[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 884-888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-159]



[[Page 883]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part V





Department of Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Special Research Grants Program, Pest Management Alternatives Research; 
Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 884]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Special Research Grants Program, Pest Management Alternatives 
Research; Fiscal Year 1997; Solicitation of Proposals

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice

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

Purpose: Proposals of regional research significance are invited for 
competitive grant awards under the Special Research Grants Program-Pest 
Management Alternatives Research (the program) for fiscal year (FY) 
1997. This program implements the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 
between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) signed August 15, 1994, and 
amended April 18, 1996, which establishes a coordinated framework for 
collaborative efforts to develop and implement activities that will 
make alternative pest management materials available to agricultural 
producers when regulatory action by the USEPA or voluntary cancellation 
by the registrant results in the unavailability of certain agricultural 
pesticides or pesticide uses. In this MOU, the USDA and USEPA agreed 
to: (1) cooperate in providing for agricultural pest management that is 
conducted in the most environmentally-sound manner possible, with 
sufficient pest management alternatives to reduce risks to human health 
and the environment, to reduce the incidence of pest resistance to 
pesticides and to ensure economical agricultural production, and (2) 
cooperate in establishing a process to conduct the research, technology 
transfer and registration activities necessary to ensure adequate pest 
management alternatives are available to meet important agricultural 
needs for situations in which regulatory action would result in pest 
management problems. The goal of this program is to develop 
alternatives for critical needs to insure that farmers, foresters, 
ranchers, and urban pest management specialists and other users have 
reliable methods of managing pest problems. Emphasis is placed on 
current and potential loss of select pesticides due to increased worker 
and food safety and environmental concerns leading to regulatory review 
and actions, and the loss of pest management practices due to 
performance failures such as those caused by genetic changes in pests.

Authority

    The program is administered by the USDA Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). The authority is contained 
in section 2(c)(1)(A) of the Act of August 4, 1995, Pub. L. No. 89-106, 
as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)). Under this program, subject to the 
availability of funds, the Secretary may make grants, for periods not 
to exceed five years, to State Agricultural Experiment Stations, all 
colleges and universities, other research institutions and 
organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, 
and individuals for the purpose of conducting research to facilitate or 
expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural 
sciences of importance to the United States.
    Proposals from scientists affiliated with non-United States 
organizations are not eligible for funding nor are scientists who are 
directly or indirectly engaged in the registration of pesticides for 
profit; however, their collaboration with funded projects is 
encouraged.

Available Funding

    Subject to the availability of funds, the amount available for 
support of this program in FY 1997 is $1,516,865. Proposals should be 
for no more than a two-year period.
    Puruant to Section 712 of Pub. L. No. 104-180, the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1997 (``1997 Appropriations Act''), CSREES may not 
use funds available in FY 1997 to pay indirect cost on research grants 
awarded competitively that exceed 14 percent of the total Federal funds 
provided under each award.
    In addition, pursuant to Section 716(b) of the 1997 Appropriations 
Act, in the case of any equipment or product that may be authorized to 
be purchased with grant funds provided under this program, entities are 
encouraged to use such funds to purchase only American-made equipment 
or products.

Applicable Regulations

    This Program is subject to the administrative provisions for the 
Special Research Grants Program found in 7 CFR Part 3400 (56 FR 58147, 
November 15, 1991), which set forth procedures to be followed when 
submitting grant proposals, rules governing the evaluation of 
proposals, the awarding of grants, and post-award administration of 
such grants. Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to 
grant proposals considered for review or to grants awarded under this 
Program. These include, but are not limited to:

7 CFR Part 3019--USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and 
Other Non-Profit Organizations implementing OMB Circular A-110; and
7 CFR Part 3051--Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other 
Nonprofit Institutions.

    This competitive grants program addresses the need for development 
of pest management alternatives to provide for production of abundant 
and affordable food supplies, to increase the availability of 
biological and cultural methods as pest management options, and to meet 
the policy goals set forth in sections 1439 and 1484 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-624. 
These activities pertain to pesticides identified for possible 
regulatory action under section 102 of the Food Quality Protection Act 
of 1996, Pub. L. 104-170, that amends the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

Funding Categories for Fiscal Year 1997

    The following priority areas have been identified by the USDA and 
USEPA through interaction with State Agricultural Experiment Station 
research and extension faculty via the National Agricultural Pesticide 
Impact Assessment Program and state and regional Integrated Pest 
Management (IPM) program. In addition, commodity groups and producers 
of affected crops were involved in the identification of project areas. 
Needs were identified to address replacement technologies for 
pesticides under current and potential regulatory review or where 
pesticides are unavailable due to voluntary cancellation by the 
registrant and for which producers and other users do not have 
effective alternatives or where regulatory actions trigger pest 
resistance problems that limit IPM options. Replacements for methyl 
bromide are not addressed by this request for proposals. The identified 
priority areas for FY 1997 projects are:

    Note: Projects dealing with other crop and pest combinations 
will not be considered. However, proposals may address the 
development of an IPM system that will result in economic management 
of the targeted crop/pest combination.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Commodity                              Pests           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfalfa...................................  Aphids.                     
Apples....................................  Mites.                      
Apricots..................................  Mites.                      

