[Federal Register: March 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 60)]
[Notices]
[Page 16400-16405]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr04-111]
[[Page 16400]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Conservation Innovation Grants
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985, as added by
section 2301 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-171) established Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) as
part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-8). Through CIG, the Secretary of Agriculture may pay the cost
of competitive grants to carry out projects that stimulate innovative
approaches to leveraging Federal investment in environmental
enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production.
The Secretary of Agriculture delegated the authority for the
administration of EQIP and CIG to the Chief of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), who is a vice president of the Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC). EQIP is administered by NRCS under the
authorities of the CCC.
This notice announces the availability of up to $15 million of CCC
funds for Conservation Innovation Grants in Fiscal Year 2004. The funds
will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process.
Applications are requested from eligible government or non-government
organizations or individuals for competitive consideration of grant
awards for single or multi-year projects. This notice sets forth the
applicant and project eligibility requirements, application procedures,
and grant award criteria for proposed projects.
DATES: Applications must be received in the NRCS National Office by May
28, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Written applications should be sent to Sheila Leonard,
Grants and Agreements Specialist, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, 14th and Independence Ave., SW., Room 5226-S, Washington, DC
20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Lucero, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mail Stop 5473,
Beltsville, MD 20705. Phone: (301) 504-2222; facsimile: (301) 504-2264;
e-mail: cig@usda.gov; Subject: Conservation Innovation Grants RFP; or
consult the NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002
.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.912.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Background
Of the nearly 1.4 billion acres of private land in the United
States, 931 million, or roughly 70%, are in agriculture. The activities
on these lands have a direct effect on the soil, water, air, plant, and
animal resources, as well as the social, cultural, and economic
condition of U.S. communities, towns, and counties. Regional and local
differences in farm structure, farm practices, and farm products make
delivering innovative agricultural conservation technical assistance a
challenge. National agricultural research and development may not
always have the capacity to develop, test, and transfer new or
innovative conservation technologies and approaches rapidly or
effectively to account for regional variances in the agricultural
industry. Consequently, there is a need to expediently develop, test,
implement, and transfer innovative farm and ranch conservation
technologies and approaches for adoption in the largest applicable
market available. Conservation Innovation Grants are awarded, in part,
to stimulate this purpose.
B. Availability of Funding
Effective on the publication date of this notice, the CCC announces
the availability of up to $15 million for CIG. The CCC, acting through
NRCS, must receive applications for participation by May 28, 2004.
Funds will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process.
CIG will emphasize projects that have a goal of providing benefits over
a large geographic area. These projects may be watershed-based,
regional, multi-State, or nationwide in scope.
State, tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental
organizations, and individuals may apply. Selection will be based on
the criteria established in this notice, and selected applicants may
receive grants of up to 50 percent of the total project cost.
Applicants must provide non-Federal funding for at least 50 percent of
the project cost, of which up to one-half (25 percent of the total
project cost) may be from in-kind contributions. The remainder must be
a cash match.
The CIG interim final rule published simultaneously with this
Request for Proposals (RFP) describes the potential for implementing a
State component of CIG. The intent of the State component is to provide
flexibility to NRCS State Conservationists to target CIG funds to
individual producers and smaller organizations that may possess
promising innovations, but could not compete well on the larger scale
of the national grants competition. The State component of CIG,
however, will not be implemented in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 because of
continued EQIP application backlogs, the lateness of Congressional
appropriations, and workload demands at the State level. The Chief
retains the option of providing each State Conservationist with the
discretion to implement a CIG State program in future fiscal years.
C. Overview of Conservation Innovation Grants
The CCC will accept applications for single-or multi-year projects,
not to exceed three years, submitted to NRCS from eligible entities,
including Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, State and local
governments, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. The
purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of
innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging
Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in
conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to
lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems,
and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS
technical manuals or guides, or to the private sector.
