Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/07/30/02-19065/national-coastal-wetlands-conservation-grant-program
Timestamp: 2019-01-18 02:19:33
Document Index: 737863077

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', 'art 12', 'art 84', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', 'art 12', 'art 205', '§\u200984', 'art 522', '§\u200984', '§\u200984', '§\u200984']

Federal Register :: National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
A Rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service on 07/30/2002
This rule is effective July 30, 2002.
67 FR 49264
49264-49275 (12 pages)
1018-AF51
02-19065
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/02-19065 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/02-19065
This final rule establishes the requirements for participation in the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program authorized by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (Act) and provides guidance for the Program's administration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (referred to as “Service,” “we,” and “us” within this rule). It replaces interim procedures and clarifies guidance for preparation, submission, and evaluation of proposed projects and administration of funded projects.
The complete file for this rule is available for inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Room 840, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
Sally Valdes-Cogliano, Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration, by telephone (703) 358-2201; fax (703) 358-2232; e-mail<sally_valdescogliano@fws.gov> or Gary Reinitz, Division of Federal Aid, by telephone (703) 358-2159; fax (703) 358-1837; e-mail:gary_reinitz@fws.gov.
The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3951-3956) authorizes the Director of the Service to make matching grants to coastal States for acquisition, restoration, enhancement, management, and preservation of coastal wetlands. Grants are available annually on a competitive basis to coastal States. Funding for this Program comes from the Sport Fish Restoration Account, which is supported by excise taxes on fishing equipment, and motorboat and small engine fuels.
The primary goal of the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is the long-term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. It accomplishes this goal by helping States in their efforts to protect, restore, and enhance their coastal habitats. The Program's accomplishments are primarily on-the-ground and measured in acres.
Since the Service began awarding grants in 1992, we have awarded about $105 million to 25 States and 1 U.S. territory to protect and/or restore about 130,000 acres of coastal wetland ecosystems. The Program's emphasis on encouraging partnerships, supporting watershed planning, and leveraging ongoing projects has helped stretch program funds. The resource benefits of this Program have included habitat protection and restoration for migratory birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, endangered and threatened species, and fish and shellfish.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is currently being administered using internal interim program guidance and the standard grant administration policies of our Federal Aid Program. We believe administration of the Program could be improved through regulations specifically tailored to meet the needs of the Program. Accordingly, the rule uses a plain English style, provides examples to illustrate concepts, and combines current guidance in one place. It should result in a streamlined proposal preparation, review and grant administration process.
Currently, we evaluate grant requests received from the State agencies on an annual schedule. In the last few years, the number of proposals received annually by the Service National Office has ranged from 29 to 36. A review panel consisting of Service personnel representing the coastal Regions of the Service and specific program areas (for example, the Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, Endangered Species, and Refuges Programs) reviews and ranks all proposals. Based on the rankings of the panel, recommendations are sent to the Director of the Service, who makes the final determination of which projects will receive grants. The basic schedule and procedures will not change significantly with this rule.
The criteria for selecting proposals in this final rule have been modified from the interim guidance. For example, a new criterion has been added to give credit to projects that provide benefits to migratory birds. Also, we have expanded the discussion of each criterion to clarify project scoring. The changes were based on comments provided by Service personnel who have reviewed National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant proposals. These criteria can be found in the rule portion of this document.
In the proposed rule that was published August 20, 2001 (66 FR 43555), we requested that interested parties submit any comments they might have. We particularly sought Start Printed Page 49265comments from the affected State agencies. The comment period was from August 20, 2001, to October 4, 2001.
We received comments from nine State government agencies. These comment letters provided suggestions and comments on a wide range of topics. We have considered all the comment letters received during the comment period and have made minor changes to improve and clarify the rule in response. Summaries of the major comments or issues follow.
Issue 1: Do we need to extend the period for the development of the grant agreement?
Response: We agree that a longer period for development of the grant agreement is appropriate. Resolving all the compliance issues that need to be addressed before a grant agreement is signed can be difficult. We are revising § 84.42 so that funds allocated for a grant will be held until December 31 of the following year.
Issue 2: What is the relationship between the goals of the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant program and the Long-term and Annual Performance Goals of the Service?
Response: Long-term conservation of coastal wetlands is the primary goal of the Program. The results can be quantified in terms of acres enhanced, protected, and/or restored. (See § 84.10 for the goal statement.) When States conserve their wetlands resources using this program we all achieve benefits to habitat and wildlife. The discussion of performance measures in the rule in § 84.30(a)(2)(v) has been clarified to explain where to find the Service's Long-term and Annual Performance Goals and the relationship of these goals to the Grants Program.
