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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
API? * 5 1S97
Dear Tribal Leader:
OFFICE OF
SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
I am pleased to provide you with the enclosed solicitation for the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA's) 1997 Municipal Solid Waste Grant Program for Indian
Country. This solicitation invites all Federally-recognized tribes and tribal
organizations to submit proposals for cooperative agreements under the Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) Indian Program. EPA expects to award approximately 6-12
demonstration cooperative agreements with ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per
year. EPA funding for each selected project will not exceed three years.
Upon receipt of this package, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the
appropriate Regional Solid Waste Indian Coordinator listed in the enclosed solicitation
to discuss project ideas and timelines. Final proposals are due to the appropriate EPA
region no later than June 6,1997. (Please note that the Municipal Solid Waste Grant
Program for Indian Country is a separate funding program from the Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response's Tribal Integrated Waste Management Initiative, for
which proposals were due to the Agency on April 8, 1997.)
The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) has spent the last several months developing
a comprehensive national strategy for assisting tribes in addressing municipal solid
waste concerns. The 1997 Municipal Solid Waste Grant Program for Indian Country is
a core element of the national strategy. The goal of the Municipal Solid Waste Indian
Strategy is to encourage comprehensive integrated solid waste management practices
in Indian Country that are protective of human health and the environment. As part of
this effort, we have been working with the National Tribal Environmental Council
(NTEC) to hold a series of focus group meetings-between Agency and tribal
representatives to discuss tribal solid waste issues and potential solutions for
addressing them.
Since November, NTEC has hosted five meetings in various parts of the country,
including San Francisco, California; Washington, DC; Cass Lake, Minnesota; Seattle,
Washington; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. During these meetings many of the tribes
indicated that funding solid waste activities is a primary concern, thus, we established
the MSW Grant Program for Indian Country. In addition, these meetings as well as last
year's tribal conference in Montana have provided us with excellent on-going forums to
solicit information and feedback from tribes on all the elements of our MSW Indian
Strategy. For example as part of our MSW Strategy we worked with some tribes to
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Recycled Paper (40% Postconsumer)
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identify and develop MSW information they thought would be useful to better manage
solid waste in Indian Country. I have attached three of these information sources which
I hope you will find useful.
• Grant Resources for Solid Waste Activities in Indian Country, which provides
information on funding sources available to tribes and tribal organizations for
solid waste projects. Also contains general information on developing grant
proposals.
• Publications on Solid Waste Management in Indian Country, which contains
descriptions of EPA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and tribal organization
publications designed to assist tribal leaders, environmental personnel, and
others in developing, expanding, and implementing integrated solid waste
management programs.
• Publications on Mining Waste Management in Indian Country, which describes
EPA publications designed to assist tribal leaders, environmental personnel and
others with mining and mineral processing issues.
These documents are available on the Internet through the EPA public
access server. Additional paper copies of these publications may be obtained
by calling the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or TDD 1-800-553-7672 (hearing
impaired). The RCRA Hotline operates weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Address
written requests to the RCRA Information Center (5305W), US EPA, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460.
If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the FY 97 MSW Grant Program,
or have any questions regarding OSW's activities in Indian Country, please contact the
appropriate Regional Solid Waste Indian Coordinator listed in the enclosed solicitation.
I hope by working together, we can identify creative solutions to address the growing
solid waste concerns faced by tribes today.
" Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth A. Cotsworth, Acting Director
Office of Solid Waste
Enclosures
cc: Kathy Gorospe, American Indian Environmental Office
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&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
(5306W)
April 1997
Municipal Solid Waste Grant
Program for Indian Country
1997 Request for Proposals
WASTE
MANAGEMENT
IN INDIAN COUNTRY
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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE INDIAN PROGRAM
1997 NATIONAL GRANT SOLICITATION
Goal: Encourage integrated solid waste management practices in Indian Country that
are protective of human health and the environment.
Grant Amounts: $50tOOO to $100,000 per year for 1-3 years.
