[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53737-53744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22597]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Information collection to be submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA)

ACTION: Information collection renewal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) plans to submit 
the collection of information requirement described below to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). You may obtain copies of the collection 
requirement and related forms and explanatory material by contacting 
the Service's Information Collection Clearance Officer at the phone 
number listed below. The Service is soliciting comment and suggestions 
on the requirement as described below.

DATES: Interested parties must submit comments on or before November 6, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should send comments and suggestions on 
the requirement to Rebecca A. Mullin, Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, 
Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203, (703) 358-2278 or 
[email protected] E-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Hicks, (703) 358-1851, fax (703) 
358-1837, or [email protected] E-mail.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Forms: Federal Aid Grant Application Booklet.
    OMB Approval Number: The Service will submit to OMB an approval 
request before collecting information.
    Description and Use: The Service administers several grant programs 
authorized by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, the Federal 
Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, the Anadromous Fish Conservation 
Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Vessel Act, the Sportfishing 
and Boating Safety Act, and the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection 
and Restoration Act. The Service uses the information collected to make 
awards within these grant programs. This includes determining if the 
estimated cost is reasonable, the cost sharing is consistent with the 
applicable program statutes, and other vital information collected 
through proposals submitted by grant applicants. The State or other 
grantee uses the booklet as a guide for writing complete proposals 
including; work proposed, providing specific budget information, 
identifying proposed cost sharing, and partners if any. The information 
collected through this document also satisfy special requirements for 
various approvals for National Environmental Policy Act, National 
Historic Preservation Act, and other Acts pertaining to grants 
management in the Federal government. Grant applicants provide the 
information requested in the Federal Aid Grant Application Booklet in 
order to receive benefits in the form of grants for purposes outlined 
in the applicable law. The Service uses the Federal Aid Grant 
Application Booklet to request complete information needed to determine 
the eligibility, cost, scope, and appropriateness of the grant applied 
for. This booklet is designed to cause the minimum impact in the form 
of hourly burden on grant applicants and still get all the required 
information.
    Supplemental Information: The service plans to submit the following 
information collection requirements to

[[Page 53738]]

OMB for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
Public Law 104-13. Comments are invited on (1) whether the collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of burden of the 
collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and, (4) ways to 
minimize the burden of collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Frequency: Generally annually.
    Description of Respondents: State Government, territorial (the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American 
Samoa), local governments, and other receiving grant funds.

         Completion Time and Annual Response and Burden Estimate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Completion      Annual
                                  time per     response in     Annual
           Form name             application    narrative    burden (in
                                  (in hrs.)      format         hrs.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant Application Booklet.....            80         3,500       280,000
Amendment to Grant Agreement..             4         1,750         7,000
                               -----------------------------------------
    Totals....................  ............         5,250       287,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Application Booklet for Federal Aid Grants

Part 1 (Cover)

Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of 
Federal Aid, Grant Programs

Authorized Under the Following Acts

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777-7771)
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669-669i)
Partnerships for Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 3741)
Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 
3954)
Endangered Species Act, Sec 6(h) (16 U.S.C. 1361)
Clean Vessel Act of 1992 (16 U.S.C. 777)

Covering the Following Types of Projects and Grants

Sport Fish Restoration Projects
Wildlife Restoration Projects
Coastal Wetland Restoration
Clean Vessel Pumpout Projects
Outreach and Communications Projects (RBFF Only)
Boating Infrastructure
Partnerships for Wildlife
Endangered Species, Sec 6(h)
Land Acquisition
Coordination
Strategic Planning
Comprehensive Management
Surveys and Inventories
Training and Education
Facilities Development
Construction
Operations and Maintenance
Development
Research
Single and Multi-Project
Habitat and Population Management
Hunter and Aquatic Education

Part 2 (inside front cover)

