[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7478]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


North American Wetlands Conservation Council; Availability of 
Grant Application Instructions

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the document, U.S. North 
American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Application Instructions, is 
available.

DATES: Proposals may be submitted at any time. Due dates continue to be 
the first Friday in April and August. FY 1999 proposals will be 
accepted through August 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the document can be obtained by contacting the 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Publications Unit, c/o National Conservation 
Training Center, Route 1, Box 166, Shepherd Grade Road, Shepherdstown, 
WV 25443 during normal business hours in writing or by phone (304) 876-
7203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: North American Wetlands Conservation 
Council Coordinator at (703) 358-1784 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North American Wetlands Conservation 
Council has two similar U.S. grants programs, one for Small Grants up 
to $50,000 and one for larger grants up to $1,000,000. The focus of 
this notice is the larger grants program (a separate notice is issued 
for Small Grants). The subject document provides the schedules, review 
criteria, definitions, description of information required in the 
proposal, and a format for proposals for Fiscal Year 1999 funding.
    Major changes since last year are: (1) Proposals must show a real 
connection between money spent and long-term wetland benefits. 
Proposals that minimize administrative and overhead expenses tend to be 
more competitive; (2) The grant program encourages proposals that 
attract new monies and partners; (3) Applicants are urged to contact a 
Joint Venture Coordinator prior to proposal submission and to send a 
copy of the proposal to them; (4) Plans should be referenced that 
justify the need for the proposal and the link between the proposal and 
migratory bird and wetlands conservation plans; (5) For contributions 
of lands, conservation easements or donated land values, provide by 
tract types of land, migratory bird values, how monetary value was 
determined, conditions of easements, and location on a map; (6) 
Justification is required for large differences between per acre value 
of land (including easements) used as match and land (including 
easements) to be acquired with grant funds; (7) Milestones Schedule 
should include work that has already been completed and is being used 
as match, as well as work yet to be done (total of 4 years); (8) 
Colored maps are preferred. All maps must be no larger than 8.5 x 11 
inches; (9) Technical Assessment Question 7 is no longer optional and 
must be answered by each applicant; (10) Changes to Eligible and 
Ineligible Activities list are only pro-rates cost of equipment is 
eligible as match, ``contingencies'' is not an eligible cost category 
for grant or match funds, ``evaluation'' is not an eligible cost for 
grant funds, and the use of grant funds for overhead and vegetation 
control is discouraged.
    This document was prepared to comply with the ``North American 
Wetlands Conservation Act.'' The Act established a North American 
Wetlands Conservation Council. This Federal-State-Private body annually 
recommends wetland acquisition, restoration, and enhancement 
conservation projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. 
Project recommendations are selected from proposals made in accordance 
with this document. The Council requires that proposals contain a 
minimum of 50 percent non-Federal matching funds.

    Dated: March 14, 1998.
John G. Rogers,
Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7478 Filed 3-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P