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[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20676-20679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10145]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Procedures for Selecting and Funding Multistate Conservation 
Grants Under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration 
Programs

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Service is announcing procedures for obtaining funding for 
multistate conservation project grants (Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Number 15.628) for FY 2002. Up to $3,043,255 is available 
for these grants in Wildlife Restoration funds and up to $3,265,392 in 
Sport Fish Restoration funds.

DATES: Grant application materials must be received by the 
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) by June 
15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Grant application materials may be mailed or e-mailed to: 
Mr. Robert L. Miles, International Association of Fish and Wildlife 
Agencies, 444 N. Capitol Street NW., Suite 544, Washington, DC 20001; 
phone, (202) 624-7890; e-mail, [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Regarding a specific grant: Mr. Robert L. Miles, International 
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; phone, (202) 624-7890; e-
mail, [email protected].
    Regarding the Multistate Conservation Grant Program: Mr. Kris E. 
LaMontagne, Chief, Division of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service; phone, (703) 358-2156; e-mail, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service publishes a Notice in the 
Federal Register each year announcing the deadline for project 
proposals, the amount of money available for multistate conservation 
project grants, and the National Conservation Needs. National 
Conservation Needs are established annually to promote and encourage 
efforts that address priority needs of State fish and wildlife 
agencies.
    National Conservation Needs contained in this Notice were developed 
by the IAFWA through a committee consisting of heads of State fish and 
wildlife agencies (or their designees). The committee developed the 
National Conservation Needs in consultation with nongovernmental 
organizations that represent conservation organizations, sportsmen's 
organizations, and industries that support or promote sport fishing, 
hunting, trapping, recreational shooting, bow hunting, or archery. 
National Conservation Needs are provided as a guide so that applicants 
will know the types of projects that will likely be funded.
    Eligible grantees are a State or group of States; the Service, or a 
State or group of States, for the purpose of carrying out the National 
Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; or 
nongovernmental organizations, subject to the following restrictions. 
Nongovernmental organizations that apply for a grant must submit with 
the application to the IAFWA a certification that the organization will 
not use grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any activity that 
promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping 
of wildlife, or the regulated taking of fish.
    The Department of the Interior has promulgated rules (43 CFR part 
12) adopting common rules developed by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) as required by OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110 that contain 
administrative requirements that apply to these grants. This annual 
grant program contains information collection requirements for which 
approval by the OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as 
specified in 43 CFR part 12.4, has been obtained (OMB control number 
1018-0109, expires January 31, 2004, and 1018-0049, expires September 
30, 2003). The Application for Federal Assistance (the Standard Form 
424 series) prescribed by OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110 and required as 
part of this application process have the OMB control number 0348-0043.

A. Purpose

    This statement establishes procedures for selecting multistate 
conservation project proposals to be funded through the Federal Aid in 
Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs for the purpose of 
promoting and encouraging efforts that address priority needs of State 
fish and wildlife agencies. These projects are funded through grants to 
a State or group of States; the Service, or a State or group of States, 
for the purpose of carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, 
Hunting, and

[[Page 20677]]

Wildlife-Associated Recreation; or nongovernmental organizations.

B. Background

    The mission of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program is to 
strengthen the ability of State and Territorial fish and wildlife 
agencies to meet effectively the consumptive and nonconsumptive needs 
of the public for fish and wildlife resources. The Federal Aid in Sport 
Fish Restoration Act and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act as 
amended by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement 
Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408) authorize the Secretary of the Interior 
to make not more than $6,000,000 available annually under the Federal 
Aid Program for the purpose of funding multistate conservation project 
grants.

C. Availability of Funds

    In Fiscal Year 2002, the amount of funds estimated to be available 
for multistate conservation project grants is $6,308,647 through the 
Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs. This 
figure includes $308,647 unobligated funds carried over from Fiscal 
Year 2001.

D. Period of Availability

    Amounts made available under this Program for multistate 
conservation project grants will remain available for making grants 
only for the first fiscal year for which the amount is made available 
and the following fiscal year (available for obligation for two fiscal 
years).

E. Eligible Grantees

    A multistate conservation project grant may be made only to:
    1. A State or group of States;
    2. The Service, or a State or group of States, for the purpose of 
carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-
Associated Recreation; or
    3. Nongovernmental organizations, subject to the following 
restrictions. A nongovernmental organization that applies for a grant 
must submit with the application to the IAFWA a certification that the 
organization will not use grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any 
activity that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated 
hunting or trapping of wildlife or the regulated taking of fish.

