[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9505]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 20, 1994]


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Part VI





Department of Agriculture





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Cooperative State Research Service



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Special Research Grants Program, Water Quality for Fiscal Year 1994; 
Notice
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research Service

 
Special Research Grants Program, Water Quality for Fiscal Year 
1994; Solicitation of Applications

    Applications are invited for competitive grant awards under the 
Special Research Grants Program, Water Quality for Fiscal Year 1994.

Authority and Funding

    The authority for this program is contained in section 2(c)(1)(A) 
of the Act of August 4, 1965, Public Law No. 89-106, as amended by the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law No. 
101-624 (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)). This program is administered by the 
Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA). Under this program, and subject to the availability 
of funds, the Secretary may award grants for periods not to exceed five 
years, for the support of research projects to further the program 
discussed below. Proposals may be submitted by State agriculture 
experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research 
institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations 
or corporations, and individuals. Proposals from scientists at non-
United States organizations will not be considered for support.
    A total of approximately $1,500,000 will be available for this 
program for Fiscal Year 1994. Funds will be awarded to support research 
seeking solutions to water quality problems that are within the scope 
of the Research Problem Areas listed below. Maximum total funding will 
not exceed $400,000 per proposal for a maximum proposed funding period 
of three years. Four or five proposals are expected to be funded.
    Pursuant to section 719 of Public Law No. 103-111, (the 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1994), funds available in Fiscal 
Year 1994 to pay indirect costs on research grants awarded 
competitively by CSRS may not exceed 14 per centum of the total Federal 
funds provided under each award.
    In addition, pursuant to Section 727(b) of Public Law No. 103-111, 
in case any equipment or products may be authorized to be purchased 
with funds provided under this program, entities receiving such funds 
are encouraged to use such funds to purchase only American-made 
equipment or products.

Applicable Regulations

    Regulations applicable to this program include the following: (a) 
The administrative provisions governing the Special Research Grants 
Program, 7 CFR part 3400, as amended (56 FR 58146, November 15, 1991) 
which set forth procedures to be followed when submitting grant 
proposals, rules governing the evaluation of proposals and the awarding 
of grants, and regulations relating to the post-award administration of 
grant projects; (b) the USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, 7 
CFR part 3015; (c) the USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, 7 CFR 
part 3016; (d) the Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other 
Nonprofit Institutions, 7 CFR part 3051 (58 FR 41410, August 3, 1993); 
(e) the Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and 
Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants), 7 CFR 
part 3017, as amended; and (f) New Restrictions on Lobbying, 7 CFR part 
3018.

Program Description

    Program-related questions should be directed to either of the 
following:

Dr. Maurice L. Horton, Dr. Berlie L. Schmidt, Phone No. (202) 401-4504, 
Fax No. (202) 401-1706.

    The scope of research includes developing principles to better 
understand the effects and interactions of processes on soil and/or 
water quality degradation resulting from agricultural practices 
involving the use of certain pesticides, fertilizers and wastes
    The focus of the Fiscal Year 1994 research is to develop new and 
innovative agricultural management strategies for use by farmers and 
public officials to reduce or prevent pollution of water sources. The 
research should include development, evaluation, and/or implementation 
of practices integrated into agricultural management strategies 
designed to reduce pollution on a watershed scale. The proposed 
strategies for reducing pollution should be developed in partnership 
with Federal, State and local agencies, private industry, commodity 
groups, public interest groups or other stakeholders. Economic and 
environmental impacts upon water quality are to be considered. The 
final product of the research should be one or more agricultural 
management strategies that would be effective in reducing pollution, 
economical to implement, sustainable, acceptable to producers, and in 
compliance with policy guidelines.
    In the water quality program, the term ``Agriculture'' encompasses 
the production of food, feed, fiber, and industrial crops, trees and 
livestock, and includes rural residences and rural communities, forests 
and wooded areas. Proposals on health risk problems are excluded.
    Research Problem Areas (RPA) to be Supported under this 
Solicitation in Fiscal Year 1994:
    The proposal may include one or more of the RPAs as described 
below. This list of suggested strategies is not intended to be all 
inclusive. Proposed strategies should be designed for integration at a 
watershed scale.

A. Nutrient Management

    The goal of nutrient management is to provide a sufficient supply 
of nutrients for the crop to be produced while limiting or preventing 
contamination of the surface or ground waters.
    Nutrient management strategies developed under this RPA may include 
integration of nutrient management into water quality plans for 
watersheds, development of guidelines for making nutrient application 
recommendations, development of environmentally safe nutrient 
application methods and assessment of the impact of nutrient management 
practices upon ecosystems.

