Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices 4255

Member remains free to deviate from the

joint export price in independently

exporting its commodities not dedicated

to DMIA.

3. Act jointly to establish sales

strategies in the Export Markets.

4. Process export orders on behalf of

DMIA Members.

5. Exchange information regarding

export transactions, including:

a. information that is already available

to the dairy industry or to the general

public;

b. information that is already

exchanged among DMIA Members

pursuant to the Cooperative Marketing

Act of 1926, 7 U.S.C. Section 455;

c. information on costs specific to the

Export Markets (such as ocean freight,

inland freight to the terminal or port,

terminal or port storage, wharfage and

handling charges, insurance, agents,

commissions, export sales

documentation and service, and export

sales financing);

d. information about U.S. and foreign

legislation and regulation affecting sales

to Export Markets;

e. information about the price,

quantity, and delivery dates of products

supplied by DMIA Members for export

through DMIA’s services;

f. information about terms and

conditions of contracts for sales in the

Export Markets to be considered by

DMIA Members, including

specifications from particular customers

as well as customary terms and

conditions;

g. information about DMIA’s

international marketing efforts and

promotional activities undertaken by

DMIA on behalf of its Members;

h. information about orders received

by DMIA; and

i. information about the independent

export operations of DMIA Members

regarding the products specified herein,

including but not limited to, sales and

distribution networks established by

DMIA Members, and prior export sales

(including foreign customer and export

price information).

6. Jointly sponsor promotional, sales

and marketing efforts aimed at

developing existing or new Export

Markets.

7. Provide through DMIA Export

Trade Facilitation Services to assist the

export of Members’ specified dairy

commodities.

8. Share among the Members, on a

proportionate basis, the profits or losses

resulting from an export sale through

DMIA, and the cost of Export Trade

Facilitation Services.

9. Select a member to negotiate and

arrange for transportation of the subject

commodity.

10. Reimburse through DMIA the

transport costs expended by the DMIA

Member responsible for transporting the

commodities for a particular export sale

transacted through DMIA’s clearing

services, where such transport costs are

shared by the Members on a

proportional basis.

11. Meet to engage in the activities

described in paragraphs one through ten

above.

12. Utilize staff of the Wisconsin

Federation of Cooperatives or, as needed

the staff of a similar outside

organization to implement the activities

described in paragraphs one through

eleven above.

13. Refuse to provide export clearing

services and participation in the other

activities described in paragraphs one

through twelve above to non-members.

Dated: January 23, 1997.

W. Dawn Busby,

Director, Office of Export Trading Company

Affairs.

[FR Doc. 97–2112 Filed 1–28–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

[Docket No. 970114007–7007–01; I.D.

010897C]

RIN 0648–ZA26

Financial Assistance for Research and

Development Projects in the Gulf of

Mexico and Off the U.S. South Atlantic

Coastal States; Marine Fisheries

Initiative (MARFIN)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: Subject to the availability of

funds, NMFS issues this notice

describing funding to assist persons in

carrying out research and development

projects that optimize the use of

fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and off

the South Atlantic States of North

Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and

Florida involving the U.S. fishing

industry (recreational and commercial),

including fishery biology, resource

assessment, socio-economic assessment,

management and conservation, selected

harvesting methods, and fish handling

and processing. NMFS issues this notice

describing the conditions under which

applications will be accepted and how

NMFS will determine which

applications will be selected for

funding. Areas of this Marine Fisheries

Initiative (MARFIN) emphasis were

formulated from recommendations

received from non-Federal scientific and

technical experts, and NMFS research

and operations officials.

DATES: Applications for funding under

this program will be accepted between

January 29, 1997 and 5 p.m. eastern

daylight time on March 31, 1997.

Applications received after that time

will not be considered for funding. No

facsimile applications will be accepted.

Applications may be inspected at the

NMFS Southeast Regional Office (see

ADDRESSES) from April 4, 1997 through

April 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send applications to: Ellie

Francisco Roche, Competitive Programs

Manager, Cooperative Programs

Division, Southeast Regional Office,

NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive, N.,

St. Petersburg, FL 33702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellie

Francisco Roche, 813–570–5324.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

The Secretary of Commerce

(Secretary) is authorized under 15

U.S.C. 713c–3(d) to carry out a national

program of research and development

addressed to such aspects of U.S.

fisheries (including, but not limited to

harvesting, processing, marketing and

associated infrastructures), if not

adequately covered by projects assisted

under subsection (c) of this section, as

the Secretary deems appropriate.

II. Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance (CFDA)

This program is described in the

‘‘Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance’’ (CFDA) under program

number 11.433, Marine Fisheries

Initiative.

III. Program Description

MARFIN is a competitive Federal

assistance program that promotes and

endorses programs that seek to optimize

research and development benefits from

U.S. marine fishery resources through

cooperative efforts that involve the best

research and management talents to

accomplish priority activities. Projects

funded under MARFIN are focused into

cooperative efforts that provide answers

for fishery needs covered by the NMFS

Strategic Plan, available from the

Southeast Regional Office (see

ADDRESSES), particularly those goals

relating to rebuilding overfished marine

fisheries, maintaining currently

productive fisheries, and integrating

conservation of protected species and

fisheries management.

