#1Office of Environmental Justice & External Civil Rights COMMUNITY CHANGE GRANTS Environmental and Climate Justice U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Target Investment Area A Alaska Tribal Lands February 29, 2024#2Agenda 1. Welcome - Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller 2. Overview of Community Change Grants Program and Target Investment Area A for Alaska Tribal Lands 3. Overview of Threshold Eligibility Criteria 4. Overview of Contaminated Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Lands Inventory and Common Operating Picture - Ken Andraschko 5. Track I and Track II Overview 6. Overview of Application Submission, Evaluation, and Selection Process 7. Questions and Answers#3Overview of Community Change Grants Program and Target Investment Area A 1#4Introduction EPA received $3 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to fund environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities. • $2.8 billion for grants, including $2 billion for the Community Change Grants Program (CCGP) CCGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes Target Investment Area (TIA-A) for projects benefitting Alaska Tribal Lands . . • $200 million for technical assistance related to the CCGP grants Grants must be completed within three years (no extensions) All grants must be awarded by September 30, 2026#5Goals Designed with meaningful community, Tribal and other stakeholder input, the investments EPA makes through the CCGP grants are intended to achieve the following goals: EA Fund community-driven pollution and climate resiliency solutions. Invest in strong cross-sectoral collaborations with partners working with and for communities. Unlock access to more significant resources. Deliver technical assistance and capacity-building support. Strengthen communities' decision-making power.#6ENGAGEMENT February to April 1k+ entities provided direct feedback through a Request for Information (RFI). April 100+ EPA staff convened from cross- cutting programs for design input. June to August 2k+ people provided input in listening sessions for southern border, unincorporated, island, Alaskan, Tribal, and other communities. CCG NOFO OPENS Nov 2023 March and July NEJAC members were consulted for independent advice and recommendations for a CCGP framework. September and October EPA staff worked to draft the NOFO. Nov 2024 CCG NOFO CLOSES#7Track I Community-Driven Investments for Change Funding Available: approx. $1.96 billion Number of Awards: approx. 150 Per Award Amount: $10M - cannot exceed $20M TIA A-approx. $150 million for projects benefitting Alaska Tribal Lands TOTAL $2 BILLION TRACK I | - Track II Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance Funding Available: approx. $40 million Number of Awards: approx. 20 Per Award Amount: $1M - cannot exceed $3M $40M TRACK II#8TIA A - Alaska Tribal Lands Summary . • TIA A applies to Track I awards only (Section II.B of the NOFO). Applications under TIA A are evaluated against each other and not other applications. Appendix H includes TIA A specific information, additional eligibility requirements that apply to ANCSA clean-up projects, and Alaska specific project examples. $150M Tribes in Alaska Note: TIA amounts are approximate and may be adjusted based on the quantity and quality of applications received.#9TIA A - Alaska Tribal Lands Summary . ⚫ EPA anticipates making a minimum of 5 awards for high-ranking applications under the TIA that include projects to assess and/or clean up lands conveyed under ANCSA that were contaminated at the time of their conveyance from the federal government to an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC). ● Priority to fund projects to assess and/or clean up lands conveyed under ANCSA that were contaminated at the time of their conveyance from the federal government to an ANC-this may be considered during selection process (Section V.E.9 and Appendix H) $150M Tribes in Alaska#10% くくくく。 リリリリー Technical Assistance ** • Community Change Technical Assistance (CCTA) 。 Broad-based pre-award and post-award TA 。 Submit an on-line TA Request Form 。 Call to make a TA Request or ask questions: 1 (800) 540-8123 。 Email: [email protected] Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance (CCER TA) 。 Submit an on-line TA Request Form 。 More limited and tailored TA focusing on disaster-prone areas Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTACs)#11Overview of Threshold Eligibility Criteria 2 8#12Eligibility Applications must meet all eligibility criteria, as outlined in Section III of the NOFO to be considered for funding. Comply with the content and submission requirements. Meet the eligibility and statutory partnership requirements in Section III.A. Meet threshold criteria in Section III.D, including that the projects will benefit disadvantaged communities. Projects must be completed within three years. Meet specific requirements for ANCSA projects as described in Appendix H.