[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6942-6946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3083]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-4026-06; I.D. 061703A]
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2004

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

ACTION: Omnibus Notice Announcing the Availability of Grant Funds for 
Fiscal Year 2004.

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

SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
announces a third availability of grant funds for Fiscal Year 2004. 
This notice provides the general public program and application 
information related to the Agency's competitive grant offerings, and it 
containsthe information about those programs required to be published 
in the Federal Register. It should be noted that additional program 
initiatives unanticipated at the time of the publication of thisnotice 
may be announced through both subsequent Federal Register notices and 
the NOAA website: http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/SOLINDEX.HTML.

DATES: Proposals must be received by the date and time indicated under 
each program listing in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the addresses listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for each program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the full funding 
opportunity announcement and/or application kit, please contact the 
person listed as the information contactunder each program or access it 
via NOAA's website:http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/SOLINDEX.HTML.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA published its first omnibus notice 
announcing the availability of grant funds for both projects and 
fellowships/scholarships/internships for Fiscal Year 2004 in the 
Federal Register on June 30, 2003 (68 FR 38678). The evaluation 
criteria and selection procedures contained in the June 30, 2003 
omnibus notice are applicable to this solicitation. For a copy of the 
June 30, 2003 omnibus notice, please go to: http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/
amd/SOLINDEX.HTML.

Electronic Access

    The full funding announcement for each program is available via 
website:http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the 
program official identified below. These announcements will also be 
available through FedGrants at http://www.fedgrants.gov.

NOAA Project Competitions

    This third omnibus notice describes funding opportunities for the 
following NOAA discretionary grant programs:

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Right Whale Research Grants Program (RWRGP)
    Summary Description: The North Atlantic right whale is among the 
world's most endangered cetaceans. The population is believed to number 
only about 300 individuals and appears to be declining. The lack of 
recovery is due in part to high mortality from human sources, notably 
fishing gear entanglements and vessel collisions. A Recovery Plan is in 
effect, and conservationof this species is a high priority for NOAA 
Fisheries. Research directed at facilitating such conservation or to 
provide monitoring of the population's status and health, is also a 
high priority for the agency. The RWRGP is conducted by NOAA to provide 
Federal assistance to eligibleresearchers for: (1) detection and 
tracking of right whales; (2) behavior of right whales in relation to 
ships; (3) relationships between vessel speed, size or design with 
whale collisions; (4) modeling of ship traffic along the Atlantic 
coast; (5) population monitoring and assessment studies; 
(6)reproduction, health and genetic studies; (7) development of a 
Geographic Information System database or other system designed to 
investigate predictive modeling of right whale distribution in relation 
to environmental variables; (8) habitat quality studies including food 
quality and pollutantlevels; and (9) any other work relevant to the 
recovery of North Atlantic right whales.
    Funding Availability:
    This solicitation announces that a maximum of $2.0M may be 
available for

[[Page 6943]]

distribution under the FY 2004 RWRGP, in award amounts to be determined 
by the proposals and available funds. Applicants are hereby given 
notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for this program. 
There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make 
awards for all qualifiedprojects. The exact amount of funds that may be 
awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the 
applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this notice does not 
oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available 
funds. There is no set minimum or maximum amount for any award, and 
there is no limit on the number of applicationsthat can be submitted by 
the same researcher during the 2004 competitive grant cycle. However, 
there are insufficient funds to award financial assistance to every 
applicant. If an application for a financial assistance award is 
selected for funding, NOAA/NMFS has no obligation to provide any 
additional funding in connection with that award in subsequent years.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1380
    CFDA: 11.472, Unallied Science Programs
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be postmarked by 5 p.m. 
eastern time on April 12, 2004.
    Address for submitting Proposals: NOAA Fisheries Right Whale Grants 
Program, Protected Species Branch, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 
166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 508 495-2316.
    Information Contact(s): Dr Phillip J. Clapham, Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 508 495-2316, 
email [email protected].
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of 
higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
international organizations, foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies, or employees of Federal agencies 
are not eligible to apply.
    Cost Sharing Requirementste:http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/
SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program official identified below. 
These announcements will also be available through FedGrants at http://www.fedgrants.gov.