Applications from multiple

cooperating applicants that address
4256 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices

conservation and management needs

over a wide range of a fishery or fishery

organism are encouraged. Emphasis will

be placed upon funding projects that

have the greatest probability of

recovering, maintaining, improving, or

developing fisheries; improving the

understanding of factors affecting

recruitment success; and/or generating

increased values and recreational

opportunities from fisheries. Projects

will be evaluated as to the likelihood of

achieving these benefits through both

short- and long-term research efforts,

with consideration of the magnitude of

the eventual economic or social benefits

that may be realized. Short-term projects

that may yield more immediate benefits

and projects yielding longer-term

benefits will receive equal

consideration.

IV. Funding Availability

This solicitation announces that

funding of approximately $1.10 million

may be available in FY 1997. MARFIN

financial assistance started in FY 1986

and, for FY 1986 through FY 1995,

awards totaled about $16.8 million for

financial assistance to conduct research

for fishery resources in the Gulf of

Mexico and off the South Atlantic states

of North Carolina, South Carolina,

Georgia, and Florida. There is no

guarantee that sufficient funds will be

available to make awards for all

approved projects.

Project proposals accepted for funding

for a project period over 1 year that

include multiple project components

and severable tasks to be funded during

each budget period will not compete for

funding in subsequent budget periods

within the approved project period.

However, funding for subsequent

project components is contingent upon

the availability of funds from Congress

and satisfactory performance and will

be at the sole discretion of the agency.

Publication of this notice does not

obligate NMFS to award any specific

cooperative agreement or to obligate all

or any parts of the available funds.

V. Matching Requirements

Applications must reflect the total

budget necessary to accomplish the

project, including contributions and/or

donations. Cost-sharing is not required

for the MARFIN program. However,

cost-sharing is encouraged and, in case

of a tie in considering proposals for

funding, cost-sharing may affect the

final decision. The appropriateness of

all cost-sharing will be determined on

the basis of guidance provided in

applicable Federal cost principles. If an

applicant chooses to cost-share, and if

that application is selected for funding,

the applicant will be bound by the

percentage of the cost share reflected in

the cooperative agreement award.

The non-Federal share may include

the value of in-kind contributions by the

applicant or third parties or funds

received from private sources or from

state or local governments. Federal

funds may not be used to meet the nonFederal share of matching funds, except

as provided by Federal statute. Third

party in-kind contributions may be in

the form of, but are not limited to,

personal services rendered in carrying

out functions related to the project and

use of real or personal property owned

by others (for which consideration is not

required) in carrying out the projects.

The total cost of a project begins on

the effective award date of an

authorized cooperative agreement

between the applicant and the NOAA

Grants Officer and ends on the date

specified in the award. Accordingly,

time expended and costs incurred in

either the development of a project or

the financial assistance application, or

in any subsequent discussions or

negotiations prior to the award, are

neither reimbursable nor recognizable as

part of the recipient’s cost share.

VI. Type of Funding Instrument

The cooperative agreement has been

determined to be the appropriate

funding instrument. NMFS is

substantially involved in developing

program research priorities, conducting

cooperative activities with recipients,

and evaluating the performance of

recipients for effectiveness in meeting

national and regional goals for fishery

research in the southeastern United

States.

VII. Eligibility Criteria

A. Applications for cooperative

agreements for MARFIN projects may be

made, in accordance with the

procedures set forth in this notice, by:

1. Any individual who is a citizen or

national of the United States or a citizen

of the Northern Mariana Islands.

2. Any corporation, partnership, or

other entity, non-profit or otherwise, if

such entity is a citizen of the United

States within the meaning of section 2

of the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended

(46 app. U.S.C. 802).

3. Colleges, universities, and game

and fish departments of the several

states.

B. Federal agencies, Federal

instrumentalities, and Federal

employees, including NOAA employees

(full-time, part-time, and intermittent

personnel or their immediate families),

and NOAA offices or centers are not

eligible to submit an application under

this solicitation or aid in the preparation

of an application during the 60-day

solicitation period, except to provide

information about the MARFIN program

and the priorities and procedures

included in this solicitation. However,

NOAA employees are permitted to

provide information about ongoing and

planned NOAA programs and activities

that may have implication for an

application. Potential applicants are

encouraged to contact Ellie Francisco

Roche at the NMFS Southeast Regional

Office (see ADDRESSES) for information

on NOAA programs.