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Artichokes................................  Aphids.                     
Blackberry/raspberry......................  Pear psylla.                
                                            Rhizopus.                   
                                            Rust                        
Cabbage...................................  Thrips.                     
                                            Mites.                      
Carrot....................................  Dodder.                     
                                            Mites.                      
                                            Fungal leaf diseases.       
Cole crops................................  Aphids.                     
Collards..................................  Alternaria.                 
                                            Anthracnose.                
                                            Cercospora.                 
Cranberry.................................  Mites.                      
Cruciferous greens........................  Alternaria.                 
                                            White rust.                 
Grape.....................................  Grape phlloxera.            
                                            Black vine weevil.          
Leafy greens..............................  Aphids.                     
Leek/shallot..............................  Alternaria.                 
                                            Botrytis.                   
                                            Downy mildew.               
Lemon/tangerine...........................  Pale color.                 
Lettuce...................................  Aphids.                     
Millet....................................  Annual grasses.             
Peaches...................................  Mites.                      
Pecans....................................  Yellow pecan aphid.         
Peppermint/spearmint......................  Weeds.                      
Plums/prunes..............................  Mites.                      
                                            Brown rot.                  
Pumpkin...................................  Pigweed.                    
                                            Nightshade.                 
Radicchio.................................  Aphids.                     
Rice......................................  Rice water weevil.          
Sorghum...................................  Chinch bug.                 
                                            Broadleaf weeds.            
Spinach...................................  Fungal leaf diseases.       
Sugar cane................................  Weeds.                      
                                            Aphids.                     
Sweet potato..............................  Weeds.                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposal should address:
    (1) Identification of the pest management problem, estimation of 
economic impact, and documentation of the pest management problem and 
losses associated with the pest(s).
    (2) Analysis of the availability of options and their applicability 
as possible solutions including their compatibility with integrated 
management systems.
    (3) Explicit documentation is needed to qualify the project 
emphasizing environmental issues, human safety, or resistance 
management concerns which make the present management options 
impractical.
    (4) A summary of past research or extension activities that 
demonstrate the practicability of the proposed alternative(s).
    (5) A detailed plan for the research, education and technology 
transfer to achieve the alternative development and field 
implementation with identified milestones.
    (6) An analysis of the durability of the proposed option and the 
technologic and economic feasibility of the proposed solution.
    (7) Demonstrated growers' involvement in the identification of 
potential approaches to solutions and the opportunity for public/
private partnerships and matching resources from grower or commodity 
groups.
    (8) An overview of the availability of natural controls 
(biological, cultural, and host resistance) as solutions or partial 
solutions to the pest management problem and compatibility with IPM or 
crop management systems. This Program will not support basic plant 
breeding or other tactics where significant progress toward 
implementation cannot be accomplished within two years. However, this 
program will support research on the incorporation of pest resistant 
cultivars into a production system.
    (9) Where registrations of new management options by state and 
Federal agencies are required, the proposal should describe the 
collaborative actions being taken with regulators which lead toward 
registration and use of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
    (10) Demonstrate appropriate budget and collaborative funding to 
accomplish the proposed project.
    All projects that involve a new registration of a product or 
expanded labelling must be done in compliance with GLP Standards (40 
CFR Part 160). IR-4 coordinators are available in every state to advise 
or assist with GLP and registration requirements. Projects involving 
collaborative registration and funding are encouraged.