Eligibility: Federally-recognized tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, and
tribal eonsortia organizations.
Proposal Steps;!} Communicate with EPA regional contact ASAP (see Attachment 1).
2) After consultation with EPA staff, submit full proposal
by June 6, 1997^
I. Introduction
This solicitation outlines the procedure for submitting a proposal for a cooperative agreement
under the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Indian Program. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) hopes to award approximately 6-12 demonstration grants of approximately
$50,000 to $100,000 per grant per year under the authority of Section 8001 of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. EPA funding for each selected project will not
exceed three years. Prior to submitting a proposal to EPA, we encourage potential
applicants to contact the appropriate regional contact listed in Attachment 1.
II. Background
The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) has spent the last several months developing a
comprehensive national program for assisting tribes in addressing municipal solid waste
concerns. The goal of the Municipal Solid Waste Indian Program is to encourage
comprehensive integrated solid waste management practices in Indian Country that are
protective of human health and the erivirbrimeht by r
1.
2.
3.
4.
Building tribal capacity for developing and implementing municipal solid waste
activities;
Developing tribal organization infrastructures;
Realizing economic sustainability of tribal solid waste programs; and
Building partnerships among Tribes, States and local communities.
As part of this effort, OSW is initiating the Municipal Solid Waste Grant Program for Indian
Country.
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Through the MSW Grant Program for Indian Country, EPA is seeking proposals for
demonstration projects that promote effective integrated solid waste management practices in
Indian Country. Federally-recognized tribes, Alaskan Native Villages, and certain tribal
consortia, will be able to apply for funds specifically allocated for integrated solid waste
management activities. EPA will fund targeted work plans that help develop or expand solid
waste management activities hi Indian Country.
EPA will support the development or strengthening of tribal or multi-tribal solid waste
management programs. EPA encourages potential applicants to partner with other Federally-
recognized Tribes, tribal organizations, surrounding communities, and/or other Federal or
non-Federal organizations. Developing such partnerships will help foster sustainability of solid
waste management programs. This will encourage tribes leverage existing resources and/or
expertise, thereby reducing duplication of effort and encouraging opportunities for technical
assistance. Thus another goal of the competition is to increase the availability of technical
assistance to all Tribes via information obtained/lessons learned by Tribes that receive
funding.
What is Integrated Waste Management?
In 1989, EPA published its "Agenda for Action" which introduced the concept of integrated
waste management (IWM) to the nation. In the Agenda, EPA defined IWM as "the
complementary use of a variety of waste management practices to safely and effectively handle
the municipal solid waste stream with the least adverse impact on human health and the
environment." EPA further defined IWM to consist of some or all of the following
components:
• Source reduction (including reuse of products)
• Recycling of materials (including composting)
• Waste combustion (with energy recovery) and/or landfilling.
In an integrated waste management system, each component is designed to complement, rather
that compete, with another, and provides for each community to custom-design its IWM
system to emphasize certain management .practices-consistent, with, the community's
demography and waste stream characteristics.
The hierarchy begins with source reduction and reuse to reduce both the toxic constituents in
products and the generation of large quantities of waste. Source reduction may occur through
the design and manufacture of products and packaging with mmimum toxic content, niinimum
volume of material and/or a longer useful life. Source reduction may also be practiced at the
corporate or household level through selective buying habits and reuse of products and
materials. Effective source reduction slows the depletion of environmental resources, prolongs
the life of available waste management capacity and can make combustion and landfilling of
wastes safer in the short- and long- terms by removing toxic constituents. Source reduction is
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not used by waste handlers for managing the waste that is picked up every day; rather, it cuts
back on the amount and the toxicity of the waste which requires handling. By encouraging
source reduction practices in the community, tribal governments can help address potential
volume and toxicity problems that may occur with disposal..
