[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42132-42135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15975]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 14, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 42132]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-4202-09; I.D. 070804C]


Omnibus Notice Announcing the Availability of Grant Funds for 
Fiscal Year 2005; Addendum Additional Programs

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NOAA publishes this notice to amend the agency's solicitation 
for applications published on June 30, 2004, in an action entitled 
``Omnibus Notice Announcing the Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal 
Year 2005.'' In this notice, NOAA adds five programs that are making 
funds available for financial assistance awards. Interested applicants 
should consult the June 30, 2004, notice for all of the other 
requirements for submitting an application.

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. The FR notices may 
be found on the NOAA website at http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Eamd/SOLINDEX.HTML. The e-mail for Grants.gov is http:www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the prior published 
Omnibus Federal Register Notice, the full funding opportunity 
announcement and/or application, please access it via Grants.Gov at 
http://www.grants.gov or contact the person listed as the information 
contact under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In this notice, NOAA adds five programs that 
are making funds available for financial assistance awards. Interested 
applicants should consult the June 30, 2004 (69 FR 39417) notice for 
all of the other requirements for submitting an application. This 
omnibus notice describes funding opportunities for the following NOAA 
discretionary grant programs:

NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN), Research and Development 
Projects in the Gulf of Mexico and off the U.S. South Atlantic Coastal 
States
2. Cooperative Research Program, Research and Development Projects in 
the Gulf of Mexico and off the U.S. South Atlantic Coastal States

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

National Sea Grant College Program
1. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program
2. National Strategic Investment in Aquatic Invasive Species Research 
and Outreach

National Weather Service

IFLOWS-Integrated Flood Observing and Warning System (IFLOWS) Program

NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN), Research and Development 
Projects in the Gulf of Mexico and off the U.S. South Atlantic Coastal 
States
    Summary Description: The NMFS Southeast Regional Office is inviting 
the public to submit research and development projects that will 
optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and off the South 
Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida 
involving the U.S. fishing industry (recreational and commercial), 
including fishery biology, resource assessment, socioeconomic 
assessment, management and conservation, selected harvesting methods, 
and fish handling and processing. Proposals may be selected for funding 
for up to three years through a cooperative agreement.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $2.5 million may be available 
in fiscal year (FY) 2005 for projects. This amount includes possible 
in-house projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office anticipates that 
typical project awards will range from $30,000 to $300,000. The average 
award is $78,950.
    Statutory Authority: We are soliciting applications for Federal 
assistance pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    CFDA: 11.433 Marine Fisheries Initiative.
    Application Deadline: We must receive your application by close of 
business (5 p.m. eastern daylight time) on August 30, 2004. 
Applications will be date stamped to show date and time received. 
Applications received after that time will not be considered for 
funding.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: You can obtain an application 
package from, and send your completed application(s) to: National 
Marine Fisheries Service, State/Federal Liaison office, 9721 Executive 
Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. You may also obtain the 
application package from the MARFIN Home Page at: http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov/grants/programs/marfin.htm
    Information Contact(s):Ellie Francisco Roche, Chief, State/Federal 
Liaison Office at (727) 570-5324.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include: Institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, state, local and 
Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not 
eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of 
foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for 
purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the MARFIN program 
is to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine 
fishery resources.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. Cooperative Research Program, Research and Development Projects in 
the Gulf of Mexico and off the U.S. South Atlantic Coastal States
    Summary Description: The NMFS Southeast Regional Office is inviting 
the public to submit research and development projects that seek to 
increase and improve the working relationship between researchers from

[[Page 42133]]

