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  • What is defined as a structure (home or place of business)?

    While generally defined as a building, a structure under the structural cleaning program will include only those habitable spaces where indoor occupancy is frequent and regularly occurring on a daily or near-daily basis. Examples of residential structures include primary residences and living spaces, and examples of commercial structures include offices…

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  • Why is cleaning of homes and places of businesses happening?

    Norfolk Southern, with EPA oversight, is providing indoor cleaning to eligible occupants in response to concerns about the impact of the derailment and cleanup work on homes and places of businesses. The cleaning is to address potential dust that may have been generated as part of the train derailment and…

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  • How much flexibility do applicants have in refining the Outcomes and Outcomes over time using an adaptive management approach?

    Full Question How much flexibility do applicants have in refining the Outcomes and Outputs identified in their application over time using an adaptive management approach? Answer EPA recognizes that “adaptive management” can be an effective tool in getting the best results. Adjustments to outputs and outcomes based on the adaptive…

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  • Do we have to pair hands-on, place-based Great Lakes enviro education with one of the other GLRI actions/related MOP?

    Full Question Do we have to pair hands-on, place-based Great Lakes enviro education (i.e., GLRI Measure of Progress, GLRI MOP 5.1.1 youth impacted through education and stewardship projects) with one of the other GLRI actions/related MOP? Answer Projects that relate to 5.1.1 are not required to connect to another specific…

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  • Should applications include Outputs and Outcomes related to Project Subrecipient evaluation criteria?

    EPA cannot provide a recommendation on this question. Applicants must decide whether or not they develop outputs and outcomes based on Project Subrecipient evaluation criteria for themselves. Please see section I.F. for information on Outcomes, Outputs, and Performance Metrics which includes information on performance measurement and evaluation plans.

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  • How do applicants reflect the 6th year of funding on the SF424A form, as there is only room for 5 years?

    We realize this is a limitation of the form and expect applicants to provide information to the best of their ability. Applicants should also provide sufficient information in the budget narrative section of their application.

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  • What work still needs to be done at the derailment site?

    Although contaminated soil has been excavated and removed from the derailment site, some additional work remains. Soil sampling continues to check all areas where cleanup operations took place. Stream assessments continue, and culvert clean out has started. Groundwater and drinking water sampling also continues. Expect these investigations and possible additional…

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  • Will boiling my water help?

    No. Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.

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  • Can letters of support be emailed directly to EPA?

    Only materials submitted as part of the grant application submitted on Grants.gov will be considered. If supporters wish to send letters directly to EPA, they may email ( [email protected] ). However, for them to be considered with the application, the applicant organization should be copied on those email messages with…

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  • Does this mean my home or place of business is contaminated?

    No. However, indoor cleaning is being offered to address potential dust emissions that may have been generated as part of the train derailment and cleanup work. This service is being offered as an additional service to interested members of the community.

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  • Is it better to not include letters of support from orgs given that they will ultimately be subject to have to apply in a competitive process?

    Full Question: The RFA mentions that contractors and subawards must be awarded competitively, however in our niche field and in many of these underserved communities (especially in less urban environments) there may only be 1 or 2 sub-awardees/contractors to work with at all. Should we apply with support listed from…

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  • Would it be possible at all to share the list of webinar attendees for coalition-building purposes?

    While we encourage applications from coalitions, unfortunately we are not able to facilitate these relationships. EPA will announce the winners of the competition so you would be able to reach out to those winners at that time for subaward or partnership opportunities.

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  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

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  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

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  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

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