Proposal Evaluation

    Proposals will be evaluated by the Administrator of CSREES assisted 
by a peer panel with IPM expertise. CSREES seeks proposals which 
address the following issues: (1) A significant reduction of risk of 
human health or the environment that would result; (2) no current 
viable alternatives and documented significant potential losses; (3) 
significant producer involvement; (4) natural controls as partial or 
effective solutions to pest management problems; and (5) solutions 
capable of being rapidly brought to bear on critical problems. 
Registration considerations must be addressed when they are required 
for solution implementation.
1. Executive Summary--10 points
    (An evaluation of how well the proposal summary can be understood 
by a diverse audience of university personnel, producers, various 
public and private groups, budget staff and the general public.)
2. Appropriateness of the Budget--5 points
    (An evaluation of appropriate and detailed budget request and 
collaborative funding to accomplish the proposed project; collaborative 
arrangements clearly documented.)
3. Problem Statement, Background and Rationale--15 points
    (Includes the evaluation of significant reduction of risk to human 
health or the environment; no viable alternatives presently exist; and 
significant potential losses would occur without the alternative(s) 
being developed under this proposal.)
4. Research, Education & Technology Transfer Plan--40 points
    (In addition to the evaluation of a detailed plan for research, 
education, and technology transfer and summary of past research or 
extension activities that demonstrate the practicability of the 
proposed alternative(s), includes the evaluation of whether the 
proposed solutions could rapidly be brought to bear on critical 
problems and registration consideration are addressed where they are 
required for solution implementation.)
5. Producer Involvement--15 points
    (Evaluation includes growers' involvement in the identification of 
potential approaches to solutions and the opportunity for public/
private partnerships and matching resources from grower or commodity 
groups.)
6. Professional Competence of the Project Team--5 points
7. Integration of Natural Control Solutions--10 points
    (Includes the evaluation of natural controls as partial or 
effective solutions to the pest management problems being addressed and 
an analysis of the durability of the proposed option and the 
technologic and economic feasibility of the proposed solution.)

Programmatic Contact

    For additional information on the Program, please contact; Dr. 
Michael Fitzner, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 2220, Washington, D.C. 
20250-2220; Telephone: (202) 401-4939; Fax Number: (202) 401-4888; E-
mail address: [email protected].

How to Obtain Application Materials

    Copies of this solicitation, the administrative provisions for the 
Program (7 CFR Part 3400), and the

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Application Kit, which contains required forms, certifications, and 
instructions for preparing and submitting applications for funding, may 
be obtained by contacting: Proposal Services Unit, Grants Management 
Branch, Office of Extramural Programs, Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
2245, Washington, D.C. 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048. When 
contacting the Proposal Services Unit, please indicate that you are 
requesting forms for the Special Research Grants Program, Pest 
Management Alternatives Research.
    Application materials may also be requested via Internet by sending 
a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone 
number to [email protected] that states that you wish to receive a copy 
of the application materials for the FY 1997 Special Research Grants 
Program, Pest Management Alternatives Research. The materials will then 
be mailed to you (not e-mailed) as quickly as possible.