F. Eligible Projects

    A project is not eligible for a grant unless the project will 
benefit:
    1. At least 26 States;
    2. A majority of the States in a Region of the Service; or
    3. A regional association of State fish and wildlife departments.

G. Application Process

    1. All grant application materials for Multistate Conservation 
Grant Program funding must be mailed or e-mailed to: Mr. Robert L. 
Miles, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 444 N. 
Capitol Street NW., Suite 544, Washington, DC 20001; phone, (202) 624-
7890; fax, (202) 624-7890; e-mail, [email protected]. See guidance below 
for electronic submission of proposals.
    2. Each year, a Notice will be published in the Federal Register 
announcing the deadline for submitting grant application materials (see 
Appendix A, Calendar of Events). The Notice will also announce total 
funds available for multistate conservation project grants.

H. Submission Requirements

    To submit a project proposal through the mail, an original hard 
copy and a floppy disk that contains the narrative portion of the 
proposal (excluding required forms) must be submitted to Mr. Robert L. 
Miles, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 444 N. 
Capitol Street NW., Suite 544, Washington, DC 20001; phone, (202) 624-
7890. In addition, hard copies of the Application for Federal 
Assistance (Standard Form 424 series) must also be submitted.
    Electronic submission via e-mail of the narrative portion of 
project proposals is encouraged and should be addressed to 
[email protected]. Applicants who submit proposals using e-mail are 
required to submit hard copies of the Application for Federal 
Assistance (Standard Form 424 series) to the above address or fax them 
to (202) 624-7890, Attention: Mr. Robert L. Miles.
    The following forms and format for proposals are required. 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the narrative portion of 
proposals to 10 pages or less.
    1. Application for Federal Assistance--Standard Form 424 as 
prescribed by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-110, OMB 
Circular A-102, and the common rule (Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to States and Local 
Governments and Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, 
Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations). The SF 424 consists of 
a coversheet, the SF 424A consists of a budget sheet, and the SF 424B 
consists of compliance assurances. These forms may be obtained 
electronically by going to http://fa.r9.fws.gov and clicking on ``FA 
Toolkit in PDF Format'', then clicking on ``Forms''. Proposals received 
without these forms will not be accepted.
    2. Title--A short descriptive name of the proposal.
    3. Objective--What will this proposal do? State a concise statement 
of the purpose of the proposal in quantified terms where possible.
    4. Need--Why address this problem?
    a. State any National Conservation Need that the proposal addresses 
in whole or in part.
    b. Describe the number of States affected by the proposal or the 
regional association of State fish and wildlife departments and how 
they will benefit.
    c. Give a brief status report on the history of previous work 
conducted by the proposer or others to address this need.
    5. Expected Results or Benefits--What will be gained by funding 
this proposal? Describe the significance of accomplishing the proposal. 
Describe provisions for making the product or results available and 
usable to those affected by the problem or need. Benefits should be 
expressed in quantified terms, i.e., angler days, harvest per unit 
effort, improvements to State administration, dollars saved, etc. If 
the proposal relates to the accomplishment of all or part of a National 
Conservation Need, state how.
    6. Approach--How will the proposed project be conducted? Describe 
how the work will be conducted including a description of techniques 
and methods to be used, milestones, and a schedule of accomplishments.
    7. Resumes--What are the qualifications of key personnel? Include 
resumes and names of key individuals who will be involved in the 
project, stating their particular qualifications for undertaking the 
project.
    8. Project Costs--Submit a completed SF 424A, Budget Information--
Non-Construction Programs. Multi-year proposals must include an 
itemized budget showing funds required for each 12-month period. With 
the exception of the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-
Associated Recreation, a project can be funded for a period of not more 
than three years.

I. National Conservation Needs Determination Process

    National Conservation Needs are developed by State fish and 
wildlife agencies, acting through the committees of the IAFWA and must 
satisfy all the following:

[[Page 20678]]

    1. Identifies a problem that restricts the ability of State and 
Territorial fish and wildlife agencies to effectively meet the needs of 
the public for fish and wildlife resources;
    2. Impacts the fish and wildlife resources or fish and wildlife 
programs of at least 26 States; a majority of the States in a Region of 
the Service; or a regional association of State fish and wildlife 
departments;
    3. Is an obvious, continuous, and pressing resource management 
problem, or a recently identified problem that is significant and 
urgent;
    4. Can be met by a practical and economically feasible management 
approach that will result in improved resource management or 
environmental quality;
    5. Could not practically be addressed by a single State or small 
group of States; and
    6. Represents a need that is not being fully addressed by a current 
project.