#13EPA Contaminated ANCSA Sites Inventory Common Operating Picture SEPA Contaminated Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Sites Common Operating Picture Proposed Site Search Submit New Site Inventory Ineligible ANCSA... Filter by Site N... No Site Name... Filter by EP... None Filter by Cleanup A... No Cleanup Agenc... Filter by Cleanup Ag... No Cleanup Agency I... Filter by Regulatory Ag... No Regulatory Agency I... Filter by Regional Corp... No Regional Corporati... Filter by Village C... No data Beauf a Sec Sites Receiving E... No Site Selected Site Workflow Status Key Features: ✓ GIS-based Interactive Dashboard ✓ Provides cleanup status and information ✓ Ability to submit new site ✓ Continuous updates. Links to the Inventory: Bering Sea UNITED STATES Seattle San Francisco ANCSA 1,314 Sites Cleanup 162 Site Identification 179 Institutional Controls 240 Cleanup Plan 30 Ineligible 55 No Further Action 10 Assessment 156 Cleanup Complete 482 EPA R10 Contaminated ANCSA Lands webpage Directly to the Site Inventory: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5 1479962643a49368433f43204d493e3 Cleanup Agency United States Air Force (USAF) 12 United States Forest Service (USFS) 2 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2 United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 438 United States North Pacific Ocean Los Esri, Tom Tom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, EPA | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), United States... Powered by Esri Navy (USN) 20 Alaska Army National Guard (AKARNG) 14 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 74 Unverified 752 Site Verification Status Verified 209 C Unverified 1,105 C With QAR code: 0#14EPA Contaminated ANCSA Sites Inventory Submit New Site Feature EPA Contaminated Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Sites Common Operating Picture Inventory Ineligible Site Search Submit New Site Proposed ANCSA ... Filter by Site N... Filter by Cleanup Ag... Filter by Cleanup Age... Filter by Regulatory Age... No Site Name S... No Cleanup Agency ... No Cleanup Agency ID... No Regulatory Agency I... Filter by Regional Corpo... No Regional Corporatio... Filter by Village Corpo... No Village Corporation... Sites Receiving E... No Site Selected = Submit a site For users constrained by low-speed internet, please use the following links to search for contaminated ANCSA sites or submit information on sites for evaluation to be added to the EPA Contaminated ANCSA Lands Inventory: Contaminated ANCSA Site Search | Location Select the site location* Pan and zoom to get more precise. Find address or place + Submit a New Site Direct hyperlink to the submit new site feature on the common operating picture dashboard or with QAR code: GOD Q Earthstar Geographics | Kenai Peninsula Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough GIS, Mun... Powered by Esri Lat: 61.426639 Lon: 149.464524#15Community Relocation Projects for permanent community or Tribal relocation activities are not eligible for funding under the CCGP as noted in Section I.F of the NOFO. A relocation activity is considered those that are intended to plan or assist the moving of an individual or community from their residence or place of business. Temporary relocation costs may be allowable in accordance with Federal Highway Administration's guidance on temporary relocation in Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 24. If you have questions about whether your project is a relocation activity, please email [email protected] Please note: EPA is working on a separate effort to support communities looking to implement community-driven relocation plans.#16Eligible Entities The following entities are eligible to enter a Statutory Partnership under this NOFO: • Community-based nonprofit organization (CBO) . • Demonstrates connection to community through services provided to residents and stakeholders. Are considered a non-profit organization by IRS or through other means-Section III.A.1 of NOFO Alaska Native Nonprofit Organizations and Alaska Native Nonprofit Associations are considered CBOs. For-profit ANCs are not eligible under the CBO definition. Federally recognized Tribe • "Any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village, which is federally recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians." Does not include ANCS or State-recognized tribes Local government • Institution of higher education (IHE) *More details found in Section III.A of the NOFO#17Statutory Partnership Applicants must either be a partnership of two community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) or a partnership between a CBO and a federally recognized Tribe, local government or institution of higher education. Partnerships must be documented and meet certain legal requirements (see Appendix B). Additional information on eligibility and partnerships can be found in Section III of the NOFO. Lead Applicant A+ CBO + CBO + Statutory Partner CBO + + Federally Recognized Tribe CBO + CBO + Local Government Institution of Higher Education Note: While the CBO does not have to be the "Lead Applicant," all statutory partnerships must include a CBO.