VIII. Award Period

The award period for the project may

be made for more than 1 year consisting

of one, two, or three budget periods that

correspond to the funding for the

proposed project components. The

award period will depend upon the

duration of funding requested by the

applicant in the Application for Federal

Assistance, the decision of the NMFS

selecting official on the amount of

funding, the results of post-selection

negotiations between the applicant and

NOAA officials, and pre-award review

of the application by NOAA and

Department of Commerce (DOC)

officials. Normally, each project budget

period may be no more than 18 months

in duration. NOAA policy limits the

total duration of a project to 3 years.

IX. Indirect Costs

The total dollar amount of the indirect

costs proposed in an application under

this program must not exceed the

indirect cost rate negotiated and

approved by a cognizant Federal agency

prior to the proposed effective date of

the award or 25 percent of the Federal

share of the total proposed direct costs

dollar amount in the application,

whichever is less. Institutions with

indirect cost rates above 25 percent may

use the amount above the 25–percent

level as part of the non-Federal share. A

copy of the current, approved,

negotiated Indirect Cost Agreement with

the Federal Government must be

included with the application.

X. Profit or Fees

Profit or management fees paid to forprofit or commercial organization

grantees are allowable at the discretion

of NOAA. However, they shall not

exceed 7 percent of the total estimated

direct costs. There must be no profit or

fees to the recipient in any overhead

charge. Payment of fees or profit is

based on successful completion of

project objectives.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices 4257

XI. Application Forms and Kit

Before submitting an application

under this program, applicants should

contact the NMFS Southeast Regional

Office for a copy of this solicitation’s

MARFIN Application Package (see

ADDRESSES).

Applications for project funding

under this program must be complete

and in accordance with instructions in

the MARFIN Application Package. They

must identify the principal participants

and include copies of any agreements

describing the specific tasks to be

performed by participants. Project

applications should give a clear

presentation of the proposed work, the

methods for carrying out the project, its

relevance to managing and enhancing

the use of Gulf of Mexico and/or South

Atlantic fishery resources, and cost

estimates as they relate to specific

aspects of the project. Budgets must

include a detailed breakdown, by

category of expenditures, with

appropriate justification for both the

Federal and non-Federal shares.

Applicants should not assume prior

knowledge on the part of NMFS as to

the relative merits of the project

described in the application.

Applications are not to be bound in any

manner and must be one-sided. All

incomplete applications will be

returned to the applicant. Ten copies

(one original and nine copies) of each

application are required and should be

submitted to the NMFS Southeast

Regional Office, Cooperative Programs

Division (see ADDRESSES). OMB has

approved 10 copies, under Approval

#0648–0175.

XII. Project Funding Priorities

A. Proposals for FY 1997 should

exhibit familiarity with related work

that is completed or ongoing. Where

appropriate, proposals should be

multidisciplinary. Coordinated efforts

involving multiple institutions or

persons are encouraged. The areas of

special emphasis are listed below, but

proposals in other areas will be

considered on a funds-available basis.

In addition to referencing specific

area(s) of special interest as listed

below, proposals should state whether

the research will apply to the Gulf of

Mexico only, the South Atlantic only, or

to both areas. Successful applicants may

be required to collect and manage data

in accordance with standardized

procedures and formats approved by

NMFS and to participate with NMFS in

specific cooperative activities that will

be determined by consultations between

NMFS and successful applicants before

project grants are awarded. All

recipients of financial assistance under

this program shall include funding in

their applications for the principal

investigator to participate in an annual

MARFIN Conference in Tampa, FL, at

the completion of the project.

1. Bycatch

The bycatch of biological organisms

(including interactions with sea turtles

and marine mammals) by various

fishing gears can have wide-reaching

impacts from a fisheries management

and an ecological standpoint, with the

following major concerns:

a. Shrimp trawl fisheries. Studies are

needed to contribute to the regional

shrimp trawler bycatch program

(including the rock shrimp fishery)

being conducted by NMFS in

cooperation with state fisheries

management agencies, commercial and

recreational fishing organizations and

interests, environmental organizations,

universities, Councils, and

Commissions. Specific guidance and

research requirements are contained in

the Cooperative Bycatch Plan for the

Southeast, available from NMFS (see

ADDRESSES). In particular, the studies

should address:

(1) Data collection and analyses to

expand and update current bycatch

estimates, temporally and spatially

emphasizing areas of greatest impact by

shrimping. Sampling effort should

include estimates of numbers, weight,

and random samples of size (age)

structure of associated bycatch complex,

with emphasis on those overfished

species under the jurisdiction of the

Councils.

(2) Assessment of the status and

condition of fish stocks significantly

impacted by shrimp trawler bycatch,

with emphasis given to overfished

species under the jurisdiction of the

Councils. Other sources of fishing and

nonfishing mortality should be

considered and quantified as well.

(3) Identification, development, and

evaluation of gear, non-gear, and tactical

fishing options to reduce bycatch.

(4) Improved methods for

communicating with and improving

technology and information transfer to

the shrimp industry.

b. Pelagic longline fisheries. Several

pelagic longline fisheries exist in the

Gulf and South Atlantic, targeting

highly migratory species such as tunas,

sharks, billfish, and swordfish. Priority

areas include:

(1) Development and evaluation of

gear and fishing tactics to minimize

bycatch of undersized and unwanted

species, including sea turtles, marine

mammals, and overfished finfish

species/stocks.

