Sec. 315. Technical assistance for communities and individuals potentially affected by releases at current and former Department of Defense facilities
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/bill/118/hr/2670/eas/section-315A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and subject to such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, shall furnish technical assistance services described in paragraph
(3)through the Technical Assistance for Public Participation
(TAPP)Program of the Department of Defense to communities, or individuals who are members thereof, that have been affected by a release of a pollutant affirmatively determined to have originated from a facility under the jurisdiction of, or formerly used by or under the jurisdiction of, the Department. The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, may furnish technical assistance services pursuant to paragraph
(1)through a Federal interagency agreement, a private service provider, or a cooperative agreement entered into with a nonprofit organization. The technical assistance services described in this paragraph are services to improve public participation in, or assist in the navigation of, environmental response efforts, including— the provision of advice and guidance to a community or individual specified in paragraph
(1)regarding additional technical assistance with respect to which such community or individual may be eligible (including pursuant to subsection (b)); the interpretation of site-related documents; the interpretation of health-related information; assistance with the preparation of public comments; and the development of outreach materials to improve public participation. Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and subject to such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, shall administer a grant program under which the Director may award a grant to a community, or individuals who are members thereof, that have been affected by a release of a pollutant affirmatively determined to have originated from a facility under the jurisdiction of, or formerly used by or under the jurisdiction of, the Department of Defense. Funds provided under a grant awarded pursuant to paragraph
(1)in connection with a release of a pollutant at a facility may be used by the grant recipient only to obtain technical assistance and services for public participation in various stages of the processes of response, remediation, and removal actions at the facility, including— interpreting the nature of the release, including monitoring and testing plans and reports associated with site assessment and characterization at the facility; interpreting documents, plans, proposed actions, and final decisions related to— an interim remedial action; a remedial investigation or feasibility study; a record of decision; a remedial design; the selection and construction of remedial action; operation and maintenance; and a five-year review at the facility. a removal action at such facility; and services specified under subsection (a)(3). None of the amounts made available under this section may be used for the purpose of conducting— lobbying activities; or legal challenges of final decisions of the Department of Defense.