[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 40 (Monday, March 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9592-9596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: R4-3083]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2004; Republication

    Editorial Note: Due to numerous errors, this document is being 
reprinted in its entirety. It was originally printed in the Federal 
Register on Thursday, February 12, 2004, at 69 FR 6942-6946.

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

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

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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 
contains the 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 this notice 
may be announced through both subsequent Federal Register notices and 
the NOAA Web site: 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 contact under each program or access 
it via NOAA's Web site: 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 Web 
site 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 conservation of 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 eligible researchers 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 pollutant levels; 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 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

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for all qualified projects. 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 applications that 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, 
e-mail [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 Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this 
program.
    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

National Ocean Service

1. Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program, Hawaiian Islands
    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 
Hawaiian Islands. Funded projects provide ``meaningful'' outdoor 
experiences for students and professional development opportunities for 
teachers in the area of environmental education.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $400,000 may be available for FY 2004 in award amounts to 
be determined by the proposals and available funds. It is anticipated 
that approximately 10 grants will be awarded with these funds. About 
$200,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for students 
to participate in a ``meaningful'' outdoor experience. About $200,000 
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 award period. The Pacific Services 
Center may review the grants funded under this announcement pending 
submission of successful proposals subject to technical and panel 
review, 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 experience'' and professional development in the 
area of environmental education for teachers) are K-through-12 public 
and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher 
education, 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 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.''
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 for students 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 award period and any renewal of the 
award period will depend on submission of a successful proposal subject 
to technical and panel review, 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, adequate progress on 
previous award(s) and/or site visits, and available funding.
    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1440.
    CFDA: 11.429, Marine Sanctuary Program.
    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.

[[Page 9594]]

    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 higher 
education, 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 will be 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 CIS 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 will be made for priority areas (1) 
through (4) and up to three awards for priority (5), depending on 
availability of funds.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1456c and 33 U.S.C 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, or by 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 are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

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

[[Page 9595]]

Environmental Entrepreneurship Program is designed to support education 
and training programs to engage students in applying the necessary 
skills, tools, methods and technologies in 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 Web site: 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 has 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 
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 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 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, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

[FR Doc. 04-3083 Filed 2-11-04; 8:45 am]

    Editorial Note: Due to numerous errors, this document is being 
reprinted in its entirety. It was originally printed in the

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Federal Register on Thursday, February 12, 2004, at 69 FR 6942-6949.
[FR Doc. R4-3083 Filed 2-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1505-01-D