NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Opening of New Grant Round for County Recycling Coordinator Grant Program under Section 903 of Act 101 (Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988)
[51 Pa.B. 7796]
[Saturday, December 11, 2021]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces the opening of the application period for the Calendar Year 2021 grant round under section 903 of the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act of 1988 (Act 101) (53 P.S.§ 4000.903). Only county governments within the Commonwealth are eligible to apply for 50% reimbursement of the approved costs of County Recycling Coordinators' salaries and expenses for Calendar Year 2021 (January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021). The application deadline is Monday, May 2, 2022, at 4 p.m.
Documents for this grant are available under the ''Act 101, Section 903'' portion of the ''Recycling Financial Assistance'' page on the Department's web site at https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Waste/Recycling/Municipal-Resources/FinancialAssistance/Pages/default.aspx.
Application Requirements
The following documents are required to complete this grant application. Only the latest version of these forms will be accepted, unless otherwise directed. Do not submit any additional documentation with the application materials unless specifically requested. Documents must be properly completed for an application to be approved.
1. The 903 Application Spreadsheet (An Excel spreadsheet with three tabs—Activities & Expenses Log, Wages & Benefits Log and County Expenses & Reimbursement Log (Department Use Only)).
2. Application for Reimbursement for a County Recycling Coordinator (Section A—F Form).
3. Expense documentation, such as any receipts/invoices and proof of payments necessary for requested reimbursements. Proof of payment can be in the form of an invoice showing a zero balance, paid receipt, cleared check (both sides) or bank/credit card statement showing that the County paid the fees for the requested reimbursement.
4. If the designated County Recycling Coordinator (CRC) is an outside contractor, the county must include with the grant application submission an agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the county and the person designated as the CRC. The agreement must be signed and dated by all parties of the agreement and include effective dates. The agreement must also include the following:
a. Name of the organization or person, or both, who will perform the duties of the CRC.
b. Details of the duties of the organization or person, or both.
c. Percentage of salary, benefits, expenses, and the like, the organization or person, or both, incurs that the county will reimburse that organization and/or person.
d. Detailed expectations (goals) the county has of the organization or person, or both, performing the recycling duties.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be in compliance with the provisions of Act 101 to receive grant funding reimbursements. Applicants who are not in compliance with Act 101 and Annual Reporting requirements will not be considered.
It is expected the designated County Recycling Coordinator will perform duties in addition to completing grantapplications. These duties include, but are not limited to, improving collection methods, increasing the tonnages of recyclables collected, educating county residents about recycling, assisting municipalities with recycling, updating and maintaining required surveys in the County Recycling Report Program and Recycling & Compost Facility Directory in Re-TRAC Connect and other recycling related activities. A more detailed list of these responsibilities is found under the ''Pennsylvania County Recycling Coordinator Responsibilities'' section within the ''903 County Recycling Coordinator Grant Program Information Instructions'' document on the Department's web site.
Training or out-of-State travel, or both, can qualify for reimbursement if it is: 1) greater than 300 miles from workplace or residence; or 2) includes expenses totaling $300 or greater. To have training/out-of-State travel reimbursed, at least one month prior to the actual training/travel, a current Department's Bureau of Waste Management Travel Request Form, along with an itinerary, must be submitted for approval to the designated Regional Recycling Coordinator and 903 County Recycling Program Grant Coordinator. This form is available on the Department's web site. These requirements are also required for virtual training with a company whose home address is out-of-State.
Eligible/Ineligible Costs
Counties are eligible for 50% reimbursement grants for the approved salary and expenses of employing a County Recycling Coordinator. Applicants must specify only one individual to perform the CRC position for the purpose of reimbursement under section 903 of Act 101. Two individuals (for example, county employee and contractor or contractor's employee) cannot share the same position concurrently.
Eligible County Recycling Coordinator costs include:
• 50% of salary/wages while conducting CRC recycling duties. For more information, please see the ''Activities Eligible for Reimbursement for County Recycling Coordinator Grant Application'' section in the ''903 County Recycling Coordinator Grant Program Information Instructions'' document on the Department's web site.
• 50% of CRC's employer costs for social security, workers compensation, unemployment compensation and other approved benefits.
• 50% of expenses directly related to recycling.
Eligible recycling expenses include (All training/travel costs must follow State guidelines for reimbursement.):
• Training/travel costs directly related to recycling programs that occur within this Commonwealth.
• Pre-approved training/travel costs related to recycling programs that occur outside of this Commonwealth.
• Recycling program registration and membership fees.
Under this grant program, the following will not be eligible for reimbursement:
• Permit application activities not related to recycling.
• Consulting fees for technical consultation on specific permits.
• Clerical activities, including (for example, the dropping off or picking up of mail, timesheets, paychecks, bank deposits, and the like).
• Office equipment, office maintenance, cell phones and internet subscription and access fees.
• Office supplies, duplicating and postage.
• Clothing allowances.
• Mileage driven to collect recyclables.
• Mileage driven between county offices.
• Other operational expenses (for example, driving vehicles for inspection, repair, and the like).
Further information regarding eligible and noneligible costs is listed in the ''Pennsylvania County Recycling Coordinator Grant 903 Program Information Instructions'' on the Department's web site.
Application Deadline
Grant applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth's Electronic Single Application web site, eGrants, at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. Applications must be received by Monday, May 2, 2022, at 4 p.m. to be eligible for funding. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Grant awards are predicated on the receipt of recycling fees required by sections 701 and 702 of Act 101 (52 P.S. §§ 4000.701 and 4000.702) and the availability of monies in the Recycling Fund.
Contact Information
Inquiries concerning this notice should be directed to JoAnne Yurcaba, 903 Recycling Grants Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, Bureau of Waste Management, Division of Waste Minimization and Planning, P.O. Box 8472, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472, at jyurcaba@pa.gov or (717) 787-8688.
PATRICK McDONNELL,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 21-2077. Filed for public inspection December 10, 2021, 9:00 a.m.]
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