FR Doc 05-12927

[Federal Register: June 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 125)]
[Notices]
[Page 37766-37788]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn05-45]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-567-18; I.D. 061505A]
RIN 0648-ZB55

Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2006

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

ACTION: Omnibus notice announcing the availability of grant funds for
fiscal year 2006.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
announces the availability of grant funds for Fiscal Year 2006. The
purpose of this notice is to provide the general public with a single
source of 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. This
omnibus notice is designed to replace the multiple Federal Register
notices that traditionally advertised the availability of NOAA's
discretionary funds for its various programs. 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. These announcements
will also be available through Grants.gov.

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 Web site at http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Egrants/funding.shtml The URL for Grants.gov is http://www.grants.gov.

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.

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

NOAA Project Competitions

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

1. Research in Satellite Oceanography
2. Research in Satellite Data Assimilation for Numerical and
Climate Prediction Models.
3. Research in Primary Vicarious Calibration of Ocean Color
Satellite Sensors.

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Protected Species Conservation and Recovery with States.
2. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.
3. Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project
Grants.
4. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management
Plans.
5. Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants.
6. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program.
7. FY06 Western Pacific Demonstration Projects.
8. MARFIN Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2006.
9. Cooperative Research Program (CRP) FY 2006.
10. North Atlantic Right Whale Research Programs.
11. General Coral Reef Conservation.

National Ocean Service.

1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--State and Territory
Coral Reef Management.
2. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--State and Territory
Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring.
3. South Florida Program.
4. Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Research Program (NGOMEX).
5. Ecological Forecasting.
6. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--International Coral
Reef Conservation.
7. FY 2006 Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program,
Hawai'i.
8. Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program, Monterey Bay
Watershed.
9. National Estuarine Research Reserves System FY2006 Land
Acquisition and Construction Competitive Program.
10. FY 2006 Coastal Services Center Environmental Characterization
of a U.S. Coastal Region.
11. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Leadership Training for Coastal
Managers and Scientists.
12. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Application of Spatial
Technology for Coastal Management.

[[Page 37767]]

13. Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) FY 2006.
14. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Performance Measurement
Technical Assistance.

National Weather Service

1. AFWS--Automated Flood Warning Systems (AFWS) Program.
2. Hydrologic Research.

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

1. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive
Funding Announcement (Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation
Facility).
2. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Announcement of Opportunity, FY
2006.
3. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive
Funding Announcement (Treatment Technology Demonstration Projects).

NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship and Internship Programs

National Ocean Service

1. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; Financial Assistance for
Graduate Students.
2. National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Graduate Research
Fellowship Program (GRF).

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

1. GradFell 2006 C NMFS/Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program
in Marine Resource Economics.
2. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship
Program).
3. Sea Grant--Industry Fellowship Program.
4. GradFell 2006 NMFS/Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program
in Population Dynamics.

Electronic Access

The full funding announcement for each program is available via the
Grants.gov Web site: http://www.grants.gov These announcements will also be available at the NOAA Web site http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/.

%7Egrants/funding.shtml or by contacting the program official
identified below. You will be able to access, download and submit
electronic grant applications for NOAA Programs in this announcement at
http://www.grants.gov. The closing dates will be the same as for the

paper submissions noted in this announcement. NOAA strongly recommends
that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the
application process through Grants.gov. Getting started with Grants.gov
is easy! Go to http://www.Grants.gov. There are two key features on the

site: Find Grant Opportunities and Apply for Grants. Everything else on
the site is designed to support these two features and your use of
them. While you can begin searching for grant opportunities for which
you would like to apply immediately, it is recommended that you
complete the remaining Get Started steps sooner rather than later, so
that when you find an opportunity for which you would like to apply,
you are ready to go. Individuals who plan to submit a grant application
using Grants.gov are required to register with the Credential Provider
and register with Grants.gov. In order for you to apply as an
individual, the grant application must be open to individuals and be
published on the Grants.gov Web site.
Individuals do not need a DUNS number to register to submit
applications. The system will generate a default value in that field.
Individuals who plan to submit a grant application using Grants.gov
are required to register with the Credential Provider (Step 3 B and
register with Grants.gov (Step 4 B).

Get Started Step 1 B Find Grant Opportunity for Which You Would Like To
Apply

Start your search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities
and register to receive automatic e-mail notifications of new grant
opportunities or any modifications to grant opportunities as they are
posted to the site by clicking the Find Grant Opportunities tab at the
top of the page.

Get Started Step 2 B Organizations Must Register With Central
Contractor Registry (CCR)

Your organization will also need to be registered with Central
Contractor Registry. You can register with them online. This will take
about 30 minutes. You should receive your CCR registration within 3
business days. Important: You must have a DUNS number from Dun &
Bradstreet before you register with CCR. Many organizations already
have a DUNS number. To determine if your organization already has a
DUNS number or to obtain a DUNS number, contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-
866-705-5711. This will take about 10 minutes and is free of charge. Be
sure to complete the Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) and Electronic
Business Primary Point of Contact fields during the CCR registration
process. These are mandatory fields that are required when submitting
grant applications through Grants.gov.

Get Started Step 3 B Register With the Credential Provider

You must register with a Credential Provider to receive a username
and password. This will be required to securely submit your grant
application.

Get Started Step 4 B Register With Grants.gov

The final step in the Get Started process is to register with
Grants.gov. This will be required to submit grant applications on
behalf of your organization. After you have completed the registration
process, you will receive e-mail notification confirming that you are
able to submit applications through Grants.gov.

Get Started Step 5 B Log on to Grants.gov

After you have registered with Grants.gov, you can log on to
Grants.gov to verify if you have registered successfully, to check
application status, and to update information in your applicant
profile, such as your name, telephone number, e-mail address, and
title. In the future, you will have the ability to determine if you are
authorized to submit applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your
organization.

Evaluation Criteria & Selection Procedures

NOAA standardized the evaluation and selection process for its
competitive assistance programs. All proposals submitted in response to
this notice shall be evaluated and selected in accordance with the
following procedures. There are two sets of evaluation criteria and
selection procedures, one for project proposals, and the other for
fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs. These evaluation
criteria and selection procedures apply to all of the programs included
below.

Proposal Review and Selection Process for Projects

[[Page 37768]]

conducted to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of
the application. Merit review is conducted by mail reviewers and/or
peer panel reviewers.
Each reviewer will individually evaluate and rank proposals using
the evaluation criteria provided below. A minimum of three merit
reviewers per proposal is required. The merit reviewer's ratings are
used to produce a rank order of the proposals. The NOAA Program Officer
may review the ranking of the proposals and make recommendations to the
Selecting Official based on the mail and/or panel review(s) and
selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official selects
proposals after considering the mail and/or peer panel review(s) and
recommendations of the Program Officer. In making the final selections,
the Selecting Official will award in rank order unless the proposal is
justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of
the selection factors below. The Program Officer and/or Selecting
Official may negotiate the funding level of the proposal. The Selecting
Official makes final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer
who is authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria for Projects

1. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed
project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is
intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal,
regional, State, or local activities.
2. Technical/scientific merit: This assesses whether the approach
is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate,
and whether there are clear project goals and objectives.
3. Overall qualifications of applicants: This ascertains whether
the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training,
facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project.
4. Project costs: The Budget is evaluated to determine if it is
realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time-frame.
5. Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project
provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy
regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's natural resources.

Selection Factors for Projects

The merit review ratings shall provide a rank order to the
Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. A program officer
may first make recommendations to the Selecting Official applying the
selection factors below. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank
order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order
based upon one or more of the following factors:
1. Availability of funding.
2. Balance/distribution of funds:
a. Geographically.
b. By type of institutions.
c. By type of partners.
d. By research areas.
e. By project types.
3. Whether this project duplicates other projects funded or
considered for funding by NOAA or other Federal agencies.
4. Program priorities and policy factors.
5. Applicant's prior award performance.
6. Partnerships and/or Participation of targeted groups.
7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA staff to make a NEPA
determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations
for funding are made to the Grants Officer.

Proposal Review and Selection Process for NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship
and Internship Programs

Some programs may include a pre-application process which provides
an initial review and feedback to the applicants that have responded to
a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however not all programs
will include such a process. If a pre-application process is used by a
program, it shall be described in the Summary Description and the
deadline shall be provided in the Application Deadline section. An
initial administrative review of full applications is conducted to
determine compliance with requirements and completeness of
applications. A merit review is conducted to individually evaluate,
score, and rank applications using the evaluation criteria. A second
merit review may be conducted on the applicants that meet the program's
threshold (based on scores from the first merit review) to make
selections using the selection factors provided below. The Program
Officer may conduct a review of the rank order and make recommendations
to the Selecting Official based on the panel ratings and the selection
factors listed below. The Selecting Official considers merit reviews
and recommendations. The Selecting Official will award in rank order
unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based
upon one or more of the selection factors below. The Selecting Official
makes final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer who is
authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships

1. Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of
student.
2. Quality of project and applicability to program priorities.
3. Recommendations and/or endorsements of student.
4. Additional relevant experience related to diversity of
education; extra-curricular activities; honors and awards;
interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
5. Financial need of student.