#18Collaborating Entities Other entities can be involved in projects as collaborating entities. Collaborating Entities may include entities that legally could be Statutory Partners (CBOS, Federally-recognized Tribes, local governments, and institutions of higher education) and entities that cannot legally be Statutory Partners (e.g., states and territorial governments, ANCs). 郾 AI#19Alaska Specific Entities What qualifies as a CBO? See Section III.A.1 of the NOFO Alaska Native Nonprofit Organizations • Alaska Native Nonprofit Associations What potentially qualifies as a CBO? Intertribal Consortia, if they meet Section III.A.1 of the NOFO and 40 CFR 35.504(a) and (c) requirements What does not qualify as a CBO? • For-profit ANCS . ANCs are not CBOS under the CCGP. As indicated in Section III.A.1 of the NOFO, this is because ANCs are for-profit organizations. Further, as explained in Section III.A.3 of the NOFO, ANCs are not eligible to enter Statutory Partnerships with CBOS as "Indian Tribes" based on the definition of "Indian Tribes" in section 302(r) of the Clean Air Act, which does not include ANCs. See also Appendix H.#20ANC Additional Information ANCs may be Collaborating Entities. They can either: • Receive competitive or non-competitive subawards • . • While ANCs do not meet the definition of Indian Tribes under section 302(r) of the Clean Air Act, ANCs are considered Indian Tribes for the purposes of 2 CFR Part 200 and the EPA Subaward Policy, making them eligible to receive subawards. • ANCs must agree not to profit from the receipt of the subaward. See EPA Subaward Frequent Questions (Number A.54) for more information. Compete for procurement contracts Consistent with 2 CFR Part 200, including restrictions on personal conflicts of interest, as interpreted in the Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements. Taken from the FAQS posted February 1, 2024 on the CCG website#21FORM A STATUTORY PARTNERSHIP Lead Applicant A+ Statutory Partner How It Works IDENTIFY COLLABORATING ENTITIES TO LEAD PROJECTS + = THE COLLABORATIVE Lead Applicant EPA Statutory Partner + A A Collaborating Entities A#22WISCONSIN Disadvantaged Communities Applicants must demonstrate that the projects in their application will benefit a disadvantaged community. EPA is defining disadvantaged community as one that meets at least one of the following criteria: Madison Milwaukee LINOIST ¡pringfield lis Chicago KG INDIANAS Indianapolis 5 ☑ C KENTUCKY A geographically-defined community identified as disadvantaged on the EPA IRA Disadvantaged Communities Map A Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community (DUC) OR A farmworker community More information can be found in Appendix A of the NOFO. Nashville#23Track I and Track II Overview 4 LUNTEER OLUNTEER MLUN B#24Track I: Community-Driven Investments for Change Projects under this track should ensure generations of future enjoyment and growth by meeting the below objectives: TRACK I OBJECTIVES 1 Increase community climate resilience 2 Reduce local pollution & improve public health 3 Center meaningful community engagement CO 4 5 6 Build community strength Reach priority populations Maximize integration across projects 00000#25Track I: Community-Driven Investments for Change Track I applications must also address these requirements, as further described in Section I.G, Section IV.B, and Appendix H of the NOFO: Strategies . Climate Action • Green Infrastructure & Nature-Based Solutions 。 Mobility & Transportation Options о • Energy-Efficient, Healthy and Resilient Housing & о Buildings 。 Microgrid Installation о 。 Community Resilience Hubs о 。 Brownfield Redevelopment 。 Waste Reduction & Management 。 Workforce Development 。 Alaska Specific Climate Action Strategies Pollution Reduction 。 Indoor Air Quality & Community Health 。 Outdoor Air Quality & Community Health 。 Clean Water Infrastructure 。 Hazardous Waste Management 。 Alaska Specific Pollution Reduction-ANCSA Plans • Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan Community Strength Plan Additional Requirements Readiness Approach • Compliance Plan Note: Projects must be place-based and include a Project Area Map, as described in Appendix A.#26BOUTH AMERICA BRAZ TIA A Track I Additional Information Taken from the FAQS posted February 1, 2024 on the CCGP website Applications can address areas outside of the TIAS. The TIAs are just priority categories. The application process is the same for all applications (including TIAs) There are specific requirements for TIA A that need. to be addressed for certain projects as identified in the NOFO (Section III.D.12 and App. H). If you are applying for a TIA, you must identify what TIA you are applying for in your application (see Section IV.B) Applications for projects that will be carried out to benefit disadvantaged communities in Alaska but are not applying under TIA A can still include projects identified in the "Alaska-specific Climate Action Strategies" found in Appendix H.