The second component of integrated waste management is recycling of materials, including
composting of yard trimmings and food. Recycling prevents potentially useful materials from
being combusted or landfilled, thereby preserving waste disposal capacity. Recycling can
prevent depletion of valuable landfill space, save energy and natural resources, and provide
useful products from discarded materials. Thus, tribal officials should give serious
consideration to the practicality of recycling and composting programs hi their communities.
Although lower than source reduction and recycling in the hierarchy of desirable waste
management options, waste combustion is useful in reducing the bulk (although not all) of
municipal waste and can provide the added benefit of energy production. Although
combustion is not risk-free, a state-of-the-art combustor that is well-operated should not
present a significant risk to human health and the environment. When recycling is part of a
community's or a waste handler's chosen integrated waste management system, combustion
can complement recycling by reducing the bulk of the nonrecyclable, nonreusable waste.
Likewise, combustion can be made more efficient by source reduction and removal of
recyclables which are less conducive to combustion or which could result hi potentially
harmful stack emissions or operational problems caused by heterogeneous waste mixtures.
Residual ash is a problem associated with combustors because of its potential high metals
content and need for proper management.
Landfilling also is lower in the hierarchy than source reduction, reuse and recycling, but is
essential to handle wastes that are not recycled and noncombustible wastes such as demolition
or construction debris. In addition, landfills can provide the benefit of energy production
through recovery of methane gas. Landfills designated for handling combustion ash residuals
are essential and, in the absence of alternative ash management plans, must be planned and
designed hi conjunction with the combustor. Landfills should also be used for materials that
cannot practicably be managed in any other way. This may be particularly true in
geographical areas with low population densities-and/or-dispersed residential areas which can
make recycling program implementation particularly challenging. A well-constructed,
properly operated landfill should not present a significant health risk. For the foreseeable
future, landfills will be necessary to handle a significant portion of wastes, so steps must be
taken to make landfilling as safe as possible.
III. Eligibility
Eligible recipients of funding under the 1997 MSW Grant Program include Federally-
recognized tribes and Alaskan Native Villages. Also eligible are multi-tribe 501 (c)3
organizations whose membership consists of Federally-recognized tribes, Alaskan Native
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Villages, or partnerships between tribes and states, local governments, or other non-tribal
organizations, and whose primary focus is on solid waste projects.
IV. Funding
EPA will consider funding between 6-12 demonstration grants of approximately $50,000 to
$100,000 per grant per year for one to three years. EPA will require non-federal matching
funds or in-kind contributions of at least 5%. For example, if federal funding is requested in
the amount of $50,000, the total project cost would be $52,632. The minimum non-federal
share (cash or in-kind) would be $2,632.
V. Proposal Process
Communication with EPA: The proposal process relies extensively on direct communications
(in person or by phone, fax or electronic mail) with EPA regional solid waste contacts. Those
interested in responding to this solicitation should contact the appropriate regional contact
(listed in Attachment 1) as soon as possible, but no later than May 9, 1997 to discuss
project ideas and timelines. Any questions regarding the MSW Grant Program for Indian
Country, eligible costs and activities should be addressed prior to submitting a proposal
outline.
Full proposals: After consultation with EPA regional staff, complete proposals (see part VI
for format) must be received by the appropriate EPA regional office no later than June 6,
1997.
Final selections: The national MSW Indian Team will rank the proposals according to the
evaluation criteria (see part VII), make selections by July 3, 1997 and finalize awards by the
end of summer 1997. EPA expects projects to begin within 30 days of award and continue for
12-36 months.
VI. Proposal Format
Six page limit (submit after consultation with EPA-regional solid waste staff)
1. Cover letter identifying project, name of tribe/tribal organization, name, address,
and phone/fax numbers of project director, signature of tribal chairman
(Federally-recognized Tribes) or executive director (tribal consortia).
2. Abstract of less than 200 words summarizing the proposal.
3. Narrative and workplan with estimated timeline.
4. Detailed budget in terms of personnel, fringe benefits, contracts, travel, equipment,
supplies and other costs.
Appropriate detail and justification to support the narrative and workplan.
