Compliance Assistance

The following is a non-exhaustive list of free technical assistance and financial resources targeted toward small communities. See the Small Communities Contacts page for specific waste management program contacts.

Technical Assistance Resources

EPA Environmental Planning for Small Communities Software
This program offers a complete one-stop introduction to a wide range of environmental issues and decisions that affect small to medium-sized communities. It offers communities the chance to judge their own needs and preferences, and to make informed decisions on their own.

Major sections cover:

• Environmental laws and regulations
• Self-assessment
• Planning and comparative risk analysis
• Financial tools and financial self-analysis
• Case studies
• Contact and information directory

National Environmental Services Center
The Center provides technical assistance and information about drinking water, wastewater, environmental training, and solid waste management to communities serving fewer than 10,000 individuals.

USDA Planning Tool Kit for Solid Waste Managers (PDF) (118 pp, 376K, About PDF)
The Integrated Solid Waste Management for Rural Areas manual provides tools to help address the challenges of solid waste management, with a focus on waste reduction. The guide provides information gleaned from of a regional council of governments in applying strategic planning principles, group problem solving, public involvement processes, business development, and regional approaches, to solid waste management and waste reduction.

Top of page

Financial Resources

Small Communities face serious challenges as the tonnage of municipal solid waste continues to grow and landfill space continues to decline.

Grants

USDA Rural Development
Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population.  Grants are authorized on a graduated scale.  Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. Grant funds can be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and community and public services.  This can include the purchase of equipment required for a facility's operation.  Grant assistance may be available for up to 75% of project costs. Grant funding limitations are based on population and income, economic feasibility, and availability of funds.

USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Program
The solid waste management grants may be used to:

• Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources
• Provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance operator skills in the operation and maintenance of active landfills
• Provide technical assistance and/or training to help communities reduce the solid waste stream.
• Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills which are closed or will be closed in the near future with the development and implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling within permit requirements

Loans

USDA Rural Development - Housing and Community Facilities Programs
Community Programs can make and guarantee loans to develop essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population.  Loans and guarantees are available to public entities such as communities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as to non-profit corporations and tribal governments.  Loan funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and public services.  This can include costs to acquire land needed for a facility, pay necessary professional fees, and purchase equipment required for its operation. Through this program, the Housing and Community Facilities Programs guarantees up to 90% of the amount of a loan from a private lender to a public or nonprofit entity to be used for the construction of an essential community facility. Many community borrowers in the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program are able to leverage loan guarantees with funds from private, state and local sources.

Top of page