Draft Information Collection Statement

    Information Collection Statement: In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) please note the following information. 
This information collection is authorized by the Federal Aid in Sport 
Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777-777l), Federal Aid in Wildlife 
Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669-669i), Partnerships for Wildlife Act (16 
U.S.C. 3741), and the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and 
Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3954). This information collection covers 
the following types of grant programs: Sport Fish Restoration, Wildlife 
Restoration, Coastal Wetland Restoration, Clean Vessel, Outreach and 
Communications, Boating Infrastructure, Partnerships for Wildlife and 
Endangered Species [Sec 6(h)]. We are collecting this information 
relevant to the eligibility, substantiality, relative value, and budget 
information from applicants in order to make awards of grants under 
these programs. We are collecting financial and performance information 
to track cost and accomplishments of these grant programs. Completion 
of these application and reporting requirements will involve a 
paperwork burden of approximately 80 hours per grant. Your response to 
this information collection is voluntary, but necessary to receive 
benefits in the form of a Grant, and does not carry any premise of 
confidentiality. An agency may not conduct or sponsor; and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. This information 
collection has been approved by OMB and assigned control number 1018-
XXXX. The public is invited to submit comments on the accuracy of the 
estimated average burden hours for application preparation, and to 
suggest ways in which the burden may be reduced. Comments may be 
submitted to: Information will be provided in final printing only.

Part 3

    Who is eligible to participate in these grant programs and for what 
purpose? We work with several programs, they are listed below, along 
with their individual purpose and eligible recipients.
    Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Programs: Any State fish and 
wildlife agency of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. 
The purpose of the Wildlife Restoration grants must be for restoration, 
conservation, management, and enhancement of wild birds and wild 
mammals, and providing for public use and benefit from these resources. 
Eligible activities include: educating responsible hunters, shooters 
and archers in skills, knowledge, and attitudes regarding the safety in 
firearms, public target ranges development, operations and maintenance 
either archery or firearm, and activities to increase awareness of 
benefits, accomplishments, and opportunities created by this program.
    The Sport Fish Restoration Programs: Any State fish and wildlife 
agency of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, 
the United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Grants must be 
for the

[[Page 53739]]

restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement of sport fish, 
and the provision or public use of and benefits from these resources. 
Sport fish, by definition, are limited to aquatic, gill breathing, 
vertebrate animals bearing paired fins, and having material value for 
sport or recreation. Also eligible are grants which address the 
enhancement of the public's understanding of water resources and 
aquatic life forms, and the development of responsible attitudes 
towards the aquatic environment. Also eligible are activities related 
to increasing benefits, accomplishments, and opportunities created by 
this program.
    Coastal Wetland Restoration projects: Any State agency designated 
by the Governor of a coastal State to participate on behalf of the 
State is eligible. A coastal State is any State bordering on the 
Atlantic, the Pacific, or the Arctic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long 
Island Sound, or one or more of the Great Lakes. The Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific 
Islands, and American Samoa are also eligible. Coastal wetlands 
conservation grants must be for the long-term conservation of lands and 
waters, hydrology, water quality and fish and wildlife that depend upon 
these lands and waters. For the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program, 
grant work must be in the first tier of counties along the coast of any 
State except Louisiana.
    Clean Vessel projects: Any State fish and wildlife agency of the 
fifty States and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the 
United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Grants must be for 
the surveying and planning for installing pumpout/dump stations, and to 
fund the construction and renovation or maintenance of pumpout/dump 
stations to be used by recreational vessels, for the purpose of 
preventing recreational boat sewage from entering U.S. waters. 
Educational activities are also eligible for funding.
    Outreach and Communications Projects [Recreational Boating and 
Fishing Foundation (RBFF)]: Any State fish and wildlife agency of the 
50 States and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the 
United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. These grants are to 
improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public 
regarding angling and boating opportunities, to reduce barriers to 
participation in these activities, to advance adoption of sound fishing 
and boating practices, to promote conservation and the responsible use 
of the Nation's aquatic resources, and to further safety in fishing and 
boating.
    Boating Infrastructure: Any State fish and wildlife agency of the 
50 States as designated by the State government and the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and 
American Samoa. The purpose of the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program 
is to provide funds to States for the development and maintenance of 
facilities for transient nontrailerable recreational vessels.
    Partnerships for Wildlife: Any State fish and wildlife agency of 
the 50 States and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the 
United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa in partnership with 
third parties. The purpose of these projects must be to: Inventory fish 
and wildlife species; determine and monitor the size, range, and 
distribution of populations of fish and wildlife species; identify the 
extent, condition, and location of the significant habitats of fish and 
wildlife species; identify the significant problems that may adversely 
affect fish and wildlife species and their significant habitats; take 
actions to conserve fish and wildlife species and their habitats; or 
take action which the principal purpose is to provide opportunities for 
the public to use and enjoy fish and wildlife through nonconsumptive 
activities. This program applies to any wild members of the animal 
kingdom that are in an unconfined state, except animals that are: (1) 
taken for recreation, fur, or food; (2) Federally listed as endangered 
or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act; or (3) marine 
mammals defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
    Endangered Species Section 6 Grants: Any State agency that has a 
cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior, as well as 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands; Guam; the United States Virgin Islands; and American 
Samoa. The purpose of the Endangered Species Section 6 Grants program 
is to provide Federal financial assistance to any State, through its 
appropriate agency, which has entered into a cooperative agreement to 
assist in the development of programs for the conservation of 
endangered and threatened species. Currently, all 50 States, D.C. and 
the insular territories have such an agreement. Eligible activities 
include all types of projects (including land acquisition) with the 
potential of restoring a threatened or endangered species, monitoring 
of a candidate species or monitoring of a recovered species.