(2) Assessment of the biological

impact of longline bycatch on related

fisheries.

c. Reef fish fisheries. The reef fish

complex is exploited by a variety of

fishing gear and tactics. The following

research on bycatch of reef fish species

is needed:

(1) Development and evaluation of

gear and fishing tactics to minimize the

bycatch of undersized and unwanted

species, including sea turtles and

marine mammals.

(2) Characterization and assessment of

the impact of longline, bandit gear and

trap bycatch of undersized target

species, including release mortality.

d. Finfish trawl fisheries. Studies are

needed on quantification and

qualification of the bycatch in finfish

trawl fisheries, such as the flounder and

fly-net fisheries in the South Atlantic.

e. Gillnet fisheries. Studies are needed

on quantification and qualification of

the bycatch in coastal and shelf gillnet

fisheries for sciaenids, scombrids,

bluefish and other dogfish sharks of the

South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

(particularly interaction with sea turtles

and marine mammals).

2. Reef Fish

Some species within the reef fish

complex are showing signs of being

overfished, either through directed

efforts or because they are bycatch of

other fisheries. The ecology of reef fish

makes them vulnerable to overfishing,

because they tend to concentrate over

specific types of habitat with patchy

distribution. This behavior pattern can

make traditional fishery statistics

misleading. Priority research areas

include:

a. Collection of basic biological data

for species in commercially and

recreationally important fisheries. (1)

Age and growth of reef fish. (a)

Description of age and growth patterns,

especially for red, vermilion, gray, and

cubera snappers; gray triggerfish; gag;

black grouper; spottail pinfish; hogfish;

red porgy; and other less dominant

forms in the management units for

which data are lacking.

(b) Contributions to the development

of annual age-length keys and

description of age structures for

exploited populations for all species in

the complex addressed in the Reef Fish

and Snapper/Grouper Management

Plans for the Gulf and South Atlantic,

respectively, prioritized by importance

in the total catch.

(c) Design of sampling systems to

provide a production-style aging

program for the reef fish fishery.

Effective dockside sampling programs

are needed over a wide geographic
4258 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices

range, especially for groupers, to collect

information on reproductive state, size,

age, and sex.

(2) Reproduction studies of reef fish.

(a) Maturity schedules, fecundity, and

sex ratios of commercially and

recreationally important reef fish,

especially gray triggerfish, gag, and red

porgy in the Gulf and South Atlantic.

(b) Studies of all species to

characterize the actual reproductive

contribution of females by age.

(c) Identification and characterization

of spawning aggregations by species,

area, size group and season.

(d) Effects of fishing on changes of sex

ratios for gag, red grouper, and scamp,

and disruption of aggregations.

(e) Investigations of the reproductive

biology of gag, red grouper and other

grouper species.

(3) Recruitment of reef fish. (a) Source

of recruitment in Gulf and South

Atlantic waters, especially for snappers,

groupers, and amberjacks.

(b) Annual estimation of the absolute

or relative recruitment of juvenile gag,

gray snapper, and lane snapper to

estuarine habitats off the west coast of

Florida and to similar estuarine nursery

habitats along the South Atlantic Bight;

development of an index of juvenile gag

recruitment for the South Atlantic based

on historical databases and/or field

studies.

(c) The contribution of live-bottom

habitat and habitat areas of particular

concern (Oculina banks) off Fort Pierce,

FL, to reef fish recruitment.

(4) Stock structure of reef fish. (a)

Movement and migration patterns of

commercially and recreationally

valuable reef fish species, especially gag

in the Gulf and South Atlantic and

greater amberjack between the South

Atlantic and Gulf.

(b) Biochemical/immunological and

morphological/meristic techniques to

allow field separation of lesser

amberjack, almaco jack, and banded

rudderfish from greater amberjack to

facilitate accurate reporting of catch.

(c) Stock structure of wreckfish in the

South Atlantic and of greater amberjack

in the Gulf and South Atlantic.

b. Population assessment of reef fish.

(1) Effect of reproductive mode and sex

change (protogynous hermaphroditism)

on population size and characteristics,

with reference to sizes of fish exploited

in the fisheries and the significance to

proper management.

(2) Source and quantification of

natural and human-induced mortalities,

including release mortality estimates for

charter boats, headboats, and private

recreational vessels, especially for red

snapper and the grouper complex.

(3) Determination of the habitat and

limiting factors for important reef fish

resources in the Gulf and South

Atlantic.

(4) Description of habitat and fish

populations in the deep reef community

and the prey distributions supporting

the community.

(5) Development of statistically valid

indices of abundance for important reef

fish species in the South Atlantic and

Gulf, especially red grouper, jewfish,

and Nassau grouper.

