[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49898-49903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25092]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 980716179-8179-01]
RIN 0648-ZA45


Announcement of Graduate Research Fellowships in the National 
Estuarine Research Reserve System for Fiscal Year 1999

AGENCY: Sanctuaries and Reserves Division (SRD), Office of Ocean and 
Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), National Ocean Service (NOS), 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of 
Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division (SRD) of the Office of 
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management is soliciting applications for 
graduate fellowship funding within the National Estuarine Research 
Reserve System. This notice sets forth funding priorities, selection 
criteria, and application procedures.
    The National Estuarine Research Reserve System of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces the 
availability of Graduate Research Fellowships. SRD anticipates that 26 
Graduate Research Fellowships will be competitively awarded to 
qualified graduate students whose research occurs within the boundaries 
of at least one Reserve. Fellowships will start no earlier than June 1, 
1999.

DATES: Applications must be postmarked no later than November 1, 1998. 
Notification regarding the awarding of fellowships will be issued on or 
about March 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Dwight D. Trueblood, Science Coordinator, NOAA/
Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM2, 
SSMC4, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Attn: FY99 NERRS Research. 
Phone: 301-713-3145 ext. 174 Fax: 301-713-0404, internet: 
[email protected]. Web page: http://wave.nos.noaa.gov/ocrm/
nerr/nerrs__research.html. See Appendix I for National Estuarine 
Research Reserve addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on specific 
research opportunities at National Estuarine Research Reserve sites, 
contact the site staff listed in Appendix I. For application 
information, contact the Science Coordinator of the Sanctuaries and 
Reserves Division (see ADDRESSES above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority and Background

    Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended 
(CZMA), 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1461, establishes the National Estuarine 
Research Reserve System (NERRS). 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1461(e)(1)(B) 
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to any coastal 
state or public or private person for purposes of supporting research 
and monitoring within a national estuarine reserve that are consistent 
with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c). This 
program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
under ``Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves,'' Number 
11.420.

II. Information on Established National Estuarine Research Reserves

    The NERRS consists of estuarine areas of the United States and its 
territories which are designated and managed for

[[Page 49899]]

research and educational purposes. Each National Estuarine Research 
Reserve (Reserve) within the NERRS is chosen to reflect regional 
differences and to include a variety of ecosystem types in accordance 
with the classification scheme of the national program as presented in 
15 CFR part 921.
    Each Reserve supports a wide range of beneficial uses of 
ecological, economic, recreational, and aesthetic values which are 
dependent upon the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. The sites 
provide habitats for a wide range of ecologically and commercially 
important species of fish, shellfish, birds, and other aquatic and 
terrestrial wildlife. Each reserve has been designed to ensure its 
effectiveness as a conservation unit and as a site for long-term 
research and monitoring. As part of a national system, the Reserves 
collectively provide an excellent opportunity to address research 
questions and estuarine management issues of national significance. For 
a detailed description of the sites, contact the individual site staff 
or refer to the NERR internet web site provided in the Addresses 
section.

