EPA Offers $2.7M to Reduce Risks of Toxic Exposure

(Washington, D.C.-Feb. 10, 2006) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that funds are available to support community-based partnerships to reduce toxic risks in local communities.

EPA will award about $2.7 million in cooperative agreements in two levels through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. Level I cooperative agreements will help establish community-based partnerships and set priorities for reducing toxic risks in a community. EPA anticipates awarding eight to10 cooperative agreements under Level I, ranging from $75,000 to $100,000.

Level II cooperative agreements are for communities that already have a broad-based collaborative partnership, have identified risk reduction priorities and are ready to implement risk reduction strategies. EPA expects to award six to eight cooperative agreements, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000.

A range of community groups may apply for funding, including county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct two conference calls, Feb. 21 and 24, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process.

The CARE program, which began in 2005, helps to build broad-based local partnerships for reducing risks from toxic pollutants that come from numerous sources. For additional information about CARE, projects awarded in 2005, or how to apply for the cooperative agreements, visit EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/care

Contact Information

Roxanne Smith

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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