Issue 3: Should the annual grant schedule be changed?
Response: The schedule in the rule reflects the current operating schedule for the Grants Program. We examined the effects of moving deadlines but have decided to maintain the current schedule.
Issue 4: Is the definition of ineligible activities too restrictive? Do we need to distinguish between planning activities for stand-alone grants, and planning as a minimal part of a grant objective?
Response: The focus of this Grant Program has always been on-the-ground accomplishments—through land acquisitions, easements, restoration and enhancement activities—and its accomplishments are measured in acres. We have modified the description of ineligible activities in § 84.20(b) to clarify that planning activities of a minimal nature and necessary to complete the project could be allowable.
Issue 5: The definition of a “substantial proposal” should include that it is consistent with State and Regional watershed plans. Consistency should be encouraged and rewarded in the grant scoring process.
Response: We agree that project proposals should take into account watershed plans. One of the ranking criteria in § 84.32 is specifically designed to give credit to proposals that demonstrate the value of the proposal in connection with wider planning efforts.
Issue 6: For the purposes of this rule, how should we define maritime forests?
Response: The current definition is not intended to include all kinds of maritime forests that might be included from a strictly biological perspective. It is, instead, focused on protection of the maritime forests characteristic of the southeastern United States. This area was considered to be, when the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act was passed, extremely beneficial in protecting the coast and also under severe development pressure.
Issue 7: Should regionally threatened wetland types be given the same priority as nationally decreasing wetland types?
Response: The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act states that the Director of the Service should give priority to coastal wetlands conservation projects that are consistent with the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan developed under Section 301 of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3921). This Conservation Plan, which was published in 1991, categorized wetland types into declining, stable, and increasing. Types that were declining nationally do need to receive priority under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program scoring system.
We recognize that certain important wetland types can be declining regionally even if they are not declining nationally. For this reason, we included in this rule the possibility of regionally decreasing types receiving credit in the scoring system if the case for regionally declining types is well-documented (see § 84.32(a)(1)(i)).
Issue 8: How should we define long-term conservation? Should we handle restoration and acquisition differently?
Response: Long-term conservation is a requirement established by the Act for this program. This rule requires that projects provide conservation for at least 20 years. In selecting this number we looked at the requirements of other programs. For this one criterion, acquisition projects may have some advantage over restoration projects, but this is one criterion among many and we do not want to establish separate ranking criteria for acquisition and restoration.
This rule is effective upon publication. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), we believe that we have good cause for making this rule effective upon publication to ensure that the rule is in effect during the next funding cycle for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. This rule will benefit those entities seeking grants under this Program. This rule provides helpful information to grant applicants in preparing their applications and will help ensure that the Service applies fair and consistent standards in reviewing the grant applications.
This final rule is a regulation of an administrative and financial nature. Therefore, the action is categorically excluded under 516 DM 2, Appendix 1.10 from any environmental documentation pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). However, subsequent actions involved with acquisition, restoration, or enhancement will require further compliance with NEPA on a case-by-case basis.
This rule's information collection requirements include those necessary to fulfill applicable requirements of 43 CFR part 12, and these have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.). This section of the Code of Federal Regulations provides the uniform administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to States and local governments. The required forms include a grant agreement form, USFWS Form 3-1552 (OMB control number 1018-0049); an amendment to the grant agreement form, USFWS Form 3-1591 (OMB control Start Printed Page 49266number 1018-0049); the Federal Aid Grant Application Booklet, which was approved by OMB on January 18, 2001, (OMB control number 1018-0109); the NEPA Compliance Checklist, USFWS Form 3-2185 (OMB control number 1018-0110); and the Summary Information for Ranking National Coastal Wetlands Grant Program Proposals, USFWS Form 3-2179 (OMB Control Number 1018-0111). An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
In accordance with the criteria in Executive Order 12866, this rule is a significant regulatory action. OMB makes the final determination of significance under Executive Order 12866.
This rule will not have an annual effect of $100 million or adversely affect an economic sector, productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of government. A cost-benefit and economic analysis is not required. The entities affected by this final rule are State natural resource agencies. The primary intended effect is to augment State efforts to conserve their coastal wetland resources. The program is completely voluntary; States choose whether to submit proposals for matching grants. New funds available each year are determined as a percentage of monies received by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund. However, the total receipts for a given year for this program are limited by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act to $15 million. Receipts for the last few years have been in the $10 million to $13 million range. This last grant cycle included $13 million in new money and $1.5 million available as carryover from previous years.