III. Availability of Funds

    Funds are expected to be available on a competitive basis to 
qualified graduate students for research within National Estuarine 
Research Reserves leading to a graduate degree. No more than two 
fellowships at any one site will be funded at any one time; based upon 
fellowships awarded in the 1998 funding cycle, we anticipate only 26 
openings for Fellowships in FY99. Fellowships are expected to be 
available at the following sites.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         NERR site                           Fellowships
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apalachicola...............................................           1 
Chesapeake Bay, MD.........................................           2 
Chesapeake Bay, VA.........................................           1 
Delaware...................................................           1 
Elkhorn Slough.............................................           1 
Grand Bay..................................................           2 
Great Bay..................................................           1 
Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas....................................           2 
Hudson River...............................................           1 
Jacques Cousteau...........................................           2 
Jobos Bay..................................................           2 
Kachemak Bay...............................................           2 
North Inlet-Winyah Bay.....................................           2 
Old Woman Creek............................................           1 
Tijuana River..............................................           2 
Waquoit Bay................................................           1 
Weeks Bay..................................................           1 
Wells......................................................           1 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because NOAA is an active partner in NERRS research, funds will be 
awarded through a cooperative agreement. NOAA may be involved in the 
award in the following manner:
    The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division (SRD), Office of Ocean and 
Coastal Resource Management, reserves the right to immediately halt 
activity under this award if it becomes obvious that award activities 
are not fulfilling the mission of the National Estuarine Research 
Reserve System. While day-to-day management is the responsibility of 
the recipient, frequent guidance and direction is provided by the 
Federal Government for the successful conduct of this award. Non-
compliance with a Federally approved project may result in immediate 
halting of the award.
    SRD generally will review and approve each stage of work annually 
before the next begins to assure that studies will produce viable 
information on which to form valid coastal management decisions.
    All staff at NERRS sites are ineligible to submit an application 
for a fellowship under this Announcement. Federal funds requested must 
be matched by the applicant by at least 30% of the TOTAL cost, not the 
Federal share, of the project. It is anticipated that fellowships 
receiving funding under this announcement will begin by June 1, 1999.

IV. Purpose and Priorities

    NERR Research funds are provided to support management-related 
research projects that will enhance scientific understanding of the 
Reserve ecosystem, provide information needed by Reserve management and 
coastal management decision-makers, and improve public awareness and 
understanding of estuarine ecosystems and estuarine management issues 
(15 CFR Sec. 921.50).
    The NERR Graduate Research Fellowship program is designed to fund 
high quality research focused on enhancing coastal zone management 
while providing students with hands-on training in ecological 
monitoring.
    Research projects proposed in response to this announcement must: 
(1) address coastal management issues identified as having local, 
regional, or national significance, described in the ``Scientific Areas 
of Support'' below; and (2) be conducted within one or more designated 
NERR sites. Funding ($16,500 per year) is intended to provide any 
combination of research support, salary, tuition, supplies, or other 
costs as needed, including overhead. Fellows will be expected to 
participate in an ecological training program that will entail some 
aspect of ecological monitoring or research for up to a maximum of 15 
hours per week. Fellows conducting multi-site projects may fulfill this 
requirement at one or a combination of sites but for no more than a 
total of 15 hours per week. This training program may occur throughout 
the academic year or may be concentrated during a specific season. 
Students are encouraged, but not required, to incorporate these 
training activities into their own research programs.

Scientific Areas of Support

    The NERRS program has identified the following as areas of 
nationally significant research interest. Proposed research projects 
submitted in response to this announcement must address one of the 
following topics (see #1 above):
     The effects of non-point source pollution on estuarine 
ecosystems;
     Evaluative criteria and/or methods for estuarine ecosystem 
restoration;
     The importance of biodiversity and effects of invasive 
species on estuarine ecosystems; or
     Mechanisms for sustaining resources within estuarine 
ecosystems.
    Each NERR has local issues of concern that fall within one of the 
topics above. Applicants are responsible for contacting the NERR site 
of interest to determine those site-specific research needs.

    Note: It is strongly suggested that applicants contact the host 
Reserve (see Appendix I) for information on site-specific 
information and to discuss the training opportunities at the site.

V. Guidelines for Application Preparation, Review, and Reporting 
Requirements

    Applicants for SRD research fellowships must follow the guidelines 
presented in this announcement. Applications not adhering to these 
guidelines may be returned to the applicant without further review.
    Applications for graduate fellowships in the NERRS are solicited 
annually for award the following fiscal year. Application due dates and 
other pertinent information are contained in this announcement of 
research opportunities. Applicants must submit an original and two (2) 
copies of each application and all supporting documents (curricula 
vitae, literature referenced, transcripts, etc.), excluding letters of 
reference which must come directly from their source.
    Applicants may request funding for up to three years; funding for 
years two and three will be made available based on availability of 
funds and satisfactory progress of research as determined by the NERR 
Research Staff and the student's faculty advisor, in consultation with 
SRD. Therefore, the