Selection Factors for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships

1. Balance/Distribution of funds:
a. Across academic disciplines.
b. By types of institutions.
c. Geographically.
2. Availability of funds.
3. Program-specific objectives.
4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought NOAA Project
Competitions.

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

1. Research in Satellite Oceanography
Summary Description: The National Environmental Satellite, Data,
and Information Service (NESDIS), Office of Research and Applications
(ORA), announces the availability of Federal assistance in the area of
satellite oceanography. This program responds to a need for research
and activities that expand the use of satellite oceanographic data.
Funded proposals will help build capabilities nationwide in the
application of satellite oceanographic data for environmental
monitoring, prediction, and coastal management. Program priorities
include research in ocean color, sea ice, ocean vector winds, sea
surface height, sea surface temperature, and sea surface roughness.
Funding Availability: The total amount available for proposals is
anticipated to be approximately $375,000 per year. Individual annual
awards in the form of grants or cooperative agreements are expected to
range from $50,000 per year to a maximum of $125,000 per year for no
more than two years.
Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is
provided under 33 U.S.C. 883d, 33 U.S.C. 1442, and 49 U.S.C. 44720(b).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.440,

[[Page 37769]]

Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received no later than 4
p.m. eastern daylight time, September 23, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Proposals must be submitted
electronically via http://www.grants.gov, or as hard copy (by postal

mail, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery) to the Office of
Research and Applications of NESDIS. Hard copy proposals must be
submitted to: ATTN: William Pichel, NOAA/NESDIS/ORA; WWB Room 601, 5200
Auth Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Tel: 301-763-8231 X166.
Information Contacts: Administrative questions: Kathy LeFevre, by
phone at 301-763-8127 ext. 103, fax: 301-763-8108, or e-mail:
Kathy.LeFevre@noaa.gov. Technical questions: William Pichel (NOAA
Program Officer), by phone at 301-763-8231 ext. 166, or fax to 301-763-
8020, or via e-mail: William.G.Pichel@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applications can be from U.S. institutions of
higher education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, and
State, local and indian tribal governments. U.S. Federal agencies or
institutions are eligible to receive Federal assistance under this
Notice as sub-awardees only and are limited in the amount of assistance
to be received to not more than 25% of the total budget (direct plus
indirect costs) requested in the proposal.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
2. Research in Satellite Data Assimilation for Numerical and Climate
Prediction Models
Summary Description: The Joint Center for Satellite Data
Assimilation (JCSDA) announces the availability of Federal assistance
for research in the area of satellite data assimilation in numerical
weather and climate prediction models. The goal of the JCSDA is to
accelerate the use of observations from earth-orbiting satellites in
operational numerical prediction models for the purpose of improving
weather forecasts, improving seasonal to interannual climate forecasts,
and increasing the physical accuracy of climate data sets. The advanced
instruments of current and planned NOAA, NASA, DoD, and international
agency satellite missions will provide large volumes of data on
atmospheric, oceanic, and land surface conditions with accuracies and
spatial resolutions never before achieved. The JCSDA will ensure that
the nation realizes the maximum benefit of its investment in space as
part of an advanced global observing system. Funded proposals will help
accelerate the use of satellite data from both operational and
experimental spacecraft in operational and product driven weather and
climate prediction environments, develop community radiative transfer
models, develop improved surface emissivity models, and advance data
assimilation science. This Federal Funding Opportunity is being managed
by NOAA on behalf of the JCSDA. Applicants are encouraged to submit a
Letter of Intent (LOI) describing the proposed work and its relevance
to targeted priority project areas. The purpose of the LOI process is
to provide information to potential applicants on the relevance of
their proposed project to JCSDA and the likelihood of it being funded
in advance of preparing a full proposal.
Funding Availability: Total funding available is anticipated to be
approximately $1 million. Individual annual awards in the form of
grants or cooperative agreements are expected to range from $50,000 to
$150,000.
Statutory Authority: Statutory authorities for this program are
provided under 15 U.S.C. 313, 49 U.S.C. 44720(b); 15 U.S.C. 2901 et
seq.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.440,
Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.
Preapplication/Application Deadline: Letters of Intent (LOIs) must
be received by NOAA/NESDIS no later than 5 p.m. eastern daylight time,
August 1, 2005, and full proposals must be received no later than 5
p.m. eastern daylight time, October 3, 2005.
Address for Submitting Letters of Intent and Proposals: LOIs must
be mailed or e-mailed to James G. Yoe, Deputy Director, Joint Center
for Satellite Data Assimilation, 5200 Auth Road, Room 701, Camp
Springs, MD 20746-4304, e-mail to: James.G.Yoe@noaa.gov. Full proposals
should be submitted through http://www.grants.gov/ unless the applicant

does not have Internet access. In that case hard copies may be sent to
the above address.
Information Contact(s): James G. Yoe, JCSDA, NOAA/NESDIS, 5200 Auth
Road, Room 810; Camp Springs, Maryland 20746, or by phone at 301-763-
8172 ext. 186, or fax to 301-763-8149, or via Internet at
James.G.Yoe@noaa.gov or Kathy LeFevre, NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth Road,

Room 701; Camp Springs, Maryland 20746, or by phone at 301-763-8127
ext. 107, or fax to 301-763-8108, or via Internet at
Kathy.LeFevre@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international
organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance
under this notice.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
3. Research in Primary Vicarious Calibration of Ocean Color Satellite
Sensors
Summary Description: The Office of Research and Applications (ORA)
announces the availability of Federal assistance in the research area
of ocean color satellite sensor calibration and validation. ORA is
committed to improving the vicarious calibration capabilities of a
Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) system located in Hawaii, with an ultimate
goal of a continuous, climate-quality time-series of normalized water-
leaving spectral radiances across multiple agency missions and ocean
color satellite sensors. Research efforts are focused on the reduction
of the total uncertainty budget in the determination of the normalized
water-leaving radiances from MOBY measurements, improvements in the
process used with the MOBY system for validation of ocean color
satellite sensor retrievals of water-leaving spectral radiances, and
the development of new MOBY system components which would increase
measurement integrity. These advances in vicarious calibration
capabilities would improve the quality and accuracy of ocean color
satellite sensor bio-optical product retrievals.
Funding Availability: Funding is anticipated to range from a
minimum of $900,000 to a maximum of $1,100,000 per year for no more
than two years. Only one applicant will receive an award.
Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is
provided under 33 U.S.C. 883d and 33 U.S.C. 1442.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.440,
Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.

[[Page 37770]]

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 4 p.m. eastern
daylight time on September 1, 2005. For proposals submitted through
http://www.grants.gov, a date and time receipt indication is included

