FY2017 PHMSA HMEP Grant Frequently Asked Questions.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQs)

Q. Are tribes eligible to apply for both HMEP funds under States and Territories Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and for the American Indian Specific FOA? Under the State FOA, we would be classified as a subcontractor.

A. Tribes may receive funding under either the Tribal HMEP award or the State and Territory award, not both. However, if a state and a tribe each receive funding, and they pool their funds for a joint project, such as a commodity flow study through and around tribal lands, that would be allowable.

Q. How should the application be formatted?

A. The application should be formatted in accordance with instructions in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) posted on grants.gov. Do not copy and paste last year’s HMEP budget and project narrative. Please follow the chronology of the funding announcement.

Q. Are HMEP grantees required to submit quarterly reports?

A. No. Each year grantees are required to submit two financial reports and one programmatic report. Should the program receive OMB approval to implement midyear performance reporting, those requirements will be added to the terms and conditions during the NGA amendments phase for Year 2. Please refer to the FOA for due dates. The terms and conditions of the NGA will have complete submission and due date information.

Q. Are planning and training activities at fixed facilities allowable expenditures under the HMEP grant?

A. No. However, training and planning activities for incidents that may occur in route to a fixed facility, including storage incidental to movement as defined in 49 CFR § 171.8, are allowable activities. Applicants must describe the connection to hazmat transportation preparedness.

Q. If an activity is not detailed in the HMEP grant application, may we still get reimbursement through a prior approval/activity request through the grants portal?

A. Yes.

Q. If a tribe or intertribal council does not have a Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC) what is the avenue for a tribal LEPC get funding?

A. According to guidance posted on EPA’s website, the chief executive officers of federally recognized Tribes must appoint Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs), responsible for carrying out the provisions of EPCRA in the same manner as State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs). Alternatively, Tribal leaders can join a Tribal Coalition which functions as the TERC, or establish a Memorandum of Understanding with a State to participate under the

SERC.

TERCs establish emergency planning districts and can appoint Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) or act as TERCs/LEPCs, performing the functions of both. LEPCs use information collected under EPCRA to develop local emergency response plans to respond quickly to chemical accidents. The chief executive officer should ensure that TERCs maintain a broad based representation, including Tribal public agencies and departments dealing with environmental, energy, public health and safety issues, as well as other tribal community groups with interest in EPCRA. The Tribal LEPC should also be representative of the community, and should include elected Tribal officials, fire chiefs, Indian Health Services officials, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials, Tribal elders and leaders, representatives of industries on or near the reservation, and members of the general community. (see:

http://www3.epa.gov/twebhelp/WebHelp/epcra_provisions_for_indian_lands_q_a_234_.htm)

Q. In the application, will there be one budget for both planning and training?

A. Yes. Do not separate planning and training in the 424A or budget narrative. Planning and training are now combined.

Q. Can tribes apply for a match waver?

A. No, but the match can be met in various ways, including donations, and volunteer hours.

Q. What is the page limit for the application’s project narrative?

A. Please limit your project narrative to 20 pages.

GUIDANCE ON SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS:

PHMSA is unable to make any pre-application determinations as to the allowability of costs for contemplated grantee work. Applicants should submit its proposals in their application using the process/procedures set out in the HMEP Announcement