Freya Margand

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EPAs Superfund Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)
ProgramPipeline Safety Trust Conference

• Freya Margand
• National TAG Program Manager
• Contact margand.freya_at_epa.gov

2
TAG Background

• CERCLA (sect. 117(e)) as amended by SARA (1986)
• For independent technical assistance in
  interpreting information
• To a groups of individuals affected by the site
• From initial investigation through operation and
  maintenance
• Initial award of up to 50,000
• 20 match required
• 1988 - TAG regulations finalized (40 CFR Part
  35).
• October 2, 2000- last revision of regulations.
• EPA policies
• Regional staff program implementation
• Headquarters policy issues, national
  publications, coordination and consistency among
  regions.

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Use of TAG funds

• Most of the funds for procuring a technical
  advisor to
• explain site related technical information
• make site visits to learn about activities
• travel to meetings/hearings about site
• evaluate site plans for reuse
• interpret explain health-related information
• Limited amount of funds for grant management and
  administrative expenses

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Not Allowed

• No lobbying
• No travel for group members
• No lawsuits or legal assistance/actions
• No social activities, fundraising or entertaining
• No tuition or training (one-time health safety
  for TA excepted)
• No reopening or challenging final decisions.

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Eligibility Requirements

• Only one TAG at a time at a site
• Listed on National Priorities List, or proposed
  with CERCLA action underway.
• Group of individuals affected by site
• Group is incorporated as nonprofit
• Minimum federal grant administrative
  managements met
• Must include 20 cost share in project budget

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Ineligible Entities

• No groups affiliated with national organizations
• No academic institutions
• No political subdivisions
• No PRPs, or groups representing or receiving
  money from PRPs
• No groups established by or sustained by any of
  the above

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Competition Process

• Interested group submits letter of intent (LOI)
  to regional EPA office
• EPA notifies broader community of LOI in local
  newspaper(s)
• 30 days for coalition-building or other LOIs
• 30 days to complete application
• 90 days to revise/clarify application per EPA
  comments

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Criteria for Selection

• Meets all minimum eligibility requirements
• Ranking based on three equally-weighted criteria
• Membership is representative of broader community
  interests
• plan to use the technical advisor
• plan and ability to inform the rest of the
  community

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Funding

• Initial award of up to 50,000 (by Statute)
• Additional (non-competed) funding based on
  specific criteria
• Groups grant management track record
• Site characteristics meet 3 out of 10 under 40
  CFR 35.4065
• TAG funding is cost recoverable in final
  settlement
• EPA can use site-specific accounts to fund TAGs

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TAGs Can Help

• build trust
• lend credibility to EPA information
• create dialogue
• foster more engaged community
• community better articulate concerns/views
• create better and more appropriate Agency
  decisions

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Lessons Learned (EPA)

• EPA must inform community and maintain open
  two-way communication
• Clearly communicate what is and is not on the
  table for discussion (manage expectations)
• Communicated with community directly, not through
  the TA
• Recognize TAG group does not speak for the whole
  community
• Must be prepared to provide a lot of support

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Lessons Learned (Community)

• Group must be well organized and well connected
  with broader community
• Most success when group takes a problem-solving
  approach w/ TA
• Group must be open to receiving information
  contrary to original views
• Organization w/ identity built on mistrust and
  conflict ? unable to meaningfully engage broader
  community
• Federal grant requirements can be burdensome
• Can be difficult to find qualified technical
  advisors

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Lessons Learned (TA)

• Best if truly independent, not an advocate for a
  particular viewpoint
• Qualities excellent communicator and
  approachable
• Needs to communicate what is reasonable to expect
  from the cleanup process and their services
• Should be based within a reasonable distance from
  community

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For More Information

• EPA TAG website at http//www.epa.gov/superfund/co
  mmunity/tag/index.htm