the NMFS, state fishery agencies, universities, and fishermen. The 
program is a means of involving commercial and recreational fishermen 
in the collection of fundamental fisheries information. Collection 
efforts support the development and evaluation of management and 
regulatory options. Projects accepted for funding will need to be 
completed within 24 months.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $2.0 million may be available 
in fiscal year (FY) 2005 for projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office anticipates that typical project awards will range from $45,000 
to $480,000. The average award is $190,000.
    Statutory Authority: We are soliciting applications for Federal 
assistance pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    CFDA: 11.454 Unallied Management Projects.
    Application Deadline: We must receive your application by close of 
business (5 p.m. eastern daylight time) on September 13, 2004. 
Applications will be date stamped to show date and time received. 
Applications received after that time will not be considered for 
funding.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: You can obtain an application 
package from, and send your completed application(s) to: National 
Marine Fisheries Service, State/Federal Liaison office, 9721 Executive 
Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. You may also obtain the 
application package from the CRP homepage at: http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov/grants/programs/crp.htm.
    Information Contact(s):Ellie Francisco Roche, Chief, State/Federal 
Liaison Office at (727) 570-5324.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include: Institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, state, local and 
Indian tribal governments and individuals. Federal agencies or 
institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international 
organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the 
objective of the CRP is to optimize research and development benefits 
from U.S. marine fishery resources.
    Applicants who are not commercial or recreational fisherman must 
have commercial or recreational fishermen participating in their 
project. There must be a written agreement with a fisherman describing 
the involvement in the project activity.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

National Sea Grant College Program
1. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program
    Summary Description: NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
the U.S. Maritime Administration expect to entertain proposals to 
conduct ballast water treatment technology testing and demonstration 
projects. The Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program supports 
projects to develop, test, and demonstrate technologies that treat 
ships' ballast water in order to reduce the threat of introduction of 
aquatic invasive species to U.S. waters through the discharge of 
ballast water.
    Funding Availability: Depending on 2005 appropriations, NOAA and 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expect to make available up to about 
$2 million in FY 2005, and the U.S. Maritime Administration expects to 
make available several vessels for use as test platforms, support 
ballast water treatment technology demonstration projects. The maximum 
amount of award will vary with the scale of the proposed project. If $2 
million is made available, approximately 8 grants with a median value 
of about $200,000 are anticipated to be awarded.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131; 46 U.S.C. 
App 1211 (2000); 50 U.S.C. App 1744 (2000).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support; 15.FFA Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.
    Application Deadline: Pre-proposals must be received by the 
National Sea Grant Office by 4 p.m. EDT on August 27, 2004, and by 4 
p.m. EST on November 16, 2004 for full proposals.
    Addresses for Submitting Proposals: Pre-proposals and full 
proposals must be submitted to the National Sea Grant Office, Attn: 
Mrs. Geraldine Taylor, SG-Ballast Water, 1315 East-West Highway, R/SG, 
Rm 11732, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone number for express mail 
applications is 301-713-2445.
    Information Contact(s): Dorn Carlson, NOAA National Sea Grant 
Office, 301-713-2435; via internet at [email protected]; or Pamela 
Thibodeaux, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 703-358-2493; via internet 
at [email protected]; or Deborah Aheron, U.S. Maritime 
Administration, 202-366-8887; via internet at 
[email protected]. Further information can be obtained from 
the above information contacts, or on the Ballast Water Program 
website, http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/nonindigenous/ballast.
    Eligibility: Individuals, institutions of higher education, 
nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, Federal, State, 
local and Indian tribal governments, foreign governments, organizations 
under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international 
organizations are eligible. Only those who submit pre-proposals by the 
deadline are eligible to submit full proposals.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. National Strategic Investment in Aquatic Invasive Species Research 
and Outreach
    Summary Description: The National Sea Grant College Program seeks 
to fund research and outreach projects addressing the introduction and 
spread of aquatic invasive species. The goal of the program is to 
discover and develop information and tools that can lead to the 
prevention, monitoring and control of aquatic invasive species 
threatening United States coastal, oceanic and Great Lakes communities, 
resources and ecosystems. Appropriate areas of research may include: 
biology and life history research, population dynamics, genetics, 
physiology, behavior, and parasites and diseases of nonindigenous 
species, ecological and environmental tolerances of nonindigenous 
species, impacts of invasive species at each stage of their life 
history on the environment, resources, and human health, research into 
invasive species control measures (engineering, physical, chemical, 
biological, physicochemical, administrative, and educational), and 
economic impact analysis of invasive species on marine and coastal 
resources, sport, commercial and tribal fisheries, the recreation and 
tourism industry, the shipping and navigation industry, and municipal 
and industrial water users. Other appropriate areas of endeavor may 
include: use of research results to provide a scientific basis for 
developing sound policy and environmental law, public education and 
technology transfer, research and outreach into identifying vectors of 
ANS introduction, and education and outreach activities that will 
transfer this information to the appropriate users.
    Funding Availability: Depending on the overall funding 
appropriation for the

