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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Revised Procedures for Selecting and Funding Federal Aid in Sport

Fish and Wildlife Restoration Administrative Projects

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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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 incorporates changes to the

documentation, focus areas and submission requirements.

DATES: Applications/proposals must be received by June 1, 1998.

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

proposals, 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 revised focus areas,

the requirement that the entire amount of funds requested for multi-

year projects must be obligated in the fiscal year the grant is

approved and that all proposals must be accompanied by a floppy disk

containing the project narrative.

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. Any additional information collection

requirements for this grant program are those necessary to comply with

43 CFR part 12, which include (a) project narrative: and (b) compliance

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

the tracking of costs and accomplishments, monitoring progress and

evaluating accomplishments, and reporting requirements. 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 clearance number 0348-0043.

Dated: April 6, 1998.

Jamie Rappaport Clark,

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 Pub. 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 1999, 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 program authorized by the SFR/WR laws and

regulations.

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

direct

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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 for Federal Aid administrative funding 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. See guidance below for electronic submission of proposals.

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. A

floppy disk must accompany each application that contains the narrative

portion of the proposal (excluding required forms).

Electronic submission of the narrative portion of proposals via the

Internet is encouraged and should be addressed to [email protected].

Applicants who submit proposals using email will be required to submit

hard copies of the Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form

424 series), if their projects are judged eligible for funding.

Any commonly used word processing software may be used to compose

projects submitted via disk or email.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit the narrative portion

of proposals to 10 pages or less.

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 Governments). 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 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 or 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 method 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.

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 1998.

1. Outreach--Providing public information on fishing, boat access,

hunting, trapping, and wildlife related recreation.

a. Provide innovative approaches to introducing people to hunting

and fishing, including emphasis on families.

b. Advance public awareness of the value and successes of the 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

fish and wildlife related 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. Advance public understanding of the importance of biological

diversity in maintaining diverse hunting and fishing opportunities.

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

through 12'' students.

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.

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

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

resources.

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

opportunities.

4. 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.

5. 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.

I. Proposal Review and Selection Process

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

section E. The review and final determination for eligibility will be

conducted by the Washington Office staff.

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, low, or do not fund.

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

Offices will be returned to the Division of Federal Aid 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 the 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 Federal 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.

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.

K. 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.

J. 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. The entire amount of funds required for a project must be

obligated in the fiscal year the grant is approved.

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.

K. 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 award

recipient adheres to the award agreement.

Summary of Events--Appendix A

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Target date Event

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April 14.................................. Federal Register Notice

announcing availability of

Federal Aid Funds and focus

areas for grant

applications.

June 1.................................... Washington Office receives

proposals.

June 30................................... Washington Office with

assistance from the Regions

determines eligibility

(Chair of the Grants-In-Aid

Committee (GIAC)

participates as an

observer).

July 15................................... Service forwards copies of

eligible proposals to

voting members of the GIAC

(includes summary list of

ongoing grants and list of

ineligible proposal).

July 15................................... Service sends letters to all

applicants informing them

that their proposal is

eligible or ineligible.

August 28................................. Voting members of the GIAC

forward comments and

ratings to Chief, FA

(Ratings of High, Medium,

Low, or Do Not Fund).

September 4............................... Chief, FA, summarizes

comments and ratings and

forwards to Chair, GIAC,

for review at the September

meeting.

September 13.............................. GIAC reviews and ranks

proposals and forwards

rankings and

recommendations to Service,

along with recommendations

for Focus Areas for the

following year.

October 31................................ Federal Air 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.

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March 1................................... Contracting and General

Services awards grants.

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[FR Doc. 98-9560 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-M