ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE
 
U.S. EPA Region 9 /
Pacific Southwest Region
FALL 2014
Welcome to U.S. EPA Region 9's Environmental Justice (EJ) Update, a periodic email highlighting EJ-relevant resources and promising projects and practices. In this update, you'll find quite a few grant announcements, all with closing dates before the end of the year. Grant-related webinars are coming up soon; webinars are a good way to get your questions answered about these programs.
 
Our Winter Update will feature our soon-to-be-released EJ Plan for the coming year.
OEJ Director Matt Tejada Visits California
Matt Tejada, Director of Office of Environmental Justice, visited with communities in California this summer. He participated in a community-organized summit on EPA's proposed rule governing refineries, met with an advocate for community members concerned about the Exide facility in Vernon, and heard first hand about the struggles of residents dealing with a neighborhood dump in Calwa in Fresno County. Matt also met with a resident in Arvin, another Central Valley community, who had been evacuated from her home due to a pipeline leak of natural gas from an oil well. EPA is working with state and local agencies to address these issues. We plan to see Matt again in 2015 for a visit to Arizona.
In This Issue
State Highlights:  Focus on California
CA DPH Site Assessment Website Now in Spanish 
In 2008, the Site Assessment Section of the California Department of Public Health launched a website in response to community requests for more information about health studies and a deeper understanding of how health studies are done, when, and by whom. The website is now available in Spanish.

CA State Water Board To Hold Public Workshops on Draft Safe Drinking Water Plan

With the transition of the Drinking Water Program from the California Department of Public Health on July 1, 2014, the State Water Board now has the primary enforcement authority to enforce federal and state safe-drinking-water laws, and is responsible for the regulatory oversight of about 8,000 public water systems throughout the state. The Safe Drinking Water Plan for California, required by state law to be periodically updated, includes the State Water Board's draft assessment of the overall quality of the state's drinking water, the identification of specific water quality problems, an analysis of the k.nown and potential health risks that may be associated with drinking water contamination in California, and specific recommendations to improve drinking water quality. Request a paper copy by contacting Stormy Hinkley at (916) 552-9123 or Stormy.Hinkley@waterboards.ca.gov. Comments are due by noon on December 15.

 

The Board will hold six public workshops, the first of which is coming up on November 3, in Salinas. Find the complete schedule here. 

For Your Calendar
Conversation on Urban Planning and Health

Listen in on "Designing and Planning for Healthy Cities - A Conversation With Richard Jackson, Tim Beatley and Georges Benjamin, on October 30th from 12:45 pm to 2pm EDT, a conversation with thought leaders in public health and urban planning and design: UCLA Professor Richard Jackson, co-author of Urban Sprawl and Public Health and co-editor of Making Healthy Places; Tim Beatley of the University of Virginia and author of Biophilic Cities and Blue Urbanism and Dr.Georges C. Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association since 2002.

Chemical Safety and Security Update

Register here for a November 10 (4pm - 530pm EST) webinar for an update on actions items since the June 6, 2014, release of Executive Order 13650:  Actions to Improve Chemical Safety and Security - A Shared Commitment. Submit a question or statement via eo.chemical@hq.dhs.gov.

National Health Impact Assessment Meeting

Register here for the National Health Impact Assessment Meeting in Washington D.C. from June 16 to 18, 2015. The conference is designed to appeal to anyone interested in learning more about HIAs and advancing the field, especially decision-makers and program leaders from multiple sectors and at all levels of government.

Selected Federal Agency Program Resources

TRI Public Data, New TRI Fotonovela

The latest 2013 TRI data just came online. Check out EPA's new Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for Communities Webpage to find information about toxic releases in your community. Click here, scroll to the bottom, and type in your zip code or city name to try it out. The TRI Fotonovela demonstrates how to get TRI information using the fotonovela format--a small pamphlet that uses photographs combined with small dialogue bubbles to tell a story in both Spanish and English. 

 

Also check out one of four "community snapshot" pilot projects focused on Jurupa Valley, California.

