[Federal Register: February 3, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 22)]
[Notices]
[Page 5568-5569]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03fe98-92]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
North American Wetlands Conservation Act: Request for Small
Grants Proposals for 1998
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is currently entertaining
proposals that request match funding for wetland conservation projects
under the Small Grants Program. Projects must meet the purposes of the
North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989, as amended. Funding
priority will be given to projects from new grant applications with new
partners, where the project ensures long-term conservation benefits.
DATES: Proposals must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Proposals should be addressed to: North American Waterfowl
and Wetlands Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Suite 110, Arlington, Virginia 22203, Attn: Small Grants
Coordinator.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Small Grants Coordinator, or Ms. Pat Bond,
Secretary, North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, 703/358-1784;
facsimile 703/358-2282.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the 1989 North American
Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), as amended, is to promote long-term
conservation of North American wetland ecosystems and the waterfowl and
other migratory birds, fish and wildlife that depend upon such habitat
through partnerships. Principal conservation actions supported by NAWCA
are acquisition, creation, enhancement and restoration of wetlands and
wetlands-associated habitat.
In 1996 and 1997, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council
(Council) initiated a pilot Small Grants program with an allocation of
$250,000 per year. The objective was to promote long-term wetlands
conservation activities through encouraging participation by new
grantees and partners who may not otherwise be able to complete in the
regular grants program. It was also hoped that successful participants
in the Small Grants program would be encouraged to participate in the
NAWCA-based Regular Grants program. Over the first two years, about 220
proposals requesting a total of approximately $6.4 million competed for
funding. Ultimately, 19 projects were funded. For 1998, with the
approval of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, the Council has
made the Small Grants program operational with a $500,000 allocation.
To be considered for funding in 1998, proposals must have a grant
request no greater than $50,000. All wetland conservation proposals
with be accepted that meet the requirements of the Act. However,
funding priority will be given to projects from new grant applicants
(individuals or organizations who have never received a NAWCA grant)
with new partners, where the project ensures long-term conservation
benefits.
In addition, proposals must represent on-the-ground projects, and
any overhead in the project budget may be no greater than 10 percent of
the grant amount. The anticipated magnitude of wetlands and wildlife
resources benefits that will result from project execution is an
important factor to be considered in proposal evaluation, and there
should be a reasonable balance between acreages of wetlands and
wetland-associated uplands.
Please keep in mind that NAWCA and matching funds may only be used
for wetlands acquisition, creation, enhancement, and/or restoration,
they may not be used for signage, displays, trails or other education
features, materials and equipment, even though the goal of the project
may ultimately be to support wetland conservation education curricula.
Projects oriented toward education are not ordinarily eligible for
NAWCA funding because education is not a primary purpose of the Act.
However, useful project outcomes can include educational benefits
resulting from conservation actions. Research is also not a primary
purpose of the Act, and research proposals will not be considered for
funding.
Even though requiring less total information than those submitted
for the regular grants program, Small Grant proposals must still be
clearly explained and meet the basic purposes given above and the 1:1
or greater non-Federal matching requirements of the NAWCA. Small Grants
projects must also be consistent with Council guidelines, objectives
and policies. All non-Federal matching funds and proposed expenditures
of grant funds must be consistent with Appendix A of the Small Grants
instructions, ``Eligibility Requirements for Match of NAWCA Grant and
Non-Federal Funds.''
Small Grants proposals may be submitted at any time prior to the
due date but must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 1, 1998.
Address submitted proposals as follows: North American Waterfowl and
Wetlands Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Suite 110, Arlington, VA 22203, Attn: Small Grants Coordinator.
It is essential that grant request packages be complete when they
are received in the North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office,
including all of the documentation of partners (partner letters) with
funding pledge amounts. Information of funding in partner letters,
i.e., amounts and description regarding use, must correspond with
budget amounts in the
[[Page 5569]]
budget table and any figures provided in the narrative.
With the volume of proposals received, it is expected that the
NAWWO will not be able to contact proposal sources to verify and/or
request supplement data and/or materials. Thus, those proposals lacking
required information or containing conflicting information will not be
considered for funding.
For more information, and to request the Small Grants instructional
booklet, call (703) 358-1784, facsimile (703) 358-2282, or send e-mail
to R9ARW__NAWWO@MAIL.FWS.GOV. Contact the Small Grants Coordinator, Dr.
Keith A. Morehouse, if you would like to receive the instructions
booklet e-mail or on a computer disk.
In conclusion, the Service requires that upon their arrival in the
NAWWO, proposal packages must be complete with regard to all of the
information requested, in the format requested, and on time.
Dated: December 19, 1997.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2581 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M