[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65090-65091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32314]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey


Species at Risk Program

AGENCY: Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey; 
Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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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 and assessment 
projects to generate information that allows development of 
conservation agreements, action plans, and management alternatives that 
provide for the protection 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 program will be available upon request until December 31, 1997. 
Pre-proposals are due to the address below by January 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Parties interested in this program should request an 
information package from: Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley 
Drive, MS 300, Reston, VA 20192 ATTN: Dr. Nancy Milton.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Nancy Milton, Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 
MS 300, Reston, VA 20192, [email protected]; or 703-648-4074.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Purpose

    Species at Risk (SAR) is a program that develops scientific 
information on the status of sensitive species or group of 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 the development of 
conservation agreements, action plans, management alternatives, etc., 
that provide for the protection of species and their habitats and 
thereby preclude the need for listing species as threatened or 
endangered.
    The initiative provides an opportunity for scientists to 
participate through survey and research activities. Projects are 
specifically intended to be of short duration and should seek to 
optimize partnerships with Federal agencies, states, universities, and 
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 with usable 
information from which prudent resource management decisions can be 
made.
    This initiative is designed to develop strategies that will assure 
long-term, population stability for targeted species and reduce the 
likelihood they will have to be dealt with through the regulatory 
processes. Projects should fit into one of two categories:
    1. Projects should focus on species or groups of species for which 
their is concern but limited information on their abundance, 
distribution, and/or status. Projects should identify or develop new 
information that will reduce the need for a formal listing under the 
Endangered Species Act. Regional offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service have provided a list of species of particular concern. Projects 
should focus on these species. Principal investigators are encouraged 
to communicate directly with USFWS regional contacts before project 
submission.
or
    2. Projects submitted should focus on providing critical habitat 
information and should demonstrate how study results will strongly 
support management and conservation applications. Projects that focus 
on multiple species of concern within the same critical habitat or 
ecosystem are especially encouraged. Multiple species might include 
both those having formal listed status with USFWS and those not 
formally listed. Research efforts should provide information needed by 
Federal agencies to meet requirements for recovery plan implementation, 
multi-species conservation plans, habitat reserve agreements, or other 
conservation-oriented plans.
    In addition, projects funded in the FY 1998 cycle will be expected 
to focus in geographic areas of particular current importance to the 
DOI and its bureaus. Those areas of concern are: Arizona and New Mexico 
(in support of the Secretary's Southwestern Initiative); San Francisco 
Bay Delta (also a Secretarial initiative); southeastern aquatic 
habitats; California's Majave Desert and Central Valley; South Florida; 
Colorado plateau; and Hawaii.
    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 U.S.C. 661-
667e, as amended).

B. Background

    The Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological 
Survey gathers and analyzes biological information and services 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

[[Page 65091]]

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 1998. Total funding anticipated for the fiscal year is 
approximately $375,000. Monies will be provided to successful 
applicants on a competitive basis. 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, MS 300, Reston, VA 20192, ATTN: Dr. Nancy Milton, or E-
Mail: [email protected], or call: (703) 648-4074.

F. Dates

    Notice of interest in this program must be received by December 31, 
1997.
W. James Fleming,
Acting Chief Biologist, Biological Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 97-32314 Filed 12-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-31-M