J. National Conservation Needs for Fiscal Year 2002

    State fish and wildlife agencies, acting through the committees of 
the IAFWA, developed the following eight National Conservation Needs 
for this grant period.

1. National Enhancement of Wildlife Health Services to Wildlife 
Managers

    The capability to deliver wildlife health-related services is not 
uniform throughout the United States. Information on wildlife health 
issues is vital to the development and defense of sound management 
programs and policies for wildlife. Natural resources agencies must 
pursue ways to have greater health management expertise available 
within the wildlife management profession. Methods and programs to 
enhance delivery of wildlife health services to wildlife managers and 
wildlife management agencies need to be developed and facilitated.

2. Development and Implementation of Strategies and Programs That 
Integrate a Sound Marketing and Communications Approach

    Current and projected demographic changes within the United States 
population are, and will continue to have significant impacts on 
program planning, funding strategies and policy development decisions 
of state fish and wildlife agencies. These agencies need the 
information, tools and training necessary to enhance the participation 
of traditional and non-traditional/under-represented constituencies in 
wildlife management and wildlife associated recreation. In addition to 
these basic tools, there is a national need to better understand the 
processes of retention and recruitment in wildlife associated 
recreation. State fish and wildlife agencies also need up-to-date 
information on the various approaches that other States are using to 
address this need and their degree of success.

3. Approval of Aquaculture Drugs and Chemicals

    There is an urgent need for approval of a wide range of drugs and 
chemicals for use in aquaculture. Thirty-eight states have joined in a 
cooperative project with the U.S. Geological Service, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture to conduct the 
studies needed to gain approval for eight important drugs for use in 
disease prevention and treatment of a wide variety of fish species. 
While much progress has been made, additional studies are needed to 
generate efficacy and other data required for the approval of all eight 
drugs and completion of the cooperative project.

4. Programs That Enhance and Improve the Ability of State Fish and 
Wildlife Agencies To Administer Their Agency and Manage the Wildlife 
Resources of Their State

    Over the years, several projects have evolved that have provided 
State fish and wildlife agencies with information, expertise, employee 
training, agency and program evaluations, reference services, etc. 
Examples are the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife 
Associated Recreation, the Management Assistance Team, and the Library 
Reference Service. These projects have provided State fish and wildlife 
agencies with information and assistance at a reduced cost that they 
would have had difficulty obtaining on their own. A need exists for 
similar types of projects that improve the ability of State fish and 
wildlife agencies to administer their agencies and carry out their 
mandated responsibilities more effectively and efficiently.

5. Wildlife Habitat Management on Conservation Reserve Program Lands

    When the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was reauthorized as 
part of the 1996 Farm Bill, the enhancement of wildlife resources 
became a co-equal program objective, along with reduced soil erosion 
and improved water quality. CRP uses the Environmental Benefits Index 
(EBI) to determine lands accepted into the Program. Wildlife habitat 
values, including maintenance of plant species diversity, are an 
important factor in calculation of EBI scores. However, maintenance of 
plant species diversity requires frequent disturbance of the grass 
stand, often using tools such as burning and discing instead of more 
traditional mowing.
    Specific information is needed on how vegetative structure and 
plant species diversity and habitat values (insect population, brood 
value, etc.) change over time on CRP lands, the relationships among 
habitat quality and disturbance type, the frequency and type of 
disturbance needed, and the identification of those native legumes and 
native cool-season grasses which will achieve the desired habitat 
conditions of a better simulated native grassland system.

6. Programs That Support Hunter, Trapper and Shooting Sports 
Recruitment

    The percentage of the general population that hunts and traps has 
shown a general decline over the past decade. Reversing this decline 
will strengthen state fish and wildlife agencies by broadening public 
and financial support for conservation programs. Programs are needed at 
both the state and national level that will lead to the reversal of 
this trend and result in increased hunting, trapping and shooting 
sports participation, with priority going to those programs that 
increase funding support for state agencies.

