[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52284-52285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26127]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
Species at Risk Program
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, DOI.
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 find 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 October 30, 1998.
Pre-proposals are due to the address below by November 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Parties interested in this program should request an
information package from: Species at Risk Program, USGS Biological
Resources Division, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 300, Reston, VA
20192 ATTN: Dr. Al Sherk.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Al Sherk, Species at Risk Program, USGS Biological Resources
Division, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 300, Reston, VA 20192; Al
Sherk@usgs,gov; or 703-648-4076.
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 environmental stresses. The
basic purpose of SAR is to generate information that allows the
development of conservation agreements, action plans, management
alternatives, etc., to 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 provide resource managers, regulators,
and private landowners with useable information for which prudent
resource management decisions can be based. Projects must be new, self-
contained work designed to be completed, including the final report,
within 18 months.
Projects must focus on species or groups of species for which there
is concern but limited information. Projects that focus on groups of
species within the same habitat or ecosystem are encouraged. Projects
should identify or develop new information that will reduce the need
for a formal listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1972, as
amended. Regional and national offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service have provided a list of species or groups and their management
needs. Projects should focus on these species or groups and demonstrate
how they support management needs. Principal investigators are
encouraged to communicate directly with USFWS
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regional contacts before project submission.
This program is conducted in furtherance of the Secretary's
obligations under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 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 serves 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 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 1999 from non-Federal research, scientific or technical
organizations. 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; the maximum project cost will be $80,000.
Funds for this program are not currently available. Funding of the
program is contingent on a Fiscal Year 1999 appropriation.
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 relevance to an
identified management need, partnership opportunities, potential for
providing useful information to resources 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
project proposal for scientific peer review and 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. Al Sherk, or E-Mail:
Al__S[email protected] or Call: (703) 648-4076.
F. Dates
Notice of interest in this program must be received by October 30,
1998.
Susan D. Haseltine,
Deputy Chief Biologist for Science, Biological Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 98-26127 Filed 9-29-98; 8:45 am]
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