B. Pest Management

    The goal of pest management research is to reduce the risks to 
human health and the environment while providing agriculture with 
effective and economical pest management technologies.
    Many of the current pest management practices depend heavily upon 
use of pesticides which may offer risks to human health and the 
environment.
    Proposed pest management strategies may include: development and 
adoption of alternative approaches, the combination of integrated pest 
management (IPM) with other management practices, and the development 
and use of new or unique pest control practices that reduce risks to 
human health and the environment.

C. Waste Management

    Management of organic wastes (biosolids) to prevent soil and water 
contamination is a major problem facing society. Land disposal of 
biosolids from animal, municipal and industrial sources has the 
potential to contaminate soil, water and the air. Odors, excess 
nutrients, heavy metals accumulation and waste stoppage practices pose 
problems for waste management.
    Strategies to consider in waste management include development of 
guidelines for land disposal practices, development of simple cost-
effective quality control and quality assurance procedures, development 
of odor control procedures and development of beneficial uses for waste 
as a resource.

D. Decision Support Systems

    Strategies for reducing contamination of water supplies frequently 
lack the necessary database and support system for making reasonable 
management decisions. The focus of this research is to develop decision 
making systems which permit beneficial use of the land while preventing 
pollution of the land, air or water. Employment of new technologies, 
such as geographical information systems, remote sensing and model 
development, is encouraged.
    The decision support systems should aid producers, consultants or 
applicators in making decisions regarding management of nutrients, 
pesticides or wastes. The systems must reduce the potential for 
pollution of land, air or water.

Format for Research Grant Proposals

    The administrative provisions governing the Special Research Grants 
Program, 7 CFR part 3400, set forth instructions for the preparation of 
grant proposals. The following proposal format requirements are in 
addition to or deviate from those contained in 7 CFR 3400.4(c). In 
accordance with 7 CFR 3400.4(c), to the extent that any of the 
following additional requirements are inconsistent or in conflict with 
the instructions at 7 CFR 3400.4(c), the provisions of this 
solicitation shall apply.
    The sections of the proposal shall be assembled in the following 
order: (1) Application for Funding, (2) Title of Project, (3) Abstract, 
(4) Key Words, (5) Justification, (6) Objectives, (7) Procedures, (8) 
Research Timetable, (9) Literature Review, (10) Current Research, (11) 
Facilities and Equipment, (12) Collaborative Arrangements, (13) 
Curriculum Vitae of Investigators, (14) Budget, (15) Assurance 
Statement(s), if applicable, (16) Current and Pending Support, and (17) 
NEPA statement.
    Application for Funding. Attach a completed and signed Application 
for Funding, Form CSRS-661, to the front of the proposal. Be certain to 
list in Block 8 the letter(s) assigned to the Research Problem Area(s) 
(RPA) listed above that best describe the greatest emphasis of the 
proposed research, then the second and third greatest emphasis, if 
applicable (e.g., A, B, C). This will be the basis of grouping 
proposals and for determining training and experience needed by the 
peer review panelists who will evaluate each proposal.
    One copy of Form CSRS-661, preferably the original, must contain 
pen-and-ink signatures of the principal investigator(s) and the 
authorized organizational representative. Form CSRS-661 and other 
required forms and certifications are contained in the Application Kit.
    Type and Paper Size. Type should be no smaller than 12 characters 
per inch, single-spaced on one side of 8\1/2\'' x 11'' paper. Total 
length of the proposal shall not exceed 20 pages, excluding forms 
(i.e., cover page, budget form, assurance statement(s), and current and 
pending support) and the NEPA statement with its supporting 
documentation. Reduction by photocopying or other means for the purpose 
of meeting above-stated page limits is not permitted. Attachment of 
appendices is not permitted. Proposals which do not fall within the 
guidelines of this solicitation will be eliminated from the competition 
and will be returned to the applicant as stated in Section 3400.14(a) 
of the Administrative Provisions governing the Special Research Grants 
Program.
    Abstract and Key Words. The body of the proposal should be prefaced 
by an abstract and key words which are used to classify the proposal.
    Abstract. Include factual, concise, and clear statements of 
proposed research as phrases or sentences. Limit the length of the 
abstract to five lines.
    Key Words. Select two double words or four single words that 
describe the research emphasis, such as water quality, conservation 
tillage, nitrates, tillage, models, or contaminants.
    Justification. Describe the water quality problems, or potential 
problems, including: where they occur; relevance to site-specific, 
watershed, regional, State, and national size scales. The expected 
application or use of resulting information should be explained, for 
example: value to the economy, methods of chemical analyses, need for 
specific model, basis of recommendations, understanding of processes, 
or relevancy to a specific water quality research program.
    Multi-Institutions/Organizations. Multi-disciplinary and multi-
institution collaboration is encouraged and must demonstrate 
significant contributions to the planning and conduct of the research 
by the collaborators. Collaborative or cooperative arrangements with 
other institutions, organizations, or agencies could include the 
Agricultural Research Service, Soil Conservation Service, Extension 
Service, Economic Research Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency through projects, such as Hydrologic 
Unit Area, Management Systems Evaluation Areas (MSEA), Demonstration 
Sites, Farmstead Assessment, and Area Studies.
    Budget, Form CSRS-55. A copy of Form CSRS-55, along with 
instructions for completing it, is included in the Application Kit. 
Applicants should note the special instructions shown below when 
completing Form CSRS-55.
    Item D., ``Nonexpendable Equipment.'' Requested items of equipment 
must be itemized (by description and cost) on a separate sheet of paper 
attached to Form CSRS-55, or in the body of the proposal. The need for 
all requested equipment must be fully justified in the proposal.
    Item F., ``Travel.'' The type and extent of travel and its 
relationship to project objectives should be described and justified. 
It should be noted that the terms and conditions of any grant awarded 
under this program will require Principal Investigators, as defined at 
7 CFR 3400.2(c), to participate in at least one annual regional or 
national research reporting, evaluation, and planning workshop or 
conference, for the purpose of interstate, interagency, and 
interdisciplinary coordination in this water quality program. Funds may 
be requested under this budget category for these workshop/conference 
costs.
    Item I., ``All Other Direct Costs.'' Subawards are to be shown on 
each budget sheet of the primary budget. Subawardee budgets should be 
provided on separate forms in the same detail.
    Item K., ``Indirect Costs.'' The recovery of indirect costs under 
this program may not exceed the lesser of the grantee institution's 
official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 14% of 
total Federal funds awarded. This limitation also applies to the 
recovery of indirect costs by any subawardee or subcontractor, and 
should be reflected in the subrecipient budget.

Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act

    As outlined in 7 CFR part 3407 (CSRS's implementing regulations of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)), environmental 
data or documentation for the proposed project is to be provided to 
CSRS in order to assist CSRS in carrying out its responsibilities under 
NEPA, which include determining whether the proposed project requires 
an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement or 
whether it can be excluded from this requirement on the basis of 
several categorical exclusions. To assist CSRS in this determination, 
the applicant should review the categories defined for exclusion listed 
below to ascertain whether the proposed project may fall within one of 
the exclusions.
    A separate statement, indicating the applicant's opinion of whether 
or not the project falls within a categorical exclusion, and the 
reasons and supporting documentation therefor, must be included in the 
proposal. If the applicant is of the opinion that the proposed project 
may fall within a categorical exclusion, the specific exclusion must be 
identified. The information submitted in association with NEPA 
compliance should be identified as ``NEPA Considerations'' and the 
narrative statement and supporting documentation should be placed at 
the back of the proposal.
    The following Categorical Exclusions apply:
    (1) Department of Agriculture Categorical Exclusions (7 CFR 1b.3)
    (i) Policy development, planning and implementation which are 
related to routine activities such as personnel, organizational 
changes, or similar administrative functions;
    (ii) Activities which deal solely with the functions of programs, 
such as program budget proposals, disbursements, and transfer or 
reprogramming of funds;
    (iii) Inventories, research activities, and studies, such as 
resource inventories and routine data collection when such actions are 
clearly limited in context and intensity;
    (iv) Educational and informational programs and activities;
    (v) Civil and criminal law enforcement and investigative 
activities;
    (vi) Activities which are advisory and consultative to other 
agencies and public and private entities; and
    (vii) Activities related to trade representation and market 
development activities abroad.
    (2) CSRS Categorical Exclusions (7 CFR 3407.6(a)(2))
    Based on previous experience, the following categories of CSRS 
actions are excluded because they have been found to have limited scope 
and intensity and to have no significant individual or cumulative 
impacts on the quality of the human environment:
    (i) The following categories of research programs or projects of 
limited size and magnitude or with only short-term effects on the 
environment:
    (A) Research conducted within any laboratory, greenhouse, or other 
contained facility where research practices and safeguards prevent 
environmental impacts;
    (B) Surveys, inventories, and similar studies that have limited 
context and minimal intensity in terms of changes in the environment; 
and
    (C) Testing outside of the laboratory, such as in small isolated 
field plots, which involves the routine use of familiar chemicals or 
biological materials.
    (ii) Routine renovation, rehabilitation, or revitalization of 
physical facilities, including the acquisition and installation of 
equipment, where such activity is limited in scope and intensity.
    Even though the applicant considers that a proposed project may 
fall within a categorical exclusion, CSRS may determine that an 
Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement is 
necessary for a proposed project if substantial controversy on 
environmental grounds exists or if other extraordinary conditions or 
circumstances are present that may cause such activity to have a 
significant environmental effect.

