will help chart pathways within the emerging sector of urban agriculture, between small businesses, entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, food industry partners, local downtown improvement districts, and government agencies. The Intersection of Food and Local Economic Development Webinar Series is designed for those directly involved in urban agriculture, along with those that are interested in increasing and supporting local agriculture throughout the region. In partnership with U.S. EDA Philadelphia & and U.S.EPA Regions 2 and 3, each webinar will provide space for participants to share input on the goals and actionable project concepts stemming from the region’s Growing Greater Philadelphia Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This is free, but registration is required for each individual webinar as shown on the attached flyer.
LAST WEEK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT!
In November 2020, EPA announced the overall national recycling goal to increase the U.S. recycling rate to 50% by 2030. This national goal will provide the benchmark to evaluate the success of the collective efforts to improve the nation’s recycling system. EPA is seeking public input on the national recycling rate which will help track progress toward the national recycling goal. Specifically, EPA is seeking input on which key data points the Agency should include when calculating the national recycling rate as well as input as to whether data on food waste, construction and demolition materials, and industrial materials (coal ash, iron and steel slag, etc.) should be included. Later in 2021, EPA will update and publish the National Recycling Measurement Guide with a detailed methodology on how the Agency will calculate the national recycling rate. EPA is currently accepting comments on the national recycling rate methodology until March 8, 2021. If you are interested in providing comments on the national recycling rate, see the memo at http://www.regulations.gov by searching EPA-HQ-OLEM-2020-0443-0068. Please submit comments at ORCRMeasurement@epa.gov.
GRANTS
The EJ Small Grants and EJ CPS RFAs are now live
WASHINGTON (March 2, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $6 million in grant funding under The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program.
“These grants are crucial to supporting vulnerable and overburdened communities disproportionately affected by environmental health risks,” said Office of Environmental Justice Director Matthew Tejada. “With renewed leadership to address environmental justice under the Biden-Harris Administration, we are excited to support community efforts to address historically challenging issues.”
EPA will be giving special consideration to the following focus areas:
- Addressing COVID-19 concerns faced by low-income communities and communities of color
- Climate Change and Natural Disaster Resiliency outreach and planning
- New applicants to either opportunity
- Ports Initiative to assist people living and working near ports across the country
- Small non-profits
The EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program’s total estimated funding for this opportunity is approximately $3,200,000. EPA anticipates awarding two cooperative agreements of $160,000 each within each of the 10 EPA Regions. To learn more about pre-application assistance calls and how to apply for funding, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0.
The EJSG Program estimates approximately $2,800,000 will be awarded to approximately five applications per EPA region in amounts of up to $50,000 per award. This includes the EPA’s Ports Initiativeprogram which anticipates funding up to six additional projects that address clean air issues at coastal and inland ports or rail yards. To learn more about pre-application assistance calls and how to apply for funding, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program.
Applicants interested in either opportunity must submit proposal packages on or before May 7, 2021 to be considered for the available funding. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on October 1, 2021.
For more information on environmental justice grants, funding, and technical assistance: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance.
GreenStream
EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to (1) assist in the development and use of innovative activities relating to water workforce development and career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and (2) expand public awareness about drinking water and wastewater utilities and to connect individuals to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. Project area #1 includes green infrastructure training.
Eligibility:
Eligible applicants under this competition are nonprofit professional or service organizations, nonprofit labor organizations, nonprofit community colleges, institutions of higher education, or other nonprofit training and educational institutions. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in prohibited lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.
Available funding:
The total estimated amount of federal funding potentially available under this announcement is approximately $1,000,000 depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. It is anticipated that up to five cooperative agreements will be awarded under this announcement, each with a project period of up to three years, depending on the amount requested and overall size and scope of the projects(s).
The closing date and time for application submissions is March 26th , 2021 by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time (ET) in order to be considered for funding.