Proposal Format

    Members of review committees and the staff expect each project 
description to be complete in itself. The administrative provisions 
governing the Special Research Grants Program, 7 CFR Part 3400, set 
forth instructions for the preparation of grant proposals. The 
following requirements deviate from those contained in section 
3400.4(c). The following provisions of this solicitation shall apply.
    Proposals submitted to the Program should address the described 
criteria. Each proposal should provide a detailed plan for the 
research, education and technology transfer required to implement the 
alternative solution in the field. Involvement of growers or other 
users in the project is essential and should be clearly identified.
    Proposals should adhere to the following format: items 3 through 6 
should not exceed 12 single spaced/single-sided pages altogether, using 
no type less than 12 point (10 cpi) font size with one-inch margins. 
The pages should be numbered.
    (1) Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661). All full proposals 
submitted by eligible applicants should contain an Application for 
Funding, Form CSREES-661, which must be signed by the proposed 
principal investigator(s) and endorsed by the cognizant Authorized 
Organizational Representative who possesses the necessary authority to 
commit the applicant's time and other relevant resources. Principal 
investigators who do not sign the full proposal cover sheet will not be 
listed on the grant document in the event an award is made. The title 
of the proposal must be brief (80-character maximum), yet represent the 
major emphasis of the project. Because this title will be used to 
provide information to those who may not be familiar with the proposed 
project, highly technical words or phraseology should be avoided where 
possible. In addition, phrases such as ``investigation of'' or 
``research on'' should not be used.
    (2) Executive Summary. Describe the project in terms that can be 
understood by a diverse audience of university personnel, producers, 
various public and private groups, budget staff, and the general 
public. This should be on a separate page, no more than one page in 
length and have the following format: Name(s) of principal 
investigator(s) and institutional affiliation, project title, key words 
and project summary. A computer disc indicating the word processing 
program used and the file name for the Executive Summary should be 
submitted with the original copy of the proposal.
    (3) Problem Statement. Identify the pest management problem 
addressed, its significance and options for solution. Define the 
production area addressed by the proposed solution and the potential 
applicability to other production regions.
    (4) Rationale and Significance. Provide information on the basis 
and rationale for the proposed project. Compatibility with current IPM 
and crop production practices, technologic economic feasibility and 
potential durability should be addressed. Explicit documentation is 
needed to qualify the project emphasizing environmental issues, human 
safety, or resistance management concerns that make present management 
options impractical.
    (5) Research, Education and Technology Transfer Plan. Provide a 
detailed plan with milestones identified.
    (6) Producer Involvement. Provide information on producer or other 
user involvement in identification of the proposed solution and 
involvement in implementing the proposed solution.
    (7) Facilities and Equipment. All facilities and major items of 
equipment that are available for use or assignment to the proposed 
research project during the requested period of support should be 
described. In addition, items of nonexpendable equipment necessary to 
conduct and successfully conclude the proposed project should be listed 
with the amount for each item.
    (8) Collaborative Arrangements. If the nature of the proposed 
project requires collaboration or subcontractual arrangements with 
other research scientists, corporations, organizations, agencies, or 
entities, the applicant must identify the collaborator(s) and provide a 
full explanation of the nature of the collaboration. Evidence (i.e., 
letters of intent) should be provided to assure peer reviewers that the 
collaborators involved have agreed to render this service. In addition, 
the proposal must indicate whether or not such a collaborative 
arrangement(s) has the potential for conflict(s) of interest.
    (9) Personnel Support. To assist peer reviewers in assessing the 
competence and experience of the proposed project staff, key personnel 
who will be involved in the proposed project must be clearly 
identified. For each principal investigator involved, and for all 
senior associates and other professional personnel who expect to work 
on the project, whether or not funds are sought for their support, the 
following should be included:
    (i) An estimate of the time commitments necessary;
    (ii) Curriculum vitae. The curriculum vitae should be limited to a 
presentation of academic and research credentials, e.g., educational, 
employment and professional history, and honors and awards. Unless 
pertinent to the project, to personal status, or to the status of the 
organization, meetings attended, seminars given, or personal data such 
as birth date, martial status, or community activities should not be 
included. Each vitae shall be no more than two pages in length, 
excluding the publication lists. USDA reserves the option of not 
forwarding for further consideration a proposal in which each vitae 
exceeds the two-page limit; and
    (iii) Publication List(s). A chronological list of all publications 
in referred journals during the past five years, including those in 
press, must be provided for each professional project member for whom a 
curriculum vitae is provided. Authors should be listed in the same 
order as they appear on each paper cited, along with the title and 
complete reference as these items usually appear in journals.
    (10) Budget. A detailed budget is required for each year of 
requested support. In addition, a summary budget is required detailing 
requested support for the overall project period. A copy of the form 
which must be used for this purpose, Form CSREES-55, along with 
instructions for completion, is included in the Application Kit and may 
be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be requested under any 
of the categories listed, provided that the item or service for which 
support is requested may be identified as

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necessary for successful conduct of the proposed project, is allowable 
under applicable Federal cost principles, and is not prohibited under 
any applicable Federal statute. However, 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 percent 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.

    Note: For projects awarded under the authority of Sec. 
2(c)(1)(A) of Pub. L. No. 89-106, no funds will be awarded for the 
renovation or refurbishment of research spaces; the purchase or 
installation of fixed equipment in such spaces; or for the planning, 
repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building 
or facility.

