[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

[[Page 52285]]

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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