This program supports the louisiana department of environmental quality (ldeq) in developing and maintaining compliance monitoring programs to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks to health or…

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) received a $110,168 formula grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 under the Toxic Substances Compliance Monitoring Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.701) for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The award supports LDEQ's development and maintenance of compliance monitoring programs designed to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks to health and the environment from chemical substances and mixtures. Specifically, LDEQ will conduct asbestos inspections at public and non-public schools in Louisiana to support compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requirements.

The primary deliverables under this grant include on-site asbestos inspections at school campuses, compliance audits at local education agencies (LEAs), and ongoing technical assistance and outreach activities to support regulatory compliance. Additionally, LDEQ may conduct inspections under the Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Section 6 Ban and Phase Out Rule, and TSCA Asbestos Worker Protection Standards. Expected outcomes include improved school safety, enhanced protection of student and school personnel health, and increased awareness of asbestos compliance requirements. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement.

This program supports the louisiana department of environmental quality (ldeq) in developing and maintaining compliance monitoring programs to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks to health or the environment associated with chemical substances or mixtures in their communities. Specifically, ldeq will conduct asbestos inspections at public schools and non-public schools in support of the asbestos-in-schools requirements. This project will improve compliance with the nation's environmental asbestos laws and hold violators accountable. Ensure high levels of compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations through effective compliance tools - including inspections, other monitoring activities, and technical assistance supported by evidence and advanced technologies.activities:on-site inspections, technical assistance, consultation, compliance actions and outreach activities. The louisiana department of environmental quality (ldeq) will conduct asbestos inspections at public schools and non-public schools in support of the asbestos-in-schools requirements, and plans to conduct compliance audits at local education agencies (leas). This translates to inspections of school campuses over the funding period. Inspections that fall under the model accreditation plan (map), toxics substance control act (tsca) section 6 BAN and phase out rule, and the tsca asbestos worker protection standards may also be conducted by ldeq plans to continue outreach and technical assistance to local education agencies (leas) on an as-needed basis.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated deliverables for this grant are asbestos inspections at public schools and non-public schools, compliance audits at local education agencies (leas), and outreach and technical assistance to leas on an as-needed basis. Outcomes include a safer environment in schools, protection of health in students and school personnel, and improved awareness of asbestos safety measures. Direct beneficiaries of this assistance agreement are the residents and occupants of the state of louisiana. Ahera outcomes are quantitative measures that demonstrate the school and LEA have met the necessary criteria to come into, and stay in, compliance. Outcomes can be measured by surveillance activities which result in passing or citing deficiencies, enforcement measures which end in a 'case closed' status indicating that compliance has been achieved, and management plans and plan updates received as ahera implementation rather than in response to a deficiency. Successful outcomes result in a safer environment in schools, protection of health in students and school personnel, and improved awareness of asbestos safety measures. The intended beneficiaries are the citizens of louisiana.