NOAA Project Competitions

    This third omnibus notice describes funding opportunities for the 
following NOAA discretionary grant programs:

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Right Whale Research Grants Program (RWRGP)
    Summary Description: The North Atlantic right whale is among the 
world's most endangered cetaceans. The population is believed to number 
only about 300 individuals and appears to be declining. The lack of 
recovery is due in part to high mortality from human sources, notably 
fishing gear entanglements and vessel collisions. A Recovery Plan is in 
effect, and conservationof this species is a high priority for NOAA 
Fisheries. Research directed at facilitating such conservation or to 
provide monitoring of the population's status and health, is also a 
high priority for the agency. The RWRGP is conducted by NOAA to provide 
Federal assistance to eligibleresearchers for: (1) detection and 
tracking of right whales; (2) behavior of right whales in relation to 
ships; (3) relationships between vessel speed, size or design with 
whale collisions; (4) modeling of ship traffic along the Atlantic 
coast; (5) population monitoring and assessment studies; 
(6)reproduction, health and genetic studies; (7) development of a 
Geograph under this announcement pending submission of successful 
proposals subject to technical and panel reviews, adequate progress on 
previous award(s) and/or site visits, and available funding.
    Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883d, 15 U.S.C. 1540
    CFDA: 11.473, Coastal Services Center.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific 
time on March 29, 2004.
    Address for submitting Proposals: Monterey Bay National Marine 
Sanctuary Office; 299 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Facsimile 
transmissions and electronic mail submission of proposals will not be 
accepted.
    Information Contact: Seaberry Nachbar, phone 831-647-4201, fax 831-
647-4250, internet at [email protected].
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants for both areas of interest 
(``Meaningful Outdoor Experiences'' and Professional Development in the 
Area of Environmental Education for Teachers) are K-through-12 public 
and independent schools and school systems, institutions of 
highereducation, commercial and nonprofit organizations, state or local 
government agencies, and Indian tribal governments. Applicants that are 
not eligible are individuals and Federal agencies.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the Pacific Services Center strongly encourages 
applicants to share as much of the costs of the award as possible. 
Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching funds. 
The nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of 
matching funds will be taken intoconsideration in the review process 
with cash being the preferred method of contribution.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program, Monterey Bay 
Watershed
    Summary Description: The B-WET grant program is a competitively 
based program that supports existing environmental education programs, 
fosters the growth of new programs, and encourages the development of 
partnerships among environmental education programs throughout the 
Monterey Bay watershed. Funded projects provide ``meaningful'' outdoor 
experiences forstudents and professional development opportunities for 
teachers in the area of environmental education.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $475,000 may be available in FY 2004 in award amounts to 
be determined by the proposals and available funds. It is anticipated 
that approximately 15 grants will be awarded with these funds. About 
$250,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for students 
to participate in a ``Meaningful''Outdoor Experience. About $225,000 
will be for proposals that provide opportunities for Professional 
Development in the area of Environmental Education for Teachers. 
Proposals may be submitted for up to 3 years. However, funds will be 
made available for only a 12-month awardperiod and any renewal of the 
award period will depend on submission of a successful proposal subject 
to technical and panel reviews, adequate progress on previous award(s), 
and available funding to renew the award. The NMSP may renew the grants 
funded under this announcement pending submission of successful 
proposals subject to technical and panel reviews, adequateprogress on 
previous award(s) and/or site visits, and available funding.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1440
    CFDA: 11.429, Marine Sanctuary Program.