[[Page 49900]]

annual awards must have scopes of work that are clearly severable and 
can be easily separated into annual increments of meaningful work which 
represent solid accomplishments if prospective funding is not made 
available to the Applicant. The amount of the award is $15,000/annum 
plus 10% overhead for a total of $16,500/annum. Requested Federal funds 
must be matched by at least 30 percent of the award total.
    Applicants who are selected for funding will be required to: (1) 
Work with the Research Coordinator or Reserve Manager to develop an 
ecological training program for up to 15 hours per week; (2) submit an 
annual technical report to SRD and the host Reserve before the end of 
each funding cycle on the research accomplishments to-date; and (3) 
acknowledge NERRS support in all relevant scientific presentations and 
publications. In addition, fellows will be strongly encouraged to 
publish their results in peer-reviewed literature and make 
presentations at scientific meetings.

A. Applications

    Students admitted to or enrolled in a full-time Master's or 
Doctoral program at U.S. accredited universities are eligible to apply. 
Students should have completed a majority of their course work at the 
beginning of their fellowship and have an approved thesis research 
program.
    Applicants are required to submit:
    (1) An academic resume or a curriculum vitae that includes all 
graduate and undergraduate institutions (department or area of study, 
degree, and year of graduation), all publications (including 
undergraduate and graduate theses), awards or fellowships, and work/
research experience;
    (2) A cover letter from the applicant indicating current academic 
status, research interests, career goals, and how the proposed research 
fits into their degree program, and the results of any discussion with 
NERR staff regarding the ecological monitoring training program;
    (3) A titled research proposal (double-spaced in a font no smaller 
than 12-point courier) that includes an Abstract, Introduction, Methods 
and Materials, Project Significance, and Bibliography;
    (4) A proposed budget (see Section B, Proposal Content, below for 
specific guidelines);
    (5) An unofficial copy of all undergraduate and graduate 
transcripts;
    (6) A letter of support from the applicant's graduate advisor 
indicating the advisor's contribution (financial and otherwise) to the 
applicant's graduate studies, and an assurance that the student is in 
good academic standing; and
    (7) Two letters of recommendations (from other than the applicant's 
graduate advisor) sent directly from their source.
    The original and two (2) copies of the information requested above, 
excluding letters of reference, must be submitted to the SRD Science 
Coordinator at the address in the Addresses section, postmarked no 
later than November 1, 1998. Applications postmarked November 2, 1998 
or later, will be returned without review. Receipt of all applications 
will be acknowledged and a copy sent to the appropriate Reserve staff.