and will be the basis of determining timeliness. Hard copy proposals
will be date and time stamped when they are received in the program
office.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Hard copy proposals should be
sent to Marilyn Yuen-Murphy; DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/ORA; 5200 Auth Rd., Rm.
104; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Electronic applications should be
submitted through Grants.gov.
Information Contact(s): Marilyn Yuen-Murphy by telephone (301-763-
8102 x159), fax (301-763-8020), or e-mail
Marilyn.Yuen.Murphy@noaa.gov); or Kathy LeFevre by telephone (301-763-
8127 x103), fax (301-763-8108), or e-mail (Kathy.Lefevre@noaa.gov).
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher
education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, and state,
local and Indian tribal governments.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Protected Species Conservation and Recovery With States
Summary Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
announces the availability of Federal assistance to support the
conservation of threatened and endangered species, recently de-listed
species, candidate species, and species of concern under the
jurisdiction of the NMFS or under the joint jurisdiction of the NMFS
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (e.g., sea turtles). Any state
that has entered into an agreement with the NMFS and maintains an
adequate and active program for the conservation of endangered and
threatened species pursuant to section 6(c) of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (ESA) is eligible to apply. These financial assistance
awards can be used to support management, research, monitoring, or
outreach activities that provide direct conservation benefits to listed
species, recently de-listed species, candidate species, or species of
concern that reside within that state. Projects involving North
Atlantic right whales will not be considered for funding under this
grant program; such projects may be funded under the North Atlantic
Right Whale Research Program.
Funding Availability: Approximately $1.0M in funding may be
available for grants in FY 2006. Award periods may extend up to 3 years
with annual funding contingent on the availability of Federal
appropriations. There are no restrictions on maximum or minimum award
amounts.
Statutory Authority: Under section 6 of the ESA, the NMFS is
authorized to provide Federal assistance to eligible states for the
purpose of conserving marine and anadromous species that reside within
that state (16 U.S.C. 1535).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.472, Unallied Science
Programs.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern
time on September 9, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants are encouraged to
submit proposals online through Grants.gov. If online submission is not
possible, applications may also be submitted to NOAA/NMFS/Office of
Protected Resources, Attn: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, room
13633, Silver Spring, MD 20910; e-mail: lisa.manning@noaa.gov.
Information Contacts: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910; e-mail: lisa.manning@noaa.gov; phone: 301-713-1401.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are states or their respective
state agencies that have entered into an agreement with the NMFS
pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA. The term ``State'' means any of
the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands. The term ``State agency'' means any
State agency, department, board, commission, or other governmental
entity that is responsible for the management and conservation of fish,
plant, or wildlife resources within a State.
Cost Sharing Requirements: In accordance with section 6(d) of the
ESA, all proposals submitted must include a minimum non-Federal cost
share of 25 percent of the total budget if the proposal involves a
single state. If a proposal involves collaboration of two or more
states, the minimum non-Federal cost share decreases to 10 percent of
the total project budget.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
2. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
Summary Description: NMFS is inviting eligible marine mammal
stranding network participants to submit proposals to fund the recovery
or treatment (i.e., rescue and rehabilitation) of live stranded marine
mammals, data collection from living or dead stranded marine mammals
for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, and facility
operations directly related to the recovery or treatment of stranded
marine mammals and collection of data from living or dead stranded
marine mammals. The Prescott Grant Program is administered through the
NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP). It
is anticipated that awards funded through the Prescott Grant Program
will facilitate achievement of MMHSRP goals and objectives by providing
financial assistance to eligible stranding network participants.
Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be
implemented through either a grant or cooperative agreement.
Funding Availability: Funding of up to $4,000,000 is expected to be
available in FY 2006. The maximum Federal award for each grant cannot
exceed $100,000, as stated in the legislative language (16 U.S.C.
1421f-1). Applicants are hereby given notice that these funds have not
yet been appropriated for this program and therefore exact dollar
amounts cannot be given.
Statutory Authority: The Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act of
2000 amended the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to establish the
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program (16
U.S.C. 1421f-1).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.439 Marine Mammal Data
Program.
Application Deadline: Applications for funding under the Prescott
program must be received by or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. eastern
daylight time on August 15, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should either be
submitted online at http://www.grants.gov or sent to: NOAA/NMFS/Office

of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response
Program, Attn: Michelle Ordono, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 12604,
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283, phone 301-713-2322 ext 177.
Information Contact(s): Janet Whaley, Michelle Ordono, or Sarah
Wilkin at (301) 713-2322, by fax at (301) 713-

[[Page 37771]]

0376, or by e-mail at Janet.Whaley@noaa.gov, Michelle.Ordono@noaa.gov,

or Sarah.Wilkin@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: There are 5 categories of eligible stranding network
participants that may apply for funds under this Program: (1) Letter of
Agreement (LOA) holders; (2) LOA designee organizations; (3)
researchers; (4) official Northwest Region participants; and, (5)
State, local, eligible Federal government employees or tribal employees
or personnel. In order for these organizations and individuals to apply
for award funds under the Prescott Grant Program, they must meet
eligibility criteria specific to their category of participation.
Cost Sharing Requirements: All proposals submitted must provide a
minimum non-Federal cost share of 25 percent of the total budget (i.e.,
.25 x total project costs = total non-Federal share).
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
3. Community-Based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants
Summary Description: NMFS is inviting the public to submit
proposals for funding available through the NOAA Marine Debris Program
(MDP) to implement grass-roots projects to prevent or remove marine
debris that will benefit living marine resource habitats and
navigational waterways. Projects funded through the NOAA Community-
based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants competition
will be expected to have strong on-the-ground marine debris prevention
or removal components that provide educational and social benefits for
people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological
habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Proposals selected for
funding through this solicitation will be implemented through
cooperative agreements. Marine debris removal may include, but is not
limited to:
Detection and removal of derelict fishing gear;
Removal of solid waste material in coastal habitats
including marshes, bays, mangroves, and coral reefs;
Shoreline clean-ups including a targeted outreach/
education component;
Removal of debris from marine, estuarine or beach
environments resulting from hurricanes or other natural disasters;
Detection and removal of derelict pilings, bulkheads and
similar obsolete materials that pose a hazard to navigation or diminish
habitat quality.
Marine debris prevention may include, but is not limited to:
Training for the safe removal of derelict fishing gear,
ghost nets, and other debris adversely impacting coastal habitats;
Monitoring cleaned areas to determine re-accumulation
rates;
Prevention activities related to reception facilities at
marinas and fishing ports including recycling initiatives for
monofilament fishing line and other types of fishing gear, or debris;
and
The development of debris reduction incentives for
prevention, removal, and safe disposal of plastics and derelict fishing
gear.
Funding Availability: Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be
available for Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal
Projects in FY 2006. The NOAA Restoration Center anticipates that
typical project awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000.
Statutory Authority: The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under
the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1901
et seq., to award grants, enter into cooperative agreements with
appropriate officials of other Federal agencies and agencies of States
and political subdivisions of States and with public and private
entities, and provide other financial assistance to eligible recipients
to educate the public (including recreational boaters, fishermen, and
other users of the marine environment) regarding the harmful effects of
plastic pollution; the need to reduce such pollution; the need to
recycle plastic materials.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.463 Habitat
Conservation.
Application Deadline: Applications for project funding under the
MDP must be submitted via grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. e.s.t. on October
12, 2005 or if mailed, postmarked by 11:59 p.m. e.s.t. on October 12,
2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants should apply through
http://www.grants.gov. If Internet access is unavailable, paper

applications should be sent to Christopher D. Doley, Director, NOAA
Restoration Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East West
Highway (F/HC3), Silver Spring, MD 20910; ATTN: MDP Project
Applications.
Information Contact(s): For further information contact Elizabeth
Fairey (Liz.Fairey@noaa.gov or 301-713-3459) or Robin Bruckner
Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov or 301-713-0174).
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial (for profit)
organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign
governments, international organizations, State, local and Indian
tribal governments. Applications from Federal agencies or employees of
Federal agencies will not be considered.
Cost Sharing Requirements: 1:1 non-Federal match is encouraged and
will be considered in the review process, but applicants with less than
1:1 match will not be disqualified.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
4. Projects To Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans
Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program is
soliciting applications from the Regional Fishery Management Councils
for projects to conserve and manage coral reef fishery resources. The
objectives of this program are to reduce the adverse impacts of fishing
and other extractive uses within coral reef ecosystems, and incorporate
conservation and sustainable management measures into existing or new
Federal fishery management plans (FMPs) for coral reef species.
Projects must address one or more of the following 7 categories: (1)
Identification, mapping and characterization of EFH, HAPC, or reef fish
spawning aggregation sites; (2) monitoring reef fish stocks; (3)
efforts to reduce overfishing of coral reef resources; (4)
identification and reduction of adverse effects of fishing gear,
including the elimination of destructive and habitat-damaging fishing
practices; (5) assessment of the adequacy of current coral reef fishing
regulations; (6) education and outreach efforts to recreational and
commercial fishers; and (7) ecosystem-scale studies and inclusion of
ecosystem approaches into coral reef FMPs. Priority will be given for
coral reef activities in the Council's jurisdiction, although
complementary activities of high conservation value within state waters
that are fully coordinated with appropriate state, territory or
commonwealth management authorities are also acceptable. This program
is part of the Coral Reef Conservation Program under the Coral Reef
Conservation Act of 2000 and is not intended to support normal Council
activities or responsibilities. Proposals can include

[[Page 37772]]

the support for a maximum of one full-time equivalent working
exclusively on Council coral reef conservation activities. Councils may
submit an application of up to 25 pages that includes a cover sheet,
project summary, narrative project description, narrative budget
summary and Federal forms. Selected applicants may be asked to revise
award objectives, work plans or budgets prior to submission of a final
application.
Funding Availability: The total anticipated available funding is
$1,050,000 with a maximum of $525,000 available for activities in the
Western Pacific, and a maximum of $525,000 available for activities in
the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Funding will be
subject to the availability of Federal appropriations.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.441
Regional Fishery Management Councils.
Application Deadlines: Applications must be received before
midnight, eastern standard time, on November 15, 2005. Final revised
applications must be received before midnight, eastern standard time on
March 3, 2006.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
electronically to http://www.grants.gov, or by surface mail to David

Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office of Response and
Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information Contact(s): Andy Bruckner, Office of Habitat
Conservation, F/HC1, Room 15836, NOAA Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-713-3459 extension 190, e-
mail at andy.bruckner@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Applicants are limited to the Western Pacific Regional
Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management
Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the
Caribbean Fishery Management Council.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
5. Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants
Summary Description: NMFS is inviting the public to submit
proposals for available funding to implement grass-roots habitat
restoration projects that will benefit living marine resources,
including anadromous fish, under the NOAA Community-based Restoration
Program (CRP). Projects funded through the CRP will be expected to have
strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that provide long-
term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources as well
as educational and social benefits for people and their communities.
Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be
implemented through cooperative agreements.
Funding Availability: Funding of up to $3,000,000 is expected to be
available for Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants in FY
2006. The NOAA Restoration Center (RC) anticipates that typical project
awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000.
Statutory Authority: The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under
the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661, as amended by
the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, to provide grants or cooperative
agreements for fisheries habitat restoration.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.463 Habitat
Conservation.
Application Deadline: Applications for project funding under the
CRP must be submitted via grants.gov by 11:59 PM EST, October 12, 2005
or if mailed, postmarked by 11:59 p.m. e.s.t., October 12, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants should apply through
http://www.grants.gov. If internet access is unavailable, paper

applications should be sent to Christopher D. Doley, Director, NOAA
Restoration Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East West
Highway (F/HC3), Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; ATTN: CRP Project
Applications.
Information Contact(s): Melanie Gange or Robin Bruckner at (301)
713-0174, or by fax at (301) 713-0184, or by e-mail at
Melanie.Gange@noaa.gov or Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial (for profit)
organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign
governments, international organizations, State, local and Indian
tribal governments. Applications from Federal agencies or employees of
Federal agencies will not be considered.
Cost Sharing Requirements: 1:1 non-Federal match is encouraged, but
applicants with less than 1:1 match will not be disqualified. The
nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount/value
will be considered in the review process.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
6. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program
Summary Description: The Chesapeake 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 entire Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funded projects assist
in meeting the Stewardship and Community Engagement goals of the
Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. Projects support organizations that provide
students ``meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experiences
and teachers professional development opportunities in the area of
environmental education related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that
approximately $2.2M may be available in FY 2006 in award amounts to be
determined by the proposals and available funds. Annual funding is
anticipated to maintain partnerships for up to 3 years duration, but is
dependant on funding made available by Congress. Applicants are hereby
given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for this
program.
1. About $1.0M will be for exemplar programs that successfully
integrate teacher professional development in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed with in-depth classroom study and outdoor experiences for
their students.
2. About $600K will be for proposals that provide opportunities for
students (K through 12) to participate in ``Meaningful'' Watershed
Educational Experiences related to Chesapeake Bay.
3. About $600K will be for proposals that provide opportunities for
Professional Development in the area of Chesapeake Bay watershed
education for teachers.
The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office anticipates that typical awards for
B-WET Exemplar Programs that successfully integrate teacher
professional development with in-depth classroom student and outdoor
experiences for their students will range from $50,000 to $200,000.
Projects that represent either meaningful watershed educational
experiences for students or teacher professional development in

[[Page 37773]]

watershed education will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 661; 15 U.S.C. 1540.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.457; Chesapeake Bay
Studies, Education.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern
time on October 24, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposal: Electronic submission: http://www.grants.gov/.
Search using the following Federal Funding Opportunity

Number: [XXXXXX]. Hard copies may be submitted by postal mail,
commercial delivery service, or hand-delivery. Proposals being
submitted in hard copy must be sent to: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office;
Education Coordinator; 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A; Annapolis,
Maryland 21403.
Information Contact(s): Shannon W. Sprague, NOAA Chesapeake Bay
Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 2140.
Shannon.Sprague@noaa.gov or 410-267-5664.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are K-through-12 public and
independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher
education, community-based and nonprofit organizations, State or local
government agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments
in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this
program, however, the NCBO strongly encourages applicants applying for
either area of interest 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. Priority selection will be given to proposals that
propose cash rather than in-kind contributions.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
7. FY06 Western Pacific Demonstration Projects
Project Summary: NMFS is soliciting applications for financial
assistance for Western Pacific Demonstration Projects. Eligible
applicants are encouraged to submit projects intended to foster and
promote use of traditional indigenous fishing practices and/or develop
or enhance Western Pacific community-based fishing opportunities
benefiting the island communities in American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, and
the Northern Mariana Islands. Projects may also request support for
research and the acquisition of materials and equipment necessary to
carry out such project proposals.
Funding Availability: Total funding available is anticipated to be
approximately $500,000. It is anticipated that 3 to 5 awards will be
made for each fiscal year covered by this notice.
Statutory Authority: The Secretary is authorized to make direct
grants to eligible western Pacific communities pursuant to Section
111(b) of Pub. L. 104-297, as amended, and published within 16 U.S.C.
1855 note.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.452, Unallied Industry
Projects.
Application Deadline: Project proposals and completed grant
applications must be postmarked or received by 5 p.m. Hawaii standard
time on October 28, 2005. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
electronically at http://www.grants.gov.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Project proposals and grant
applications must be sent to: the Federal Program Officer for Western
Pacific Demonstration Projects, Pacific Islands Region, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu,
Hawaii 96814.
Information Contacts: Scott W.S. Bloom (NMFS) at 808-973-2937, or
by e-mail at Scott.Bloom@noaa.gov; or Charles Ka'ai'ai (Council), 808-
522-8220 or by e-mail at Charles.Kaaiai@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are limited to communities in the
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Area, as defined at section
305(i)(2)(D) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(2)(D); and
meet the standards for determining eligibility set forth in section
305(i)(2)(B) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(2)(B). The eligibility
criteria developed by the Council and approved by the Secretary to
participate in western Pacific community development programs was
published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2002 (67 FR 18512,
18513).
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs''.
8. MARFIN Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2006
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) 2006 for projects. This amount includes possible
in-house projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office anticipates that
typical project awards will range from $35,000 to $300,000. The average
award is $108,000.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.433 Marine Fisheries
Initiative.
Application Deadline: We must receive your application by close of
business (5 p.m. eastern daylight time) on August 15, 2005.
Applications received after that time will not be considered for
funding.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov. If an applicant does not have Internet

[[Page 37774]]

9. Cooperative Research Program (CRP) FY 2006
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
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 2006 for projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office
anticipates that typical project awards will range from $40,000 to
$475,000. The average award is $190,000.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.454 Unallied Management
Projects.
Application Deadline: We must receive your application by 5 p.m.
eastern daylight time on August 29, 2005. Applications received after
that time will not be considered for funding.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov. If an applicant does not have Internet

access, hard copies should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries
Service, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Avenue South, St.
Petersburg, FL 33701.
Information Contact: Scot Plank, State/Federal Liaison Branch at
(727) 824-5324.
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. All applicants must include a written agreement with a person
employed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), who will act
as a partner in the proposed research project. The NMFS partner will
assist the applicant to develop a design (statistical or analytical)
for the project to assure that the outcome will provide suitable,
scientific data and results to support needed fisheries management
information.
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.''
10. North Atlantic Right Whale Research Programs
Summary Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
is soliciting applications for Federal assistance under the North
Atlantic Right Whale Grant Program (RWGP). Under the RWGP, NMFS
provides financial assistance to eligible researchers working within
waters inhabited by North Atlantic right whales and submitting
applications pertaining only to this species. Applications must fall
within at least one of the following 9 categories: (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
$1.0M may be available for distribution under the FY 2006 RWRGP.
Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been
appropriated for this program. 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 2006 competitive grant cycle. Note
that in FY 2004, the last year in which there was a competition in this
program, 15 awards were made, with a range of $35,000 to $200,000 per
year. 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.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.472, Unallied Science
Program.
Application Deadline: The application package must be postmarked by
5 p.m. EST August 1, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Proposals should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov. Search using the following funding

opportunity NMFS-NEFSC-2005-2000252. Applicants without
Internet access can submit proposals to Kelly Taranto, NMFS, Northeast
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Mark
the proposal: ``Attention-Right Whale Research Grant Program.''
Information Contact(s): Dr. Richard Pace, Northeast Fisheries
Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 508 495-2316,
e-mail rightwhalegrants@noaa.gov.
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: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
11. General Coral Reef Conservation
Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program is
soliciting proposals to support conservation projects for coral reef
ecosystems of the United States and the Freely Associated States in the
Pacific (Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and
the Federated States of Micronesia). This program is part of the Coral
Reef Conservation Program under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of
2000, which provides matching grants of financial assistance for coral
reef conservation projects that: (1) Help preserve, sustain and restore
the condition of coral reef ecosystems, (2) promote the wise

