Revised Procedures for Selecting and Funding Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Administrative Projects

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Revised Procedures for Selecting and Funding Federal Aid in Sport

Fish and Wildlife Restoration Administrative Projects

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Service is announcing procedures for obtaining funding for

Federal Aid administrative projects and availability of an estimated

$2,000,000 for Wildlife Restoration projects and $2,000,000 for Sport

Fish projects. This year's program changes the application deadline,

updates focus areas, and clarifies documentation needs from the

previous year.

DATES: Applications/proposals must be received by May 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, Chief, Division of Federal Aid, MS 140 ARLSQ, 4401 North

Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Robert E. Lange, Jr., Chief, Division of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service; (703) 358-2156.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service publishes a notice in the

Federal Register each year announcing the deadline for project

propsoals, the amount of money available for Sport Fish and Wildlife

Restoration projects, and the focus areas identified for the year.

Focus areas are used to promote and encourage efforts that address

priority needs of the State fish and wildlife agencies.

The focus areas contained in this notice were developed in

cooperation with the Grants-in-Aid Committee of the International

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and represent that group's

assessment of priority projects. The focus areas are provided as a

guide so that applicants will know the types of projects that will

likely score higher in the rankings.

Changes made since last year's program include a new application

deadline of May 1, 1997, revised focus areas, and the requirement for

applicants to submit a completed Application for Federal Assistance

(Standard Form 424) including Budget Information--Non-Construction

Programs (Standard Form 424A) and Assurances--Non-Construction Programs

(Standard Form 424B).

States, local governments, charitable and educational institutions,

and other authorized recipients are authorized to apply for grants

according to these procedures. The Department of the Interior has

promulgated rules (43 CFR Part 12) adopting common rules developed by

the Office of Management and Budget as required by OMB Circulars A-102

and A-110 that contain administrative requirements that apply to these

grants. This annual grant program does not contain information

collection requirements for which approval by the Office of Management

and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as specified in

43 CFR Part 12.4 are required. The information collection requirements

for this grant program are those necessary to comply with 43 CFR Part

12, which include (a) project narrative; and (b)

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compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Record keeping

includes the tracking of costs and accomplishments, monotoring progress

and evaluating accomplishments, and reporting requirements. The

Standard Form 424 series prescribed by OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110

have the OMB clearance number 0348-0043.

Dated: February 28, 1997.

Jay L. Gerst,

Acting Director.

Procedures for Selecting and Funding Federal Aid in Sport Fish and

Wildlife Restoration Administrative Projects

A. Purpose

This statement establishes procedures for selecting administrative

projects to be funded by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration and

Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration programs. These projects are funded

by grants to States, local governments, charitable and educational

institutions, or other authorized recipients to accomplish public

purposes relating to administering the Sport Fish and Wildlife

Restoration Programs and to facilitate the efforts of the States in

implementing these programs.

B. Background

The mission of the two grant programs 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 authorize the Secretary of

the Interior to cooperate with the States and to use administrative

funds for carrying out the purposes of the Acts. The Fish and Wildlife

Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661) provides the authority to provide

financial assistance to Federal, State, and public or private parties

to facilitate fish and wildlife programs.

Administrative funds are deducted each year from the total amounts

of funds available under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act

and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. The statutory

provisions related to administrative deductions are as follows:

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (SFR)

Federal Aid Administrative Funds for sport fish restoration may not

exceed 6 percent of the deposits in the SFR Account of the Aquatic

Resources Trust Fund. These funds may be used for administrative

projects for the ``conduct of necessary investigations, administration,

and the execution of this Act and for the aiding in the formulation,

adoption, or administration of any compact between two or more States

for the conservation and management of migratory fishes in marine or

fresh waters.'' (Section 4 of the Act as amended by P.L. 98-369, 16

U.S.C. 777c)

Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (WR)

Federal Aid Administrative Funds for wildlife restoration may not

exceed 8 percent of the excise tax receipts deposited in the WR Fund.

These funds may be used for the ``administration and execution of this

Act and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.'' (Section 4 of the Act,

16 U.S.C. 669c)

After making administrative deductions as specified above, the

remainder of the funds will be apportioned to the States in accordance

with the formulas contained in the Acts. The Service will strive to

minimize administrative deductions in order to maximize apportionments

to the States.

C. Availability of Funds

In fiscal year 1998, the amounts of funds estimated to be available

for administrative projects are $2,000,000 for sport fish restoration

and $2,000,000 for wildlife restoration.

D. Interstate Compacts

The Service also will make available a total of $600,000 annually,

without competition, for funding The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries

Commission, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and pacific States

marine Fisheries Commission, as authorized by law. Requests for

additional amounts that may be eligible, must compete with other

proposals for Administrative Funds. Proposals will be subject to all of

the requirements in Section E.