B. Proposal Content

    The research proposal should contain the sections described below.
1. Title Page
    A title page must be provided which lists:
     Student name, address, telephone number, fax number and 
email address.
     Project title.
     Amount of funding requested.
     Name of graduate institution.
     Name of institution providing matching funds and amount of 
matching funds.
     Name, address, telephone number, fax number & email 
address of faculty advisor.
     NERR site where research is to be conducted, and
     Number of years of requested support.
    If it is a multi-site project, the title page must indicate which 
Reserve will be the primary contact (``host Reserve'') for the training 
program.
2. Abstract
    The abstract should state the research objectives, scientific 
methods to be used, and the significance of the project to a particular 
Reserve and the NERRS program. The abstract must be limited to one 
page.
3. Project Description
    The project description must be limited to 6 double-spaced pages 
excluding figures. The main body of the proposal should be a detailed 
statement of the work to be undertaken, and include the following 
components:
    (a) Introduction. This section should introduce the research 
setting and environment. It should include a brief review of pertinent 
literature and describe the research problem in relation to relevant 
coastal management issues and the research priorities. This section 
should also present the primary hypothesis upon which the project is 
focused, as well as any additional or component hypotheses which will 
be addressed by the research project.
    (b) Methods. This section should state the methods(s) to be used to 
accomplish the specific research objectives, including a systematic 
discussion of what, when, where, and how the data are to be collected, 
analyzed, and reported. Field and laboratory methods should be 
scientifically valid and reliable and accompanied by a statistically 
sound sampling scheme. Methods chosen should be justified and compared 
with other methods employed for similar work.
    Techniques should allow the testing of the hypotheses, but also 
provide baseline data related to ecological and management questions 
concerning the Reserve environment. Methods should be described 
concisely and techniques should be reliable enough to allow comparison 
with those made at different sites and times by different 
investigators. The methods must have proven their utility and 
sensitivity as indicators for natural or human-induced change.
    Analytical methods and statistical tests applied to the data should 
be documented, thus providing a rationale for choosing one set of 
methods over alternatives. Quality control measures also should be 
documented (e.g., statistical confidence levels, standards of 
reference, performance requirements, internal evaluation criteria). The 
proposal should indicate by way of discussion how data are to be 
synthesized, interpreted and integrated into final work products.
    A map clearly showing the study location and any other features of 
interest must be included; a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map, or 
an equivalent, is suggested for this purpose. Consultation with Reserve 
personnel to identify existing maps is strongly recommended.
    (c) Project Significance. This section should provide a clear 
discussion of how the proposed research addresses state and national 
estuarine and coastal resource management issues and how the proposed 
research effort will enhance or contribute to improving the state of 
knowledge of the estuary; i.e., why is the proposed research important 
and how will the results contribute to coastal resource managements? 
This section must also discuss the relation of the proposed research 
the research priorities stated in Section IV. Applicability of research 
findings to other NERRS and coastal areas should also be mentioned.

[[Page 49901]]