This rule will not create inconsistencies with other agencies' actions. The Service is charged with administering the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act. This Program supports and augments State efforts to conserve their resources. States voluntarily choose to participate, and no other Federal agencies have responsibilities associated with this Grant Program. Some Federal agencies have participated voluntarily on specific projects as cooperators with the State agencies.
This rule will not affect entitlements, user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their recipients. It will affect this specific grant program. The Service has been giving out matching grants to States under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program since 1992. If we continue to operate with interim procedures and general Federal Aid grant administration, the same amount of grant assistance will be given to coastal States. The main effect that we expect from this rulemaking is a streamlined proposal preparation and review and grant administration process.
This rule will not raise novel legal or policy issues. As stated above, the Service has been awarding grants to States and administering this Program under the authority of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act since 1992. However, the purpose of this new rule is to improve the process.
This final rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). By law, the only eligible recipients of this grant program are coastal State and territory government agencies. Operating with interim guidance, we have given out grants since 1992. This rule should not result in a major change to the Program. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act specifies an annual cap of $15 million that can be allocated to this program. An initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required. Accordingly, a Small Entity Compliance Guide is also not required.
This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This final rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State or local government agencies, or geographic regions; and will not have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
As stated above, the maximum amount, by law, that can be directed to this Grant Program is $15 million per year. This Program is directed exclusively at State governments. This rule might provide some contracting work at a local level for restoration projects, creating a minor positive effect on the local economy. All land purchased under this Program is paid at fair market value from willing sellers. The land involved is a relatively small amount spread over the 10 to 15 States and territories that typically receive grants in a given year. All lands acquired will be put under long-term conservation protection by the States. Some of the grants are for restoration work on lands already owned by the States.
In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), this final rule will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments and will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or greater in any year, i.e., it is not a “significant regulatory action” under the Act. A Small Government Agency Plan is not required. As stated above, this rule pertains to a grant program directed at State governments. In a few cases, local governments have chosen to partner in a grant project proposed by the State. Participation in the Program is entirely voluntary. The Program income is limited to $15 million per year by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act.
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this final rule does not have significant takings implications. A takings implication assessment is not required. The rule specifies that all acquisitions under this Program are from willing sellers. No private property will be taken from unwilling owners for the furtherance of this Program, and just compensation will be provided to willing owners.
In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the final rule does not have significant Federalism effects. The rule allows eligible coastal States to make decisions regarding the selection of properties for acquisition, plan restoration projects, and take protective measures.
In accordance with Executive Order 12988, the Office of the Solicitor has determined that this rule does not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. To the extent of our knowledge, no legal cases have ever been associated with this grant Start Printed Page 49267program. The rule should actually serve to reduce the possibility of litigation by establishing specific requirements for participation in the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program and guidance for its administration by the Service. The rule will establish a clear legal standard for affected conduct.
On May 18, 2001, the President issues Executive Order 13211 on regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this rule is a significant action under Executive Order 12866, it is not expected to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, and use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Coastal zone-wetlands
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and Wildlife
For the reasons discussed in the supplementary information, we are amending subchapter F of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, by adding a new part 84, to read as follows:
What conditions must I follow to accept Federal money?
What is the timetable for use of grant funds?
Coastal States. States bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin); States bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts (Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington); and American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Start Printed Page 49268Rico, and the Virgin Islands. (Louisiana is not included because it has its own wetlands conservation program authorized by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act and implemented by the Corps of Engineers with assistance from the State of Louisiana, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce.)
Program. The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. A program administered by the Service Start Printed Page 49269that awards Federal grants through a competitive process to State agencies for projects to acquire, restore, manage, or enhance coastal wetlands.
(a) Eligible applicants should submit their proposals to the appropriate Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Proposals must be complete upon submission, and must include the information outlined in § 84.22 to be complete.
(1) Service Regional Federal Aid Offices' responsibilities for administration of this grant program include: Notifying the States of the program, its requirements, and any changes that occur; determining the State agencies designated by the Governor as eligible applicants; ensuring that only eligible applicants apply for grants; coordinating with various Service programs to ensure that sound and consistent guidance is communicated to the States; determining proposal eligibility and substantiality; and determining 75 percent match eligibility and notifying the States of approved and disapproved proposals.
(2) Service Divisions of Ecological Services in the regions and field and Fisheries and Habitat Conservation in the national office provide technical assistance and work with Federal Aid to encourage State participation in this process.
(3) Send your proposals to the appropriate Regional Offices, as follows:
American Samoa, California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington (Region 1) Regional Director (Attention: Federal Aid), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal Complex, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, (503) 231-6128.