Grant Programs

Wildlife Restoration Act

     Restore and manage wild birds and wild mammals
     Provide for public use of and access to wild birds and 
wild mammals
     Provide hunter education
     Funded by hunters and recreational shooters
     Outreach

Sport Fish Restoration Act

     Restore and manage sport fish
     Provide for public use of and access to sport fish
     Provide aquatic education
     Funded by anglers and recreational boaters
     Outreach

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act

     Acquire coastal wetlands
     Restore or enhance coastal wetlands' ecosystems
     Provide long-term conservation of coastal lands and waters
     Funded by Sport Fish Restoration account

Endangered Species Act

     Acquisition, enhancement and protection of habitat
     Recovery and conservation of species
     Surveys and research
     Funded under Section 6 of the Act through Congressional 
appropriation

Partnerships for Wildlife Act

     Inventory and conserve nongame species
     Provide watchable wildlife recreational and educational 
opportunities
     Identify and manage species and their habitats
     Funded by Congressional appropriations and State and 
private partners

Clean Vessel Act

     Survey needs and make plans
     Construct and maintain pumpouts and dump stations
     Educate boaters on use of facilities and impacts of 
overboard discharge
     Funded by Sport Fish Restoration account

[[Page 53740]]

And Grant Types

     Coordination--supports administrative activities of 
Federal Aid Program
     Strategic Plans and Comprehensive Management Systems (CMS)
--permits implementation of grant funding under either of two funding 
options:
    (1) strategic plan for sport fish and/or wildlife resource 
management or
    (2) CMS for all or part of a State agency's resource management
--allows for funding a grant to develop either of the two funding 
options above
     Land Acquisition--provides for acquisition of lands, 
waters, or access
     Operations and Maintenance--provides for operations and 
maintenance of facilities supporting federal aid objectives
     Development
--Population Management--supports restoration and management of sport 
fish and wildlife populations through stocking or transplant efforts
--Habitat Management--supports creation and improvement of habitat for 
sport fish and wildlife populations
--Facilities Construction--supports activities providing public access 
to or enhancing public use of wildlife or sport fish resources, and 
supports development of facilities for educational or administrative 
purposes that further federal aid objectives
     Research--supports research on sport fish and wildlife 
management issues
     Surveys and Inventories--supports surveys of sport fish 
and wildlife populations
     Hunter and Aquatic Education
--Educates hunters to be responsible
--Provides education or training on aquatic resources
--Supports construction of educational facilities
--Supports construction of shooting ranges
     Technical Guidance--provides technical guidance to other 
government agencies and private entities
     Outreach [Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation 
(RBFF)]--ensures stakeholders are informed about the Federal Aid 
Program

Part 4

A. Instructions

    (1) Agencies shall use the following standard application forms 
when applying for Federal Aid Grants. These forms, in PDF fillable/
printable format, can be found at the Federal Aid Training Program 
webpage at http://www.nctc.fws.gov/fedaid/toolkit/toolkit.pdf. At your 
request, the Regional Office will mail a diskette or CD with fillable 
forms in PDF format for your use on any personal computer and printer.
Application
SF-424 Face Sheet,
and as appropriate:
SF-424A Budget Information (Non-Construction)
SF-424B Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)
SF-424C Budget Information (Construction)
SF-424D Standard Assurances (Construction)
Financial
SF-269
SF-270
Lobbying
SF-LLL
Other Assurances
DI-2010
National Environmental Policy Act Compliance
Endangered Species Act Section 7 Compliance
National Historic Preservation Act Compliance
Suspension and Debarment Certification
Drug Free Environment Certification
And The Following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forms As Applicable
3-1552 Grant Agreement (OMB Approval 1018-0049)
3-1591 Amendment to Grant Agreement (OMB Approval 1018-0049)

