EPA Region 7

Communities Information Digest

December 18, 2014

Welcome to the latest EPA Region 7 Digest!

The purpose of the EPA Region 7 Communities Information Digest is to provide
communities in the 4-state region and other interested areas the latest news,
webinars, conferences, funding, and other community-based activities going on in
the region and country related to human health and the environment. (An *
Indicates a new post.)

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Headlines
*26 Communities Receive Technical Assistance to Enhance Local Food Systems and Downtown Revitalization
EPA recently joined five other federal agencies and the White House Rural Council in announcing 26 communities that will rece ive technical
assistance to develop local food projects that protect the environment, encourage economic development, and revitalize existi ng downtowns and
main streets.
The assistance is offered through Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative supported by EPA, the U.S. Department of Ag riculture, the U.S.
Department of Transportation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the De lta Regional
Authority to help create more livable places by promoting local food systems and downtown revitalization. One community in EP A Region 7 was a
recipient, Jefferson City, Missouri.
*EPA Brownfields FY15 Grant Funding Guidance for State and Tribal Response Programs Due January 31, 2015
Section 128(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, authorizes a
noncompetitive $50 million grant program to establish and enhance state and tribal response programs. Generally, these respon se programs
address the assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment of brownfields sites and other sites with actual or perceived contaminatio n. This document
provides guidance that will enable states and tribes to apply for and use Fiscal Year 2015 section 128(a) funds.

*FY2015 Guidelines for EPA's Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) Grants Now Due February 3, 2015
Please note that this year all EWDJT proposals must be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time on February 3, 2015, though applicants should be aware that there is a registration process for electronic submi ssion via
www.grants.gov which may take a week or more to complete.
*14 Communities to Receive Free Technical Assistance from Smart Growth America
EPA grantee, Smart Growth America, recently announced the 14 communities it has selected to receive free technical assistance to help
communities build stronger local economies, protect the environment, preserve sense of place, and improve the quality of life . Each community will
receive a one- or two-day training session with Smart Growth America experts on the development issue of their choice. The assistance is funded
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receive a one- or two-day training session with Smart Growth America experts on the development issue of their choice. The assistance is funded
by a grant from EPA through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. One of the 14 communities was in EPA Reg ion 7Columbia, Missouri for Parking Audit Technical Assistance.
*27 Organizations Pledge Support, Align Resources with Urban Waters Federal Partnership
A broad coalition of 27 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and The Conservation Fund
has pledged to support the Urban Waters Federal Partnership as it works to restore waterways and revitalize communities acros s the country. The
NGOs will align resources, funding, and expertise with federal efforts to restore urban waters and parks, increase outdoor re creation, and engage
residents and youth.
The announcement came as federal agencies and NGOs convened in Washington, D.C. recently to share best practices on restoring urban
waterways.

*White House Names Dubuque, Iowa a 'Climate Action Champion'

The White House recently named Dubuque, Iowa, one of 16 Climate Action Champions, a diverse group of communities defining the frontier of
ambitious climate action whose approaches can serve as a model for other communities to follow. From creating climate-smart building codes to
installing green infrastructure to setting targets for reducing energy consumption, the 16 local and tribal communities selec ted as Climate Action
Champions have considered their climate vulnerabilities and taken decisive action to cut carbon pollution and build resilience.
*Protecting a Vital Resource for Safe and Healthy Communities: EPA Celebrates 40 th Anniversary of Safe Drinking Water Act
Across the country and throughout the Heartland, most people take it for granted: Turn the tap to quench your thirst, and you can be reasonably
assured that your water is clean and safe to drink. Its an assurance greatly bolstered by the Safe Drinking Water Act, a lan dmark environmental
protection law passed by Congress 40 years ago.
*HUD Sustainable Communities Grantees Gather in Washington
150 city and county officials, regional and state staff, and delegates from community organizations around the country representing HUDs Regional
Planning and Community Challenge grantees, met in Washington, DC recently to share accomplishments and build a strong peer -network for
future work. Top events included a panel with HUD Secretary Castro, EPA Administrator McCarthy, and DOT Secretary Foxx reflecting on histo ric
grantee achievements; a keynote with Stephanie Pollack, Northeastern University, on how social disparities skew access to opportunity; a HUD
regional administrator panel highlighting how sustainable communities approaches are being imbedded in HUDs everyday work; a nd a closing
session with Angela Glover Blackwell, CEO of PolicyLink, on the Arc of Equity, and their new Equity Atlas.

New Funding Opportunity: $9 Million to Advance Performance of PV Systems Concept Papers Due January 7, 2015
SunShot announced more than $9 million in funding for breakthrough R&D projects that will advance the reliability and durabil ity of solar
photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
Deadline for the 2015 EJ Small Grants Request for Applications Extended Due January 9, 2015
The deadline for submitting applications for EPA's 2015 Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program has been extended t o January 9,
2015. 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 and Tribal communities understand and address
exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks at the local level.
EPA Now Accepting Proposals for the 2014 Environmental Education Grants Program Due February 2, 2015
Under the Environmental Education Grants Program, EPA seeks grant proposals from eligible applicants to support environmental education
projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible act ions to protect the
environment.

