EPA Grant Available

EPA Seeks Applications for Community-Based Environmental Grants

Grants will help communities address local health and pollution issues.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making $2
million available in 2011 to reduce pollution at the local level
through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.
 CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local
governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help
the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources to
protect people’s health.

EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements in two levels.  Level I
awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish
community-based partnerships to develop local environmental
priorities.  Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each,
will support communities that have established broad-based
partnerships, identified the priority toxic risks in their
communities, and are prepared to measure results, implement
risk-reduction activities and become self- sustaining.

In 2010, EPA’s CARE program distributed $2 million throughout 14
communities.  Among the grant recipients, projects included tackling
drinking water and stormwater pollution, solid waste, and toxics
issues in Cordova, Alaska; addressing air and water pollution sources,
municipal solid waste collection and chemical releases in Ashland,
Ky.; targeting pest and solid waste issues in New York, N.Y.; tackling
air pollution and land use issues in Detroit, Mich.; focusing on
threats from lead in paint, mold, and hazardous household products in
Gary, Ind.; and addressing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions,
water pollution, and poor waste management in Kansas City, Kan.

Since 2005, 81 communities in 39 states and territories have used CARE
grants to help reduce pollution and protect people’s health.  A recent
evaluation by the National Association of Public Administrators (NAPA)
recognized the CARE program as a solid tested framework for engaging
communities and other stakeholders.

Applications for the CARE grants are due March 22, 2011, 4:00 p.m.
EST.  EPA will conduct three webcasts to answer questions from
prospective applicants about the application process on February 8,
February 23, and March 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

More information about the grants and webcasts: http://www.epa.gov/care