[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7787-7788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3159]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Biological Service


State Partnership Program

AGENCY: National Biological Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Biological Service (NBS) is announcing the 
availability of funds to States for research, inventory and monitoring, 
and the dissemination of information relating to biological resources. 
This program is intended to encourage and reinforce cooperative working 
relationships between NBS and the States, and among States and their 
agencies. It is anticipated that the resulting cooperation and 
collaboration will produce and make available more and better 
biological information at less cost by leveraging public funds for 
greater efficiency.

DATES: Materials concerning this program, proposals, and applications 
for Federal assistance must be received by March 22, 1995. Decisions on 
the proposals will be made in April 1995.

ADDRESSES: Proposals should be sent to the National Biological Service 
State Partnership Program; Mail Stop 3070-MIB, 1849 C Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Anne Young, Mail Stop 3070-
MIB, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240, telephone 202-482-3188, 
or on internet as [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    The NBS is developing a multi-dimensional State Partnership Program 
intended to build upon relationships between States and the Department 
of the Interior (DOI) bureau elements that have been transferred to NBS 
with the goals of (1) fostering collaborative efforts within and 
between States to increase the availability of sound ecological and 
biological science to decisionmakers; (2) producing information and 
products regarding biological and ecological resources useful for 
decisionmaking to all levels of government and the private sector; (3) 
promoting more efficient use of both NBS and State funding by fostering 
collaboration, and (4) promoting overall closer relationships with the 
States. This program is conducted in furtherance of the Secretary's 
obligations under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a-j) 
and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-667e). NBS 
solicits applications for project funding.

B. Background

    The NBS was created in November 1993, as an independent science 
bureau in DOI. The Secretary of the Interior issued Order No. 3185 on 
January 5, 1995, changing the name of ``the National Biological 
Survey'' to ``the National Biological Service'' to more accurately 
reflect the mission of the agency. Sec. 6.b. of Order No. 3185 reads: 
``States have significant resource management responsibilities, 
including species other than those entrusted to the Federal Government. 
Also, they hold much of the information necessary to understand 
important resource issues. The NBS will work with States to understand 
the biological resource issues and share data, working with them to 
establish common protocols and standards for data collection, analysis, 
and dissemination.''
    The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 1993 report on the NBS, A 
Biological Survey for the Nation, stated that effective conservation 
and protection of the Nation's resources depended on strong 
partnerships between Federal and State agencies. The NBS concurs 
strongly and seeks to expand its interactions with States. A key to NBS 
success is the development of close collaboration between NBS and 
States, and among various State agencies.
    States have diverse capabilities for collecting data useful to a 
variety of decisionmakers. Each State has legal mandates for conserving 
and managing its fish and wildlife resources for values including 
cultural, aesthetic, educational, scientific, economical, and 
recreational. The NBS inherited constructive working relationships with 
States through the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit programs 
and a wide variety of programs and projects at the Fish and Wildlife 
Research Centers now generally referred to as Science Centers--and 
other field units. NBS therefore is keenly aware of the array of 
biological information and expertise available from State agencies, and 
how many of their missions and goals correlate well with NBS programs.

C. Availability of Funds

    The NBS is inviting State agencies and institutions whose primary 
focus is on natural resources to submit applications for funding for 
Fiscal Year 1995. The total funding available for Fiscal Year 1995 is 
$600,000. These monies will be provided to successful applicants on a 
competitive basis. In order to maximize the number of States able to 
participate, there is no minimum project cost. The maximum project cost 
will be $150,000. Proposals showing matching funds and in-kind 
contributions are encouraged as are proposals that are submitted as 
collaborative projects among State entities or involving two or more 
States.

D. Eligibility Requirements

    Any agency or instrumentality of the several States, The District 
of Columbia, and all Territories, Possessions and Commonwealths of the 
United States, that conducts natural resource identification, 
monitoring, or research, may apply.

E. Application Process

    Any parties interested in obtaining more information from the NBS 
State Partnership program and/or information on how to apply for 
available funds should write to: The National Biological Service, State 
Partnership Information Request, Mail Stop 3070-MIB, 1849 C Street NW., 
Washington, D.C. 20240, Attn: Mr. Robin O'Malley; or Internet: 
O'[email protected]
    All requestors will receive an information package with detailed 
application instructions including the proposal format, the criteria 
for funding, the methods by which proposals will be selected, a 
description of NBS programs and priorities for FY 1995, a list of NBS 
contacts for the specific areas, and an Application for Federal 
Assistance (Standard Form 424). [[Page 7788]] 

F. Dates

    Proposals and Applications for Federal Assistance must be submitted 
to the above address by March 22, 1995. Decisions on the proposals will 
be made in April 1995.
F. Eugene Hester,
Deputy Director, NBS.
[FR Doc. 95-3159 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DP-P