PARTNERSHIPS
College/Underserved Community Partnership Program Request for Participation
The College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP) provides a creative approach to partnering and delivering technical assistance to underserved communities. The program enlists colleges and universities through student internships, practicums, and capstone projects to supply vital assistance and services on a voluntary basis at no cost. The student’s work experience can be added to their resume. Additionally, volunteer hours and academic credit can be obtained for their efforts. CUPP has worked with over 70 communities and educational institutions to complete over 120 projects. The CUPP has approximately 30 projects that are active or under development with current EPA program, such as Sustainability, Environmental Justice and Superfund. The program is seeking additional project proposals and partnerships to continue serving communities.
If you would like to learn more about CUPP, become a partner or have a community-based needs project you would like to discuss, please contact Ms. Jeannie Williamson, EPA R4 CUPP Regional Coordinator. Jeannie Williamson, Regional Coordinator. Williamson.jeannie@epa.gov
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Technical Assistance Funding to Advance Equitable Development and Address Historical Environmental Justice Challenges in Brownfields Communities
EPA announced the selection of Groundwork USA, a national nonprofit organization, to receive $600,000 in funding to provide technical assistance to brownfields communities. This funding will help provide nationwide technical assistance to coach and train brownfields communities on a variety of innovative and effective community engagement approaches to provide low-income and minority residents the opportunity to participate in and directly benefit from brownfields revitalization in their communities.
“This technical assistance will encourage long-term community participation and build local capacity among residents, organizations, government agencies and institutions,” said Barry Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. “Communities benefiting from this assistance will be better equipped to lead efforts that advance equitable development and address historical environmental justice challenges, as part of the revitalization and reuse of brownfield sites.”
Using the money provided by EPA, Groundwork USA will provide communities with best practices for integrating environmental justice and equitable development principles in addressing local brownfields cleanup and revitalization challenges. This work will include:
- Developing a visual resource library with a series of audio, video and graphic pieces demonstrating how to use community engagement activities to incorporate environmental justice and equitable development principles into brownfields planning processes.
- Delivering a series of workshops and trainings on how to engage a broad coalition of stakeholders, develop environmental justice and equitable development goals, and address other topics identified by communities.
- Offering direct technical assistance to 25 clients based on their self-identified needs in building capacity to integrate equity and environmental justice throughout the brownfields assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment process.
Background
Since the inception of EPA’s Brownfields Program in 1995, the program’s cumulative investments have leveraged more than $33.6 billion from a variety of public and private sources for cleanup and redevelopment activities. Through fiscal year 2020, this equates to an average of $20.13 leveraged for each EPA Brownfields dollar spent. These investments resulted in approximately 170,724 jobs nationwide.
Groundwork USA is a national organization with local roots that works to empower people and engage local businesses, organizations, and government officials to revitalize neighborhoods and transform community liabilities into community assets. It supports a network of more than 20 local trusts, based in small legacy cities, underserved neighborhoods within larger cities, and rural communities.
To learn more about EPA Brownfields Technical Assistance visit: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-technical-assistance-training-and-research
RESOURCES
Progress Report: Urban Waters Program
This Progress Report summarizes the accomplishments and significant milestones of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) working in 20 urban locations across the country. This Report is the first in a series of Progress Reports that will detail the specific program achievements at the federal and local level.
The Program accomplishes this through the critical work of local coordinators, or Ambassadors, that facilitate coordination with federal, state, local, municipal, academic, non-profit and private sector partners on water quality and education and outreach projects. These Ambassadors are funded through a variety of sources, including federal partners, academic organizations, and local or national non-profit organizations. Ambassadors develop local workplans which guide project development and improves coordination and communication among partners.
The goal of this Report is to provide a high-level snapshot of some key projects and programmatic achievements of the UWFP locations, the federal partnership, and key project funding and information sharing resources; however, given the wide variety of activities at the partnership locations, a truly comprehensive report is beyond the scope of this Report. As data and reporting is improved and refined, future Reports will be able to provide cumulative impacts and successes.