Applications are solicited for the full range of natural resource
conservation concerns detailed in this notice. Applications are
accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American Samoa, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
Complete applications will be evaluated by a technical peer review
panel and scored based on the Criteria for Proposal Evaluation
identified in this RFP. Scored applications will be forwarded to a
Grant Review Board. The Grant Review Board will make recommendations
for project approval to the Chief. Final award selections will be made
by the Chief.
Grant awards will be made from the NRCS National Office after the
grantee agrees to the terms and conditions of the NRCS grant agreement.
[[Page 16401]]
II. Natural Resource Conservation Concerns
Applications should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies
or innovative approaches, or both, to address a natural resource
concern or concerns. It is NRCS' intention to provide flexibility to
obtain the greatest degree of creativity and innovation possible in
addressing natural resource concerns, consistent with the overall
program objective.
The five natural resource concerns for possible funding through
Conservation Innovation Grants for Fiscal Year 2004 are:
A. Water Resources
The objective of this natural resource concern is to implement new
technologies and/or approaches to maintain, restore, or enhance water
quality and/or quantity in watersheds with predominantly agricultural
land uses while sustaining productivity. Subtopics include:
1. Nutrient, pesticide, and pathogen transport to surface water and
groundwater;
2. Sediment transport to surface water;
3. Irrigation management for water conservation;
4. Aquifer recharge/maintenance of groundwater supplies; and,
5. Increased water supplies/availability through alternative
treatment or reuse strategies.
B. Soil Resources
The objective of this conservation concern is to implement new
technologies and/or approaches to maintain, restore, or enhance soil
resources associated with agricultural and forest land uses while
sustaining productivity. Subtopics include:
1. Erosion reduction;
2. Accumulation of harmful constituents in soils, including
nutrients, metals, salts; and,
3. Overall soil quality and productivity.
C. Atmospheric Resources
The objective of this conservation concern is to implement new
technologies and/or approaches to maintain, restore, or enhance air
quality and atmospheric resources through agricultural and forest
practices while sustaining productivity. Subtopics include:
1. Agricultural emissions of particulates, odors, volatile organic
compounds, and greenhouse gases;
2. Carbon sequestration in soil and through other mechanisms; and,
3. Bio-based energy opportunities.
D. Grazing Land and Forest Health
The objective of this conservation concern is to implement new
technologies and/or approaches to maintain, restore, or enhance grazing
land and forest health while sustaining productivity. Subtopics
include:
1. Invasive species management on grazing and forest land;
2. Effects of pests, diseases, and fragmentation on forest and
grazing land quality/health; and,
3. Systems or practices to minimize overgrazing and restore lands
suffering effects of overgrazing.
E. Wildlife Habitat
The objective of this conservation concern is to implement new
technologies and/or approaches for environmentally sound wildlife
habitat management while sustaining agricultural productivity.
Subtopics include:
1. Riparian area management and restoration;
2. Invasive species management;
3. Biodiversity; and,
4. Wetland function and health.
III. Eligibility
A. Organization or Individual Eligibility
CIG applicants must be a Federally-recognized Indian Tribe; State
or local unit of government; non-governmental organization; or
individual.
1. Payment Limitation--Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of
1985 (as amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002), 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7, imposes a $450,000 limitation for all cost-
share or incentive payments disbursed to individuals or entities under
an EQIP contract between 2002 and 2007. The limitation applies to CIG
in the following manner:
a. CIG funds are awarded through grant agreements; these grant
agreements are not EQIP contracts. Thus, CIG awards are not limited by
the payment limitation.
b. Grant funds that are provided to an individual or entity to
carry out structural, vegetative, or management practices count toward
each individual's or entity's EQIP payment limitation. The procedures
and policies of the EQIP (7 CFR 1466) will be followed to implement
this payment limitation for CIG. NRCS will work with CIG grantees to
ensure that the payment limitation is followed for all CIG projects.