Texas (Region 2) Regional Director (Attention: Federal Aid), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, 500 Gold Avenue, SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, (505) 248-7450.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin (Region 3) Regional Director (Attention: Federal Aid), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056, (612) 713-5130.
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and the Virgin Islands. Louisiana is not eligible to participate under Section 305 of 16 U.S.C. 3954, because Louisiana has its own separate program. (Region 4) Regional Director (Attention: Federal Aid), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 324, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, (404) 679-4159.
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia (Region 5) Regional Director (Attention: Federal Aid), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-9589, (413) 253-8508.
Alaska (Region 7) Regional Director (Attention: Federal Aid), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, (907) 786-3435.
(b) The Program operates on an annual cycle. Regional Federal Aid Offices request proposals from the States in early April. Proposals must be received by the Regional Director on or before a due date set in early June in order to be considered for funding in the following fiscal year. Check with your Regional Office each year for the exact due dates. Regions review proposals for eligibility and substantiality. Regions may rank eligible and substantial proposals and submit them to the national office of the Service in Washington, DC, by a date set in late June. A Review Panel coordinated by the Service's National Office of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation reviews and ranks proposals in early August using the criteria established in this rule. The Director selects the proposals and announces the grant recipients at the beginning of the new fiscal year (October 1).
(8) A concise statement, with documentation, of how the proposal addresses each of the 13 numeric criteria including a summary using FWS Form No. 3-2179 (see § 84.32);
(a) Proposal acceptance. (1) The Regional Federal Aid Offices decide whether a proposal should be accepted for consideration by determining if the proposal is complete, substantial, and contains activities that are eligible. Proposals that do not qualify are immediately returned to the State. Revision and resubmission of returned proposals is allowable during this period, which is in June (check with your Regional Office for the exact dates each year). If any of the factors of completeness, substantiality, or eligibility are not met, the Regions should not forward the proposal to the Washington Office.
(v) Identifies obtainable, quantified performance measures (acres enhanced, restored, or protected) that help achieve the management goals and objectives of the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. Through this program, the States' efforts and leadership will help the Service meet its Long-Term and Annual Performance Goals as expressed in the Service's Annual Performance Plan.[1]
(3) The grant limit is $1 million. Proposals requesting Program awards Start Printed Page 49271that exceed $1 million will be returned to the appropriate State. Similarly, individual projects that have clearly been divided into multiple proposals for submission in one grant cycle to avoid this limit will be returned to the appropriate State. The State can revise and resubmit the proposal so that the request does not exceed the $1 million limit.
(b) Proposal ranking. Once a proposal is accepted by the Region, the Regional Federal Aid Office sends the proposal to the National Federal Aid Office, which works with the National Office of the Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration Program for distribution to a Review Panel. The Review Panel includes representation from our coastal Regions and from other Service Programs, for example, the Endangered Species Program. The Fisheries and Habitat Conservation Program is responsible for coordinating the review and ranking of proposals according to the established criteria, a process that usually involves a national meeting.
(b) Proposal ranking factors. (1) Ranking criteria. As explained in § 84.32, we will evaluate proposals according to 13 ranking criteria. These criteria have varying point values. Proposals must address each of these 13 criteria.
(c) The criteria in § 84.32 are not listed in priority order.
§ 84.32
(i) The majority of the project area (over 50 percent) is nationally decreasing coastal wetland types,[2] or the majority is regionally decreasing wetlands types in which the case for regionally decreasing is well-documented (Up to 7 points). The nationally decreasing types are estuarine intertidal emergent; estuarine intertidal forested; estuarine intertidal scrub-shrub; marine intertidal; palustrine emergent; palustrine forested; and palustrine scrub-shrub. Describe the wetlands using terms listed above. Include a breakdown showing the percentage of the proposal's total and wetland acreage in decreasing types. Provide National Wetlands Inventory codes/information if available. Information about these can be found on the National Wetland Inventory's web site at http://wetlands.fws.gov.
(ii) The majority of the project area (over 50 percent) is nationally stable coastal wetlands types 2 (Up to 5 points). The nationally stable types are estuarine intertidal non-vegetated and estuarine subtidal. Describe the wetlands using the terms listed above. Include a breakdown showing the percentage of the proposal's total and wetland acreage in stable types. Provide National Wetlands Inventory codes/information if available.