HUD Offers $30 Million Choice Neighborhoods Grants to Help Transform Communities Due February 9, 2015
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julin Castro recently announced funding available to help local communiti es across the
country to redevelop severely distressed public and HUD-assisted housing and transform surrounding neighborhoods. HUD is offering grants of up
to $30 million through its Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Program to support locally driven solutions for transforming neighborhoods
struggling to address poor quality housing, inadequate schools, poor health, high crime, and lack of capital.

Funding & Technical Assistance Opportunities

Climate-Related Funding Opportunities Compiled by the Florida Climate Institute
HUD CDBG Disaster Recovery Assistance
USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Contact Rural Development State Office for Due Dates
USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Contact Local USDA Service Center
December 19: Energy Department Funds for Residential Building Energy Efficiency Research and University-Industry Partnerships
December 23: DOT Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program
January 1, 2015: The Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) Announces Competitive Grant Program
January 5, 2015: EPA Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Request for Proposals
January 9, 2015: Announcing the 2015 EJ Small Grants Request for Applications
January 9, 2015: Request for Applications: EPA-NIH Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research
*January 31, 2015: EPA Brownfields FY15 Grant Funding Guidance for State and Tribal Response Programs
February 2, 2015: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2015 Request for Proposals Announced
February 2, 2015: EPA Now Accepting Proposals for the 2014 Environmental Education Grants Program
*February 3, 2015: FY2015 Guidelines for EPA's Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) Grants
February 9, 2015: FY2014 HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant NOFA Published

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February 9, 2015: FY2014 HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant NOFA Published
March 16, 2015: HUD National Disaster Resilience Competition

Meetings, Conferences, Training & Events

January 28, 2015: Healthy Food Systems Pre-Conference Workshop Baltimore, MD
January 29, 2015: Equitable Development Workshop Baltimore, MD
January 29-31, 2015: 14th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference Baltimore, MD
February 2-6, 2015: DOI Interagency Consultation for Endangered Species Training at NCTC Shepardstown, WV
February 4-6, 2015: Children: Food and Environment Austin, TX
March 4-7 2015: Green Schools National Conference Virginia Beach, VA
March 24-26, 2015: The New World of Wetlands: Dealing with Shifting Landscapes, Laws and Climate
April 11-12, 2015: Structures for Inclusion (SFI 15) Conference Detroit, MI
*April 14-15, 2015: Iowa Governors Conference on Public Health - Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities Cedar Rapids, IA
May 5-7, 2015: National Zero Waste Business Conference Los Angeles, CA
September 2-4, 2015: National Brownfields Training Conference Chicago, IL
October 27-29, 2015: Policy Links Equity 2015: The National Summit Los Angeles, CA

Webinars, Conference Calls, & Twitter Chats

HUD Presents Several NDRC Webinar Series on Climate Resilience
In light of the recent announcement of the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC), HUD is offering a series of webinars from September
through February 2015, to discuss NDRC NOFA requirements, answer NDRC NOFA questions and jump start the climate resilience di alogue.
Some webinars will have a technical focus on the NDRC NOFA requirements and NDRC Eligible Applicants.
Grants.gov Information Sessions for Applicants
EPA is partnering with Grants.gov program managers at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide Grant s.gov
Informational Sessions for applicants that include an overview of the registration process as well as how to use the Grants.g ov web application.
Please note that we are also holding some training sessions specifically geared towards Tribes that can be found here.
January 13, 2015, 2-3 p.m. EST
To Register: Coming Soon!
February 10, 2015, 2-3 p.m. EST
To Register: Coming Soon!
*Food Waste Reduction Alliance Webinar, a Unique Collaborations January 15, 2015, 12 -1:30pm CST
The issue of food waste is a hot topic among sustainability professionals, government agencies, media and the general publi c. This presentation
will dive into the wasted food problem and share information about the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, a unique collaboration working to address
it.

Other Environmental News

*Maryland Department of Planning to Run National Clearinghouse on Smart Growth
In a nation with ever-changing demographics and economic shifts, the challenges of planning for growth and development continue to require a
comprehensive approach. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which funds a national smart growth website and network, th is month
awarded a grant to host and coordinate duties to the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP).
*USDA Announces New Support to Help Schools Purchase More Food from Local Farmers

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*USDA Announces New Support to Help Schools Purchase More Food from Local Farmers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced more than $5 million in grants for 82 projects spanning 42 states and th e U.S. Virgin Islands
that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to
School Program. The program helps schools purchase more food from local farmers and ranchers in their communities, expanding access to
healthy local food for school children and supporting local economies.
*Registration for Brownfields 2015 is Now Open!
We are pleased to announce that registration for the 2015 National Brownfields Training Conference in Chicago is NOW OPEN! Early-bird
registration discounts are ONLY offered through February 1, 2015, so register today and join us at what is sure to be a succe ssful, valuable, &
educational conference!
*USDA Releases Revised Funding Opportunities Guidebook
If youre looking for federal grants or low-interest loans to kick-start sustainable agriculture, forestry, entrepreneurship, conservation, food systems
or community development programs, this newly revised guide published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture might help. The g uide,
titled Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities, describes 63 programs intended to assist local governments, private businesses and
individual producers in a wide range of sustainability, economic development and conservation efforts.