    Complete the SF-424 face sheet and the appropriate parts, SF-424B 
assurances for nonconstruction projects and SF-424D assurances for 
construction projects.
    A Grant Agreement (3-1552) or Amendment to Grant Agreement (3-1591) 
form is required for all grants. Complete and have it signed by an 
Agency Official authorized to do so and include it with all grant 
proposal submissions.
    Usually volunteer services are used for in-kind match. These are 
specific requirements to document the value of this on the SF-424, in 
budget/cost info, and in performance reports. See 43 CFR 12.64 for 
specific guidance on in-kind match, especially how to calculate the 
value of volunteer services used as in-kind. There are also specific 
requirements in 43 CFR 12.64 for time accounting and documentation of 
volunteer time.

Part 5

    A preapplication shall be used for all construction, land 
acquisition and land development projects or programs when the need for 
Federal funding exceeds $100,000, unless the Federal agency determines 
that a preapplication is not needed. A preapplication is used to:
    (a) Establish communication between the agency and the applicant,
    (b) Determine the applicant's eligibility,
    (c) Determine how well the project can compete with similar 
projects from others, and
    (d) Discourage any proposals that have little or no chance for 
Federal funding before applicants incur significant costs in preparing 
detailed applications.

Budgets

    Applicants shall use the appropriate Budget Information and 
Standard Assurances on the SF-424 for either construction or non-
construction projects. They shall use the construction version when the 
major purpose of the project or program is construction, land 
acquisition or land development.
    Budgets shall provide an estimated total by project objective and 
should match the objectives described in the proposal (see instructions 
for proposals below). Budget estimates are entered on the Grant 
Agreement 3-1552 or the Amendment to Grant Agreement 3-1591, the 
obligating documents.
    Attach a schedule listing projects and dollar amounts within a 
grant. The total from the schedule should match the total on the Grant 
Agreement or Amendment to Grant Agreement.

Example:
(Name of Grant) Grant XX  FY-XX
Grant Number XX
Start Date ________    End Date________

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Project                           Estimated cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A O&M................................................        WR  600,000
B Habitat improvement................................       SFR  250,000
C Construction.......................................         BA  20,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................       \1\ 870,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WR=Regular Wildlife Restoration.
SFR=Regular Sport Fish Restoration.
BA=SFR, Boating Access.
\1\ This total goes to Grant Agreement or Amendment.

Grant Proposals

    Applicants should include a program narrative statement for each 
separate project under a grant proposal which is based on the following 
instructions:
    (a) Objectives and need for assistance. Pinpoint any relevant 
physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, or other problems

[[Page 53741]]

requiring a solution. Demonstrate the need for the assistance and state 
the principal and any subordinate objectives of the project. Supporting 
documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests other than 
the applicant may be used. Any relevant data based on planning studies 
should be included, footnoted, or referenced.
    (b) Results or benefits expected. Identify costs and benefits to be 
derived. For example, show how the facility will be used. For land 
acquisition or development projects, explain how the project will 
benefit the public. For all projects list benefits and to whom or what 
resource, and quantify them in a standard measure such as dollars, 
acres, miles . . . etc.
    (c) Approach. Outline a plan of action pertaining to the scope and 
detail how the proposed work will be accomplished for each assistance 
program. Cite factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work and 
reasons for taking this approach as opposed to others. Describe any 
unusual features of the project, such as design or technological 
innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and 
community involvements. Provide for each assistance program 
quantitative projections of the accomplishments to be achieved and 
target dates for completion, if possible. When accomplishments cannot 
be quantified, list the activities in chronological order to show the 
schedule of accomplishments and target expected completion dates. 
Identify the kinds of data to be collected and maintained, and discuss 
the criteria to be used to evaluate the results and success of the 
project. Explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the 
needs identified and discussed are being met and if the results and 
benefits identified are being achieved. List each organization, 
cooperator, consultant, or other key individuals who will work on the 
project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution.
    (d) Geographic location. Give a precise location of the project and 
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids 
may be attached. Add latitude and longitude where possible, this is 
required for all site specific development, such as boating access, 
construction, or land acquisition projects.
    (e) If applicable, provide the following information:
    (1) For research and demonstration assistance requests, present a 
biographical sketch of the program director with the following 
information: name, address, telephone number, background, and other 
qualifying experience for the project. Also, list the name, training 
and background for other key personnel engaged in the project.
    (2) Describe the relationship between this project and other work 
planned, anticipated, or underway under Federal assistance.
    (3) Explain the reason for all requests for supplemental assistance 
and justify the need for additional funding. Discuss accomplishments to 
date and list in chronological order a schedule of accomplishments, 
progress or milestones anticipated with the new funding request. If 
there have been significant changes in the project objectives, 
location, approach or time delays, explain and justify.
    (4) For other requests for changes, or amendments, explain the 
reason for the change(s). If the scope or objectives have changed or an 
extension of time is necessary, explain the circumstances and justify. 
If the total budget has been exceeded or if the individual budget items 
have changes more than the prescribed limits, explain and justify the 
change and its effect on the project.
    (f) For the following types of programs, the Regional Office may 
request the following additional information:
    Additionally for:
    1. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration: For Hunter Education 
grants, ``If the work includes the construction of training facilities 
such as ranges, provide a description of each facility by type, 
capacity, and cost.''
    2. Boating Infrastructure Projects: How does this project benefit 
the public and how is that benefit measured; the BIG programs requires 
that applicants submit a Schedule of Fees, providing the fees for 
public use of facilities constructed with BIG funds; proposals will 
need to respond to the ranking criteria in 50 CFR 86.60.
    3. Partnerships for Wildlife Projects: Describe the partnership 
involved in this project and what their relative contribution to the 
partnership is;
    4. All lands acquisition projects, regardless of program must 
include: Environmental Compliance, Legal Description of the Property, 
An Appraisal, A Review Appraisal, Statement of Just Compensation, 
Purchase Option/Agreement, and, after the property has been purchased 
and the Grant closed, a Title Insurance Policy or Title Certificate. If 
application is made under one of the exceptions listed in 49 CFR 24, 
evidence of compliance with the exception must be provided.
    5. Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act: Prerequisites for 
participation in grants under Sec. 6 are that the State establishes and 
maintains an adequate and active program for the conservation of 
endangered and threatened species [50 CFR 81.2], and has entered into a 
Cooperative Agreement with the Secretary of the Interior [50 CFR 81.3] 
which must be renewed annually. Federal payments shall not exceed 75 
percent of the program costs, except when two or more states having a 
common interest in one or more endangered or threatened species and may 
enter jointly into an agreement with the Secretary, and thereby 
increase the Federal share to 90% [50 CFR 81.8].
    6. Surveys and Inventory: Address each of the following factors.
    a. Adequacy: Are the data answering the decision-makers' questions? 
The review should evaluate whether the date acquired from the survey 
are actually meeting the stated purpose. Analysis of trend data will 
identify whether data being collected are sufficient in answering the 
agency's management questions or whether data gaps exist. Timeliness of 
data collection, analysis and availability is important.
    b. Necessity: Are the data used by decision makers? In determining 
the necessity of a particular survey, consideration should be given to 
what data are actually being collected and their use in management 
decisions. Survey utility should be considered in the context of the 
agency's data needs, given necessary prioritization and allocation of 
staff and monetary resources.
    c. Reliability: Are the decision makers confident in the data? 
Survey design should be based on sound science and key results should 
be statistically reliable. A review of the literature will show whether 
the methodology is still current or if there are other state-of-the-art 
techniques that might prove more suitable. Validity of the survey 
approach and whether assumptions are met should be considered as well 
as whether sample sizes are sufficient to achieve desired levels of 
precision.
    d. Efficiency: Are the data being collected in a cost efficient 
manner? Data collection is costly, both in staff time and dollars 
expended. The cost of data collection and analysis should be assessed 
relative to applicability and use of the data by decision makers.

[[Page 53742]]

    7. All projects must meet all applicable NEPA, Endangered Species 
Act (Section 7), and National Historic Preservation Act requirements. 
Information will be collected as mandated under those Acts to satisfy 
compliance requirements. (This burden is included in the 80 hour 
estimate per application.)
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M

[[Page 53743]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05SE00.028

BILLING CODE 4310-55-C

[[Page 53744]]

Part 6--Financial and Accomplishment and Financial Reporting

Accomplishment and Performance

    Accomplishment and Performance reports shall compare the proposed 
work, approved as part of the Grant Agreement, with the actual work 
accomplished, any deviation, including, but not limited to, cost, time, 
quality, or quantity shall be reported.

Financial Reports

    Grantees shall use the SF-269 series documents provided by our 
Regional Offices, on our website, diskette or CD.

Payment

    How do grantees get paid? Payments are made only to grantee 
officials authorized to enter into grant agreements and request funds. 
Payments to grantees are made for the Federal share of allowable costs 
incurred by the grantee in accomplishing approved grants. All payments 
are subject to final determination of allowability based on audit.
    a. Requests for payments by check are submitted on Standard Form 
SF-270 Request for Reimbursement. Grantees must submit a SF-270 and 
supporting documentation to the FWS Project Leader, who will review, 
approve, and forward to USFWS Finance for processing the payment.

    Note: Grantees will be told at the time the grant is issued if 
they are a regular or special grantee.

    b. For regular grants, payments within 24 hours by Electronic Fund 
Transfer (EFT) from the grantor are accomplished by completing a SF-
1199A Direct Deposit Sign Up Form and forwarding it to Health and Human 
Services (address at FWS Regional Offices) for authorization in the 
payment management system SMARTLINK. Requests for payment are submitted 
by grantee directly to SMARTLINK, payment is monitored/authorized by 
the FWS Regional Office.
    c. For special grants, payments within 24 hours by Electronic Fund 
Transfer (EFT) from the grantor are accomplished by completing a SF-
1199A Direct Deposit Sign Up Form and forwarding it to Health and Human 
Services (address at FWS Regional Offices) for authorization in the 
payment management system SMARTLINK. Funds are then requested by 
submitting through FAX or E-mail an invoice/request for review and 
approval by the FWS project leader. After approval is received, the 
grantee may request funds electronically through SMARTLINK.

Part 7

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Division of Federal 
Aid awards grants to successful applicants from States and certain 
other entities to benefit fish and wildlife resources. Applications may 
be mailed to the following addresses for review by the Regional office 
serving your need.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Region 1: AS-CA-GU-HI-ID-NV-OR-MP- U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (503) 231-6128, FAX: (503) 231-6996.
 WA.                                Service, 911 NE 11th
                                    Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-
                                    4181.
Region 2: AZ-NM-OK-TX............  U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (505) 248-7450, FAX: (505) 248-7471.
                                    Service, P.O. Box 1306,
                                    Albuquerque, NM 87103-1306
                                         OR...................
                                   625 Silver SW, Suite 325,
                                    Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Region 3: IA-IL-IN-MI-MN-MO-OH-WI  U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (612) 713-5130, FAX: (612) 713-5290.
                                    Service, 1 Federal Drive,
                                    Ft. Snelling, MN 55111-
                                    4056.
Region 4: AL-AR-FL-GA-KY-LA-MS-NC- U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (404) 679-4159, FAX: (404) 679-4160.
 PR-SC-TN-VI.                       Service, 1875 Century
                                    Blvd., Suite 324, Atlanta,
                                    GA 30345.
Region 5: CT-DC-DE-MA-MD-ME-NH-NJ- U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (413) 253-8508, FAX: (413) 253-8487.
 NY-RI-VA-VT-WV-PA.                 Service, 300 Westgate
                                    Center Drive, Hadley, MA
                                    01035-9589.
Region 6: CO-KS-MT-ND-NE-SD-UT-WY  U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (303) 236-7392, FAX: (303) 236-8192.
                                    Service, P.O. Box 25486,
                                    Denver Federal Center,
                                    Denver, CO 80225
                                         OR...................
                                   Lake Plaza North Bldg., 134
                                    Union Blvd., 4th Floor,
                                    Lakewood, CO 80228.
Region 7: AK.....................  U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (907) 786-3435, FAX: (907) 786-3575.
                                    Service, 1011 East Tudor
                                    Road, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Washington, D.C.: National Issues  U.S. Fish and Wildlife       Comm: (703) 358-2156, FAX: (703) 358-1837.
 and Program Coordination.          Service, 4401 N. Fairfax
                                    Drive, Suite 140,
                                    Arlington, VA 22203.
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    Dated: August 29, 2000.
Rebecca A. Mullin,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Information Collection Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-22597 Filed 9-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M