[[Page 37775]]

management and sustainable use of coral reef resources, (3) increase
public knowledge and awareness of coral reef ecosystems and issues
regarding their conservation and (4) develop sound scientific
information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats
to such ecosystems. Projects must address one of the following 7
categories: Coral reef monitoring and assessment; socio-economic
assessments and resource valuation; marine protected areas and
associated management activities; coral reef fisheries management and
enforcement; coral reef restoration; public education and outreach; and
local action strategy implementation. Research activities are eligible
only if they directly relate to management or are listed as a project
within a local action strategy. Interested applicants should submit an
application of up to 25 pages that includes a cover sheet, project
summary, narrative project description, narrative budget summary, CV,
letter(s) of support and Federal forms.
Funding Availability: Total anticipated available funding is
$600,000, of which up to $100,000 is for specific local action strategy
projects with the remainder divided approximately equally among the
other 6 categories. Individual awards in the form of grants can range
from $15,000 to a maximum of $50,000. Applications for awards for more
than $50,000 will not be accepted. Funding will be subject to the
availability of federal appropriations.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463
Habitat Conservation.
Application Deadline: Applications are due to NOAA before midnight,
eastern standard time, November 15, 2005. Final revised applications
must be received no later than midnight, eastern standard time. March
3, 2006. Proposals received after these deadlines will not be accepted.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
electronically to http://www.grants.gov, or by surface mail to David

Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office of Response and
Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information Contact(s): Andy Bruckner, Office of Habitat
Conservation, F/HC1, Room 15836, NOAA Fisheries Service, 1315 East West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-713-3459 extension 190, e-
mail at andy.bruckner@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher
education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, Freely
Associated State government agencies, and local and Indian tribal
governments. U.S. Federal, State, Territory, and Commonwealth
government agencies are not eligible under this program.
Cost Sharing Requirements: 1:1 non-federal match is required. The
NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement if
the Administrator determines that the project meets the following two
requirements: (1) No reasonable means are available through which an
applicant can meet the matching requirement, and (2) The probable
benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching
requirement. In the case of a waiver request, the applicant must
provide a detailed justification explaining the need for the waiver.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''

National Ocean Service

1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--State and Territory
Coral Reef Management
Summary Description: This program is soliciting proposals to
support comprehensive projects for the conservation and management of
coral reefs and associated fisheries in the jurisdictions of Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Funding will also
support jurisdictional participation in national coral reef planning
activities, such as U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meetings. This program
is part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program under the
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 which provides matching grants of
financial assistance for coral reef conservation projects. NOS will
accept pre-applications for peer review. Selected applicants may be
asked to revise award objectives, work plans or budgets prior to
submittal of a final application, including required Federal financial
assistance forms, to NOS.
Funding Availability: Approximately $4,000,000 may be available in
FY 2006 to support awards under this program. Each eligible
jurisdiction can apply for a maximum of $685,000. A minimum of 40% of
the final award amount must be dedicated to the implementation and
support of the Local Action Strategy initiative in each jurisdiction.
Funding is subject to the availability of federal appropriations.
The amount of funding awarded to each jurisdiction will be subject
to the eligibility and evaluation requirements described in this
announcement.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.419, Coastal Zone
Management Program.
Application Deadline: Initial Application/Final Application
Deadline: Pre-applications are due to NOAA by 11:59 p.m. eastern time
on November 15, 2005. Final applications are due to NOAA by 11:59 p.m.
eastern time on March 3, 2006.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Address for submitting pre-
applications: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program,
Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA National Ocean Service, N/ORR,
Room 10102, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or
coral.grants@noaa.gov. Submissions by e-mail are preferred.

Address for submitting final applications: http://www.grants.gov,

the Federal grants portal. If Internet access is unavailable, hard
copies can be submitted to David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation
Program, Office of Response and Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA
National Ocean Service, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910. Applicants are required to include one original and two copies
of the signed, hard/paper of the Federal financial assistance forms for
each final application package that is not submitted through http://www.grants.gov
.

Information Contact(s): Dana Wusinich-Mendez, 1305 East West
Highway, 11th Floor, N/ORM3, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-713-
3155 extension 159, e-mail at dana.wusinich-mendez@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are the governor-appointed point
of contact agencies for coral reef coordination in each of the
jurisdictions of American Samoa, Florida, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin
Islands.
Cost Sharing Requirements: Any coral conservation project funded
under this program requires a 1:1 match. Matching funds must be from
non-Federal sources and can include in-kind contributions and other
non-cash support. The NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the
matching requirement if the Administrator determines that the project
meets the following two requirements: (1) No reasonable means

[[Page 37776]]

are available through which an applicant can meet the matching
requirement, and (2) The probable benefit of such project outweighs the
public interest in such matching requirement. The Program shall waive
any requirement for local matching funds for any project under $200,000
(including in-kind contribution) to the governments of Insular Areas,
defined as the jurisdictions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ''Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
2. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--State and Territory
Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring
Summary Description: This program is soliciting proposals to
support implementation of a nationally coordinated, comprehensive,
long-term monitoring program to assess the condition of U.S. coral reef
ecosystems, and to evaluate the efficacy of coral ecosystem management.
This program is part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program
under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 which provides matching
grants of financial assistance for coral reef monitoring projects. NOS
will accept pre-applications for peer review. Selected applicants may
be asked to revise award objectives, work plans or budgets prior to
submittal of a final application, including required Federal financial
assistance forms, to NOS.
Funding Availability: Approximately $1,100,000 may be available in
FY 2006 to support awards under this program. Each eligible
jurisdiction can apply for a maximum $130,000, with the exception of
the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the
Republic of the Marshall Islands which can apply for a maximum of
$30,000. The amount of funding awarded to each jurisdiction will be
subject to the eligibility and evaluation requirements described in
this announcement. Funding is subject to the availability of Federal
appropriations.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.419, Coastal Zone
Management Program.
Application Deadline: Initial Application/Final Application
Deadline: Pre-applications are due to NOAA by 11:59 p.m. eastern time
on November 15, 2005. Final applications are due to NOAA by 11:59 p.m.
eastern time on March 3, 2006.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Address for submitting pre-
applications: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program,
Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA National Ocean Service, N/ORR,
Room 10102, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or
coral.grants@noaa.gov. Submissions by e-mail are preferred.

Address for submitting final applications: http://www.grants.gov,

the Federal grants portal. If Internet access is unavailable, hard
copies can be submitted David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation
Program, Office of Response and Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA
National Ocean Service, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910. Applicants are required to include one original and two copies
of the signed, hard/paper of the Federal financial assistance forms for
each final application package that is not submitted through http://www.grants.gov
.

Information Contact(s): John Christensen, 1305 East West Highway,
9th Floor, N/SCI1, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-713-3028
extension 153, e-mail at john.christensen@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are the governor-appointed point
of contact agencies for coral reef coordination in each of the
jurisdictions of American Samoa, Florida, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, the Republic of Palau, the
Federated States of Micronesia (including Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, and
Chuuk), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S.
Virgin Islands.
Cost Sharing Requirements: Any coral conservation project funded
under this program requires a 1:1 match. Matching funds must be from
non-Federal sources and can include in-kind contributions and other
non-cash support. The NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the
matching requirement if the Administrator determines that the project
meets the following two requirements: (1) No reasonable means are
available through which an applicant can meet the matching requirement,
and (2) The probable benefit of such project outweighs the public
interest in such matching requirement. The Program shall waive any
requirement for local matching funds for any project under $200,000
(including in-kind contribution) to the governments of Insular Areas,
defined as the jurisdictions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372,'' Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
3. South Florida Program
Summary Description: NCCOS/CSCOR is soliciting 1-year and 2-year
proposals to support coastal ecosystem studies in South Florida
including Florida Bay, Florida Keys, the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary (FKNMS), and adjacent coastal waters. It will provide support
for the NOAA South Florida Program (SFP) and the FKNMS. The overall
goal of this announcement is to fund high priority research and long
term observational data collection needed to model and predict the
impacts of Everglades restoration on the South Florida coastal
ecosystem and to fulfill NOAA commitments to the South Florida
Ecosystem Restoration effort and the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan (CERP).
Funding Availability: Award amounts will be determined by the
proposals and available funds, typically not to exceed $400,000 per
project per year with project durations from one to two years. It is
anticipated that 4 to 10 total projects will be funded. Support in out
years after FY 2006 is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been
appropriated for this program.
Statutory Authority: Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1442 C.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.478 Center for Sponsored
Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal Ocean Program CSCOR/COP).
Application Deadline: The deadline for receipt of proposals at the
NCCOS/CSCOR office is 3 p.m., eastern time on September 29, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications submitted in
response to this announcement are strongly encouraged to be submitted
through the Grants.gov Web site. Electronic Access to the full funding
announcement for this program is available via the Grants.gov Web site:
http://www.grants.gov The announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Egrants/funding.shtml. or by

[[Page 37777]]

