Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 56 results

• How is waste leaving the derailment site tracked?

  EPA on-scene coordinators are assigned to track liquid–and solid–waste trucks entering and leaving the derailment site. They log every truck, oversee the loading and covering of waste, truck washing and weighing, and the proper placement of placards. Responders take pictures throughout the process. All trucks go to approved and regulated…

  • Last published: April 9, 2024

• Are organizations located outside of the Great Lakes region eligible to apply for this RFA?

  Your organization could be eligible. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section III.A., B., & C. of the RFA in order to apply. Only applications from eligible entities that meet the threshold eligibility requirements will be considered. Applicants should carefully review all threshold eligibility requirements. Applicant eligibility information…

  • Last published: April 23, 2024

• Can foreign governments or private entities apply?

  No. From page 21 of the RFA: Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities: State agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies; and federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations. Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply. Non-profit…

  • Last published: April 23, 2024

• What happens after the track work is completed?

  The track work has been the highest priority to remove most contamination as early as possible. This, plus preventing the spread of contamination by capturing water from the site and constructing a bypass of Sulphur Run around the site will continue into June. While track work and water management continue…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• What is the definition of “overburdened community” that is relevant for EPA Actions and Promising Practices?

  EPA Actions and Promising Practices apply the description of overburdened communities articulated in EPA’s Plan EJ 2014. The term is used to describe the minority, low‐income, tribal and indigenous populations or communities in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and risks due to exposures or cumulative impacts…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• How will an EPA regional office determine whether a permitted activity impacts a potential overburdened community? What screening tool or process will EPA regional offices use to screen permit applications?

  The Agency has developed a nationally consistent screening tool to help identify communities that are potentially overburdened. This tool, known as EJSCREEN, is one of several tools being developed under Plan EJ 2014. EPA anticipates that its regional offices will use EJSCREEN and other readily available information, including known community…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• Some of the Promising Practices are mentioned in EPA regulations, guidance and recommendations that EPA has issued in the past. So why is EPA issuing the Promising Practices?

  EPA is issuing Promising Practices to encourage permit applicants to strategically plan and conduct enhanced outreach to overburdened communities in the permitting process. As some commenters noted, EPA has recommended some of the outreach strategies included in Promising Practices previously. Nevertheless, EPA believes that it is important to issue Promising…

  • Last published: July 10, 2024

• What does the on-site wastewater treatment process on site entail?

  EPA has approved a workplan to allow Norfolk Southern to treat hazardous wastewater on-site, removing vinyl chloride and other contaminants to dispose of the treated wastewater off-site as a non-hazardous waste. Currently, the train derailment site generates nearly one million gallons of wastewater per week from the collection of stormwater…

  • Last published: August 1, 2024

• Applications focused solely on applications on improving access, recreational, and workforce development activities are prohibited, but may a PR propose a project that solely focuses on these activities?

  No, subawards focused solely on those things are also not eligible. From page 10: Note: Subawards may also include activities that improve communities’ access and enjoyment of restored areas, provided they are a part of and enhance an eligible project that accomplishes and is directly related to one of the…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Would surveying or similar human subject research be allowable as a component of a PG’s application or is any such research expressly prohibited?

  Human subjects research and surveys could be eligible activities, provided they are part of a project that otherwise meets the eligibility requirements stated in the RFA. Applicants and potential subawardees should be advised that those activities are subject to the human subjects research and Paperwork Reduction Act review processes, which…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Are projects located in Lake Champlain eligible for funding?

  Projects located in Lake Champlain are not within the eligible geographic bounds. Proposed GLEJGPs must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin, including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River (at or upstream from…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Is this grant eligible to all of Ohio or only portions of Ohio within the Great Lake's watershed.

  Proposed projects must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin , including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River (at or upstream from the point at which the St. Lawrence River becomes the international…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• What does the reporting look like? Will the PR have to report back on the impact of all grantees funded, and if so, how often will this be required?

  Yes, reporting will be required. EPA will help facilitate the reporting process, but we will be looking for reporting from the principal recipient on all sub awarded projects and the impacts that that have that those projects have had, as well as all final reports.

  • Last published: September 5, 2024

• Where is the treated wastewater going?

  The wastewater treatment system removes derailment contaminants using several steps, including sedimentation and filtration. The treated wastewater is then tested to verify vinyl chloride is below the drinking water standard. Once treated, water is sent to facilities certified to accept non-hazardous wastewater and that are regulated by federal and state…

  • Last published: September 5, 2024

• Are there health risks to driving through Taggart Street?

  There are no anticipated health risks along Taggart Street associated with project activities. As work proceeds, to ensure worker and community safety, the Unified Command will continue to evaluate site conditions for health and safety considerations. While traffic will be able to proceed through the work areas along Taggart Street…

  • Last published: October 16, 2024