2. Payment Limitation Examples--Following are three examples of how
the $450,000 EQIP payment limitation applies to CIG projects:
a. A $500,000 CIG grant is awarded to a State environmental agency
to demonstrate an innovative, market-based, water quality trading
program. The money is used to finance the development of a market
infrastructure, and none of the funds are used to implement structural,
vegetative, or management practices. Producers in the trading market
demonstration area may indirectly benefit from their eventual
participation in the market, but there is no direct or indirect
transfer of CIG dollars. If, on the other hand, part of the CIG award
were used to provide funds to producers who implement a conservation
practice on their land as part of a trading program, those payments
would count towards each producer's $450,000 EQIP payment limitation.
b. A $1,000,000 CIG grant is awarded to a Conservation District to
pilot a community-based animal waste treatment technology innovation.
EQIP-eligible producers in the area transport their animal waste to a
central treatment location. Because producers are not directly or
indirectly receiving CIG funds, the payment limitation does not apply.
If, however, the technology were to be installed on five producers'
property for demonstration purposes, the CIG funds would count toward
each producer's $450,000 EQIP payment limitation. Similarly, if the
producers were paid for their waste, or for transporting their waste to
the central treatment location, out of CIG funds, the payments would be
subject to each producer's EQIP payment limitation.
c. An individual producer applying for a $500,000 CIG grant already
has an EQIP contract for $100,000. The producer is awarded a grant to
implement an innovative management practice, but the amount would be
reduced to $350,000 maximum in order to comply with the EQIP payment
limitation.
B. Project Eligibility
To be eligible, projects must involve landowners who meet the EQIP
eligibility requirements of 16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1. Refer to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/
for more information on EQIP and
eligibility requirements. Further, all agricultural producers
participating in a CIG project must meet the EQIP eligibility
requirements, but are not required to have an EQIP contract.
Applications must describe the extent of participation of EQIP eligible
producers.
Technologies and approaches that are eligible for funding in the
project's geographic area through EQIP are ineligible for CIG funding.
Applicants should reference each State's EQIP Eligible Practices List
by contacting the
[[Page 16402]]
NRCS State office, or by visiting the EQIP Web site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/EQIP_signup/2004_EQIP/2004_EQIP.html.
If an applicant believes a practice is innovative and should
be eligible for funding through CIG, a justification describing the
unique features of the practice should be included in the application.
Individual projects funded through CIG in Fiscal Year 2004 may not
receive more than $1 million from NRCS. NRCS anticipates that the
funding range for most projects will be between $75,000 and $500,000.
CIG will fund single- and multi-year projects, not to exceed three
years. At the discretion of the Chief, a project may be allowed to
extend up to a total of five years if special conditions exist. All
requests and justifications for prolonging the duration of a project
beyond three years must be included in the CIG application. The Chief
will make decisions on such requests on a case-by-case basis.
The grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance
required to successfully implement and complete the project. NRCS will
provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award.
C. Beginning and Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers, and Indian
Tribes
For the FY 2004 grant award process, up to 10 percent of the total
funds available for CIG may be set-aside for applications from
Beginning and Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers, Indian Tribes, or
community-based organizations comprised of or representing these
entities. To compete for these set-aside funds, the applicant must make
a declaration in the application as described in paragraph V.A.6. of
this notice. Applications that are unsuccessful in the set-aside
competition will be placed automatically in the general application
pool for consideration. Funds not used in the set-aside pool will
revert back into the general funding pool.
An exception regarding matching funds is made for projects funded
out of the set-aside. Seventy-five percent of the required matching
funds for such projects may derive from in-kind contributions. This
exception is intended to help Beginning and Limited Resource Farmers or
Ranchers and Indian Tribes meet the statutory requirements for
receiving a Conservation Innovation Grant.
IV. Innovative Conservation Projects or Activities
For the purposes of CIG, the proposed innovative project or
activity must encompass the development and field testing, evaluation,
and implementation of:
Conservation adoption incentive systems,
including market-based systems; or,
Promising conservation technologies, practices,
systems, procedures, and approaches.