West Highway, Room 8243, SSMC Building 4, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information Contacts: Technical Information. Larry Pugh, South
Florida Program Manager, 301-713-3338 ext 160, Internet:
Larry.Pugh@noaa.gov. Business Management Information. Laurie Golden,
NCCOS/CSCOR Grants Administrator, 301-713-3338 ext 151, Internet:
Laurie.Golden@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, other non-profits, State, local, Indian tribal governments,
and Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive
financial assistance. NCCOS/CSCOR will not fund any Federal FTE
salaries, but will fund travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual
personnel costs associated with the proposed work. Furthermore, no
expenses of any kind will be provided for NOS researchers.
(1) Researchers must be employees of an eligible institution listed
above; and proposals must be submitted through that institution. Non-
Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements
for proposal submission.
(2) Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit
certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal
authority to receive funds from the Department of Commerce (DOC) for
this research.
(3) NCCOS/CSCOR will accept proposals that include foreign
researchers as collaborators with a researcher, who has met the above
stated eligibility requirements; and who also is an employee of an
eligible institution listed above.
(4) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Joint
Institutes should comply with joint institutional requirements; they
will be funded through grants either to their institutions or to joint
institutes.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
4. Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Research Program (NGOMEX)
Summary Description: NCCOS/CSCOR is soliciting proposals to support
1 to 3 year studies of coastal ecosystem research related to hypoxia
over the Louisiana continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Through these multi year, interdisciplinary research projects, NCCOS/
CSCOR seeks to develop a fundamental understanding of the northern Gulf
of Mexico ecosystem in the region affected by Mississippi River inputs
with a focus on the causes and effects of the hypoxic zone over the
Louisiana continental shelf and the prediction of its future extent and
impacts to ecologically and commercially important aquatic species.
Funding Availability: Funding is contingent upon availability of
Federal appropriations. It is anticipated that 4 to 8 total projects
will be funded and that $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 per year will be
available for projects. CSCOR anticipates that awards will not exceed
$500,000 per project per year with project durations from 1 to 3 years.
Support in FY 2006 and future years is contingent upon the availability
of funds. Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet
been appropriated for this program.
Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1442.
CFDA: 11.478 Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal
Ocean Program.
Application Deadline: The deadline for receipt of proposals at the
CSCOR office is 3 p.m., eastern time, August 24, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications submitted in
response to this announcement are strongly encouraged to be submitted
through the Grants.gov Web site. Electronic Access to the full funding
announcement for this program is available via the Grants.gov Web site:
http://www.grants.gov The announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Egrants/funding.shtml. or by

contacting the program official identified below. If Internet access is
unavailable, paper applications (a signed original and two copies)
should be submitted to the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research,
Coastal Ocean Program (CSCOR/COP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, (NOAA), 1305 East West Highway, Room 8243, SSMC
Building 4, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information Contacts: For overall information regarding Technical
Information, Larry Pugh, NGOMEX 2006 Program Manager, NCCOS/CSCOR, 301-
713-3338/ext 160, Internet: Larry.Pugh@noaa.gov. Business Management
Information, Laurie Golden, NCCOS/CSCOR/COP Grants Administrator, 301-
713-3338/ext 151, Internet: Laurie.Golden@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, other non-profits, State, local, Indian tribal governments,
and Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive
financial assistance.
NCCOS/CSCOR will not fund any Federal FTE salaries, but will fund
travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated
with the proposed work. Furthermore, no expenses of any kind will be
provided for NOS researchers.
(1) Researchers must be employees of an eligible institution listed
above; and proposals must be submitted through that institution. Non-
Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements
for proposal submission.
(2) Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit
certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal
authority to receive funds from the Department of Commerce (DOC) for
this research.
(3) NCCOS/CSCOR will accept proposals that include foreign
researchers as collaborators with a researcher, who has met the above
stated eligibility requirements; and who also is an employee of an
eligible institution listed above.
(4) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Joint
Institutes should comply with joint institutional requirements; they
will be funded through grants either to their institutions or to joint
institutes.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
5. Ecological Forecasting
Summary Description: The NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CSCOR is soliciting
proposals for projects of 2 to 5 years in duration for the development
of new ecological forecasting capabilities and the transition of
existing ecological forecasts to operational status. These ecological
forecasts are to support critical management decisions for the
management of the Nation's Great Lake, estuarine, coastal and ocean
ecosystems. The need for multidisciplinary coastal ecosystem studies to
improve our understanding of the physical, biological, and chemical
processes in these complex systems has only grown in recent years as
management of coastal regions moves toward greater consideration of
ecosystem principles, including connections with terrestrial and
atmospheric systems. CSCOR and COP have been committed to producing
data and information products such as technical reports, peer-reviewed
publications, databases, and numerical and conceptual models so that
they will be accessible to users of this information. However, the
delivery of comprehensive information products and technologies to the
appropriate management community for application to specific coastal
management issues

[[Page 37778]]

remains a challenge; the EcoFore program, in part, is meant to address
this challenge.
Funding Availability: Award amounts will be determined by the
proposals and available funds, typically not to exceed $500,000 per
project per year with project durations from 2-5 years. It is
anticipated that 3 to 6 total projects will be funded. Support in out
years after FY 2006 is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been
appropriated for this program.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1456c.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.478 Center for Sponsored
Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal Ocean Program (CSCOR/COP).
Application Deadline: The deadline for receipt of proposals at the
CSCOR office is 3 p.m., eastern time on October 25, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications submitted in
response to this announcement are strongly encouraged to be submitted
through the Grants.gov Web site. Electronic Access to the full funding
announcement for this program is available via the Grants.gov Web site:
http://www.grants.gov The announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Egrants/funding.shtml. or by

contacting the program official identified below. If Internet access is
unavailable, paper applications (a signed original and two copies)
should be submitted to the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research,
Coastal Ocean Program (CSCOR/COP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, (NOAA), 1305 East West Highway, Room 8243, SSMC
Building 4, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information Contacts: For overall information regarding Technical
Information, Elizabeth Turner, 603-862-4680, E-mail:
elizabeth.turner@noaa.gov. Business Management Information, Laurie
Golden, NCCOS/CSCOR/COP Grants Administrator, 301-713-3338/ext 151,
Internet: Laurie.Golden@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, other non-profits, State, local, Indian tribal governments,
and Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive
financial assistance.
NCCOS/CSCOR will not fund any Federal FTE salaries, but will fund
travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated
with the proposed work. Furthermore, no expenses of any kind will be
provided for NOS researchers.
(1) Researchers must be employees of an eligible institution listed
above; and proposals must be submitted through that institution. Non-
Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements
for proposal submission.
(2) Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit
certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal
authority to receive funds from the Department of Commerce (DOC) for
this research.
(3) NCCOS/CSCOR will accept proposals that include foreign
researchers as collaborators with a researcher, who has met the above
stated eligibility requirements; and who also is an employee of an
eligible institution listed above.
(4) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Joint
Institutes should comply with joint institutional requirements; they
will be funded through grants either to their institutions or to joint
institutes.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
6. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--International Coral Reef
Conservation
Summary Description: This Program solicits proposals under four
funding categories: (1) Promote watershed management in the wider
Caribbean, Brazil, and Bermuda; (2) regional enhancement of marine
protected area management effectiveness; (3) encourage the development
of national systems of marine protected areas in the wider Caribbean,
Bermuda, Brazil, and Southeast Asia; and (4) promote regional socio-
economic training and monitoring in coral reef management in the wider
Caribbean, Brazil, Bermuda, East Africa, South Pacific, and Southeast
Asia. Each funding category has specific applicant and project
eligibility criteria.
This program is part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant
Program under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 which provides
matching grants of financial assistance for coral reef conservation
projects. NOS will accept pre-applications for peer review. Selected
applicants may be asked to revise award objectives, work plans or
budgets prior to submittal of a final application, including required
Federal financial assistance forms, to NOS.
Funding Availability: Approximately $400,000 may be available in FY
2006 to support awards under this program. Each eligible applicant can
apply for the following maximum amounts: Watershed Management $40,000;
Management Effectiveness: Regional Capacity Building Projects $80,000;
Marine Protected Area National Systems: $50,000; Socio-economic
Monitoring Regional Projects $35,000. The amount of funding awarded to
each applicant will be subject to the eligibility and evaluation
requirements described in this announcement. Funding will be subject to
the availability of Federal appropriations.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 11.463--Habitat
Conservation.
Pre-Application/Final Application Deadlines: Pre-applications are
due to NOAA by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on November 15, 2005. Final
applications by invitation only are due to NOAA by 11:59 p.m. eastern
time on March 3, 2006.
Address for Submitting Applications: Address for submitting pre-
applications: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program,
Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA National Ocean Service, N/ORR,
Room 10102, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or
coral.grants@noaa.gov. Submissions by e-mail are preferred.

