Learn the Issues
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Can EPA give some clarity on the 6-year timeframe and additional potential years of funding as it relates to project timeline(s)? For example, is the timeframe intended to expect multiple years of RFAs released by the prime under the initial application to the EPA, or one RFA with extended time for project completion and reporting?
The design and overall program approach toward the Project RFA should be decided by the applicant. However, all subawards under the Project RFA must be completed and closed out within the 6-year window.
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Is the grant reimbursement-based or can money be requested up front incrementally?
The cooperative agreement will be funded incrementally and with the award, there will be an initial increment of funding made available. EPA will be looking to the applicants to budget for that. Applicants will estimate funds needed for that first year and will then work with their assigned EPA project…
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Will the recipient have to front the money to sub recipients? Or how would the initial year of funding be determined?
The cooperative agreement will be funded incrementally, which means that it will be up to the principal recipient to plan for and budget that first year of funding and all additional years if funds are awarded. Please reference EPA General Terms and Conditions #5. If awarded, funds will be disbursed…
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Will there be a non-federal cost share or match required of grants made by the principal recipient?
No, non-federal cost share is not required. If an applicant proposes voluntary cost share, they should carefully review section III.B on page 21, description of Supporting Materials in section IV.D on page 27, and section V.B.
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Funding amounts are for the entire project period and not annually, correct?
Yes, that is correct. Funding amounts are for the entire 6-year period and not annual amounts.
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Where can residents get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the East Avenue Study Area?
This www.epa.gov/EastAveStudyArea website has the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding EPA’s investigations in the Erie community. For up-to-date information regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection investigation at the former coke facility, please visit the Erie Coke Corporation Investigation website.
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How can residents communicate with EPA about activities happening in the East Avenue Study Area?
This EPA website (www.epa.gov/EastAveStudyArea) is dedicated to the investigations in the Erie community. We encourage you to use the site and submit any questions you might have through the form that appears on the website. We also welcome any feedback you might have on the webpage.
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What are the health risks for people who have lived in this area for many years?
EPA does not have information on what community members could have been exposed to during the coke facility’s operational years. EPA’s current investigation focuses on contaminants that may still remain in the community that could cause future impacts. If you have health concerns or questions, please contact your primary care…
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Was the community surrounding Erie Coke affected by historic site operations?
EPA is currently investigating whether the former Erie Coke facility impacted the surrounding community. This East Avenue Study Area website will be updated throughout the process to provide up-to-date information. Sampling results from individual homes will not be provided on this website due to privacy. All personal information will be…
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Will EPA do any testing or risk evaluations related to pets?
EPA does not have any screening levels to assess for risk to pets related to environmental contaminants. It is recommended to contact your veterinarian for specific information regarding your pet’s health.
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Is it safe for children to play outside in residential yards?
EPA will need to conduct residential soil samples in order to know more information about the current condition of yards. Please refer to the EPA Growing Gardens in Urban Soils Guide (PDF) for more general information about safety with soil activities.
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How do we know our drinking water has not been affected during Erie Coke’s operation?
Residents in the community are provided drinking water through public water that is routinely tested according to the Safe Drinking Water Act.
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Why is it difficult to establish a link between cancers and other illnesses to environmental exposures?
The complex nature of cancer makes it inherently challenging to identify, interpret, and address cancer clusters. Cancer is a term describing different diseases that share a similar characteristic: uncontrollable cell growth and division. As a group, cancers are very common. Cancers are the second leading cause of death in the…
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Is the former Hammermill paper mill a part of the EPA site investigation?
The former Hammermill paper mill is not a part of EPA’s East Avenue Study Area investigation. We do not have information about that site. There has been some environmental work completed through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) Land Recycling Program, also known as “Act 2.” PADEP approved a…
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Does EPA have plans to sample groundwater?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the groundwater under the former Erie Coke facility. EPA will focus on collecting and analyzing soil samples from the residential areas around the former coke facility.
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If I am a tenant and not the owner of the property, can I have my property sampled and will I have to provide access?
EPA will initially send letters requesting access to the owners of the property. If the owner agrees to have the property sampled, EPA will follow up with the owner and the tenant for scheduling. If you are a tenant and are interested in having the property sampled, EPA suggests you…
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How do I know if my property was sampled by EPA?
EPA will only collect soil samples from properties where the property owner signed an access letter. For any properties that were sampled, EPA will share the sampling results directly with the property owner.
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Is the list of residential properties sampled available for public review?
The list of residential addresses that participate in the soil sampling will not be available for public review. This is to protect the privacy of those who participated in the sampling. Any results shared from the soil sampling will also not be associated with a specific address.
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What was the sampling methodology, or criteria used, to select the residential properties to be sampled?
Though EPA outlined the boundary of the initial Study Area, all participation in the soil sampling efforts is voluntary. EPA will reach out to property owners to get their permission to collect soil samples for the investigation. The current EPA East Avenue Study Area is focused on the community and…
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If EPA finds contamination associated with the Erie Coke site that exceeds screening levels, will EPA clean up that contamination?
If soil sampling results show an exceedance in screening levels, EPA will then evaluate options for addressing those properties.