To be given priority consideration, the innovative project or
activity:
Will have been studied sufficiently to indicate
a good probability for success;
Demonstrates, tests, evaluates, or verifies
environmental (soil, water, air, plants, and animal) effectiveness,
utility, affordability, and usability in the field;
Adapts conservation technologies, practices,
systems, procedures, approaches, and incentive systems to improve
performance, and encourage adoption;
Introduces conservation systems, approaches, and
procedures from another geographic area or agricultural sector; and,
Adapts conservation technology, management, or
incentive systems to improve performance.
V. Application and Submission Information
A. Application Materials
Applications must contain the information set forth below in order
to receive consideration for a grant. Applicants should not assume
prior knowledge on the part of NRCS or others as to the relative merits
of the project described in the application. Applications must be
submitted in the following format:
1. Cover Sheet: Applications must use Standard Form 424 as the
cover sheet for each project proposal. Standard Form 424 can be
downloaded from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424.pdf, or
obtained from a NRCS State Office (a list of NRCS State Offices is
provided in the appendix of this announcement).
2. Project Abstract: Each proposal must contain a summary of not
more than one page that provides the following:
a. Project title;
b. Project duration (beginning and ending dates);
c. Name, address, telephone, e-mail, and other contact information
for the project director;
d. Names and affiliations of project collaborators;
e. Estimated number of EQIP eligible producers involved in the
project;
f. Project objectives;
g. Summary of the work to be performed;
h. Total project cost; and,
i. Total Federal funds requested.
3. Project Description: Each project must be completely and
accurately described in no more than 10 typewritten, double-spaced
pages, which must include the following:
a. Project background: Describe the history of, and need for, the
proposed innovation. Provide evidence that the proposed innovation has
been studied sufficiently to indicate a good probability for success of
the project;
b. Project objectives: Be specific, using qualitative and
quantitative measures, if possible, to describe the project's purpose
and goals. Describe how, based on the description of innovative
conservation projects and activities provided in section IV, the
project is innovative;
c. Project methods: Describe clearly the methodology of the project
and the tools or processes that will be used to implement the project;
d. Location and size of project or project area: Describe the
location of the project and the relative size and scope (e.g., acres,
farm types and demographics, etc.) of the project area. Provide a map,
if possible;
e. Producer participation: Estimate the number of producers
involved in the project, and describe the extent of their involvement;
f. Project action plan and timeline: Provide a table listing
project actions, timeframes, and associated milestones through project
completion. If the applicant is requesting a project extension beyond
three years (to a total of five years), include a justification for the
extension;
g. Project management: Give a detailed description of how the
project will be organized and managed. Include a list of key project
personnel, their relevant education or experience, and their
anticipated contributions to the project. Explain the level of
participation required in the project by government and non-government
entities. Identify who will participate in monitoring and evaluating
the project;
h. Benefits or results expected and transferability: Identify the
results and benefits to be derived from the proposed project
activities, and explain how the results will be measured. Be as
specific and quantitative as possible. Identify project beneficiaries--
for example, agricultural producers by type or region or sector; rural
communities; municipalities. Explain how these
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entities will benefit. In addition, describe how results will be
communicated to others via outreach activities; and,
i. Project evaluation: Describe the methodology or procedures to be
followed to evaluate the project, determine technical feasibility, and
quantify the results of the project for the final report. Grant
recipients will be required to provide a quarterly report of progress
and a final project report to NRCS. Instructions for submitting
quarterly reports will be detailed in the grant agreement.
4. Budget Information: Use Standard Form 424A to document budget
needs and provide a detailed narrative in support of the budget for the
project. Standard Form 424A can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424a.pdf
, or obtained from a NRCS State Office. Itemize
the costs necessary for successful completion of the proposed project.
Indicate the total amount (both cash and in-kind) of non-Federal
matching support that will be provided to the proposed project. In the
budget narrative, identify the source, the amount, and the nature (cash
or in-kind) of the matching funds. In-kind costs of equipment or
project personnel cannot exceed 25 percent of the total project budget
(except in the case of projects carried out by either a Beginning or
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher, or Indian Tribe, or a community-
based organization comprised of or representing these entities--see
paragraph III.C.). The remainder of the match must be provided in cash.
