The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced the availability of $2.7 million to support community-based partnerships in reducing risks from toxics in local communities.

Applications are due April 9.

EPA will award about $2.7 million in two types of cooperative agreements through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.

Level I cooperative agreements will help establish community-based partnerships and set priorities for reducing risks from toxics in a community.

Examples of past projects include addressing water quality in Puget Sound, helping to rebuild St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana, helping the Cherokee Nation deal with toxic waste, and reducing air toxics in Tucson. EPA anticipates awarding eight to 10 cooperative agreements under Level I, ranging from $75,000 to $100,000.

Level II cooperative agreements are for communities that already have undertaken a comprehensive process to assess risks from all sources of toxics, formed a broad-based collaborative, have identified risk reduction priorities and are ready to implement risk reduction strategies. EPA expects to award six to eight cooperative agreements, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000.

A range of community groups may apply for funding, including county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, Feb. 20 and 26 and March 1, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process.

The CARE program, which began in 2005, helps to build broad-based local partnerships for reducing risks from toxic pollutants that come from numerous sources.

Additional information about the 2007 cooperative agreements, projects awarded in 2005 and 2006, the conference calls, and how to apply for the cooperative agreements, visit the CARE Program webpage.

2/9/2007