EPA Announces Pilot Framework for Integrating Community Health and Wellness into the Superfund Reuse Assessment Process

This document summarizes a pilot framework for integrating health, prevention, and wellness considerations during the Superfund reuse assessment process. This integration may facilitate identification of possible or reasonably anticipated future land uses. Establishing these uses can help identify opportunities to supplement and expand existing health assets for neighborhoods impacted by Superfund sites, and over time contribute to improved health and well-being for these communities. Find the complete report here.

 

The Pilot Framework builds off of the work done for the Jacksonville Integrated Pilot Project, and includes suggested community discussion questions, a set of health and wellness indicators, suggestions for mapping health and wellness features at the neighborhood scale, considerations for site suitability and a case study example to illustrate the pilot process. The framework also includes information on data sources, funding programs and other resources to assist in the process.For more information contact:Melissa Dreyfus, or Frank Avvisato.

Centers for Disease Control Adds New "Info by Location" Tool to Website

Check out new content on the CDC Environmental Health Tracking (EHT) website about pesticide exposures and the use of EHT data in health impact assessments. Give the "Info by Location" tool a try to get county or zip code-level health data.

Deadline Extended for Nominations to the NEJAC

EPA invites nominations to be considered for appointment to its National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. The NEJAC was chartered to provide advice regarding broad, crosscutting issues related to environmental justice. Nominations are solicited to fill approximately eight vacancies for terms through September 2017. To maintain the representation outlined by the charter, nominees will be selected to represent: academia; grassroots community-based organizations; non-governmental environmental organizations; local governments; business and industry; and tribal government and indigenous organizations. Find details about applying here. Nominations are due November 22, 2014.

 

The NEJAC currently includes the following representatives based in EPA Region 9: Kerry N. Doi, Pacific Asian Consortium in Empowerment; Cynthia Kim Len Rezentes, Mohala I Ka Wai (People Thrive Where Conditions Are Good); Deidre Sanders, Pacific Gas & Electric; and Jill Witkowski, San Diego Coastkeeper.

Reading List

Equity Scan of Local Government Sustainability Initiatives

The California cities of Richmond and San Francisco are two of a number of local governments whose sustainability initiatives are featured in Equity in Sustainability: An Equity Scan of Local Government Sustainability Programs. Angela Park, author of the report and founder and executive director of Mission Critical (formerly Diversity Matters) worked with the Urban Sustainability Directors Network to conduct a review of local governments to assess how they're integrating equity and social justice in sustainability initiatives.

The Role of Non-Chemical Stressors in Mediating Socioeconomic Susceptibility to Environmental Chemicals 

Jane E. Clougherty, Jessie L. C. Shmool, Laura D. Kubzansky, Current Environmental Health Reports, 2014.

Reporting Individual Results From Biomonitoring and Environmental Exposures: Lessons Learned From Environmental Communication Case Studies 

Julia Green Brody, Sarah C. Dunagan, Rachel Morello-Frosch, Phil Brown, Sharyle Patton and Ruthann A. Rudel, Environmental Health, 2014.
Selected Grant Opportunities
2014 DERA School Bus Replacement Rebate Program

Does your local school rely on buses powered by engines model year 2006 or older? If so, encourage your school district or municipality to check out EPA's 2014 School Bus Replacement Rebate Program. This program provides rebates toward the replacement of 2006 or older school buses with new buses powered by a certified 2014 (or newer) model year engine or electric buses. Newer replacement buses may operate on diesel, battery or hybrid drive trains, or alternative fuels. Eligible applicants include regional, state, local, or tribal agencies with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, including school districts and municipalities. Private entities that operate school buses under a contract with a public school district are also eligible to apply for funding. Closes November 17, 2014.

Diesel Emissions Reduction 
This announcement solicits proposals from port authorities and state and local government agencies with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality for clean diesel projects at marine and inland water ports in areas of poor air quality. Community groups, terminal operators, shipping carriers and other related entities are encouraged to participate through partnerships with eligible applicants. Closes 4 pm EST December 11, 2014.
EJ Small Grants

The EJSG Program provides funding for eligible applicants for projects that address local environmental and/or public health issues within an affected community. The EJSG Program is designed to help eligible non-profit organizations, tribal governments and tribal organizations understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Pre-application assistance calls (no webinar) will be held on Saturday, November 1 from 1 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern Time, and Tuesday November 18, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm Eastern Time. Call 1-866-299-3188 and enter 202-564-1771#. Closes December 15, 2014. 

