GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION PERIOD
These guidelines will help groups plan and refine their projects. Officially, these guidelines define the public participation grants program called for in the Model Toxics Control Act RCW 70.105D.070(5). They also explain the criteria ecology uses to evaluate and award public participation grants, and cover how to complete the application.
Goals of 2001 PPG Program: Ecology wants to improve the quality of the public's participation and influence in decisions on how contaminated sites should be cleaned up and restored. Ecology also wants to increase the environmental benefits of education projects, in particular, projects that get people to generate less waste (source reduction) and projects that show people ways to prevent pollution.
How to Obtain the PPG Guidelines: To receive a copy of the guidelines call 1-800-RECYCLE. You will need to provide your name, address and group affiliation, if you have/there is one. After reading the guidelines, you may have questions about your project, so call 1-800-RECYCLE and a grants staff person will respond to your request.
Application Period Opens September 1, 2000: Starting Friday, September 1, the Washington Department of Ecology will accept applications for public participation grants. The application period closes Tuesday, October 31, 2000. Groups of three or more unrelated individuals and not-for-profit, public interest organizations can qualify for a grant ranging from $1,000 to $60,000. Businesses and government departments, including universities, do not qualify.
Grants Pay for Public Involvement: The grants make it easier for people to be involved in two types of waste issues:
| • | The cleanup of hazardous waste sites. |
| • | Carrying out the state's solid and hazardous waste management priorities. The highest priority is reducing the amount of waste created. |
Not-for-profit groups are encouraged to apply. These include environmental coalitions, community clubs, neighborhood associations, environmental education groups, business and trade associations, labor or worker health/safety organizations, groups who live in the path of potential contamination from hazardous waste cleanup sites, ethnic or minority societies, outdoor enthusiasts, professional or fraternal societies, and service clubs.
How to Apply: If your group has a project that might be eligible, request an application packet from Department of Ecology, Solid Waste and Financial Assistance, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone 1-800-RECYCLE.
Your Application must be at Ecology by 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2000: Applications must be received by close of business Tuesday, October 31, 2000. This means your application must be received in the Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Office in the Department of Ecology headquarters building by 5 p.m. The headquarters building is at 300 Desmond Drive in Lacey. Postmarks do not qualify. For directions to the building, visit ecology's directory on the Internet at www.wa.gov/ecology or call (360) 407-6900.