(i) Once the project is complete, the project will provide continuing coastal wetlands benefits in perpetuity (100 years or longer). (7 points) Start Printed Page 49272
(iii) We will give maximum points to projects that benefit coastal-dependent species identified in the North American Waterfowl Plan or listed as species of management concern.[3] Proposals should also include information that demonstrates how the project will contribute to the regional goals developed under the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, or other bird conservation initiatives. Proposals that fail to do so will not receive maximum points. Indicate if the proposed area has been specifically identified by any program or agency for its migratory bird values.
(iii) Show direct links between contamination and wildlife and aquatic habitats. To receive full points, you Start Printed Page 49273should provide documentation of the linkage. Reviewers may consider the extent of contaminants prevention/reduction when assigning points. Proposals having the potential to produce an attractive nuisance (e.g., acquiring and/or restoring a wetland that will be attractive to wildlife and that also has the potential to accumulate high levels of persistent toxic metals or hydrocarbon compounds) will not receive points.
If the State or a partner provides an additional cash contribution equal to 10 percent of the $50,000, $5,000. This is defined as a 10 percent increase in the State match.[4]
(4) In the project proposal the State or third party provides lands as opposed to using lands already owned by the State Start Printed Page 49274or third party as part of the State matching share.
Funding to States is provided on a reimbursable basis. See § 84.47 for information on what costs can be reimbursed. The Service may reimburse the State for projects completed, or make payments as the project progresses. For construction work and labor, the Service and the State may jointly determine, on a case-by-case basis, that payments may be made in advance. We will minimize the time elapsing between the transfer to the State and the State's need for the funds, and the time period will be subject to a specific determined need for the funds in advance. Except for extenuating circumstances, a reasonable time period to advance funds to a State is up to 3 days. OMB Circular A-102, Parts II and III, 43 CFR part 12, and 31 CFR part 205 provide specific information on methods and procedures for transferring funds.
(a) Except for certain insular areas, the Federal share of an approved grant will not exceed 50 percent of approved costs incurred. However, the Federal share may be increased to 75 percent for coastal States that have established and are using a fund as defined in § 84.11. The Regions must certify the eligibility of the fund in order for the State to qualify for the 75 percent matching share.
(d) The requirements in 43 CFR 12.64 and Service Manual Part 522 FW 1.13 [5] apply to in-kind matches or cost-sharing involving third parties. Third party in-kind contributions must represent the current market value of noncash contributions furnished as part of the grant by another public agency, private organization, or individual. In-kind matches must be necessary and reasonable to accomplish grant objectives.
(h) Total Federal contributions (including all Federal sources outside of the Program) may not exceed the maximum eligible Federal share under the Program. This includes monies provided to the State by other Federal programs. If the amount of Federal money available to the project is more than the maximum allowed, we will reduce the Program contribution by the amount in excess. Start Printed Page 49275
(5) If rights or interests obtained with the acquisition of coastal wetlands generate revenue during the Grant Agreement period, the State will treat the revenue as program income and use it to manage the acquired properties. If the State sells or leases real property, the State must treat the proceeds as program income and return the money to the Federal Aid program regardless of the grant period.
All requests for additional monies for approved coastal wetland grants will be subject to the entire review process along with new grants. Any monies left over after the project is complete, or if the project is not completed, should be returned to the Washington Office for use in following years. If a State has lands it wishes to acquire, restore, or enhance in close proximity to the original project, and the Region deems that spending project monies in these areas would provide similar benefits, the Region may use unspent balances to pay for these projects with prior approval from the Washington Office. States must provide adequate justification and documentation to the Regions that the lands acquired, restored, or enhanced are similar to those in the original proposal and provide similar benefits to fish and wildlife.
§ 84.50
(b) Compliance with environmental and other laws, as defined in the Service Manual 523 FW Chapter 1,[6] may require additional documentation. Consult with Regional Offices for how this applies to a specific project.
1. The Service's Annual Performance Plan can be found on the Service's homepage at http://www/​/.fws.gov/​r9gpra. For more information you might also contact the Budget Office at 202-208-4596 or the Planning and Evaluation Staff at 202-208-2549.
2. These designations are based on the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan. For more information about the plan, or to receive a copy of the document, refer to the contact information provided in § 84.21.
3. For more information about species of management concern, visit the website migratorybirds.fws.gov or contact the Division of Migratory Bird Management at 703-358-1714.
4. From sources other than Federal agencies. Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds may in some cases be defined as “non-Federal.” See discussion under § 84.46 on What are the cost-sharing requirements?
5. From the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, available on-line at http://www.fws.gov/​directives/​index.html.
6. The Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, see footnote 3 for availability.
[FR Doc. 02-19065 Filed 7-29-02; 8:45 am]