    (11) Research Involving Special Considerations. A number of 
situations encountered in the conduct of research require special 
information and supporting documentation before funding can be approved 
for the project. If any such situation is anticipated, the proposal 
must so indicate. It is expected that a significant number of proposals 
will involve the following:
    (i) Recombinant DNA and RNA molecules. All key personnel identified 
in a proposal and all endorsing officials of a proposed performing 
entity are required to comply with the guidelines established by the 
National Institutes of Health entitled, ``Guidelines for Research 
Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules,'' as revised. The Application Kit 
contains a form which is suitable for such certification of compliance 
(Form CSREES-662).
    (ii) Experimental vertebrate animal care. The responsibility for 
the humane care and treatment of any experimental vertebrate animal, 
which has the meaning as ``animal'' in section 2(g) of the Animal 
Welfare Act of 1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2132(g)), used in any project 
supported with grant funds rests with the performing organization. In 
this regard, all key personnel associated with any supported project 
and all endorsing officials of the proposed performing entity are 
required to comply with the applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare 
Act of 1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) and the regulations 
promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of Agriculture in 9 CFR Parts 
1, 2, 3, and 4.
    The applicant must submit a statement certifying that the proposed 
project is in compliance with the aforementioned regulations, and that 
the proposed project is either under review by or has been reviewed and 
approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The 
Application Kit contains a form which is suitable for such 
certification (Form CSREES-662).
    (iii) Human subjects at risk. Responsibility for safeguarding the 
rights and welfare of human subjects used in any proposed project 
supported with grant funds provided by USDA rests with the performing 
entity. Regulations have been issued by USDA under 7 CFR Part 1c, 
Protection of Human Subjects. In the event that a project involving 
human subjects at risk is recommended for award, the applicant will be 
required to submit a statement certifying that the project plan has 
been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the 
proposing organization or institution. The Application Kit contains a 
form which is suitable for such certification (Form CSREES-662).
    (12) Current and Pending Support. All proposals must list any other 
current public or private research support (including in-house support) 
to which key personnel identified in the proposal have committed 
portions of their time, whether or not salary support for the person(s) 
involved is included in the budget. Analogous information must be 
provided for any pending proposals that are being considered by, or 
that will be submitted in the near future to, other possible sponsors, 
including other USDA programs or agencies. Concurrent submission of 
identical or similar proposals to other possible sponsors will not 
prejudice proposal review or evaluation by the Administrator of CSREES 
for this purpose. However, a proposal that duplicates or overlaps 
substantially with a proposal already reviewed and funded (or that will 
be funded) by another organization or agency will not be funded under 
this program. The Application Kit contains a form which is suitable for 
listing current and pending support (Form CSREES-663).

    Note: This proposal should be listed in the pending section of 
the form.

    (13) Additions to Project Description. The Administrator of CSREES, 
the members of peer review groups, and the relevant program staff 
expect each project description to be complete while meeting the page 
limit established in this section (Proposal Format). However, if the 
inclusion of additional information is necessary to ensure the 
equitable evaluation of the proposal (e.g., photographs that do not 
reproduce well, reprints, and other pertinent materials that are deemed 
to be unsuitable for inclusion in the text of the proposal), then 14 
copies of the materials should be submitted. Each set of such materials 
must be identified with the name of the submitting organization, and 
the name(s) of the principal investigator(s). Information may not be 
appended to a proposal to circumvent page limitations prescribed for 
the project description. Extraneous materials will not be used during 
the peer review process.
    (14) Organizational Management Information. Specific management 
information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one-time 
basis prior to the award of a grant for this Program if such 
information has not been provided previously under this or another 
program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible. USDA will 
contact an applicant to request organizational management information 
once a proposal has been recommended for funding.

Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the CSREES regulations implementing 
NEPA), the environmental data or documentation for any proposed project 
is to be provided to CSREES in order to assist CSREES in carrying out 
its responsibilities under NEPA. In some cases, however, the 
preparation of environmental data or documentation may not be required. 
Certain categories of actions are excluded from the requirements of 
NEPA. The USDA and CSREES exclusions are listed in 7 CFR 1b.3 and 7 CFR 
3407.6, respectively.
    In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is 
needed with respect to NEPA (e.g., preparation of an environmental 
assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS)), pertinent 
information regarding the possible environmental impacts of a proposed 
project is necessary; therefore, the National Environmental Policy Act 
Exclusions Form (Form CSREES-1234) provided in the Application Kit must 
be included in the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the 
opinion that the project falls within one or more of the categorical 
exclusions. Form CSREES-1234 should follow Form CSREES-661, Application 
for Funding, in the proposal.
    Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions, 
CSREES may determine that an EA or an EIS is necessary for an activity, 
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.

[[Page 888]]

Proposal Submission

What To Submit

    An original and 14 copies of a proposal must be submitted. Each 
copy of each proposal must be stapled securely in the upper left-hand 
corner (DO NOT BIND). All copies of the proposal must be submitted in 
one package.

Where and When To Submit

    Proposals must be received on or before February 26, 1997. 
Proposals sent by First Class mail must be sent to the following 
address: Proposal Services Unit, Grants Management Branch, Office of 
Extramural Programs, Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 2245, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-2245, Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
    Proposals that are delivered by Express mail, a courier service, or 
by hand must be submitted to the following address (note that the zip 
code differs from that shown above): Proposal Services Unit, Grants 
Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs, Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 303, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, 
D.C. 20024; Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

Supplementary Information

    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 No. 12372 which requires 
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Action 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, D.C., on this 30th day of December 1996.
Colien Hefferan,
Associate Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service.
[FR Doc. 97-159 Filed 1-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-M