[[Page 6944]]

    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific 
time on March 29, 2004.
    Address for submitting Proposals: Monterey Bay National Marine 
Sanctuary Office; 299 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Facsimile 
transmissions and electronic mail submission of proposals will not be 
accepted.
    Information Contact: Seaberry Nachbar, phone 831-647-4201, fax 831-
647-4250, internet at [email protected].
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants for both areas of interest 
(``Meaningful Outdoor Experiences'' and Professional Development in the 
Area of Environmental Education for Teachers) are K-through-12 public 
and independent schools and school systems, institutions of 
highereducation, commercial and nonprofit organizations, state or local 
government agencies, and Indian tribal governments. Applicants that are 
not eligible are individuals and Federal agencies.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the National Marine Sanctuary Program strongly 
encourages applicants to share as much of the costs of the award as 
possible. Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered 
matching funds. The nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) 
and the amount of matching funds willbe taken into consideration in the 
review process with cash being the preferred method of contribution.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
3. FY2004 Coastal Services Center Technical Assistance for Coastal 
Managers Program
    Summary Description: The Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers 
program represents an NOAA/CSC effort to improve the use of monitoring 
data and geospatial information and technology in coastal management 
through collaborative work with members of the coastal management 
community that have expertise in community planning and resource 
management.
    These activities will engage coastal managers from multiple 
organizations and levels of government and improve the management of 
coastal resources by applying geospatial knowledge, practices, and 
principles to new approaches for managing coastal resources. The 
Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers program contributes to other 
efforts at the NOAA/CSC and is designed to complement those efforts. 
Five program priorities will be targeted as a result of this 
announcement. They are:
    (1) Increasing coordination and planning between local land trusts, 
state agencies, and regional planning agencies within New England.
    (2) Development of a nationally consistent inventory system for 
geospatial data at the state level.
    (3) Increasing education and research opportunities in the 
application of GIS and remote sensing technologies to coastal resource 
management, with emphasis on recruiting under-represented minorities.
    (4) Incorporation of seagrass into the monitoring of the health of 
special management areas.
    (5) Pilot projects supporting the Data Management and 
Communications component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.
    NOAA/CSC will give sole attention to individual proposals that 
address one or more of the program priorities described above. 
Proposals must clearly specify which program priority is being 
addressed. A proposal must contain tasks that address each element 
listed for the priority chosen. All awards will be in the form of a 
cooperative agreement, which allows the NOAA/CSC to have substantial 
involvement in the projects in addition to providing funds. Applicants 
must propose a role for the NOAA/CSC that constitutes the substantial 
involvement listed for that priority.
    The names, affiliations, and phone numbers of relevant NOAA/CSC 
personnel are provided below. Prospective applicants should communicate 
with these focal points to ensure the role specified for the NOAA/CSC 
is practicable. Focal points cannot assist in the conceptual design of 
the project nor can they help with the design of specific elements 
included in a proposal.
    Funding Availability for FY2004: This funding opportunity announces 
that approximately $1,750,000 will be available through this 
announcement for fiscal year 2004 for cooperative agreements. Proposals 
should be prepared assuming a total budget of no more than $500,000 for 
priorities (1) and (4) and $125,000 for priorities (2),(3) and (5). It 
is expected that one award willbe made for priority areas (1) through 
(4) and up to three awards for priority (5), depending on availability 
of funds.
    Statutory Authority: 16 USC 1456c and 33 USC 1442
    CFDA: 11.473, Coastal Services Center.
    Application Deadline: Applicants applying for federal assistance 
under the Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers Program, must 
submit their applications by 5 p.m. local time March 15, 2004.
    Address for submitting Proposals: Coastal Services Center, 2234 
South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413 to the 
attention of Violet Legette, room 218.
    Information Contact(s): For administrative questions on all five 
program priorities, contact Violet Legette, NOAA CSC; 2234 South Hobson 
Avenue, Room 218; Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at 
843-740-1222, or by fax 843-740-1232, or via internet 
at[email protected]. For technical questions on program 
priorities (1), (2), and (3), contact Hamilton Smillie, NOAA CSC; 2234 
South Hobson Avenue, Room 153; Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, 
or by phone at 843-740-1192, or by fax 843-740-1315, or via internet at 
[email protected]. For technical questions on program priority 
(4), contact Pace Wilber, NOAA CSC; 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Room 
234B; Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at 843-740-
1235, or by fax 843-740-1315, or via internet at [email protected]. 
For technical questions on program priority (5), contact Anne Ball, 
NOAA CSC; 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Room 211; Charleston, South 
Carolina 29405-2413, orby phone at 843-740-1229, or by fax 843-740-
1315, or via internet at [email protected].
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, 
foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this announcement.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program is 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