(6) Assessment of tag performance on

reef fish species, primarily snappers and

groupers. Characteristics examined

should include shedding rate, effects on

growth and survival, and ultimately, the

effects of these characteristics on

estimations of vital population

parameters.

(7) Stock assessments to establish the

status of major recreational and

commercial species. Innovative methods

are needed for stock assessments of

aggregate species, including the effect of

fishing on genetic structure and the

incorporation of sex change for

protogynous hermaphrodites into stock

assessment models.

(8) Assessment of Florida Bay

recovery actions on reef fish recruitment

and survival.

c. Management of reef fish. (1)

Research in direct support of

management, including catch-andrelease mortalities, by gear and depth.

(2) Evaluation of the use of reef fish

marine reserves as an alternative or

supplement to current fishery

management measures and practices,

especially in the South Atlantic. Field

studies should focus on the

Experimental Oculina Reef Reserve and

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

sites and contrast these with control

open sites.

(3) Characterization and evaluation of

biological impacts (e.g., changes in age

or size structure of reef fish populations

in response to management strategies).

(4) Evaluation of vessel log data for

monitoring the fishery and for providing

biological, economic, and social

information for management; and

methods for matching log data to Trip

Information Program samples for

indices of effort.

3. Sharks

The Secretarial Fishery Management

Plan for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean

(FMP) identifies a number of research

needs, including:

a. Characterization of the commercial

and recreational fisheries from historical

and current databases. Emphasis should

be on species composition, bycatch,

stock identification, size, sex ratios, and

catch-per-unit-effort by season, area,

and gear type.

b. Collection and analysis of basic

biological data on movements, habitats,

growth rates, mortality rates, age

structure, and reproduction parameters.

These data are of particular importance

for blacktip and sandbar sharks.

c. Development of species profiles

and stock assessments for sharks taken

in significant quantities by commercial,

recreational, and bycatch fisheries.

Assessments can be species-specific or

for species groups, following those

identified in the FMP.

d. Identification of nursery area and

methods to protect young sharks.

e. Evaluation of present regulations

and improvement of methods to

determine landings.

4. Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fisheries

The commercial and recreational

demand for migratory coastal pelagics

has led to overfishing for certain

species, including some stocks of king

and Spanish mackerel. Additionally,

some are transboundary with Mexico

and other countries and may ultimately

demand international management

attention. Current high priorities

include:

a. Recruitment indices for king and

Spanish mackerel, cobia, dolphin, and

bluefish, primarily from fisheryindependent data sources.

b. Assessment and management

models for coastal pelagic resources that

are dominated by single year classes,

such as Spanish mackerel, dolphin, and

bluefish.

c. Fishery-independent methods of

assessing stock abundance of king and

Spanish mackerel.

d. Release mortality data for all

coastal pelagic species.

e. Improved catch statistics for all

species in Mexican waters, with special

emphasis on king mackerel. This

includes length-frequency and life

history information.

f. Information on populations of

coastal pelagics overwintering off the

Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic

States of North Carolina, South

Carolina, Georgia, and Florida,

especially concerning population size,

age and movement patterns.

g. Development of a practical method

for aging dolphin.

h. Basic biostatistics for cobia and

dolphin to develop age-length keys and

maturation schedules for stock

assessments.

i. Impact of bag limits on total catch

and landings of king and Spanish

mackerel.

j. Demand and/or supply functions for

private recreational and commercial
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices 4259

king mackerel fisheries, including

baseline cost and return data. Emphasis

should be on changes in marginal values

of producer and consumer surplus,

since the studies would be used in

allocation frameworks where total

values are not necessarily required.

k. Determination of the stock structure

of king mackerel from South Atlantic

and Gulf waters.

l. Sociological and anthropological

surveys of coastal pelagic fisheries.

5. Highly Migratory Pelagic Species

Several fisheries exist in the Gulf and

South Atlantic that target highly

migratory species, such as tuna and

billfish. Changes in the temporal and

spatial components of fishing effort and

fishing gear and tactics need to be

characterized and the effects quantified.

Priority areas include:

a. Characterization of specific longline

fisheries, including targeted species,

stock identification, catch-per-unit

effort, and biological parameters (e.g.,

sex ratios and reproductive state) by

gear type, area, and season.

b. Evaluation of vessel log data for

monitoring the fisheries.

c. Dependence of vessels and persons

engaged in pelagic longlining on other

fisheries. Particular emphasis should be

placed on the extent to which the

capital and/or labor engages in other

fisheries at particular times of the year

and reasons for this switching behavior.

6. Groundfish and Estuarine Fishes

Substantial stocks of groundfish and

estuarine species occur in the Gulf and

South Atlantic. Most of the database for

assessments comes from studies

conducted by NMFS and state fishery

management agencies. Because of the

historic and current size of these fish

stocks, their importance as predator and

prey species, and their current or

potential use as commercial and

recreational fisheries, more information

on their biology and life history is

needed. General research needs are:

a. Red drum. (1) Size and age

structure of the offshore adult stock in

the Gulf.