4. Milestone Schedule
    A milestone schedule is required. This schedule should show, in 
table form, anticipated dates for completing field work and data 
collection, data analysis, progress reports, the final technical report 
and other related activities. Use ``Month 1, and Month 2,'' rather than 
June, July, etc., in preparing these charts.
5. Personnel and Project Management.
    The proposal must include a description of how the project will be 
managed, including the name and expertise of faculty advisors and other 
team members. Evidence of ability to successfully complete the proposed 
research should be supported by reference to similar efforts performed.
6. Literature Cited
    This section should provide complete references for current 
literature, research, and other appropriate published and unpublished 
documents cited in the text of the proposal.
7. Budget
    The amount of Federal funds requested must be matched by the 
applicant by at least 30% of the total project cost (i.e., $7,072 match 
for $16,500 in Federal funds for total project cost of $23,572). Cash 
or the value of goods and services (except land) directly benefiting 
the research project may be used to satisfy the matching requirements. 
Overhead costs for these wards are limited to $1,500 of the Federal 
share (i.e., $15,000 for project and $1,500 for overhead) and waiver 
overhead costs may also be used as match. Funds from other Federal 
agencies and NERRS staff salaries supported by Federal Funds may not be 
used as match. Requirements for the non-Federal share are contained in 
the OMB Circular A-110. SRD strongly suggests that the applicant work 
with their institution's research office to develop their budget (see 
section D, below).
    The applicant may request funds under any of the categories listed 
below as long as the costs are reasonable and necessary to perform 
research. The budget should contain itemized costs with appropriate 
narratives justifying proposed expenditures. Budget categories are to 
be broken down as follows, clearly showing both Federal and non-Federal 
shares side by side:
    Salary. The rate of pay (hourly, monthly, or annually) should be 
indicated. Salaries requested must be consistent with the institution's 
regular practices. The submitting organization may request that salary 
data remain confidential information.
    Fringe Benefits. Fringe benefits (i.e., social security, insurance, 
retirement) may be treated as direct costs as long as this is 
consistent with the institution's regular practices.
    Equipment. While not their primary purpose, fellowship funds may be 
approved for the purchase of equipment only if the following conditions 
are met: (a) a lease versus purchase analysis has been conducted by the 
applicant or the applicant's institution and the findings determine 
that purchase is the most economical method of procurement; and (b) the 
equipment does not exist at the recipient's institution or the Reserve 
site and is essential for the successful completion of the project.
    The justification must discuss each of these points along with the 
purpose of the equipment and a justification for its use, and include a 
list of equipment to be purchased, leased, or rented by model number 
and manufacturer, where known. At the termination of the fellowship, 
disposition of equipment will be determined by the NOAA Property 
Administrator.
    Travel. The type, extent, and estimated cost (broken down by 
transportation, lodging and per diem) of travel should be explained and 
justified in relation to the proposed research; the justification 
should also identify the person traveling. Travel expense is limited to 
round trip travel to field research locations and professional meetings 
to present the research results and should not exceed 40 percent of 
total award costs.
    Other Direct Costs. Other anticipated costs should be itemized 
under the following categories:
     Materials and Supplies. The budget should indicate in 
general terms the types of expendable materials and supplies required 
and their estimated costs;
     Research Vessel or Aircraft Rental. Include purpose, unit 
cost, duration of use, user, and justification;
     Laboratory Space Rental. Funds may be requested for use of 
laboratory space at research establishments away from the student's 
institution while conducting studies specifically related to the 
proposed effort;
     Telecommunication Services and Reproduction Costs. Include 
expenses associated with telephone calls, facsimile, copying, reprint 
charges, film duplication, etc.;
     Computer Services. The cost of unusual or costly computer 
services may be requested and must be justified.
    Indirect Costs. Requested overhead costs under NERRS fellowship 
awards are limited to $1,500 of the Federal amount.
8. Requests for Reserve Support Services
    On-site Reserve personnel sometimes can provide limited logistical 
support for research projects in the form of manpower, equipment, 
supplies, etc. Any request for Reserve support services, including any 
services provided as match, should be approved by the Reserve Manager 
or Research Coordinator prior to application submission and be included 
as part of the application package in the form of written 
correspondence. Reserve resources which are supported by Federal funds 
are not eligible to be used as match.
9. Coordination With Other Research in Progress or Proposed
    SRD encourages collaboration and cost-sharing with other 
investigators to enhance scientific capabilities and avoid unnecessary 
duplication of effort. Applications should include a description of how 
the research will be coordinated with other research projects that are 
in progress or proposed, if applicable.
10. Permits
    The applicant must apply for any applicable local, state or Federal 
permits. A copy of the permit application and supporting documentation 
should be attached to the application as an appendix. SRD must receive 
notification of the approval of the permit application before funding 
can be approved.

C. Application Review and Evaluation

    All applications will be evaluated for scientific merit by SRD 
staff, the host Reserve scientific panel of no less than three 
reviewers from the scientific com- munity, and the appropriate Research 
Coordinator and/or Reserve Manager. Criteria for evaluation include: 
(1) the quality of proposed research and its applicability to the NERRS 
Scientific Areas of Support listed earlier in this announcement (70%); 
(2) the research's applicability to specific reserve research and 
resource management goals as they relate to the Scientific Areas of 
Support listed in this announcement (20%); and (3) academic excellence 
based on the applicant's transcripts and two letters of reference 
(10%). No more than two Fel- lowships will be awarded at any one time 
for any one Reserve. Final selection will be made by the Chief of the 
Sanctuaries and Reserves Division, based upon scientific review, the 
research's applicability to NERRS research and

[[Page 49902]]

resource management goals, and the applicant's academic excellence.