5. Letters of commitment from project partners. For tribal consortia, include charter
or letters from chairmen of Federally-recognized member tribes.
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VII. Evaluation Criteria (Total = 100 points)
1. Project Description (15 points)
Provides a complete and clear statement of the problem, description of project goals,
activities, budget and timeline.
2. Comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste Program (25 points)
Describes how the activities will address and maintain all aspects of an integrated solid waste
management program, including, planning, implementation, education, and training.
Demonstrates consideration of all components of integrated solid waste management hierarchy,
including source reduction, recycling and composting, landfilling or alternative disposal.
Describes feasible solutions for program management.
3. Sustainability (20 points)
Describes how activities contribute to overall sustainability and development of the
community. Activities explore solid waste developmental opportunities within the affected
community/tribe which lead to employment, productivity, revenue generation, and
technological innovation.
Demonstrates potential to foster long-term economic viability after EPA funding. Describes
how the activities financed with this grant, or activities building on those funded by this grant,
will operate beyond EPA funding.
4. Project Partners/Institutionalization (15 points)
Describes efforts to leverage resources from other project partners, including other Federally-
recognized tribes, surrounding communities, and/or other Federal or non-Federal agencies.
Identifies partnering organization(s) and documents the relationship with the applicant. This
can be done, for example, through a letter of agreement, a joint statement, or principles of
agreement signed by all parties.
Provides letters of commitment from partners, including confirmation of in-kind or cash
contributions. - - - — ......
Describes efforts/commitment to institutionalize the coordination beyond the EPA funding
period.
5. Measurability of Project Results (10 points)
Explains approach to tracking and reporting results. At the end of the grant period, should be
able to provide an analysis of the impacts of the project outcomes (e.g., quantity of waste
diverted, quantity and type of materials recycled, sustainability of program), outputs (e.g.,
solid waste plans/codes developed, education and outreach efforts), and inputs (e.g., number
of calls for assistance answered).
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Demonstrates alleviation or reduction of impacts on human health and the environment. Also
demonstrates how project will succeed after the funded project period.
6. Technical Assistance to Others (IS points)
Describes hi detail the approach to providing assistance to other tribes. Explains how the
information and lessons learned during the project will be transferred to others.
6
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGIONAL SOLID WASTE TRIBAL CONTACTS
Joe DeCola
Environmental Protection Agency
Region I (SPP)
JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203-2211
States: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Phone: (617)565-3276
Fax: (617)565-4939
Lorraine Graves/John Filipelli
Environmental Protection Agency
Region II (2DEPP-RPB)
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007-1866
States: NJ, NY, PR, VI
Phone: (212) 637-4099/4125
Fax: (212)637-4437
Sid Harper/Clem Egger
Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV (4WD-RPB/RSS)
100 Alabama Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
States: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Phone: (404) 562-8483/8470
Fax: (404)562-8439
Dolly Tong
Environmental Protection Agency
Region V (DRP-8J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604
States: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Phone: (312)886-1019
Fax: (312)353-4788
Anan Tanbouz
Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI (6H-H)
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
States: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Phone: (214)665-8195
Fax: (214)665-2164
Armando Aparicio
Environmental Protection Agency
Region VII (ARTD/TSPP)
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
States: IA, KS, MO, NE
Phone: (913)551-7548
Fax: (913)551-7947
Linda Walters/Marcella Devargas
Environmental Protection Agency
Region VIII (8P2-P2/8P2-TA)
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2466
States: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Phone: (303) 312-6385/6243
Fax: (303) 312-6741
Rebecca Jamison/Susanna Trujillo
Environmental Protection Agency
Region IX (WST-7)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
States: AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU
Phone: (415)744-2098/2099
Fax: (415)744-1044
Fran Stefan/Al Latourette
Environmental Protection Agency
Region X (WCM-128)
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
States: AK, ID, OR, WA
Phone: (206) 553-6639/8202
Fax: (206)553-8509
Attachment 1
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