[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52571-52585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25947]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On April 4, 2001, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published 
a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register (66 FR 
17857, April 4, 2001) announcing a new grant program, and the 
availability of grant funds under this program, to finance the 
installation of new transmitters to extend the coverage of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio system (NOAA 
Weather Radio) in rural America. Included in the NOFA was a list of 
proposed NOAA Weather Radio transmitter sites that would be eligible 
for funding.
    The primary purpose of this notice is to provide an updated listing 
of the proposed NOAA Weather Radio transmitter sites. An applicant for 
a grant under this program may apply for a site included in this 
updated listing or in the original listing published April 4, 2001. An 
additional purpose of this notice is to provide a clarification of how 
to calculate the maximum allowable grant amount. Finally, RUS 
emphasizes again that it strongly encourages all grant applicants to 
consult and coordinate with the National Weather Service prior to 
submitting a completed application.
    Further details on the application process and eligibility are 
available in the NOFA in the April 4, 2001, Federal Register (66 FR 
17857).

DATES: Applications for grants will be accepted until grants totaling 
$5 million in appropriations have been made.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberta D. Purcell, Assistant 
Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 
STOP 1590, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1590, 
Telephone (202) 720-9554, Facsimile (202) 720-0810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Clarification of Grant Amount

    Some grant applicants have been confused about how to calculate the 
maximum amount of grant allowed. The following is provided to try to 
eliminate that confusion. The percentage of total project costs 
eligible for grant funds is based on the population of the site and the 
per capita income of the county where the site is located. Grant 
assistance will be provided on a graduated scale with sparser, lower 
income communities eligible for a higher proportion of total project 
costs to be funded by a grant (i.e., 75, 65, or 55 percent). An 
applicant should base the computation of the eligible grant amount on 
the total project cost, which includes the value of the matching funds 
and in-kind facilities, such as tower space, building space, and 
electric power. The grant can usually cover all eligible equipment and 
installation costs, up to $80,000, if sufficient matching funds are 
provided. Note, however, that RUS grant funds cannot exceed the actual 
equipment and installation costs.

For example:

eligible equipment and installation costs = $60,000
matching funds = 84,000
    (tower space for 15 years = $54,000)
    (building space for 15 years = $18,000)
    (electric power for 15 years = $12,000)
total project costs (equipment & match) = $144,000
    (project cost of $144,000  x  required 75% = $108,000)

    However, the grant is limited to the lesser of $80,000 (maximum 
grant amount) or the actual equipment and installation costs. 
Therefore, in this case the grant would be for $60,000.

Updated List

    An area's need for a new NOAA Weather Radio transmitter is

[[Page 52572]]

determined by its inherent risk of hazardous weather and the absence of 
adequate coverage by an existing transmitter. RUS, in consultation with 
the National Weather Service, has developed the attached updated list 
of proposed transmitter sites that will be eligible for funding under 
the NOFA published in the April 4, 2001, Federal Register.
    RUS will continue to update its list from time to time and will 
publish updates in the Federal Register.

    Dated: October 10, 2001.
Roberta D. Purcell,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

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[FR Doc. 01-25947 Filed 10-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-C