CIG funds may not be used to pay any of the following costs unless
otherwise permitted by law, or approved in writing by the Authorized
Departmental Officer in advance of incurring such costs:
a. Costs above the amount of funds authorized for the project;
b. Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant;
c. Costs incurred after the expiration date of the grant (including
any approved no-cost extensions of time). However, grant funds may be
expended after the expiration date to liquidate legitimate obligations
incurred by the grantee on or before the expiration date;
d. Costs which lie outside the scope of the approved project and
any amendments thereto;
e. Indirect costs of the grantee;
f. Entertainment costs, regardless of their apparent relationship
to project objectives;
g. Compensation for injuries to persons, or damage to property
arising out of project activities;
h. Consulting services performed by a Federal employee during
official duty hours when such consulting services result in the payment
of additional compensation to the employee; and,
i. Renovation or refurbishment of research or related spaces; the
purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such spaces; and the
planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of
buildings or facilities.
This list is not exhaustive. Questions regarding the allowances of
particular items of cost should be directed to the contact person
above.
5. Declaration of EQIP Eligibility: Applicants must make a
declaration in writing that they, or parties involved in the project,
are eligible for EQIP.
6. Declaration of Beginning Farmer or Rancher or Limited Resource
Farmer or Rancher, or Indian Tribe: If an applicant wishes to compete
in the 10 percent set-aside funding pool (see paragraph III.C. that
describes the provision of a set-aside pool of funding for Beginning
and Limited Resource Farmers or Ranchers, and Indian Tribes) and avail
themselves of the in-kind contribution exception, applicants must make
a declaration in writing of their status as a Beginning Farmer or
Rancher or Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher, or Indian Tribe, or a
community-based organization comprised of or representing these
entities.
7. Environmental Evaluation: Each application must be accompanied
by a completed environmental profile describing the anticipated
environmental effects of the proposal. The required form is available
at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig. Applicants may also request a
form in writing or by e-mail. These profiles will be used to determine
whether an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) is needed for any given project, prior to the awarding
of grant funds. The applicant is responsible for the cost of an EA or
EIS, should one be required. This cost may be counted as part of the
grantee's in-kind contribution.
8. Supporting Documentation: At the applicant's option, provide any
additional information necessary or useful to describe the project. The
applicant may present any information that would emphasize the value of
the project, its merits, and its contribution toward innovation within
the stated natural resource concerns identified in this notice.
9. Certifications: All applications must include a signed Standard
Form (SF) 424B--Assurances, Non-construction Programs. SF 424B may be
found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424b.pdf, or contact a
State NRCS office;
Applicants, by signing and submitting an application, assure and
certify that they are in compliance with the following from 7 Code of
Federal Register (CFR):
a. Part 3017, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/7cfr3017_04.html
);
b. Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/7cfr3018_04.html
); and,
c. Part 3021, Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace
(Financial Assistance) (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/7cfr3021_04.html
).
B. Submission of Proposal
Applications for project grants must be complete; incomplete
applications will not be considered. If submitting proposals for more
than one project, submit a separate, complete application package for
each project. Applications are to be typewritten on 8\1/2\[sec] x
11[sec] white paper, double spaced, and on one side only. The text of
the proposal must be typewritten in a font no smaller than 12-point,
with one-inch margins. Applicants must submit one signed original and
one copy of each project application. Each copy of the proposal must be
stapled securely in the upper left hand corner. Hard copies must be
accompanied by an electronic copy on a 3\1/2\-inch diskette or compact
disc (CD). Electronic files must be either Microsoft Word or Acrobat
(pdf) files. Applications submitted via facsimile or e-mail will not be
accepted. Applications must be received at the address noted above by 5
p.m. EST on May 28, 2004. If that day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
Federal holiday, applications will be accepted until the close of the
next business day. A proposal's postmark date is not a factor in
whether an application is received on time. The applicant assumes the
risk of any delays in proposal delivery. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to submit completed applications via overnight mail or
delivery service to ensure timely receipt by NRCS. Receipt of all
applications will be acknowledged by e-mail. Therefore, applicants are
strongly encouraged to provide accurate e-mail addresses. If the
applicant's e-mail address is not indicated, NRCS will acknowledge
receipt of the application by letter. If the applicant does not receive
an acknowledgment within 60 days of the submission deadline, please
contact the program manager.