7. Integrated Bird Conservation

    The challenges, significance, and conservation opportunities 
associated with ``integrated bird conservation'' are becoming 
increasingly apparent and remain a top priority of the State fish and 
wildlife agencies. The need for coordination and implementation of such 
national and international efforts including the North American 
Waterfowl Management Plan, US Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in 
Flight Plan, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, as well as 
interest in resident game birds is great. State fish and wildlife 
agencies, and their partners need assistance in addressing the 
challenges associated with integrated bird conservation and 
accelerating implementation of such programs. Projects are needed that 
will create greater conservation efficiencies, address the concerns and 
desires of the various bird related groups, lead to more effective 
conservation actions implemented within a landscape context, better and 
more directly address the diverse array of bird conservation 
priorities, address integration of resident wildlife conservation 
actions with those of

[[Page 20679]]

migratory birds at the State level, and foster partnerships at all 
levels.

8. Multistate Planning Efforts To Address Conservation Needs of Species 
at Risk

    Assistance is needed for facilitating multi-state and more 
localized planning efforts to develop conservation agreements for 
species of concern that address the species life needs and habitat 
requirements prior to their designation as candidate species or 
subsequent listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

K. Project Proposal Review and Selection Process

    1. Project proposals will be evaluated for eligibility as defined 
in Section F and ranked by appropriate committees of the IAFWA at their 
annual September meeting. The National Grants Committee appointed by 
the President of the IAFWA will review the Committees' evaluations and 
rankings and prepare a recommended priority list of project proposals 
for submission to the IAFWA's Annual Business Meeting.
    2. The Directors of the State fish and wildlife agencies will 
approve a priority list of project proposals for funding at the IAFWA's 
Annual Business Meeting.
    3. In preparing this list, the IAFWA will consult with 
nongovernmental organizations that represent conservation 
organizations, sportsmen's organizations, and industries that support 
or promote sport fishing, hunting, trapping, recreational shooting, bow 
hunting, or archery.
    4. The IAFWA will submit the priority list of projects to the 
Services' Assistant Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs by 
October 1, 2001.
    5. The Service will publish the priority list in the Federal 
Register.
    6. The Service Director will make the final decision on projects to 
be awarded grants. The Director will award grants only to projects 
included in the priority list submitted by the IAFWA.

L. Grant Awards and Funding

    1. The Service will prepare and sign the formal grant agreements. 
The formal grant agreements will be forwarded to the grantees for 
signature and must be signed by a Service representative and an 
authorized grantee official before they become valid agreements. This 
process may require up to 60 days to complete. The Service is not 
responsible for costs incurred prior to the effective date of a signed 
agreement; therefore, the starting date for all projects should be 
planned accordingly.
    2. The entire amount of funds required for a project must be 
obligated in the fiscal year the grant is approved (as per guidance in 
50 CFR part 80.8).
    3. Nonprofit, commercial and institutions of higher education 
grantees must maintain a financial management system in accordance with 
the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-110 and 43 CFR part 12, 
subpart F. State and local governments must maintain a financial 
management system in accordance with OMB Circular A-102 and 43 CFR part 
12, subpart C.

M. Project Administration

    Proposals awarded funding will be assigned to a Project Officer. 
Project Officers provide assistance that includes:
    1. Serving as the Service's point of contact after the award 
agreement is signed;
    2. Receiving and approving invoices; and
    3. Monitoring project performance and assuring that the award 
recipient adheres to the award agreement.

                     Calendar of Events--Appendix A
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       Target Date                             Event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 16.................  Service publishes Federal Register Notice
                            announcing availability of Multistate
                            Conservation Grant Program funds and
                            National Conservation Needs for grant
                            applications.
June 15..................  Grant application materials must be received
                            by the IAFWA.
September................  The Directors of the State fish and wildlife
                            agencies will approve a priority list of
                            project proposals for funding at the IAFWA's
                            Annual Business Meeting.
October 1................  The IAFWA submits a priority list of projects
                            to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services'
                            Assistant Director for Migratory Birds and
                            State Programs.
November 15..............  Service publishes Federal Register Notice of
                            priority list of projects submitted by the
                            IAFWA.
January 30...............  Service awards grants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dated: April 7, 2001.
Marshall P. Jones, Jr.,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 01-10145 Filed 4-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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