[[Page 42134]]

National Sea Grant College Program, about $3,900,000 is anticipated to 
be available to support invasive species research projects, and about 
$1,700,000 to support invasive species outreach projects, in FY 2005 
and FY 2006. Funding will be limited to $150,000 per year for a maximum 
of two years' duration.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Pre-proposals must be received by a state Sea 
Grant Program (or by the National Sea Grant Office in the case of an 
applicant in a non-Sea Grant state) by 4 p.m. (local time) on August 
27, 2004, and by 4 p.m. (local time) on November 16, 2004 for full 
proposals. State Sea Grant Programs are to forward all proposals 
received by the above deadlines to the National Sea Grant Office by 4 
p.m. EDT on September 2, 2004 and full-proposals by 4 p.m. EST November 
23, 2004.
    Addresses for Submitting Proposals: Pre-proposals and full 
proposals from Sea Grant states must be submitted to the state Sea 
Grant Program. The addresses of the state Sea Grant Programs may be 
found at http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html. Pre-proposals 
and full proposals from non-Sea Grant states may be submitted either to 
the nearest state Sea Grant Program or directly to the National Sea 
Grant Office, Attn: Mrs. Geraldine Taylor, SG-Invasive Species, 1315 
East-West Highway, R/SG, Rm 11732, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone 
number for express mail applications is 301-713-2445.
    Information Contact(s): Dorn Carlson, NOAA National Sea Grant 
Office, 301-713-2435; via internet at [email protected].
    Eligibility: Individuals, institutions of higher education, 
nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, State, local and 
Indian tribal governments, foreign governments, and international 
organizations are eligible. Only those who submit pre-proposals by the 
deadline are eligible to submit full proposals.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Applicants are required to provide one 
dollar non-Federal funds for every two dollars of Federal funds.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

National Weather Service

IFLOWS - Integrated Flood Observing and Warning System (IFLOWS) Program
    Summary Description: The NWS is soliciting requests to provide 
capital funds for the creation, refurbishment, or replacement of 
Automated Flood Warning Systems (AFWS). The IFLOWS Program is a joint 
undertaking by the National Weather Service (NWS) and participating 
States to improve flood warning capabilities. The NWS provides 
technical support and funds for initial capital and installation costs 
for equipment, life-cycle equipment replacement or upgrading in coming 
years, software development, and centralized forecast and analysis 
activities.The expected period of performance is for one year with an 
anticipated start date of April 1, 2005. NOAA/NWS will partner with 
entities that can demonstrate a long-term ability to operate and 
maintain an AFWS and provide the data to the NWS.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $500,000 will be available 
through this announcement for fiscal year 2005. Proposals should be 
prepared assuming an annual budget of no more than $100,000.Statutory 
Authority: 15 USC 313; 33 USC 883d; 49 USC 44720 (b). CFDA: 11.450, 
Integrated Flood Observing and Warning System.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by the NWS no 
later than 5 P.M., local time, October 21, 2004.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: NOAA/NWS; 1325 East-West Highway, 
Room 13396; Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283.
    Information Contact(s): John Bradley, NOAA/NWS; 1325 East-West 
Highway, Room 13396; Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283, or by phone at 
301-713-0624 ext. 154, or fax to 301-713-1520, or via internet at 
[email protected].
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, and, state, local and Indian tribal 
governments.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None. However, applicant resource 
commitment will be considered in the competitive selection process.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Limitation of Liability

    Funding for programs listed in this notice is contingent upon the 
availability of Fiscal Year 2005 appropriations. Applicants are hereby 
given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for the programs 
listed in this notice. 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.

Universal Identifier

    Applicants should be aware that, they are required to provide a Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during the 
application process. See the October 30, 2002 Federal Register, Vol. 
67, No. 210, pp. 66177B66178 for additional information. Organizations 
can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet (http://www.dunandbradstreet.com).

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

[[Page 42135]]

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 and 424A,424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 has been approved by the 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 ActPrior 
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: July 8, 2004.
Richard N. Bennett,
Acting Director, Acquisition and Grants Office, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-15975 Filed 7-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-S