Address for submitting final applications: http://www.grants.gov,

Information Contact: Arthur Paterson, 1315 East-West Highway, 5th
Floor, N/IP, Room 5627, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: 301-713-3078,
extension 217; e-mail: arthur.e.paterson@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include all international,
governmental (except U.S. Federal agencies), and non-governmental
organizations. For specific country eligibility per category, please
refer to individual category descriptions in Section V of the full
Federal Funding Opportunity. The proposed work must be conducted at a
non-U.S. site. Eligible countries are defined as follows: The Wider
Caribbean includes the 37 States and territories that border the marine
environment of the Gulf of Mexico, the

[[Page 37779]]

Caribbean Sea, and the areas of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent thereto,
and Brazil and Bermuda, but excluding areas under U.S. jurisdiction.
The South Pacific Region includes South Pacific Regional Environment
Program's 19 Pacific island countries and territories, including the
Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, but excluding U.S. territories and four developed
country members. Southeast Asia Region includes Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
Vietnam. East Africa includes Comoros, France (La Reunion), Kenya,
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, the United
Republic of Tanzania and South Africa.
Cost Sharing Requirements: Any coral conservation project funded
under this program requires a 1:1 match. Matching funds must be from
non-Federal sources and can include in-kind contributions and other
non-cash support. The NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the
matching requirement if the Administrator determines that the project
meets the following two requirements: (1) No reasonable means are
available through which an applicant can meet the matching requirement,
and (2) The probable benefit of such project outweighs the public
interest in such matching requirement. The Program shall waive any
requirement for local matching funds for any project under $200,000
(including in-kind contribution) to the governments of Insular Areas,
defined as the jurisdictions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
7. FY 2006 Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program, Hawai'i
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 Hawai'i.
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 $1,000,000 may be available in Fiscal Year 2006 in award
amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds. It is
anticipated that approximately 15-20 grants will be awarded with these
funds. Proposals may request a duration of up to 3 years. However,
funds will be made available for only a 12-month award period and any
continuation 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 continue the
award. The Pacific Services Center may continue funding existing grants
that were funded in the previous application process. Grants will be
awarded to continue these projects under this announcement pending
successful review of new application packages, and adequate progress
reports and/or site visits.
Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883d, 15 U.S.C. 1540.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.473, Coastal Services
Center.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific
daylight savings time on October 14, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants are strongly
encouraged to apply through http://www.Grants.gov If an applicant cannot submit a proposal through http://www.Grants.gov., then the

application must be submitted in hard copy to the NOAA Pacific Services
Center, 737 Bishop Street, Suite 2250, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813.
Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of proposals
will not be accepted.
Information Contact: Divina Corpuz, phone 808-522-7481, fax (808)
532-3224, electronic mail at Divina.Corpuz@noaa.gov.
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 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.''
8. 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 2006 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 request a duration of up to 3 years. However, funds will
be made available for only a 12-month award period and any continuation
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 continue the award. The National
Marine Sanctuary Program may continue funding existing grants that were
funded in the previous application process. New grants will be awarded
to continue these projects under this announcement pending successful
review of a new application package, and adequate progress reports and/
or site visits.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1440, 15 U.S.C. 1540.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.429, Marine Sanctuary
Program.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific
time on October 15, 2005. Proposals will not be accepted before August
15, 2005. Any proposals received before this date will be returned to
the applicant.

[[Page 37780]]

Address for Submitting Proposals: Seaberry Nachbar, 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 831-647-4204, fax 831-
647-4250, Internet at seaberry.nachbar@noaa.gov.
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.''
9. National Estuarine Research Reserves System FY2006 Land Acquisition
and Construction Competitive Program
Summary Description: The Estuarine Reserves Division (ERD) of NOAA
is soliciting proposals from the National Estuarine Research Reserve
System (NERRS) for land acquisition and construction funding. The
National Estuarine Research Reserve system consists of estuarine areas
of the United States and its territories which are designated and
managed for research and educational purposes. Each reserve within the
system is chosen to represent different biogeographic regions and to
include a variety of ecosystem types. Through the funding of designated
reserve agencies and universities to undertake land acquisition and
construction projects that support the NERRS purpose, NOAA will
strengthen protection of key land and water areas; enhance long-term
protection of the area for research and education, and provide for
facility and exhibit construction.
Funding Availability: The ERD anticipates that approximately $7.25
million, pending availability of funds, will be competitively awarded
to qualified National Estuarine Research Reserves that meet the funding
priorities and selection criteria. Approximately 5-15 awards will be
made.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1461 (e)(1)(A)(i),(ii), and (iii)
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.420, Coastal Zone
Management Estuarine Research Reserves
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received no later than 11
p.m. eastern standard time on February 1, 2006.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants are strongly
encouraged to submit proposals electronically through Grants.gov. Paper
applications should be submitted to NOAA/NOS; 1305 East West Highway,
Room 10509; Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
Information Contact(s): Doris Grimm, NOAA/NOS; 1305 East-West
Highway, Room 10509; Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, or by phone at 301-
713-3155 ext. 107, or fax to 301-713-4012, Internet at
doris.grimm@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are coastal states in which the
NERRs are located and are directed to the Reserves' lead state agencies
or universities.
Cost Sharing Requirements: Matching requirements include 50 percent
match of the total grant project for land acquisition and 30 percent
match of the total grant project for construction.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
10. FY 2006 Coastal Services Center Environmental Characterization of a
U.S. Coastal Region.
Summary Description: NOS is soliciting projects for the Coastal
Services Center (CSC) Landscape Characterization and Restoration (LCR)
and Outreach Programs, with an anticipated start date of March 1, 2006.
The Center's LCR and Outreach programs seek proposals for a two-year
cooperative agreement under which a cooperator and the Center will
jointly develop an environmental characterization of a coastal region
designed for use by coastal resource managers within multiple
jurisdictions to address a single management issue related to coastal
development, this issue to be selected by the cooperator.
Funding Availability: Total anticipated funding for a two year
project is between $250,000 and $350,000 and no more than one award is
expected.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1456c and 33 U.S.C. 1442.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.473, Coastal Services
Center.
Application Deadline: Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EDT, October 3,
2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
through Grants.gov. For applicants without Internet access, send
applications to 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina
29405-2413.
Information Contact(s): For administrative issues, contact Violet
Legette at 843-740-1222 (phone) or 843-740-1232 (fax) or e-mail her at
Violet.Legette@noaa.gov. For technical questions, either contact

Jeffery Adkins by telephone at 843-740-1244 or by e-mail at
Jeffery.Adkins@noaa.gov or Ginger Hinchcliff by telephone at 843-740-

1184 or by e-mail at Ginger.Hinchcliff@noaa.gov.
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, but may be
project partners.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program is
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
11. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Leadership Training for Coastal
Managers and Scientists
Summary Description: NOS is soliciting projects for the Coastal
Services Center (CSC) Coastal Learning Services (CLS) program with an
anticipated start date of March 1, 2006. The CLS program seeks
proposals for a two-year cooperative agreement on developing and
implementing a leadership training program for coastal managers and
scientists. The Center's goal is to aid coastal resource managers and
scientists in developing their leadership skills and capabilities.
Under the cooperative agreement, the Center will work in coordination
with the cooperator to integrate the results of a leadership needs
assessment that was recently conducted for the Center and develop a
training program that addresses the needs and concerns of the

[[Page 37781]]

coastal community. The leadership training should be targeted to mid-
level managers that will soon be stepping into leadership roles within
their agency or organization. The training should be clear in the
distinction between management and leadership by emphasizing the
following leadership principles; building trust, articulating a vision,
developing public relations skills, and collaborating to build
effective communities. The training should focus on skill building
using interactive, multi-media and other communication processes. All
methods must be grounded in credible leadership theories.
Funding Availability: Total anticipated funding for cooperative
agreements is up to $150,000 and is subject to the availability of FY
2006 appropriations. One award is anticipated from this announcement.
The nature of the cooperative agreement is such that the Center will
provide substantial involvement in the project. General areas of
responsibilities that the Center has had in past projects include:
meeting planning and facilitation, instructional design, familiarity of
coastal issues and access to potential customers of the training.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1456c.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.473, Coastal Services
Center.
Application Deadline: Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EDT, October 3,
2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants are strongly
encouraged to submit applications through http://www.Grants.gov.

