The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (www.cfda.gov) lists fifty-four grant programs administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  All of these programs aim to protect, preserve or restore some aspect of the environment.  Most can be interpreted as “mitigating” against the hazards of pollution, loss of resources or other environmental degradation.  Several programs that directly reduce risks to humans or mitigate against future disasters are outlined below:

o    Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment Pilots/Grants and Demonstrations.  A brownfield is any site that has actual or perceived contamination from prior pollution or industrial use.  The Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment program seeks to return these areas to productive economic use.  States, tribes and communities can receive up to $200,000 for site testing and modeling and $200,000 for job training programs over a two-year period for designated sites.  A further $500,000 loan is available over five years to complete cleanup.  There are no matching requirements.  For more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/pilot.htm#assess.

o    State Indoor Radon Grants.  This program provides funding for states, localities, associations or individuals to test for Radon and incorporate mitigation measures into both new construction and existing structures (for info on Radon see: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/radonqa1.html).  Grants can also be used for Radon education and establishing local Radon programs.  Grants range from $5,000 to a maximum of $800,000 depending on intended use.  The EPA funds up to 50% of allowable costs with the exception of Indian Tribes, where the EPA will fund 100%.  For further info visit: http://www.cfda.gov/public/viewprog.asp?progid=816.

o    Various Water Programs.  The EPA offers several grants for various aspects of water quality improvement ranging from drinking water system supervision to wastewater treatment plant construction to watershed management.  States, communities, and interstate agencies are eligible for these grants provided they meet the requirements of the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts.  Grants range from several thousand to several million dollars. Depending on program states must match from 0-25% of EPA provided funds.  See: http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/water.html.

o    Beach Monitoring and Notification Program.  This program makes grants to states and local governments for monitoring recreational waters, assessing health effects and publicizing risks.  The range of grants in FY 2002 was $150,000 to $535,000.  There is no matching requirement.   For more info: http://www.cfda.gov/public/viewprog.asp?progid=1542.

o    Children’s Health Protection.  These programs are community-based efforts to reduce risks to children posed by the environment and to assist parents in making informed consumer choices.  To date, eleven communities have participated, largely using grants to research past threats to children and compile lessons learned to protect against future threats.  Grants range from $15,000 to $135,000.  There is no matching requirement for this program.  For more information visit the Office of Children’s Health Protection website: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/whatwe.htm.

o    Toxic Substance Grants.  The EPA offers several grant programs to assist states and communities in identifying and monitoring risks posed by toxic substances to include lead, PCBs, asbestos and pesticides.  These grants fund training, equipment, testing and salaries of inspectors, analysts and program managers.  Grants range from $7,000 to $789,000.  States are generally required to match 25% of EPA funds for these programs.  For more info see: http://www.cfda.gov/public/viewprog.asp?progid=842 or http://www.cfda.gov/public/viewprog.asp?progid=841.

o    Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.  This program provides grants for states to use to clean up petroleum released from underground tanks and to enforce regulations regarding underground tanks.  Grants range from $50,000 to $4,300,000.  States are required to match 10% of EPA funds.  For more information see the Office of Underground Storage Tanks website:  http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/.

o    Superfund.  The superfund provides money to states for the cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites that have been listed on the National Priorities List.  Grants range from $30,000 to $500,000.  If the site was state owned prior to being placed on the National Priorities List, the state is required to match 50% of EPA funding; otherwise the state is required to match 10%.  To learn more visit the Superfund website at: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/process/sfproces.htm.