[[Page 6945]]

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

1. NOAA Educational Partnership Program With Minority Serving 
Institutions: Environmental Entrepreneurship Program
    Summary Description: The goal of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Educational Partnership Program with 
Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) is to strengthen the capacity 
of Minority Serving Institutions to foster student careers, 
entrepreneurship opportunities and advanced academic degrees in 
sciences directly related to NOAA's mission.The Environmental 
Entrepreneurship Program is designed to support education and training 
programs to engage students in applying the necessary skills, tools, 
methods and technologies is sciences directly related to NOAA's 
mission. This includes fostering educational opportunities in coastal, 
oceanic, atmospheric, environmental sciences, and remote sensing 
technology, coupled with training in economics, marketing, product 
development, and services to create jobs,businesses and economic 
development opportunities. The Environmental Entrepreneurship Program 
promotes partnerships with MSIs, NOAA and the public-private sector.
    Funding Availability: Subject to appropriations, approximately $3 
million will be available for the Environmental Entrepreneurship 
Program competition in 2004. Proposals are limited to a total of 
$500,000 for a maximum of three years and approximately six proposals 
will be funded.
    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1540.
    CFDA: 11.481 Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving 
Institutions.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern 
time on March 15, 2004.
    Address for submitting Applications: NOAA EPP/MSI: Environmental 
Entrepreneurship Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 10725, SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail 
submission of proposals will not be accepted.
    Information Contact: Jewel G. Linzey, Program Manager, 
Environmental Entrepreneurship Program, (301) 713-9437 ext. 118, 
facsimile (301) 713-9465, e-mail [email protected]
    Eligibility: Minority Serving Institutions eligible to submit 
proposals include institutions of higher education identified by the 
Department of Education as:
    (i) Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
    (ii) Hispanic-Serving Institutions,
    (iii) Tribal Colleges and Universities,
    (iv) Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions on the 
most recent ``2003 United States Department of Education Accredited 
Post-Secondary Minority Institutions'' list: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: There is no cost-sharing requirement.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Limitation of Liability

    In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible 
for proposal preparation costs if these programs fail to receive 
funding or are cancelled because of other agency priorities.
    Publication of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any 
specific project or to obligate any available funds.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required 
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects 
or proposals which are seeking NOAA federal funding opportunities. 
Detailed information on NOAA compliance with NEPA can be found at the 
following NOAA NEPA website: http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our 
NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for NEPA, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/NAO216_6_TOC.pdf, and the Council on Environmental Quality 
implementation regulations,http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/toc_ceq.htm).
    Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under their 
description of their program activities, applicants are required to 
provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted, 
locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible 
construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist 
(e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals, 
introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and 
threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts
    to coral reef systems).
    In addition to providing specific information that will serve as 
the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be 
requested to assist NOAA in drafting of an environmental assessment, if 
NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be 
required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying and implementing 
feasible measures to reduce or avoid any identified adverse 
environmental impacts of their proposal. The failure to do so shall be 
grounds for the denial of an application.

The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by the Federal 
Register notice published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109), are 
applicable to this solicitation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have been approved by Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the respective control numbers 0348-
0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001. Notwithstanding 
anyother 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 requirements of the PRA unless 
that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies 
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order 
13132.

Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules 
concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not 
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
are

[[Page 6946]]

inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been 
prepared.

    Dated: February 5, 2004.
John J. Kelly, Jr.,
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
[FR Doc. 04-3083 Filed 2-11-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-S