[[Page 16404]]
VI. Application Review Information
A. Proposal Review and Selection Process
Prior to technical review, each application will be screened for
completeness. Incomplete applications, including those that do not meet
eligibility requirements, will be eliminated from competition, and
notification of elimination will be e-mailed or mailed to the
applicant.
Applications meeting the requirements of this notice will be scored
by a Peer Review Panel against the Criteria for Proposal Evaluation
identified below. Scored applications will be forwarded to a Grant
Review Board, which will certify the rankings from the peer review
panels, and ensure that the proposal evaluations are consistent with
program objectives. The Grant Review Board will make recommendations to
the Chief for final selection and funding decisions. Applicants who
have been selected will be notified by mail within ten business days of
the final selection. Applicants whose proposals have not been selected
will be notified within 15 business days of the final selection.
B. Criteria for Proposal Evaluation
Peer review panels will use the following criteria to evaluate
project proposals. Each of the four criterion carries an equal weight
of 25 percent.
1. Purpose and goals:
a. The purpose and goals of the project are clearly stated;
b. The project adheres to the natural resource conservation
concerns for FY 2004 stated in this notice; and,
c. There is clear and significant potential for a positive and
measurable outcome.
2. Soundness of approach or design:
a. The project adheres to the description of innovative projects or
activities found in section IV of this notice;
b. Technical design and implementation strategy is based on sound
science;
c. There is a good likelihood of project success;
d. The project substantively involves EQIP eligible producers; and,
e. The project promotes environmental enhancement and protection in
conjunction with agricultural production.
3. Project management:
a. The proposal has clear milestones and timelines, designated
staff, and demonstrates collaboration;
b. The project staff has the technical expertise needed to do the
work;
c. The budget is reasonable and adequately justified; and,
d. The project leverages non-Federal matching funds of at least 50
percent, of which up to one-half (25 percent of total match) may be in-
kind contributions (see paragraph III.C. regarding an exception to this
guidance for Beginning and Limited Resource Farmers or Ranchers and
Indian Tribes).
4. Transferability:
a. There is great potential to transfer the approach or technology
to others and/or to other geographical areas; and,
b. The project will result in the development of technical or
related materials (e.g., technical standards, technical notes, manuals,
handbooks, software) that will help foster adoption of the innovative
technology or approach by other producers, and in other geographic
areas.
VII. Grant Agreement
The CCC, through NRCS, will use a grant agreement with selected
applicants to document participation in the CIG component of EQIP. The
grant agreement will include:
The final project plan listing cooperators in
the project, and identifying the grant applicant and the project
manager;
The project timelines and expected project
completion date;
The project progress and budget reporting
requirements;
Award amount and budget information;
Requests for advance of funds or reimbursement;
The role of NRCS technical oversight in the
project;
Reporting requirements;
Changes in project plans; and
Other requirements and terms deemed necessary by
the CCC to protect the interests of the United States.
Neither the approval of any application nor the award of any grant
agreement commits or obligates the United States to provide further
support of a project or any portion thereof or implies any endorsement.
VIII. Patents and Inventions
Allocation of rights to patents and inventions shall be in
accordance with USDA regulation 7 CFR 3019.36. This regulation provides
that small businesses normally may retain the principal worldwide
patent rights to any invention developed with USDA support. In
accordance with 7 CFR 3019.2, this provision will also apply to
commercial organizations for the purposes of CIG. USDA receives a
royalty-free license for Federal Government use, reserves the right to
require the patentee to license others in certain circumstances, and
requires that anyone exclusively licensed to sell the invention in the
United States must normally manufacture it domestically.