E. Eligibility Requirements

The Service's Division of Federal Aid will review each proposal to

determine if proposals are eligible for funding. To be eligible for

funding, proposals must meet the following:

1. Authority--The project being proposed must be consistent with

the missions of the programs authorized by the SFR/WR laws and

regulations.

2. Scope--The problem or need addressed in the proposal is of

direct concern to one-half or more of the States or of national

significance, but confined to a lesser geographic area. The scope of

marine resources proposals must also address a need that is of direct

concern to a majority of States on a specific coast.

3. Significance--The problem or need addressed is deserving of the

level of attention proposed.

4. Feasibility--The proposed objectives can be attained in the

amount of time and with the personnel and resources requested.

5. Cost-effectiveness--The expected results of accomplishing the

proposal are worth the costs to be expended.

6. Period--The maximum duration for any approved projects will be

three years. New proposals may be submitted to extend a project beyond

the original three-year period.

7. Documentation--Proposals must address each section of the

documentation as listed under Submission Requirements, Section G.

F. Application Process

1. All proposals including funding requests for administrative

projects must be submitted to the Chief, Division of Federal Aid, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, ARLSQ. 140,

Arlington, Virginia, 22203. Proposals originating within the Service

must have prior approval by the appropriate Regional Director or

Assistant Director.

2. Each year, a Notice will be published in the Federal Register

announcing the deadline for submitting proposals. The Notice will also

announce total funds available for wildlife and sport fish restoration

projects. A table with the approximate dates for each step of the

process is provided in Appendix A.

G. Submission Requirements

An original and two copies of each proposal for Federal Aid

Administrative funds must be submitted in the following format:

1. Application for Federal Assistance Standard form 424 is

prescribed by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-110 and the

common rule (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and

Cooperative Agreements to States and Local Government). The SF 424

consists of a coversheet, the SF 424A consists of a budget sheet, and

the SF 424B consists of compliance assurances. 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 the problem or need that this proposal is intended to

address. Make

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references to any focus areas that the proposal addresses.

b. Describe the number of states affected by the project, how they

will benefit, and expressed support for the proposal. If the proposal

is confined to a specific geographic area, describe the national

significance of the proposal.

c. 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 project

relative to the stated need. Relate benefits of satisfactorily

completing the project to the States' fish and wildlife programs. In

addition to stating how the results will be useful, describe provisions

for making the product or results available and usable to those

affected by the problem of need. Benefits should be expressed in

quantified terms, i.e., angler days, harvest per unit effort,

improvements to State administration, dollars saved, etc.

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 severable part of the

proposal. A severable part is defined as that portion of a proposal

that results in a completed product or service.

H. Focus Areas

Focus areas are those specific areas in which the States are

seeking information and assistance in administering or implementing the

Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs. Focus areas will be

announced each year by the Service, based on recommendations from the

Grants-In-Aid Committee (GIAC) in accordance with the bylaws of the

International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA). Each

year, the GIAC will be asked to submit recommendations for focus areas

after its September meeting. Each year a Federal Register Notice will

announce the Focus Areas, along with the amount of funds available for

administrative projects.

The following focus areas were identified as priority needs of the

States and those proposals addressing these needs will likely be given

priority by the States during the ranking in 1997.

1. Outreach

Providing public information on fishing, hunting, trapping, and

wildlife-associated recreation.

a. Provide innovative approaches to introducing people to hunting

and fishing including emphasis on families.

b. Create public awareness of the value of Sport Fish and Wildlife

Restoration Funds.

c. Focus public attention on and enhance public awareness of the

economic value of managing fish and wildlife resources for both

consumptive and non-consumptive recreation.

d. Provide better understanding of how to reach constituents with

information.

2. Education

Teaching or training people about fish and wildlife resources and

the responsible use of the resources.

a. Advance the public's understanding of importance of actively

managing fish and wildlife resources.

b. Promote natural resources and environmental education of ``K

through 12'' students.

c. Advance public understanding of the importance of biological

diversity in maintaining diverse hunting and fishing opportunities.

d. Provide for continuing education and training for state fish and

wildlife biologists.

3. Management

Handling, directing, manipulating, and managing fish and wildlife

populations and providing improved public access to these populations.

These focus areas relate to hands-on responsibilities of fish and

wildlife management agencies.

a. Restore, create, enhance, and protect fish and wildlife.

b. Protect, create, and enhance fish and wildlife recreational

opportunities.

c. Provide, enhance, or maintain public access to fish and wildlife

resources.

4. Research

Conducting investigations, inquiries, searches, examinations, and

experiments for the discovery and interpretation of facts.

a. Evaluate effectiveness of incorporating constituent involvement

and information in fish and wildlife resource management.

b. Measure effectiveness of habitat restoration, creation, and

enhancement techniques.

