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EPA Offers Aid for Community Projects to Reduce Risks of Toxic Exposure

Release Date: 02/10/2006
Contact Information:

Kathleen L. Fenton (fenton.kathleen@epa.gov) (913) 551-7874 Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EPA announced the availability of an estimated $2.7 million in cooperative agreements today for community projects through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.

A broad range of community stakeholders may apply for aid, including county and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and universities. The cooperative agreement applications are due to EPA by April 10, 2006. EPA will conduct two conference calls so that prospective applicants can ask questions about the application process. The calls will be Feb. 21 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST and Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Additional information about CARE, projects awarded in 2005, and how to apply are on EPA's Web site at: www.epa.gov/CARE.

The EPA Region 7 contact is Kathleen L. Fenton (fenton.kathleen@epa.gov), (913) 551-7874, toll free (800) 223-0425. The EPA Headquarters contact is John Millett, (millet.john@epa.gov), (202) 564-4355.

CARE is an EPA program that began in 2005 to help build broad-based local partnerships to reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. EPA will award cooperative agreements on two levels.

Level 1 cooperative agreements will help establish community-based partnerships and set priorities for reducing toxic risks in a given community. EPA anticipates awarding eight to 10 Level 1 cooperative agreements ranging from $75,000 to $100,000.

Level 2 cooperative agreements are for communities that already have broad-based collaborative partnerships, have identified risk reduction priorities and are ready to implement risk reduction strategies. EPA anticipates awarding six to eight Level 2 cooperative agreements ranging from $150,000 to $300,000.