IGAP Work plans that work
Before you start writing an IGAP work plan
· Conduct a community needs assessment to help you determine the needs and wants of the community and to help you convince the funding agent that you fully understand these needs.
· Identify your priorities and most pressing needs.
· Identify your resources:
o Internal: What resources does the Tribe already have to address these needs?
o External: Who else is willing to help?
· Carefully read the funding announcement.
· Call your potential funder to discuss your priorities to see if they match the funder’s priorities.
· If you plan on using contractors, begin requesting information about costs and typical rates for the work you are considering.
Writing a work plan - three basic requirements for an IGAP proposal
To read more on the topics below, click on the 
triangle . To hide information on that topic, click on the 
triangle.
The Narrative Introduction
Work plan
New required work plan format
• National template
• Tasks must have identified primary capacity areas.
• Costs per task are suggested, not required.
Work plan commitments
• Previously known as “tasks,” also called “activities,” now called “commitments.”
• What is the Tribe committing to do?
• Adding who is responsible for each work plan commitment makes a better work plan for the Tribe.
Primary Capacity Areas
• 2006 IGAP guidance requiresa primary capacity area for each work plan commitment.
• Required capacity areas:
• Legal
• Enforcement and compliance
• Technical and non-administrative
• Communications
• Administrative
• Solid and hazardous waste
Estimated Work Years
• Work years = the staff time that will be spent on the project. Also known as FTE.
• This is only the time that is a direct cost to the grant, using GAP funds.
• This is simply an estimate, and helps EPA evaluate the work plan.
Work Plan Outputs
• Also known as deliverables.
• An output is an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date.
• Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period.
• Examples of outputs:
• Meeting minutes
• Information summaries
• Presentation materials
• Final plans
• Quarterly reports
• Financial reports
• Policies and procedures
• Pounds of cans or numbers of batteries collected.
• Photos of alternative energy project submitted to Project Officer.
• Report on annual spring cleanup that includes number of bags collected and people participating.
• New Tribal environmental codes and ordinances
• Water sampling test results
• Newsletters
Budget
Recommend Focus Areas for your IGAP Grant
While EPA Region 10 provides funding for all activities that build the capacity of Tribal Governments to manage environmental programs, Region 10 recommends objectives and activities in the following areas:
Managing Solid and Hazardous Waste: Region 10 recommends this focus for two reasons. First, implementation of solid and hazardous waste management programs and projects is within the scope of the GAP program. Second, Region 10 is aware that solid waste management is a significant concern to many of the Tribes in Region 10 and elsewhere. It appears to be an issue of special importance to Tribes located in Alaska where unmanaged open dumps may contaminate drinking water sources and otherwise have adverse effects on tribal health and subsistence.
Responding to Climate Change: Tribes in Region 10, especially those located in Alaska, are increasingly concerned about the rate and effect of climate change on their communities and life ways. Region 10 supports the use of GAP funds, consistent with the capacity building focus of the program, to gather and report on changed climatic conditions and to plan for how Tribes can best respond to the climate-change related risks, such as the coastal erosion and consequent increased risk of flooding. Exploration of ways in which Tribes and their members can reduce carbon emissions is also encouraged.
Protecting Subsistence Resources: At the most recent Tribal Leaders Summit hosted by the Umatilla Tribe in August 2006, emphasis was placed on the importance of protecting the harvest of subsistence foods. Region 10 recognizes that protecting and restoring healthy and abundant subsistence foods is critical to maintaining tribal communities and tribal culture. Region 10 encourages the use of GAP funds for activities such as fish tissue sampling, and fish consumption surveys, and baseline water quality assessments.