5. Administration

Providing service, supervisory, and management responsibilities

that directly link to supporting fish and wildlife agency affairs.

a. Provide better understanding of constituents and their needs.

b. Measure changing social, economic, and political environment

within which fish and wildlife must be managed.

c. Advance automated licensing and fiscal data collections for fish

and wildlife agencies.

I. Proposal Review and Selection Process

1. Each proposal will be reviewed for eligibility as defined in

section E. The review will be conducted by the Washington Office staff.

The final determination for eligibility will be made at a meeting that

includes staff from Washington, with the Chair of the GIAC as an

observer.

2. All applicants will be notified that their proposal has been

determined eligible or ineligible.

3. Copies of eligible proposals will be forwarded to the Chair,

GIAC, along with lists of ongoing grants and ineligible proposals. The

Chair, GIAC, will forward copies to the voting members of the GIAC.

4. Voting members of the GIAC will review and rate each eligible

proposal high, medium or low.

5. All ratings from GIAC voting members and comments from Service

Offices will be returned to the Division of Federal Air in Washington.

6. The Division of Federal Aid will summarize the ratings and

comments.

7. A summary of the comments and ratings will be provided to the

Chair, GIAC, for review at the GIAC September meeting.

8. During the September meeting of IAFWA, the GIAC will evaluate

and rank eligible proposals based on the needs of the States. The GIAC

will forward its rankings and recommendations to the Service in

accordance with IAFWA procedures.

9. The Division of Federal Aid will summarize and consolidate all

rankings and comments and develop recommendations for proposal

selections and awards. The recommendations may be for partial funding

of any proposal.

10. The Aid Division's recommendations will be forwarded to the

Director of the Service. The Director will review the recommendations

and make the final decision on project selections and funding.

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11. The Service will notify each eligible applicant in writing of

the final disposition of their proposal.

12. The Director will notify the Regional Directors and the Chair,

GIAC, of the proposals selected for funding.

J. Lobbying Restrictions

During the review of proposals, grant applicants may not engage in

any activities that might be considered as attempts to influence

Federal reviewers or approving officials. If the activities are

determined to be lobbying, the proposal will be disqualified for

Federal Aid Administrative Funds.

K. Awards and Funding

1. The Service's Division of Contracting and General Services will

prepare and sign the formal award agreements. The Federal Aid Office,

may provide technical assistance to the Division of Contracting and

General Services in finalizing the award agreements. The formal award

agreements will be forwarded to the awardees for signature and must be

signed by the Service and authorized awardee officials 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. All funding must comply with the bone fide need rule established

by 31 USC 1502a requiring that the entire amount of a project must be

obligated in the fiscal year the grant is approved unless the project

is severable. A project is severable only if it can be separated into

components that independently meet a separate need.

3. Non-profit grantees must maintain a financial management system

in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-110.

State and local governments must maintain a financial management system

in accordance with OMB Circular A-102 and 43 CFR Part 12.

L. Project Administration

Proposals awarded funding will be assigned to a Project Officer.

Project Officers are those persons representing the Contracting Officer

on technical matters relating to the responsibilities of the grantee.

They provide assistance that includes:

1. Assisting Service contracting officials in completing the award

agreement;

2. Serving as the Service's point of contact after the award

agreement is signed;

3. Receiving and approving bills; and

4. Monitoring project performance and assuring that the awardee

adheres to the award agreement.

Summary of Events--Appendix A

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Target date Event

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March 14................................... Federal Register Notice announcing availability of Federal Aid

Funds and focus areas for grant applications.

May 1...................................... Washington Office receives proposals.

June 16.................................... Washington Office with assistance from the Regions determines

eligibility (Chair of the Grants-In-Aid Committee (GIAC)

participates as an observer).

July 1..................................... Service forwards copies of eligible proposals to voting members of

the GIAC (includes summary list of ongoing grants and list of

ineligible proposals)

July 1..................................... Service sends letters to all applicants informing them that their

proposal is eligible or ineligible.

August 15.................................. Voting members of the GIAC forward comments and ratings to Chief,

FA (Ratings of High, Medium or Low).

September 1................................ Chief, FA, summarizes comments and ratings and forwards to Chair,

GIAC, for review at the September meeting.

September 15............................... GIAC reviews and ranks proposals and forwards rankings and

recommendations to Service, along with recommendations for Focus

Areas for the following years.

October 31................................. Federal Aid summarizes all rankings and recommendations for

consideration by the Director.

November 15................................ Director selects proposals for funding.

November 30................................ Federal Aid notifies applicants and Chair, GIAC, of the final

disposition of proposals.

March 1.................................... Contracting and General Services awards grants.

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[FR Doc. 97-5868 Filed 3-7-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-M