(2) Life history parameters and stock

structure for the Gulf and the South

Atlantic: Migratory patterns, long-term

changes in abundance, growth rates, and

age structure. Specific research needs

for Atlantic red drum are estimates of

fecundity as a function of length and

weight and improved coastwide

coverage for age-length keys.

(3) Catch-and-release mortality rates

from inshore and nearshore waters.

b. Life history and stock structure for

weakfish, menhaden, spot, and croaker

in the Gulf and the South Atlantic:

Migratory patterns, long-term changes in

abundance, growth rates, and age

structure and comparisons of the

inshore and offshore components of

recreational and commercial fisheries.

c. Improved catch-and-effort statistics

from recreational and commercial

fisheries, including development of agelength keys for size and age structure of

the catch, to develop production

models.

7. General

There are many other areas of

research that need to be addressed for

improved understanding and

management of fishery resources. These

include methods for data collection,

management, analysis, and better

conservation. Examples of high-priority

research needs include:

a. Update existing economics

information on the for-hire fisheries

(charter boats, headboats and guide

boats) A study covering the year-round

activities of the for-hire industry from

Texas to North Carolina.

b. Development of improved methods

and procedures for transferring

technology and educating constituency

groups concerning fishery management

and conservation programs. Of special

importance are programs concerned

with controlled access and introduction

of conservation gear.

c. Compilation of baseline sociodemographic data for describing the

social and cultural framework of

managed fisheries.

d. Design and evaluation of

innovative approaches to fishery

management with special attention

given to those approaches that control

access to specific fisheries.

B. Priority in program emphasis will

be placed upon funding projects that

have the greatest probability of

recovering, maintaining, improving, or

developing fisheries; improving the

understanding of factors affecting

recruitment success; and generating

increased values and recreational

opportunities from fisheries. Projects

will be evaluated as to the likelihood of

achieving these benefits through shortand long-term research efforts, with

consideration given to the magnitude of

the eventual economic benefits that may

be realized.

XIII. Evaluation Criteria

Successful applicants generally will

be recommended within 210 days from

the date of publication of this notice.

The earliest start date of awards will be

about 90 days after each project is

selected and after all NMFS/applicant

negotiations of cooperative activities

have been completed (the earliest start

date of awards will be about 300 days

after the date of publication of this

notice). Applicants should consider this

selection and processing time in

developing requested start dates for

their applications. Proposed projects

will be evaluated and ranked as follows:

A. Cooperatively developed

applications that propose activities of

two or more qualified applicants to

address important fishery conservation

and management issues or problems

identified in the Project Funding

Priorities for this solicitation may be

evaluated as a group by NMFS. If

selected for funding, individual

cooperative awards may be made to

each individual applicant. Application

procedures for this type of proposal are

also included in the FY 1997 MARFIN

Application Package.

B. Unless otherwise specified by

statute, in reviewing applications for

cooperative agreements, including those

that include consultants and contracts,

NOAA will make a determination

regarding the following:

1. Is the involvement of the applicant

necessary to the conduct of the project

and the accomplishment of its goals and

objectives?

2. Is the proposed allocation of the

applicant’s time reasonable and

commensurate with the applicant’s

involvement in the project?

3. Are the proposed costs for the

applicant’s involvement in the project

reasonable and commensurate with the

benefits to be derived from the

applicant’s participation?

4. Is the project proposal substantial

in character and design?

C. Applications meeting the above

requirements will be forwarded for

technical evaluation. Applicants

submitting applications not meeting the

above requirements will be notified.

Evaluations normally will involve

experts from non-NOAA as well as

NOAA organizations. Comments

submitted to NMFS by each evaluator

will be taken into consideration in the

ranking of projects. NMFS will provide

point scores on proposals, based on the

following evaluation criteria:

1. Does the proposal have a clearly

stated goal(s) with associated objectives

that meet the needs outlined in the

Project Narrative? (30 points)

2. Does the proposal clearly identify

and describe, in the Project Outline and

Statement of Work, scientifically valid

methodologies and analytical

procedures that will adequately address

project goals and objectives? (30 points)

3. Do the principal investigators

provide a scientifically realistic

timetable to enable full accomplishment
4260 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices

of all aspects of the Statements of Work?

(20 points)

4. Do the principal investigators

define how they will maintain

stewardship of the project performance,

finances, cooperative relationships, and

reporting requirements for the proposal?

(10 points)

5. Are the proposed costs appropriate

for the scope of work proposed? (10

points)

XIV. Selection Procedures

All applications will be ranked by a

NMFS scientific panel into two groups:

Recommended, and Not Recommended.

Proposals ranked as Not Recommended

will not be given further consideration

for selection and funding.

Recommended rankings will be

presented to a panel of non-NOAA

fishery experts who will individually

consider the significance of the problem

addressed in each project proposal, the

technical evaluation, and need for

funding. These panel members will

provide individual recommendations to

NMFS on each proposal classified as

Recommended.