D. Fellowship Awards

    Awards are normally made to the fellow's graduate institution 
through the use of a cooperative agreement. Applicants whose projects 
are recommended for funding will be required to complete all necessary 
Federal financial assistance forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, CD-511, 
and SF-LLL, OMB Control Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046), 
which will be provided by SRD with the letter of fellowship 
notification. SRD recommends that all applicants work with their 
graduate institution during the development of their budget to ensure 
concurrence on budgetary issues (e.g. the use of salary and fringe 
benefits as match).

VI. Other Requirements

    Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and 
federal and DOC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to 
Federal financial assistance awards.
    All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name-
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are 
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management 
honesty or financial integrity.
    No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: (1) The delinquent 
account is paid in full; (2) A negotiated repayment schedule is 
established and at least one payment is received; or (3) Other 
arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce are made.
    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
an application not being considered for funding. In addition, any 
recipients who are past due for submitting acceptable final reports 
under any previous SRD-funded research will be ineligible to be 
considered for new awards until final reports are received, reviewed 
and deemed acceptable by SRD.
    A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001.
    If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
Commerce (DOC) has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion 
of DOC. However, funding priority will be given to the additional years 
of multi-year proposals upon satisfactory completion of the current 
year of research.
    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matter; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying,'' 
and the following explanations are hereby provided:
    1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. Sec. 1352, 
``Limitation on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain 
Federal contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying 
section of the certification form which applies to applications/bids 
for grands, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and
    4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
    5. Lower Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions and Lobbying,'' and disclosure form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure 
of Lobbying Activities.'' The original form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or 
subrecipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.
    Buy American-Made Equipment or Products: Applicants are hereby 
notified that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased with 
funding provided under this program should be American-made to the 
extent feasible.
    Indirect Costs: The total dollar amount of the indirect costs 
proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the 
indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal 
agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or $1,500, 
whichever is less.
    Preaward Activities: If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover preaward costs.

VII. Classification

    This notice has been determined to be ``not significant'' for 
purposes of E.O. 12866.
    This action is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment by NOAA Administrative Order 216-6.
    This notice does not contain policies with federalism implications 
sufficient to warrant preparation of a federalism assessment under 
Executive Order 12612.
    This notice involves a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The requirements have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 
0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with a collection of information, subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection displays a 
current valid OMB control number.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.420 Coastal Zone 
Management Estuarine Research Reserves)


[[Page 49903]]


    Dated: September 11, 1998.
John Oliver,
Policy, Management and Information Officer, National Ocean Service.

Appendix I. NERRS On-site Staff

Alabama

Mr. L.G. Adams, Manager; Mr. Bob McCormack, Interpretive 
Coordinator, Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 11300 
U.S. Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532, (334) 928-9792, 
[email protected], [email protected]

Alaska

Mr. Glenn Seaman, Manager, Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve, Department of Fish and Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, 
AK 99518-1599, (907) 267-2331, [email protected]

California

Dr. Jane Caffrey, Research Coordinator, Elkhorn Slough National 
Estuarine Research Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA 
95076, (408) 728-2822, [email protected]
Phil Jenkins, Manager, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research 
Reserve, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 92032, (619) 575-3615, 
[email protected]

Delaware

Ms. Betsy Archer, Manager; Dr. William Meredith, Research 
Coordinator, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division 
of Soil and Water Conservation, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19903, 
(302) 739-3451 (Archer), (302) 739-3493 (Meredith), 
[email protected], [email protected]

Florida

Mr. Woodward Miley II, Manager; Mr. Lee Edmiston, Research 
Coordinator, Apalachicola River National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
Department of Environmental Protection, 350 Carroll Street, 
Eastpoint, FL 32320, (850) 670-4783, [email protected]
Mr. Larry Nall, Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research 
Reserve, Department of Environmental Protection, Coastal and Aquatic 
Manged Areas, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-
488-3456, [email protected]
Mr. Gary Lytton, Manager; Dr. Todd Hopkins, Research Coordinator, 
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Department of 
Environmental Protection, 300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113-8059, 
(941) 417-6310, [email protected]

