This cooperative agreement will create a collaborative endeavor for states across the country on a wide array of environmental protection topics including air and water quality, drinking water,…

This cooperative agreement will create a collaborative endeavor for states across the country on a wide array of environmental protection topics including air and water quality, drinking water, water reuse, toxics, emerging contaminants, chemicals management, solid and hazardous waste, land revitalization, pollution prevention, climate change, energy and energy efficiency, science and research, environmental justice, civil rights, planning and resource allocation, data management, compliance and enforcement, public and environmental health, state capacity building, alignment of state and EPA priorities, oversight of state environmental programs, partnership enhancement, reporting burden reduction, performance measures, streamlining of state environmental agency business processes, innovations, tribal and intergovernmental relationships, and new processes and technologies. Ecos will employ a variety of methods including research, studies, demonstrations, information sharing, training, professional development of state agency staff, webinars, virtual and in-person meetings and workshop, web services, and clearinghouses. Ecos accomplishes its work through its committees along with various subcommittees, workgroups, steering committees, and forums. Each committee is made up of ecos members - state environmental commissioners - and their staff and is supported by ecos staff. Subcommittees, steering committees, workgroups, and forums are also supported by ecos staff and involve ecos members and their staff. Typical projects are accomplished through ecos member discussion, input, and involvement, and staff support in the form of liaison work, writing, editing, and general coordination. Activities:general activities under this agreement may include: #9679; facilitating state input on regional and nationwide environmental priorities; #9679; consulting with EPA on and facilitating state review of proposed EPA rulemakings, regulations, guidance and policies, including implementation activities; preparing papers, reports, studies, compendiums, and clearinghouses on topics in key public health and environmental areas; #9679; facilitating the role of states as CO-regulators; #9679; developing and expanding interstate and intergovernmental communications on partnership efforts via the ecos website and other outreach tools as well as through the organization's extensive network of state officials; #9679; providing for professional development of state agency staff by coordinating mentoring among state environmental agencies including sharing expertise, experiences, and lessons learned; #9679; organizing and coordinating meetings, workshops, and trainings on critical issues and implementation activities; #9679; analyzing state and federal environmental budget information to determine impacts on state environmental programs; #9679; researching a variety of environmental areas pertinent to the states; #9679; facilitating participation by ecos members and their staff and ecos staff in key trainings and forums on important environmental topics by notifying members of events, providing travel assistance, and assisting members with preparation; and #9679; other activities as needed to address the needs and priorities of state environmental agencies as they work to improve human health and the environment. Subrecipient:ecos anticipates any subawards would be to state environmental agencies but depending on the specific projects funded under this agreement they could be to other entities. More details on any subawards will be included in specific project proposals. Ecos will ensure that any subawards are only given to eligible recipients and will ensure that the subrecipients use funds for authorized purposes and comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and the terms and conditions of this agreement. Outcomes:examples of anticipated deliverables, expected outcomes and outputs