The non-NOAA panel members’

individual comments, recommendations

and evaluations, and recommendations

of the NMFS scientific panel and NMFS

Southeast Program Officer will be

considered by the Regional

Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS

(Regional Administrator). The Regional

Administrator, in consultation with the

Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,

will: (a) Determine which projects do

not substantially duplicate other

projects that are currently funded by

NOAA or are approved for funding by

other Federal offices, (b) select the

projects to be funded, (c) determine the

amount of funds available for each

project, and (d) determine which

components of the selected projects

shall be funded. The exact amount of

funds awarded, the final scope of

activities, the project duration, and

specific NMFS cooperative involvement

with the activities of each project will

be determined in pre-award negotiations

between the applicant, the NOAA

Grants Office, and the NMFS Program

Staff. Projects must not be initiated by

recipients until a signed award is

received from the NOAA Grants Office.

NMFS will make project applications

available for review as follows:

A. Consultation with members of the

fishing industry, management agencies,

environmental organizations, and

academic institutions: NMFS shall, at

its discretion, request comments from

members of the fishing and associated

industries, groups, organizations, and

institutions who have knowledge in the

subject matter of a project or who would

be affected by a project.

B. Consultation with Government

agencies: Applications will be reviewed

by the NMFS Southeast Region Program

Office in consultation with the NMFS

Southeast Fisheries Science, including

appropriate operations and laboratory

personnel, the NOAA Grants Officer

and, as appropriate, DOC bureaus and

other Federal agencies.

XV. Other Requirements

A. Federal policies and procedures.

Recipients and subrecipients are subject

to all Federal laws and Federal and DOC

policies, regulations, and procedures

applicable to Federal financial

assistance awards. Women and minority

individuals and groups are encouraged

to submit applications under this

program.

B. Past performance. Any first-time

applicant for Federal grant funds is

subject to a pre-award accounting

survey prior to execution of the award.

Unsatisfactory performance under prior

Federal awards may result in an

application not being considered for

funding.

C. Pre-award activities. If applicants

incur any costs prior to an award being

made, they do so solely at their own risk

of not being reimbursed by the

Government. Notwithstanding any

verbal or written assurance that they

may have received, there is no

obligation on the part of DOC to cover

pre-award costs.

D. No obligation of future funding. If

an application is selected for funding,

DOC has no obligation to provide any

additional future funding in connection

with the award. Renewal of an award to

increase funding or extend the period of

performance is at the total discretion of

DOC.

E. Delinquent Federal debts. No

award of Federal funds shall be made to

an applicant or to its subrecipients who

have any outstanding delinquent

Federal debt or fine until either:

1. The delinquent account is paid in

full;

2. A negotiated repayment schedule is

established and at least one payment is

received; or

3. Other arrangements satisfactory to

DOC are made.

F. Name check review. All non-profit

and for-profit applicants are subject to a

name check review process. Name

checks are intended to reveal if any key

individuals associated with the

applicant have been convicted of, or are

presently facing, criminal charges such

as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters

that significantly reflect on the

applicant’s management honesty or

financial integrity. Potential non-profit

and for-profit recipients may also be

subject to reviews of Dun and Bradstreet

data or other similar credit checks.

G. Primary applicant certifications.

All primary applicants must submit a

completed Form CD–511,

‘‘Certifications Regarding Debarment,

Suspension and Other Responsibility

Matters; Drug-Free Workplace

Requirements and Lobbying,’’ and the

following explanations are hereby

provided:

1. Nonprocurement debarment and

suspension. Prospective participants (as

defined at 15 CFR 26.105) are subject to

15 CFR part 26, ‘‘Nonprocurement

Debarment and Suspension’’ and the

related section of the certification form

prescribed above applies;

2. Drug-free workplace. Grantees (as

defined at 15 CFR part 26, Section 605)

are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart

F, ‘‘Government-wide Requirements for

Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)’’ and the

related section of the certification form

prescribed above applies;

3. Anti-lobbying. Persons (as defined

at 15 CFR Part 28, Section 105) are

subject to the lobbying provisions of 31

U.S.C. 1352, ‘‘Limitation on use of

appropriated funds to influence certain

Federal contracting and financial

transactions,’’ and the lobbying section

of the certification form prescribed

above applies to applications/bids for

grants, cooperative agreements,

contracts for more than $100,000, loans

and loan guarantees for more than

$150,000, or the single family maximum

mortgage limit for affected programs,

whichever is greater; and

4. Anti-lobbying disclosures. Any

applicant who has paid or will pay for

lobbying using any funds must submit

a Form SL-LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying

Activities,’’ as required under 15 CFR

part 28, appendix B.

H. Lower tier certifications. Recipients

shall require applicants/bidders for

subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or

other lower-tier covered transactions at

any tier under the award to submit, if

applicable, a completed Form CD–512,

‘‘Certifications Regarding Debarment,

Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary

Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered

Transactions and Lobbying’’ and

disclosure form SF-LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities.’’ Form CD–512 is

intended for the use of recipients and

should not be transmitted to DOC. A

form SF-LLL submitted by any tier

recipient or subrecipient should be

submitted to DOC in accordance with

the instructions contained in the award

document.