Georgia

Mr. Buddy Sullivan, Manager; Dr. Stuart Stevens, Research 
Coordinator, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 15, Sapelo Island, GA 
31327, (912) 485-2251 (Sullivan), (912) 264-7218 (Stevens), 
[email protected]

Maine

Dr. Michele Dionne, Research Coordinator, Wells National Estuarine 
Research Reserve, RR #2, Box 806, Wells, ME 04090, (207) 646-1555 
x36, [email protected]

Maryland

Ms. Kathy Ellett, Manager; Mr. David Nemazie, Research Coordinator, 
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland, 
Dept. of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Building, E-2, 580 
Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 260-8740 (Ellett), (410) 
228-9250 x615 (Nemazie), [email protected]

Massachusetts

Ms. Christine Gault, Manager; Dr. Richard Crawford, Research 
Coordinator, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Dept. 
of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 3092, Waquoit, MA 02536, (508) 
457-0495, [email protected]

Mississippi

Mr. Peter Hoar, Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
Department of Marine Resources, 1141 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS 
39530, (228) 374-5000, [email protected]

New Hampshire

Mr. Peter Wellenberger, Manager, Great Bay National Estuarine 
Research Reserve, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 37 Concord 
Road, Durham, NH 03824, (603) 868-1095

New Jersey

Mr. Michael De Luca, Manager; Dr. Ken Able, Research Coordinator, 
Mullica River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Institute of 
Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, P.O. Box 231, New 
Brunswick, NJ 08903, 732-932-9489 x512 (De Luca), 689-296-5260 
(Able), [email protected]

New York

Ms. Elizabeth Blair, Manager; Mr. Chuck Nieder, Research 
Coordinator, Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, New 
York State Department of Environmental Conservation, c/o Bard 
College Field Station, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504, (914) 758-
5193, [email protected]

North Carolina

Dr. John Taggart, Manager; Dr. Steve Ross, Research Coordinator, 
North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, 7205 
Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403, (910) 256-3721 (Taggart), 
(910) 395-3905 (Ross), [email protected]

Ohio

Mr. Eugene Wright, Manager; Dr. David Klarer, Research Coordinator, 
Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2514 Cleveland 
Road, East, Huron, OH 44839, (419) 433-4601, 
[email protected]

Oregon

Mr. Michael Graybill, Manager; Dr. Steve Rumrill, Research 
Coordinator, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, P.O. 
Box 5417, Charleston, OR 97420, (541) 888-5558, 
[email protected]

Puerto Rico

Ms. Carmen Gonzalez, Manager, Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research 
Reserve, Dept. of Natural Resources, Call Box B, Aguirre, PR 00704, 
(809) 853-4617, [email protected]

Rhode Island

Mr. Allan Beck, Manager, Narragansett Bay National Estuarine 
Research Reserve, Dept. of Environmental Management, Box 151, 
Prudence Island, RI 02872, (401) 683-5061, [email protected]

South Carolina

Mr. Michael D. McKenzie, Manager; Dr. Elizabeth Wenner, Research 
Coordinator, Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin, South Carolina 
Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, P.O. Box 12559, 
Charleston, SC 294212, (803) 762-5052 (McKenzie), (803) 736-5050 
(Wenner), [email protected]
Dr. Dennis Allen, Manager, North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine 
Research Reserve, Baruch Marine Field Laboratory, P.O. Box 1630, 
Georgetown, SC 29442, (803) 546-3623, [email protected]

Virginia

Dr. Maurice P. Lynch, Manager; Dr. William Reay, Research 
Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in 
Virginia, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William 
and Mary, P.O. Box 1347, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, (804) 684-7135, 
[email protected]

Washington

Mr. Terry Stevens, Manager; Dr. Douglas Bulthuis, Research 
Coordinator, Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1043 
Bayview-Edison Road, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273, (360) 428-1558, 
[email protected]

[FR Doc. 98-25092 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M