[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4548-4549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2344]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

North American Wetlands Conservation Act: Request for Small 
Grants Proposals for 1997

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is currently entertaining proposals 
that request match funding for wetland conservation projects under the 
Small Grants program. Projects must meet the purposes of the North 
American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989, as

[[Page 4549]]

amended. Funding priority will be given to projects from new grant 
applicants with new partners, where the project ensures long-term 
conservation benefits.

DATES: Proposals must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 4, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Proposals should be addressed to: North American Waterfowl 
and Wetlands Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax 
Drive, Suite 110, Arlington, Virginia 22203, Attn: Small Grants 
Coordinator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Small Grants 
Coordinator, or Ms. Linda Hutchins, Secretary, North American Waterfowl 
and Wetlands Office, 703/358-1784; facsimile 703/358-2282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the 1989 North American 
Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), as amended, is to promote long-term 
conservation of North American wetland ecosystems, and the waterfowl 
and other migratory birds, fish and wildlife that depend upon such 
habitat. Principal conservation actions supported by NAWCA are 
acquisition, creation, enhancement and restoration of wetlands and 
wetlands-associated habitat.
    In 1996, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) 
initiated a pilot Small Grants program with an allocation of $250,000. 
The objective was to promote long-term wetlands conservation activities 
through encouraging participation by new grantees and partners who may 
not otherwise be able to compete in the regular grants program. In the 
first year, 148 proposals requesting a total of approximately $4.5 
million competed for funding. Ultimately, 10 projects were selected to 
be funded. For 1997, with the approval of the Migratory Bird 
Conservation Commission, the Council has again allocated $250,000 to 
continue the Small Grants pilot program.
    To be considered for funding in 1997, proposals must have a grant 
request no greater than $50,000. All wetland conservation proposals 
will be accepted that meet the requirements of the Act. However, 
funding priority will be given to projects from new grant applicants 
(individuals or organizations who have never received a NAWCA grant) 
with new partners, where the project ensures long-term conservation 
benefits.
    In addition, proposals must represent on-the-ground projects, and 
any overhead in the project budget may be no greater than 10 percent of 
the grant amount. The anticipated magnitude of wetlands and wildlife 
resources benefits that will result from project execution is an 
important factor to be considered in proposal evaluation, and there 
should be a reasonable balance between acreages of wetlands and 
wetland-associated uplands.
    Please keep in mind that NAWCA and matching funds may only be used 
for wetlands acquisition, creation, enhancement, and/or restoration; 
they may not be used for signage, displays, trails or other educational 
features, materials and equipment, even though the goal of the project 
may ultimately be to support wetland conservation education curricula. 
Projects oriented toward education are not ordinarily eligible for 
NAWCA funding because education is not a primary purpose of the Act. 
However, useful project outcomes can include educational benefits 
resulting from conservation actions. Research is also not a primary 
purpose of the Act, and research proposals will not be considered for 
funding.
    Even though requiring less total information than those submitted 
for the regular grants program, Small Grant proposals must still be 
clearly explained and meet the basic purposes given above and the 1:1 
or greater non-Federal matching requirements of the NAWCA. Small Grants 
projects must also be consistent with Council guidelines, objectives 
and policies. All non-Federal matching funds and proposed expenditures 
of grant funds must be consistent with Appendix A of the Small Grants 
instructions, ``Eligibility Requirements for Match of NAWCA Grant and 
Non-Federal Funds.''
    Small Grants proposals may be submitted at any time but must be 
postmarked no later than Friday, April 4, 1997. Address submitted 
proposals as follows: North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 110, 
Arlington, VA 22203, Attn: Small Grants Coordinator.
    It is essential that grant request packages be complete when they 
are received in the North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, 
including all of the documentation of partners (partner letters) with 
funding pledge amounts. Information on funding in partner letters, 
i.e., amounts and description regarding use, needs to correspond with 
budget amounts in the budget table and in any figures provided in the 
narrative.
    The NAWWO will not be able to contact proposal sources to verify 
and/or request supplemental data and/or materials. Those proposals 
lacking required information or containing conflicting information will 
not be considered for funding.
    For more information, and to request the Small Grants instructional 
booklet, call (703)358-1784, facsimile (703)358-2282, or send e-mail to 
[email protected]. Contact the Small Grants Coordinator, Dr. 
Keith A. Morehouse, if you would like to receive the instructions 
booklet on a computer disk.
    In conclusion, the Service requires that upon their arrival in the 
NAWWO, proposal packages must be: complete with regard to all of the 
information requested; in the format requested; and on time.

    Dated: January 24, 1997.
John G. Rogers,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2344 Filed 1-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P