Applications sent via U.S. Postal Service, express delivery, or hand-
delivered may be sent to Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson
Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413 to the attention of Lisa
Holmes, room 119.
Information Contact(s): For administrative questions, 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 Violet.Legette@noaa.gov. For
technical questions, contact Ginger Hinchcliff, NOAA CSC; 2234 South
Hobson Avenue, Room 135; Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by
phone at 843-740-1184, or by fax 843-740-1313, or via Internet at
Ginger.Hinchcliff@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are state, local, Indian tribal
governments, private or nonprofit organizations, and institutions of
higher education. Applicants must be familiar with the coastal
community and the issues faced by coastal managers and scientists.
Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal
assistance under this announcement, but may also be project partners.
Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are project partners must
demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds in excess
of their appropriation.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program is
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
12. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Application of Spatial Technology
for Coastal Management
Summary Description: NOS is soliciting projects for the Coastal
Services Center (CSC) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Integration
and Development (I&D) program, with an anticipated start date of April
1, 2006. The GIS I&D program seeks proposals for one to two-year
cooperative agreements under which cooperators and the Center will
jointly develop technical projects related to the goal of the GIS I&D
program, which is to provide relevant, easily accessible spatial data,
tools, and support services to the coastal resource management
community. The GIS I&D program is especially interested in nationally
networked organizations proposing geospatial solutions to issues
related to coastal hazards.
Funding Availability: Total anticipated funding is estimated to be
$250,000, subject to appropriation. The GIS I&D program intends to fund
one to two projects with awards ranging from about $100,000 to $125,000
each.
Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883a; 33 U.S.C. 883c; and 16 U.S.C.
1456c.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.473, Coastal Services
Center.
Application Deadline: Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EDT, October 3,
2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov unless an applicant does not have

Internet access. In that case, hard copy applications can be sent to
Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, South
Carolina 29405-2413 to the attention of Hamilton Smillie, room 237C.
Information Contact(s): For administrative questions, 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 Violet.Legette@noaa.gov. For
technical questions, contact Hamilton Smillie, NOAA CSC; 2234 South
Hobson Avenue, Room 237C; Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by
phone at 843-740-1192, or via Internet at Hamilton.Smillie@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations,
foreign government, 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, but may be
project partners.
Cost Sharing Requiremtnts: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program is
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
13. Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) 2006
Summary Description: CSCOR solicits proposals that address causes
of regional declines in coral abundance and degradation of coral
ecosystems. CSCOR's interest is to provide timely and high-quality
scientific results that can be used to develop alternative management
strategies to restore and protect coral reef ecosystems. CSCOR solicits
proposals that seek a better understanding of the underlying processes
that regulate coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Findings from this
research will be used to directly support resource management decisions
to protect healthy coral reef ecosystems and to reverse decline in
degraded ones. This solicitation will focus on several geographic
regions and two depth ranges: (1) typical, shallow water (0-50m) coral
reef ecosystems in the locations prioritized below, and (2) deep water
(50-100m) hermatypic, light-dependent coral reef ecosystems. CSCOR's
interest is to provide timely and high-quality scientific results that
can be used to develop alternative management strategies to restore and
protect coral reef ecosystems.
Funding Availability: CSCOR anticipates selection of one proposal
not to exceed $1,000,000 per year with project duration from 3-5 years
for the West Florida Shelf; one comprehensive project not to exceed
$1,000,000 per year with project duration from 3-5 years for the
Pacific islands; and up to three separate projects not to exceed
$500,000 per project per year with project durations of 1-3 years for
the deep hermatypic coral reef studies. It is

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anticipated that 3-5 total projects will be funded. Support in out
years after FY 2006 is contingent upon the availability of funds.
Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been
appropriated for this program.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.478 Center for Sponsored
Coastal Ocean Research, Coastal Ocean Program CSCOR/COP.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by CSCOR/COP no
later than 3 p.m., eastern time, September 1, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications submitted in
response to this announcement are strongly encouraged to be submitted
through Grants.gov. Electronic Access to the full funding announcement
for this program is available via the Grants.gov Web site: http://www.grants.gov.
The announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web

site http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Egrants/funding.shtml or by contacting

the program official identified below. If Internet access is
unavailable, paper applications (a signed original and two copies)
should be submitted to the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research,
Coastal Ocean Program (CSCOR/COP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, (NOAA), 1305 East West Highway, Room 8243, SSMC
Building 4, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information Contacts: For overall information regarding the Deep-
CRES program contact: Michael Dowgiallo, CSCOR, 301-703-3338, extension
161 or e-mail at Michael.Dowgiallo@noaa.gov. Business Management
Information, Laurie Golden, CSCOR Grants Administrator, 301 713 3338/
ext 155, Internet: Laurie.Golden@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, other non-profits, state, local, Indian tribal governments,
and Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive
financial assistance. Minority Serving Institutions are encouraged to
apply.
NCCOS/CSCOR will not fund any Federal FTE salaries, but will fund
travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated
with the proposed work. Furthermore, no expenses of any kind will be
provided for NOS researchers.
(1) Researchers must be employees of an eligible institution listed
above; and proposals must be submitted through that institution. Non-
Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements
for proposal submission.
(2) Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit
certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal
authority to receive funds from the Department of Commerce (DOC) for
this research.
(3) NCCOS/CSCOR will accept proposals that include foreign
researchers as collaborators with a researcher, who has met the above
stated eligibility requirements; and who also is an employee of an
eligible institution listed above.
(4) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA University Joint
Institutes should comply with joint institutional requirements; they
will be funded through grants either to their institutions or to joint
institutes.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
14. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Performance Measurement Technical
Assistance
Summary Description: NOS is soliciting projects for the Coastal
Services Center (CSC) Coastal Learning Services (CLS) program with an
anticipated start date of March 1, 2006. The Center's CLS program seeks
proposals for a two-year cooperative agreement under which the
cooperator will collect and analyze physical, social, and environmental
indicator data and the Center will provide technical assistance and
training on performance measures. A number of institutions and agencies
at local, state and regional levels are monitoring their progress in
achieving programmatic goals using performance measures. For example,
to fulfill the requirements under the National Coastal Management
Performance Measurement System, National Coastal Management Programs
and National Estuarine Research Reserves are collecting indicator data
to measure effectiveness in achieving Coastal Zone Management Act goals
at the national level. The performance measurement system will identify
and assess the act's national impact through various indicator
categories. All proposals under this announcement must show relevance
to state or local coastal resource management efforts.
Funding Availability: Total anticipated funding for these
cooperative agreements is up to $300,000 and is subject to the
availability of FY 2006 appropriations. Two to four awards are
anticipated from this announcement. The nature of the cooperative
agreement is such that the Center will provide substantial involvement
in the project. General areas of responsibilities that the Center has
had in past projects include training and one-to-one technical
assistance to cooperator and their partners on project design and
evaluation, logic model development, and performance metrics.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1456c.
CFDA: 11.473, Coastal Services Center.
Application Deadline: Proposals are due by 5 p.m. EDT, October 3,
2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Proposals should be submitted
through http://www.Grants.gov. For applicants without Internet access,

hard copies can be mailed to Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson
Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413 to the attention of Lisa
Holmes, room 119.
Information Contact(s): For administrative questions, 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 Violet.Legette@noaa.gov. For
technical questions, contact Jan Kucklick, NOAA CSC; 2234 South Hobson
Avenue, Room 142; Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at
843-740-1279, or by fax 843-740-1313, or via Internet at
Jan.Kucklick@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are state, local, Indian tribal
governments, private or nonprofit organizations, and institutions of
higher education. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to
receive Federal assistance under this announcement, but may be project
partners. Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are project
partners must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive
funds in excess of their appropriation.
Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program is
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''

National Weather Service

1. AFWS--Automated Flood Warning Systems (AFWS) Program
Summary Description: The National Weather Service (NWS) is
soliciting applications provide capital funds for the creation,
renovation, or enhancement of rain and stream gage networks that are
locally operated and maintained with non-NOAA resources. The expected
period of performance is for one year with an anticipated start

[[Page 37783]]

date of April 1, 2006. The NWS seeks to form a partnership 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 2006. Proposals should be
prepared assuming an annual budget of no more than $100,000.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 313 and 33 U.S.C. 883d.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.450, Automated Flood
Warning System.
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by the NWS no
later than 5 p.m., EDT, October 27, 2005.
Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov. For applicants without Internet access,

they should be sent to John Bradley, 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
john.bradley@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations,
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, ``An Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs.''
2. Hydrologic Research
Summary Description: This program represents an NOAA/NWS effort to
create a cost-effective continuum of basic and applied research through
collaborative research between the Hydrology Laboratory of the NWS
Office of Hydrologic Development and academic communities or other
private or public agencies which have expertise in the
hydrometerologic, hydrologic, and hydraulic routing sciences. These
activities will engage researchers and students in basic and applied
research to improve the scientific understanding of river forecasting.
Ultimately these efforts will improve the accuracy of forecasts and
warnings of rivers and flash floods by applying scientific knowledge
and information to NWS research methods and techniques, resulting in a
benefit to the public. NOAA's program is designed to complement other
agency contributions to that national effort. This program an