USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds may be used to: Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources in rural areas; provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance operator skills in the maintenance and operation of active landfills in rural areas; provide technical assistance and/or training to help associations reduce the solid waste stream; and provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills in rural areas which are closed or will be closed in the near future with the development/implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling within permit requirements. Grant funds may not be used to: Recruit preapplications/applications for any loan and/or grant program including RUS Water and Waste Disposal Loan and/or Grant Program; duplication of current services, replacement or substitution of support previously provided such as those performed by an association's consultant in developing a project; fund political activities; pay for capital assets, the purchase of real estate or vehicles, improve and renovate office space, or repair and maintain privately-owned property; pay for construction or operation and maintenance costs of water and waste facilities; and pay costs incurred prior to the effective date of grants made under this subpart.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Entities eligible for grants are nonprofit organizations, including: Private nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and public bodies including local governmental-based multijurisdictional organizations. Applicants must have the proven ability, background, experience, legal authority, and actual capacity to provide technical assistance and/or training on a regional basis to eligible beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Municipalities, counties, districts, authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State, organizations operated on a not-for-profit basis, such as associations, cooperatives, and private nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes.

Credentials/Documentation:   This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-87, and A-122.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program.

Application Procedure:   This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-87, A-102, A-110, and A-122. Preapplication Form SF 424.1, will be filed with the appropriate Rural Development (RD), formerly FMHA, State or Rural Utilities Service (RUS) National Office between October 1 and December 31 each fiscal year.

Award Procedure:   Preapplications received by an RD State Office will be reviewed and forwarded with any written comments within seven working days to the RUS approval official.

Deadlines:   Preapplications must be filed between October 1 and December 31 of each fiscal year in which funds are appropriated.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Form AD-622, "Notice of Preapplication Review Action," will normally be issued within 45 days after December 31 of each year. SF-424.1, "Application for Federal Assistance (for Non-Construction)," will be submitted by the applicant upon notification of funding eligibility.

Appeals:   If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated. The applicant may request a review of this decision with the National Appeals Division of USDA.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   A time limitation is not specified, however, priority will be given to applicants whose time frame for completion of the grant project is 12 months or less.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   All grantees will submit quarterly reports to the RUS approval official.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," non federal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the grant must be retained for a period of at least 3 years after closing.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-0400-0-1-452.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $2,735,000; FY 02 est $3,532,212; and FY 03 est $3,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$5,000 to $720,000. Average: $82,000.

In fiscal year 2001, 33 grants were made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR 1775, Subpart J, Technical Assistance and Training Grants.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Consult your local telephone directory for RD District Office number. If no listing, get in touch with the appropriate RD State Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Assistant Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 690-2670.

Web Site Address:   http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Recipients of this program received funds to administer technical assistance in areas of solid waste management to small communities.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Grant funds will be directed to those applicants who; (1) Have demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance on a regional basis to rural communities; (2) propose to assist small, low income communities; (3) propose to serve multi-State, regional or nationwide areas; (4) the extent to which the proposed project is cost effective; and (5) meet the objectives of RUS Water and Waste Disposal Program.

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