#27TIA A Track I ANCSA Additional Information Applications for projects on lands conveyed through ANCSA do not have to focus on the clean-up of contaminated ANCSA lands. Still, EPA strongly encourages Pollution Reduction strategy projects to clean up contaminated lands conveyed through ANCSA. Applications submitted to benefit disadvantaged communities in Alaska, whether under TIA A or not, are not required to be on ANCSA land. Eligible CBOs can be the Lead Applicant applying under the TIA even if they are not an Alaska Native Village, Alaska Native Non-Profit, or Alaska Native Association. Taken from the FAQs posted February 1, 2024 on the CCGP website#28Track II: Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance Objectives To build the capacity of communities to evaluate and redress environmental and climate injustices. • To give disadvantaged communities a meaningful voice in government decision-making processes . Project Examples Educational and Training Programs Environmental Advisory Boards (EABS) Collaborative Governance Activities Participation in Governmental Funding and Budgeting Processes .#29Overview of Application Submission, Evaluation and Selection Process 6#305 ROLLING APPLICATION November 21, 2023 Applications will be accepted, reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis. Applications Open November 21, 2024 Applications Close Application packages will be accepted until November 21, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) through grants.gov.#31Track II Track I SELECTION PROCESS Eligibility Applications reviewed for threshold eligibility. Written Evaluation Written applications that receive a score of 110 or higher (out of 155) will be invited to give an oral presentation. Oral Presentations Worth a maximum of 45 points. Applications with a combined score of 170 or more, based on written and oral, move to final selection consideration. Final Consideration Applications receiving a combined score of between 110 and 169 will be ranked and reviewed approx. monthly for final selection consideration. Applications reviewed for threshold eligibility. Written applications that receive a score of 85 or higher (out of 100) will move to final selection consideration. ✓ Applications receiving a score below 85 will be ranked and reviewed approx. monthly for final selection consideration.#320000 Debriefings and Disputes Applicants who are deemed ineligible or who are not selected for funding may request a debriefing. For more information on the debriefing and dispute process, see Section VI of the NOFO. Resubmission Applicants who are deemed eligible but are not selected for funding may, after timely requesting and receiving a debriefing on the application, resubmit. For more information see Section II.C of the NOFO.#33Key Points Check for Eligibility • . We know the NOFO is long but read it carefully! Make sure you meet the partnership eligibility requirements (Section III.A) and applicable threshold eligibility requirements (Section III.D). Understand the Requirements for Different Tracks • ● • ● There are different requirements and evaluation criteria for Track I and II applications (Sections IV.B and V). TIA A has additional requirements for ANCSA projects (Section III.D.12 and Appendix H). Though it was not covered today in detail, review the NOFO to understand the post- award and other requirements (Section VI). Letters of support are not required, and applicants should not submit attachments other than those required in Section IV.B Triple Check Your Application . Make sure you do not exceed the page limits for the Project Narrative portion of the application package and other attachments (Section IV.B). • Include all applicable attachments and forms to the application package (Section IV.B)#34Important Links In addition to the application requirements in the NOFO, it's important to understand what will be expected of grantees if they are awarded a grant. Below are a few important links to programmatic and administrative information - be sure to read the NOFO in full to understand them: . Fraud, Waste & Abuse Davis Bacon Act . Build America Buy America . . . • EPA's General Terms and Conditions EPA's Solicitation Clauses Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreement Methods of Procurement (2 CFR 200.320) Participant Support Costs (2 CFR 1500.1) Reporting Requirements (Section VI) • Appendix G: Indirect Costs#35Future Developments . . NOFO Modifications: The NOFO was modified on December 21, 2023 and February 12, 2024 to clarify some issues • Frequently Asked Questions: FAQS are posted to the CCGP website to address NOFO questions. First set of FAQS posted on February 1, 2024 and includes information on TIA A. Expect more FAQs in March, 2024. . Future Webinars: Check the CCGP website for dates for future webinars and recordings.#36Find partners and build coalition Final Thoughts REGISTER You can follow up with questions at ? [email protected] Identify meaningful transformative projects to address environmental and climate justice concerns that can be completed within 3 years (Track I) Identify (Track II) governmental policies and programs that can be improved with community voices Register on SAM. gov and Grants.gov now (this process can take up to a month) S M T W T F S 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1822 Stay up to date on webinars by signing up for EPA EJ listserv by sending a blank email to [email protected] ? ? @