I. False statements. A false statement

on the application is grounds for denial
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 19 / Wednesday, January 29, 1997 / Notices 4261

or termination of funds and grounds for

possible punishment by a fine or

imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C.

1001.

J. Intergovernmental review.

Applications under this program are

subject to the provisions of E.O. 12372,

‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs.’’

K. Requirement to buy Americanmade equipment and products.

Applicants are hereby notified that they

are encouraged, to the extent feasible, to

purchase American-made equipment

and products with funding provided

under this program.

Classification

Prior notice and an opportunity for

public comments are not required by the

Administrative Procedure Act or any

other law for this notice concerning

grants, benefits, and contracts.

Therefore, a regulatory flexibility

analysis is not required for purposes of

the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

This action has been determined to be

not significant for purposes of E.O.

12866.

Cooperative agreements awarded

pursuant to pertinent statutes shall be in

accordance with the Fisheries Research

Plan (comprehensive program of

fisheries research) in effect on the date

of the award.

Federal participation under the

MARFIN Program may include the

assignment of DOC scientific personnel

and equipment.

Reasonable, negotiated financial

compensation will be provided under

awards for the work of eligible grantee

workers.

Information-collection requirements

contained in this notice have been

approved by the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB Control No. 0648–

0175) under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of

law, no person is required to respond to,

nor shall any person be subject to a

penalty for failure to comply with, a

collection of information subject to the

requirements of the Paperwork

Reduction Act unless that collection of

information displays a currently valid

OMB Control Number. Public reporting

burden for agency-specific collection-ofinformation elements, exclusive of

requirements specified under applicable

OMB circulars, is estimated to average

4 hours per response, including the time

for reviewing instructions, searching

existing data sources, gathering and

maintaining the data needed, and

completing and reviewing the collection

of information. Send comments

regarding this reporting burden estimate

or any other aspect of this collection of

information, including suggestions for

reducing the burden, to NMFS (see

ADDRESSES).

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c–3(d)

Dated: January 22, 1997.

Nancy Foster,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 97–2109 Filed 1–28–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

[I.D. 012197B]

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management

Council; Meeting

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery

Management Council will convene a

meeting of its Personnel Committee.

DATES: This meeting will be held from

8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on February 6,

1997.

ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held at

the Radisson Bay Harbor Inn, 7700

Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa,

FL; telephone: 813–281–8900.

Council address: Gulf of Mexico

Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S.

Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa,

FL 33619.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Wayne E. Swingle, Executive Director;

telephone: 813–228–2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the meeting will be to

discuss personnel issues (CLOSED

SESSION).

Dated: January 23, 1997.

George H. Darcy,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 97–2108 Filed 1–28–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

National Weather Service Proposed

Automation and Closure Certifications

SUMMARY: On January 7, 1997 (62 FR

981), the National Weather Service

(NWS) published a notice and

opportunity for public comment for 43

proposed automation and closure

certifications. Since that time, it has

been determined that at six of these

sites, NWS is not ready to proceed with

the proposed certifications.

Accordingly, this notice is to advise that

these six proposed automation and

closure certifications are being

withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: Inquiries regarding these

withdrawals should be directed to Tom

Beaver, Room 09356, 1325 East-West

Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Julie Scanlon at 301–713–1698 X151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In

compliance with Public Law 102–567,

the Secretary of Commerce must certify

that automating, consolidating,

relocating, and closing any field office

will not result in any degradation of

service to the affected areas of

responsibility. Further, the Secretary

must publish the proposed certification

in the Federal Register for a 60-day

public comment period. This

certification authority has been

delegated to the Under Secretary for

Oceans and Atmosphere.

On January 7, 1997, the NWS

published 43 proposed automation and

closure certifications (62 FR 981). Since

that time, it has been determined that at

six of these sites, NWS is not ready to

proceed with the proposed

certifications. Accordingly, to avoid any

confusion and ensure that the public

does not waste time submitting

comments unnecessarily, the NWS is

withdrawing the following six proposed

automation and closure certifications:

(1) The residual Boston Weather

Service Office (WSO);

(2) Bridgeport, Connecticut WSO;

(3) The residual Portland, Maine

WSO;

(4) Providence, Rhode Island WSO;

(5) Hartford, Connecticut WSO; and

(6) Worcester, Massachusetts WSO.

The NWS will propose these

certifications for a 60-day public

comment period at a later date.

Dated: January 23, 1997.

Elbert W. Friday, Jr.,

Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.

[FR Doc. 97–2077 Filed 1–28–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–12–M

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES

ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND

SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[OMB Control No. 9000–0076]

Comment Request Entitled Novation/

Change of Name Requirements

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD),

General Services Administration (GSA),

and National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA).