[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15842-15846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7022]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 00-1220361; I.D. 022801A]
0648-ZB03


Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative (SSLRI)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that funding will be made available to assist 
eligible individuals and entities in carrying out research into the 
causes for the decline of Steller sea lions in waters off Alaska. NMFS 
issues this notice describing the conditions under which applications 
will be accepted and selected for funding. Areas of emphasis for the 
SSLRI Program were derived from specific legislative directives and 
supported through recommendations received from non-Federal scientific 
and technical experts and from NMFS research and operations officials.

DATES: Applications for funding under this program are due 5 p.m. 
Alaskan standard time on April 23, 2001. Applications received after 
that time will not be considered for funding. No facsimile or 
electronic applications will be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Send applications to Peter Jones, SSLRI Program, Program 
Office, NMFS Alaska Region, PO Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Jones (907) 586-7280 or via 
email at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

    The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is authorized under 16 U.S.C. 
1380 (d)(1) to undertake a scientific research program to monitor the 
health and stability of the Bering Sea marine ecosystem and to resolve 
uncertainties concerning the causes of population declines of marine 
mammals, sea birds, and other living resources of that marine 
ecosystem. In the FY 2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 106-
554, Miscellaneous Appropriations, Div. A, Chap. 2, Section 209(d)), 
Congress appropriated $20 million to the Secretary of Commerce for the 
development and implementation of a coordinated, comprehensive research 
and recovery program for the Steller sea lion. The purpose of this 
announcement is to invite the submission of applications for Federal 
assistance for research into the possible causes of the Steller sea 
lion decline in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Aleutian Island 
areas in accordance with Pub. L. 106-554 and to set forth how 
applications will be selected for funding.

II. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    This program will be added to the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance'' (CFDA) under program number 11.439, Marine Mammal Data 
Program.

III. Program Description

A. Background

    The western population of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) 
is listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). NMFS, in conjunction with the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, has jurisdiction over Federal 
fisheries management in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. NMFS 
also has stewardship responsibility to ensure the protection and 
recovery of the Steller sea lion. Several groundfish fisheries are 
conducted in the Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska 
regions which overlap the designated critical habitat of the Steller 
sea lion. NMFS conducted a formal consultation, pursuant to section 7 
of the ESA, examining the likelihood that Federal commercial groundfish 
fisheries in prescribed Federal waters off Alaska may jeopardize the 
continued existence of the Steller sea lion and adversely modify or 
destroy designated critical habitat. A Biological Opinion released by 
NMFS on November 30, 2000 concluded that the fisheries for certain 
groundfish species jeopardize the continued existence of the western 
population of Steller sea lions and adversely modifies its critical 
habitat.
    This information is provided to serve as a brief summary of the 
background of this research initiative, not as a comprehensive account 
of the circumstances surrounding this program's origins. For additional

[[Page 15843]]

information (including the full text of the ESA Section 7 Consultation 
Biological Opinion and the Recovery Plan for the Steller Sea Lion) 
please refer to research: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/stellers.htmor contact Dr. Michael Payne, Assistant Regional 
Administrator, Protected Resources Division, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska, (907) 586-7236, 
[email protected].


    Note: The applicant is responsible for obtaining all Federal, 
state, and local government permits and approvals for projects or 
activities to be funded under this announcement. This includes, as 
applicable, certification under state Coastal Zone Management Plans, 
section 404 or section 10 permits issued by the Corps of Engineers; 
experimental fishing or other permits under FMPs; scientific permits 
under ESA and/or the Marine Mammal Protection Act; and assistance to 
the Federal government in developing environmental impact statements 
to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

B. Objectives

    The primary objective of the Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative 
is to provide support to non-Federal entities and individuals for 
research into the cause of the decline of the Steller sea lion and to 
develop conservation and protective measures to ensure recovery of the 
species. A secondary objective is that research products contribute 
immediate, short-term information relevant to adaptive fishery 
management strategies in the BS/AI and GOA groundfish fisheries. This 
does not preclude long-term research efforts that demonstrate a 
likelihood of (1) improving the understanding of the causes for 
decline, (2)advancing the ecosystem based knowledge of the species, or 
(3)improving technologies that would enhance research opportunities.
    In an effort to develop a framework to organize the research 
commitments of various entities in the 2001 research season, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service has consulted with the National Ocean 
Service, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the Alaska 
SeaLife Center, the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research 
Consortium, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the 
University of Alaska, and the State of Alaska regarding developing 
research areas. After careful consideration of the recommendations 
offered by each entity, it is the National Marine Fisheries Service 
position that the following set of six primary research areas best 
synthesize the hypothesis-driven research direction for the SSLRI 
program.
    The hypothesis-driven model categorize research topics into the 
following six areas:
    (1) Fisheries Competition Hypothesis;
    (2) Environmental Change Hypothesis;
    (3) Predation Hypothesis;
    (4) Anthropogenic Effects Hypothesis;
    (5) Disease Hypothesis; and
    (6) Pollution Hypothesis.
    These categories do not represent the Research Priority Areas of 
this solicitation notice, but they are discussed here because they 
relate to the funding priorities listed below and because they may be 
used by NMFS to integrate and coordinate SSLRI research activities 
approved through this notice. For more information on this, or a copy 
of the 2001 research matrix developed during the January 24-25, 2001, 
Steller Sea Lion Research Meeting, please contact Dr. Michael Payne, 
Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, Alaska, (907) 586-7236, [email protected]

IV. Funding Availability

    This solicitation announces that approximately $15 million is 
available in fiscal year (FY) 2001. There is no guarantee that 
sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all acceptable 
projects. Publication of this notice does not obligate NMFS to award 
any specific project or to obligate any available funds.

V. Matching Requirements

    Applications must reflect the total budget necessary to accomplish 
the project, including contributions and/or donations. Cost-sharing is 
not required for the SSLRI program. If an applicant chooses to cost-
share and if that application is selected for funding, the applicant 
will be bound by the percentage of the cost share reflected in the 
grant award.

VI. Type of Funding Instrument

    The selection of a Funding Instrument (either grant or cooperative 
agreement) will be determined by the NOAA Grants Office in consultation 
with the NMFS/AKR Program Office. If the proposed research entails 
substantial involvement between the applicant and the NMFS, a 
cooperative agreement will be utilized. Under this agreement, the NMFS 
Alaska Program Office and Science Center will have substantial 
interactions with the applicant in planning and executing this project. 
This involvement may include the following:
    1. Assisting in developing the research direction;
    2. Providing access to data and resources;
    3. Facilitating partnering with appropriate organizations;
    4. Defining measures for evaluation of project performance; and
    5. Providing direct involvement in helping to understand, define, 
and resolve problems in the project's operations.

VII. Duration of Funding and Award Period

    Proposals will be accepted with a performance period ranging from 1 
to 3 years. Proposed research activities must demonstrate the ability 
to achieve an outcome and product within the requested award period. An 
application accepted for funding does not obligate NMFS to provide 
additional future funding. The award period will depend upon the 
duration of funding requested by the applicant in the Application for 
Federal Assistance, the decision of the NMFS' selecting official on the 
amount of funding, the results of post-selection negotiations between 
the applicant and NOAA officials, and review of the application by NOAA 
and DOC officials.

VIII. Eligibility Criteria

    A. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, 
hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, state, local, 
or Indian tribal governments, and individuals.
    B. Federal agencies, Federal instrumentalities, including Regional 
Fishery Management Councils and their employees, Federal employees, 
including NOAA employees (full-time, part-time, and intermittent 
personnel or their immediate families), and NOAA offices or centers are 
not eligible to submit an application under this solicitation or to aid 
in the preparation of an application during the 30-day solicitation 
period, except to provide information about the SSLRI program and the 
priorities and procedures included in this solicitation. However, NOAA 
employees are permitted to provide information about ongoing and 
planned NOAA programs and activities that may affect an application. 
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Peter Jones at the NMFS 
Alaska Region Program Office (see ADDRESSES) for information on NOAA 
programs.

IX. Indirect Costs

    The Project Budget form may include an amount for indirect costs if 
the applicant has an established indirect

[[Page 15844]]

cost rate with the Federal government. 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 
100 percent of the total proposed direct cost's dollar amount in the 
application, whichever is less. If applicable, a copy of the current, 
approved, negotiated indirect cost agreement with the Federal 
government must be included in the application.

X. Application Forms

    Before submitting an application under the SSLRI Program, it is 
recommended that applicants contact the NMFS Alaska Region Office for a 
copy of this solicitation's Application Package (see ADDRESSES). The 
Application Package consists of the standard National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's forms, instructions, and guidelines (OMB 
Control Numbers: 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0046).

XI. Project Funding Priorities

    Funding for a Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative was made 
available through an FY 2001 Federal appropriations which states:
    $20,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce 
to remain available until expended to develop and implement a 
coordinated, comprehensive research and recovery program for the 
Steller sea lion, which shall be designated to study-(1) available 
prey species; (2) predator/prey relationships; (3) predation by 
other marine mammals; (4) interactions between fisheries and Steller 
sea lions, including localized depletion theory; (5) regime shift, 
climate change, and other impacts associated with changing 
environmental conditions in the North Pacific and Bering Sea; (6) 
disease; (7) juvenile and pup survival rates; (8) population counts; 
(9) nutritional stress; (10) foreign commercial harvest of sea lions 
outside the exclusive economic zone; (11) the residual impacts of 
former government-authorized Steller sea lion eradication bounty 
programs; and (12) the residual impacts of intentional lethal takes 
of Steller sea lions. Within available funds the Secretary shall 
implement on a pilot basis innovative non-lethal measures to protect 
Steller sea lions from marine mammal predators including killer 
whales.
    For the purpose of this solicitation, funding priorities are:
    1. Available prey species;
    2. Predator/prey relationships;
    3. Predation by other marine mammals;
    4. Interactions between fisheries and Steller sea lions, including 
localized depletion theory;
    5. Regime shift, climate change, and other impacts associated with 
changing environmental conditions in the North Pacific and Bering Sea;
    6. Disease;
    7. Juvenile and pup survival rates;
    8. Population counts;
    9. Nutritional stress;
    10. Foreign commercial harvest of sea lions outside the exclusive 
economic zone;
    11. The residual impacts of former government-authorized Steller 
sea lion eradication bounty programs;
    12. The residual impacts of intentional lethal takes of Steller sea 
lions; and
    13. Feasibility study examining the development of innovative non-
lethal measures to protect Steller sea lions from marine mammal 
predations including killer whales.
    Examples of viable research topics that are subsets of the funding 
priorities include:
    1. Field studies to assess the Steller sea lion ``prey field'' in 
known local areas;
    2. Research to improve the measurement of the numbers of Steller 
sea lions;
    3. The development of a probabilistic assessment of the 
simultaneous pursuit of prey by juvenile Steller sea lions and the 
fisheries;
    4. The development of a population-dynamics model for the western 
stock of Steller sea lions;
    5. Studies to estimate killer whale and shark predation of Steller 
sea lions, including population abundance studies of transient killer 
whales;
    6. Studies to investigate the effects of environmental degradation, 
toxic substances, and/or other factors that may impair Steller sea lion 
endocrine, reproductive, and/or immune system functions;
    7. Studies to investigate the effects of diet on Steller sea lion 
fitness and survival;
    8. Studies examining the nutritional limitation of juvenile Steller 
sea lions, including comparative studies between juveniles in the 
eastern and western population;
    9. Studies to determine current Steller sea lion food habitats, 
including seasonal changes in prey composition and prey size;
    10. Studies to determine the ecological attributes that define 
spatial extent of sea lion critical habitat;
    11. Research into current demographic rates, including age-specific 
survival and reproduction, juvenile recruitment, and body size;
    12. Investigations into population subdivision and movement 
patterns based on molecular genetic techniques;
    13. Research examining pregnant females supporting pups during 
winter season;
    14. Development of new technologies to remotely monitor (across 
seasons) body condition, mortality, and patterns of spatially explicit 
foraging effort;
    15. Studies to determine the utility of fatty acid signature 
analyses in quantifying seasonal food habits and the timing of weaning;
    16. Analysis of historical satellite tag data to examine foraging 
depth and distance from rookeries;
    17. Studies examining effect on the abundance, distribution, and 
composition of Steller sea lion prey at spatial and temporal scales 
pertinent to foraging sea lions;
    18. Studies to determine the efficacy of fishery exclusion zones to 
improve Steller sea lion survival and reproductive rates;
    19. Studies directed at determining is commercial fishing 
activities result in localized depletion of Steller sea lion prey on a 
scale important to foraging sea lions;
    20. Studies that examine potential interactions between Steller sea 
lions and fisheries managed by the State of Alaska; and
    21. Studies that investigate alternative hypotheses regarding 
historical and recent Steller sea lion population trends.

XII. Evaluation Criteria

A. Evaluation of Proposed Projects

    1. Initial Screening of Applications: Upon receipt the NMFS Program 
Office will screen applications for conformance with requirements set 
forth in this notice. Applications which do not conform to the 
requirements may not be considered for further evaluation.
    2. Consultation with Interested Parties: As appropriate, NMFS will 
consult with NMFS Offices, the NOAA Grants Management Division, 
Department of Commerce, and other Federal and state agencies, the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, and other interested parties who 
may be affected by or have knowledge of a specific proposal or its 
subject matter.
    3. Technical Evaluation: NMFS will solicit individual technical 
evaluations of each project application from three or more NMFS 
scientists. The Technical Evaluation Team will be convened at the NMFS 
Alaska Region Office no later than one week from the closing date of 
application period. These reviewers will independently assign scores to 
applications based on the following evaluation criteria, with weights 
shown in parentheses:

[[Page 15845]]

    a. Soundness of Project Design/Conceptual Approach. Applications 
will be evaluated on the applicant's comprehension of the problem(s); 
the overall concept proposed for resolution; whether the applicant 
provided sufficient information to evaluate the project technically; 
and, if so, the strengths and/or weaknesses of the technical design 
relative to securing productive results. (50 percent)
    b. Project Management and Experience and Qualifications of 
Personnel. The organization and management of the project, and the 
project's principal investigator and other personnel in terms of 
related experience and qualifications will be evaluated. Those projects 
that do not identify the principal investigator with his or her 
qualifications will receive a lower point score. (25 percent)
    c. Project Evaluation. The effectiveness of the applicant's 
proposed methods to evaluate the project in terms of meeting its 
original objectives will be evaluated. (10 percent)
    d. Project Costs. The justification and allocation of the budget in 
terms of the work to be performed will be evaluated. Unreasonably high 
or low project costs will be taken into account. (15 percent)
    4. In addition to the above criteria, in reviewing applications 
that include consultants and contracts, NMFS will make a determination 
regarding the following:
    a. Is the involvement of the primary applicant necessary to the 
conduct of the project and the accomplishment of its objectives?
    b. Is the proposed allocation of the primary applicant's time 
reasonable and commensurate with the applicant's involvement in the 
project?
    c. Are the proposed costs for the primary applicant's involvement 
in the project reasonable and commensurate with the benefits to be 
derived from the applicant's participation?

B. Constituency Panel Review

    1. The Program Office will compile technical reviews and scores and 
present these to a second tier review referred to as the Constituency 
Panel.
    2. In the event that the total amount of requested funding for all 
eligible applications is less than available funds, the Regional 
Administrator, Alaska Region in consultation with the Assistant 
Administrator for Fisheries, may elect to forgo the second tier review 
and proceed to negotiations with the applicants.
    3. The Program Office will convene the Constituency Panel no later 
than one week following the conclusion of the Technical Evaluations. 
The Constituency Panel will comprise no fewer than three 
representatives to be recommended by the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council and selected by the Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region. Consistent with laws and regulations governing conflict of 
interest, composition of the constituency panel will consist of at 
least one representative from the Alaska fishing industry and one 
representative from an Alaska coastal community. At the discretion of 
the NMFS Program Office, the Constituency Panel may be separated into 
single or multiple priority areas for the purpose of expediting review 
and ensuring necessary subject expertise. After panel discussion of the 
overall proposal merits, the Constituency Panel members will 
individually rank the projects. The Constituency Panel is not tasked 
with reaching consensus on individual project merit. Considered in the 
rankings, along with the technical evaluation, will be (1) the 
significance of the proposed research as it will contribute to an 
understanding of the cause of the decline of Steller sea lion in their 
western range and (2) the ability of the proposed research to make an 
immediate or near-term contribution to the understanding of the 
relationship between the Steller sea lion and fisheries of the North 
Pacific. Each panelist will rank each project (on a scale of 1 being 
the lowest to 5 being the highest) in terms of importance or need for 
funding and provide recommendations on (1) the level of funding and (2) 
the merits of funding for each project.

XIII. Selection Procedures

    After projects have been evaluated and ranked, the NMFS Program 
Office will develop recommendations for project funding. After projects 
have been evaluated and ranked, the recommendations will be submitted 
to the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, who will, in consultation 
with the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, determine the projects 
to be funded, ensuring that there is no duplication with other projects 
funded by NOAA or other Federal organizations and that the projects 
selected for funding are those that best meet the objectives of the 
Steller Sea Lion Research Initiative.
    The exact amount of funds awarded to a project will be determined 
in pre-award negotiations among the applicant, NMFS Program Office, and 
NOAA Grants Office. Projects should not be initiated in expectation of 
Federal funding until a notice of award document is received. Although 
considerable effort will be made to expedite the review, selection, 
negotiation, and approval process in order to meet the 2001 research 
season, applicants are to be advised that, following the project 
selection, there is an additional review process by NOAA Grants 
Management Division that can extend beyond 60 days. It is recommended 
that applicants not request a project start date before June 1, 2001.

XIV. Other Requirements

    A. Federal policies and procedures. Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and DOC policies, 
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance 
awards. Women and minority individuals and groups are encouraged to 
submit applications under this program.
    Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the 
participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), 
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities (TCU) in its educational and research programs. The DOC/
NOAA vision, mission, and goals are to achieve full participation by 
Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) in order to advance the development 
of human potential, to strengthen the nation's capacity to provide 
high-quality education, and to increase opportunities for MSIs to 
participate in and benefit from Federal Financial Assistance programs. 
DOC/NOAA encourages all applicants to include meaningful participation 
of MSIs.
    B. Past performance. Any first-time applicant for Federal grant 
funds is subject to a pre-award accounting survey prior to execution of 
the award. Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may 
result in an application not being considered for funding.
    C. Pre-award 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 they may have received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover pre-award costs.
    D. No obligation of future funding. If an application is selected 
for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of

[[Page 15846]]

performance is at the total discretion of DOC.
    E. Delinquent Federal debt. No Federal funds will be awarded to an 
applicant or to its subrecipients who have any outstanding debt or fine 
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 DOC are made.
    F. Name check review. 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, such criminal charges as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters that significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity. Potential non-
profit and for-profit recipients may also be subject to reviews of Dun 
and Bradstreet data or of other similar credit checks.
    G. Primary applicant certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; 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 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and to the related 
section of the certification form prescribed here;
    2. Drug-free workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR 26.605) are 
subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Government wide Requirements 
for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and to the related section of the 
certification form prescribed here;
    3. Anti-lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR 28.105) are subject 
to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of 
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and 
financial transactions.'' The lobbying section of the CD-511 applies to 
applications/bids for grants, cooperative agreements, contracts for 
more than $100,000, and to loans and loan guarantees for more than 
$150,000.
    4. Anti-lobbying disclosures. Any applicant who has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit a Form SL-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 
28, appendix B.
    H. 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 Form 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.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. A form SF-LLL 
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to 
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document.
    I. False statements. A false statement on the application is 
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    J. Intergovernmental review. Applications under this program are 
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs.''
    K. American-made equipment and products. Applicants are hereby 
notified that they are encouraged, to the extent feasible, to purchase 
American-made equipment and products with funding provided under this 
program.

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts.
    Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for 
purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    Federal participation under the SSLRI Program may include the 
assignment of DOC scientific personnel and equipment.
    This notice contains information collection requirements which are 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Form 424, 
424A, and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the respective 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 Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

    Authority: Pub. L. 106-554, 16 U.S.C. 1380.

    Dated: March 14, 2001.
John Oliver,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7022 Filed 3-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S