 

EPA anticipates awarding up to 25% of fiscal year 2015 awards to fund projects that support community climate resiliency. EPA will also designate up to 25% of fiscal year 2015 awards to eligible organizations that have not received an EJ Small Grant award during fiscal years 2009 through 2013. Please note that organizations acting as fiscal agents are ineligible for this program.

Do you know any college students interested in solving an environmental challenge? EPA's P3 program is a unique college competition that inspires solutions for a sustainable future and offers quality hands-on experience that brings classroom learning to life. In phase one, teams are awarded a $15,000 grant to develop their idea and then compete in the National Sustainable Design Expo in Washington, DC for the P3 Award and a $90,000 grant to turn their design into a real world application. Closes December 16, 2014.

Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup

The FY2015 EPA Brownfields Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grants guidelines were announced on October16th. Applications must be submitted by December 19, 2014. 

  

Want the latest advice on preparing a successful application? Register for Tips for Successful Brownfields Grant Proposals on Thursday October 30th at 11:00 - 12:15pm PST. This webinar will walk listeners through basic (but surprisingly often overlooked) advice for applicants, as well as new changes in grant guidelines.  

  

Webinar speakers include some of the nation's leading brownfields experts who have been successful applicants, technical assistance providers, and recent reviewers of brownfields grant applications. Speakers will provide special tips for disadvantaged and small/rural communities and discuss common mistakes and special advantages for these applicants. 

 

Kansas State University's Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program will provide one Grant Proposal Writing Strategies webinar on November 4, 2014 at 3pm (EST). Join the webinar at the appointed time and/or via conference call (dial-in number: 1-866-299-3188/ access code: 202-566-1817).

 

Listed below are webinars jointly hosted by EPA Regions 8 and 9.

 

Brownfields Grants Guidelines Questions and Answers, November 18 at 1 pm, PST. Join the webinar at the scheduled time and call 866-299-9141, code: 52990378#. 

 

Brownfields Assessment Grant Webinar, November 13, 2014 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST. Log in for the webinar (enter as a guest) and call 866-299-9141, code: 52990378. 
   
Brownfields Cleanup Grant Webinar on November 13, 2014 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST. Log in for the webinar (enter as guest) and call 866-299-9141, code: 52990378.
  
Questions and Answers, Reminders and Tips For 2015 Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grant Applications,  November 18, 2014 at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST. Log in for the webinar and call 866-299-9141, code: 52990378. 
Coming Soon--EPA's Workforce Development and Job Training Grant (WDJT)

This annual competition will be announced soon and proposals will be due by the end of January 2015. The $200,000 grant funding opportunity is available to local nonprofit organizations, community colleges, cities, states, tribes, and counties that create environmental training programs for unemployed and under-employed individuals that focus on comprehensive skills and certifications needed to enter full-time careers in the environmental field. The funding also supports job placement and recruitment activities.

 

While each grantee will develop their own training curriculum, graduates of the program will be able to participate in activities such as land remediation, recycling, wastewater treatment, underground storage tank removal, integrated pest management and emergency- response-related work in their respective communities.

 

Writing Successful Proposals

EPA will host 2 national webinars (same format) geared towards project managers and grant writers to walk through the 2015 EWDJT guidelines / request for proposals and competition. Potential applicants will have a chance to ask questions and get useful information for submitting a strong proposal. Changes from the FY14 EWDJT competition will also be covered.

 

Adobe Connect Webinar 1 - November 12th, 2:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time:

Call-in number: Log in to the webinar and call (866) 299-3188, conference code: 2025662772#.

 

Adobe Connect Webinar 2 - December 4th 2:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time: Log in to the webinar and call (866) 299-3188, code: 2025662772#.

 

EPA Point of Contact for the WDJT grant program:  Joseph Bruss at(202) 566-2772.
Contact:  Deldi Reyes, EJ Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 9 | (415) 972-3795 | reyes.deldi@epa.gov
 
  
  
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