Review Criteria

    Proposals will be evaluated by a peer review group of qualified 
scientists selected in accord with Section 3400.11 of the 
administrative provisions governing the Special Research Grants 
Program. The composition of the group will be based upon the Research 
Problem Areas of the proposals as identified by the applicants. 
Pursuant to 7 CFR 3400.5(a), the following selection criteria for 
proposals will be used in lieu of those which appear in Section 3400.15 
of the administrative provisions:
    Selection criteria and maximum score:
Overall Scientific and Technical Quality--40
--Creative and innovative scientific approach
--Clear, concise, and achievable objectives
--Technical soundness of procedures
--Feasibility of attaining objectives
Justification, Review of Literature and Current Research--15
--Importance of the problem
--Relevance of proposed research to the problem
--Literature focused on specific research approach and objective
Budget, Resources, and Personnel--15
--Necessary facilities, resources, and personnel available
--Budget appropriate for proposed research
--Demonstrated scientific capability of investigators
Collaboration--20
--Evidence of significant contributions by collaborators
--Evidence and justification of multi-disciplinary and/or multi-
institutional collaboration
Application of Research Results--10
--Planned application and implementation of research results
--Extension, transferability, and publication of results
--Potential for results to enhance agricultural sustainability

Total--100

How to Obtain Application Materials

    Copies of this solicitation, the Application Kit, and the 
administrative provisions governing this program, 7 CFR Part 3400, many 
be obtained by writing to the address or calling the telephone number 
which follows: Proposal Services Branch; Awards Management Division; 
Cooperative State Research Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Ag 
Box 2245; Washington, D.C. 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
    These materials may also be requested via Internet by sending a 
message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and phone number 
to [email protected]. which states that you want a copy of the 
application materials for the Fiscal Year 1994 Special Research Grants 
Program, Water Quality. The materials will then be mailed to you (not 
e-mailed) as quickly as possible.
    Applicants should note that separate but complementary programs in 
water resources assessment and protection, soils and soil biology, and 
agricultural systems exist within the CSRS National Research Initiative 
Competitive Grants Program. For further information on that program, 
contact the Proposal Services Branch at the address listed above. 
Proposals should be submitted to the most appropriate program--
submission of duplicate proposals or proposals with substantial overlap 
to both programs is discouraged.

What to Submit

    An original and twelve copies of each proposal, prepared in 
accordance with the instructions found above, must be submitted. This 
number of copies is necessary to permit thorough, objective peer 
evaluation of all proposals received before funding decisions are made.
    All copies of a proposal must be mailed in one package and each 
copy must be stapled securely in the upper left-hand corner. Every 
effort should be made to ensure that the proposal contains all 
pertinent information when initially submitted.
    One copy of each proposal not selected for funding will be retained 
for a period of one year. The remaining copies will be destroyed.

Where and When to Submit Applications

    To be considered for funding during Fiscal Year 1994, proposals 
must be submitted by June 10, 1994.
    Proposals submitted through the regular mail must be postmarked by 
June 10, 1994, and should be sent to the following address: Proposal 
Services Branch; Awards Management Division; Cooperative State Research 
Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Ag Box 2245; Washington, D.C. 
20250-2245. The telephone number is: (202) 401-5048.
    Hand-delivered proposals must be submitted to an express mail or 
courier service by June 10, 1994, or brought to the following address 
by 4:30 P.M. on June 10, 1994: Proposal Services Branch; Awards 
Management Division; Cooperative State Research Service; U.S. 
Department of Agriculture; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, 
S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20024. The telephone number is: (202) 401-5048.

Supplementary Information

    The Special Research Grants Program is listed in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.200. For reasons set forth in 
the final Rule-related Notice to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 
29115, June 24, 1983), this program is excluded from the scope of 
Executive Order 12372 which requires intergovernmental consultation 
with State and local officials.
    Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3504(h)), the collection of information requirements contained 
in this Notice have been approved under OMB Document No. 0524-0022.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 14th day of April 1994.
John Patrick Jordan,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research Service.
[FR Doc. 94-9505 Filed 4-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-M