[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 218 (Friday, November 8, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 57889-57890] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-28756] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey Biological Resources Division; Species at Risk Program ACTION: Notice of Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Biological Resources Division (BRD) is announcing the availability of funds through the Species at Risk Program (SAR). The basic purpose of SAR is to fund short-term research, inventory and monitoring projects to generate information that allows development of conservation agreements, action plans and management alternatives that provide for the protection of species of flora and fauna and their habitats and thereby reduce the need for listing species as threatened or endangered. DATES: Information packages describing requirements for participation in this initiative will be available upon request until December 13, 1996. ADDRESSES: Parties interested in this program should request an information package from: Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 300, Reston, VA 20192 ATTN. Mr. John Mosesso or Ms. Wendy Kuhne. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Mosesso or Ms. Wendy Kuhne, Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 300, Reston, VA 20192 E-Mail: John__M[email protected] or Wendy__K[email protected] or at 703-648-4070. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Purpose Species at Risk (SAR) is a program that develops scientific information on the status and trends of sensitive species, particularly with respect to the relationship of species abundance and distribution to habitat conditions and stresses. The basic purpose of SAR is to generate information that allows development of conservation agreements, action plans and management alternatives that provide for the protection of species and their habitats and thereby reduce the need for listing species as threatened or endangered. The program provides an opportunity for investigators to participate through survey, monitoring and research activities. Projects are specifically intended to be of short duration and should seek to optimize partnerships with Federal agencies, states, universities and others in the private sector. Successful SAR projects are often conducted by investigators who have identified key small but critical gaps in our biological knowledge. Projects then fill these gaps and provide resource managers, regulators and private landowners useable information from which prudent resource management decisions can be made. As in previous years, SAR will focus on species for which there is concern but limited information on their abundance, distribution and/or status. Projects should identify or develop new information that will reduce the need [[Page 57890]] for a formal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has provided a list of species of particular concern (list will be provided with application package). Projects focusing on these species will be given special consideration. Projects focusing on species not included on this list will also be considered if accompanied by sufficient justification. This program is specifically directed towards species for which opportunities exist for developing strategies that assure long-term population stability and reduce the likelihood they will have to be dealt with through the regulatory processes. Therefore, projects involving FWS ``Candidate,'' ``Threatened,'' or ``Endangered'' species will not be considered. Likewise, species of great abundance, regardless of the management challenges they pose, are beyond the focus of SAR and will be rejected in the screening process. This program is conducted in furtherance of the Secretary's obligations under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 USC 742a-742j, as amended) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 USC 661- 667e, as amended). B. Background The National Biological Service was transferred to the U.S. Geological Survey and renamed the Biological Resources Division (BRD) under Secretarial Order No. 3202 on October 1,1996. BRD gathers and analyzes biological information and serves as an information clearinghouse, providing broad access to the widest possible range of factual data on the status and trends of the Nation's biota and the potential effects of land management choices. This information serves public and private landowners who are interested in sustaining biological resources. It also provides understanding to help avoid conflicts that can both impede development and degrade natural habitats. The Species at Risk Program will develop scientific information and alternatives to assist Federal, State, and other land managers in their decisions regarding the protection of sensitive species and habitats. C. Availability of Funds Through this program, pre-proposals are invited for funding in Fiscal Year 1997. Total funding anticipated for the fiscal year is up to $370,000. Monies will be provided to successful applicants on a competitive basis. In order to maximize the number of proposals there is no minimum project cost. The maximum project cost will be $80,000. D. Eligibility Requirements Under the terms specified in the information package, pre-proposals will be accepted from State agencies, private and industry groups, academic institutions, and Native American Tribes and Nations. Pre- proposals will be evaluated in light of their scientific merit, partnership opportunities, potential for providing useful information to resource managers, potential for conservation agreements, possibilities for cost sharing, and demonstration of successful completion within 18 months of date of initiation. Possible selectees will then be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration of funding. E. Application Process Parties interested in participating in this program should request an information package that will include detailed application forms, Federal Assistance forms (Standard Form 424, etc.), proposal format requirements, etc. from: Mail: Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 300, Reston, VA 20192, attn. John Mosesso or Wendy Kuhne Or E-Mail: John__M[email protected] Wendy__K[email protected] Or Call: (703) 648-4070 F. Dates Notice of interest in this program must be received by December 13, 1996. Dennis B. Fenn, Chief Biologist, Biological Resources Division, [FR Doc. 96-28756 Filed 11-7-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-31-P