*Energy Department Announces Federal Energy and Water Management Award Winners
The Energy Department recently recognized 25 winners across the federal government as recipients of the 2014 Federal Energy a nd Water
Management Awards. These annual awards highlight exceptional federal agency efforts for improving the nations energy, water, aviation and
vehicle fleets.
*April 14 & 15, 2015 Iowa Governors Conference on Public Health - Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities by March 15
The Iowa Governors Conference on Public Health is a one-of-a-kind event showcasing the many facets and diversity of public health. This unique
conference will take place in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Over 500 public and environmental health professionals are expected to atten d the two-day
conference.
*USDA Announces $9.7 Million in Dedicated Outreach and Technical Assistance to Diversify American Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced $9.7 million in grants to 62 community-based and non-profit
organizations, and educational institutions to conduct training, outreach and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged (including tribal) and
veteran farmers and ranchers.
*EPA Blog: Helping the Hungry and the Environment this Holiday Season By Gabrielle Posard
Editors note: Were happy to have this blog post from one of this years Presidents Environmental Youth Award winners. Five years ago, I was
inspired
to create a non-profit after learning a shocking statistic: one in five people in our country struggle to feed their families, while billions of pounds of
good []
*EPA Announces New Energy Star Tool for Homeowners to Save Money, Energy This Winter
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched its Energy Star Home Advisor, an online tool designed to hel p Americans save
money and energy by improving the energy efficiency of their homes through recommended, customized and prioritized home -improvement
projects.

*EPA Presidential Advisory Committee Issues Report on Ecological Restoration in the U.S. - Mexico Border Region
The Good Neighbor Environmental Board recently issued its 16 th annual report to the president, which examines environmental degradation in the
border region and recommends actions the U.S. federal government can take to protect and restore the border environment. Give n the severe
impacts on natural resources along the U.S. border with Mexico, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) reques ted that the
Board focus its report on ecological restoration.
*EPA Rule Promotes Responsible Hazardous Materials Recycling, Protects Communities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized new safeguards that promote responsible recycling of hazard ous secondary
materials and demonstrate a significant step forward in promoting recycling innovation, resulting in both resource conservati on and economic
benefits, while strengthening protections for environmental justice communities.
*EPA Region 7 Big Blue Thread Blog: Interviews with Farm Broadcasters Helps Us Build a Trust Relationship By Kris Lancaster
Im excited and passionate about my decade of representing EPA Region 7 at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAF B) Trade Talk
each year. I enjoy the buzz of rich, booming voices and the sound of tripods clicking in the aisles of 125 exhibitors. My agr icultural policy
experience, agri-business employment, federal crop []
*EPA Greenversations Blog: Food Waste Diversion is Key to a Sustainable Community By Lillianne Brown
Editors note: Were happy to have this blog post from one of this years Presidents Environmental Youth Award winners. Over 20% of our
countrys landfills consist of food we throw away. When this organic waste breaks down in the landfill with other types of wa ste, it produces
methane gas. When organic waste []

*USDA Seeks Public Comment on New Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is publishing a rule that outlines how it will improve the Environmental Quality Incentive s Program (EQIP), one
of USDA's largest conservation programs. USDA has established a 60-day comment period for the rule. The rule is expected to be available in the
Federal Register and regulations.gov on Friday, Dec. 12. Comments are due by Feb. 10, 2015. Full details are in the Federal Register notice.

*EPA Greenversations Blog: Americas Water Future: Smart, Green, Distributed By Charlotte Ely

I was raised with the saying, Be the change you wish to see in the world. To save water, I started making changes in my own home. Following the
advice Ive given to drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities through my work with EPAs Sustainable Water Infrastr ucture program, I
assessed our use, identified ways we [
*Energy Department Announces $7 Million to Develop Advanced Logistics for Bioenergy Feedstocks
The Energy Department recently announced up to $7 million for two projects aimed at developing and demonstrating ways to redu ce the cost of
delivering bioenergy feedstocks to biorefineries. Examples of bioenergy feedstocks include corn stover, switchgrass, and wood y biomass. By

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delivering bioenergy feedstocks to biorefineries. Examples of bioenergy feedstocks include corn stover, switchgrass, and wood y biomass. By
investing in this type of research, development, and demonstration, the Energy Department is supporting the production of ren ewable and costcompetitive biofuels
DOT Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program - $9 million - Due December 23
DOT is making available funding to develop innovative programs and activities in public transportation that address the human resources needs of
public transportation operators, as well as build pathways to long-term careers in the public transportation industry.
Summer Internship with Environmental Health Services - Due February 11, 2015
Applications are now being accepted for a 10-week summer environmental internship for students majoring in Environmental Health.

This digest is being provided by EPA Region 7 for informational purposes only.
This digest contains links to information, agencies, sites, and organizations outside of the EPA website.
EPA is not responsible for third party links. EPA does not endorse third party organizations or agencies.

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