Signed in Washington, DC, on March 19, 2004.
Bruce I. Knight,
Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation, Chief, Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
Appendix
Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationists
Alabama: Robert N. Jones, 3381 Skyway Drive, Post Office Box
311, Auburn, AL 36830; phone: (334) 887-4500; fax: (334) 887-4552;
robert.jones@al.usda.gov.
Alaska: Shirley Gammon, Atrium Building, Suite 100, 800 West
Evergreen, Atrium Building, Suite 100, Palmer, AK 99645-6539; phone:
(907) 761-7760; fax: (907) 761-7790; sgammon@ak.nrcs.usda.gov.
Arizona: Michael Somerville, Suite 800, 3003 North Central
Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2945; phone: (602) 280-8808; fax: (602)
280-8809 or 8805; msomervi@az.nrcs.usda.gov.
Arkansas: Kalven L. Trice, Federal Building, Room 3416, 700 West
Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201-3228; phone: (501) 301-3100;
fax: (501) 301-3194; kalven.trice@ar.usda.gov.
California: Charles W. Bell, Suite 4164, 430 G Street, Davis,
California 95616-4164; phone: (530) 792-5600; fax: (530) 792-5790;
charles.bell@ca.usda.gov.
Colorado: James Allen Green, Room E200C, 655 Parfet Street,
Lakewood, CO 80215-5521; phone: (720) 544-2810; fax: (720) 544-2965;
allen.green@co.usda.gov.
Connecticut: Margo L. Wallace, 344 Merrow Road, Tolland,
Connecticut 06084; phone: (860) 871-4011; fax: (860) 871-4054;
margo.wallace@ct.usda.gov.
Delaware: Ginger Murphy, Suite 101, 1203 College Park Drive,
Suite 101, Dover, DE 19904-8713; phone: (302) 678-4160; fax: (302)
678-0843; ginger.murphy@de.usda.gov.
Florida: T. Niles Glasgow, 2614 NW. 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL
32606-6611, or Post Office Box 141510, Gainesville, FL 32606-6611;
phone: (352) 338-9500; fax: (352) 338-9574;
niles.glasgow@fl.usda.gov.
Georgia: Leonard Jordan, Federal Building, Stop 200, 355 East
Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2769; phone: (706) 546-2272; fax:
(706) 546-2120; leonard.jordan@ga.usda.gov.
Guam: Joan B. Perry, Director, Pacific Basin Area, Suite 301,
FHB Building, Suite 301 400 Route 8, Mongmong, G U 96910; phone:
(671) 472-7490; fax: (671) 472-7288; joan.perry@pb.usda.gov.
Hawaii: Lawrence Yamamoto, Acting, Room 4-118, 300 Ala Moana
Boulevard, Post Office Box 50004, Honolulu, HI 96850-0002; phone:
(808) 541-2600; fax: (808) 541-1335; lyamamoto@hi.nrcs.usda.gov.
Idaho: Richard W. Sims, Suite C, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Boise,
ID 83709; phone: (208) 378-5700; fax: (208) 378-5735;
richard.sims@id.usda.gov.
Illinois: William J. Gradle, 2118 W. Park Court, Champaign, IL
61821; phone: (217) 353-6600; fax: (217) 353-6676;
bill.gradle@il.usda.gov.
[[Page 16405]]
Indiana: Jane E. Hardisty, 6013 Lakeside Boulevard,
Indianapolis, IN 46278-2933; phone: (317) 290-3200; fax: (317) 290-
3225; jane.hardisty@in.usda.gov.
Iowa: Leroy Brown, 693 Federal Building, Suite 693, 210 Walnut
Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2180; phone: (515) 284-6655; fax: (515)
284-4394; leroy.brown@ia.usda.gov.
Kansas: Harold Klaege, 760 South Broadway, Salina, KS 67401-
4642; phone: (785) 823-4565; fax: (785) 823-4540;
harold.klaege@ks.usda.gov.
Kentucky: David G. Sawyer, Suite 110, 771 Corporate Drive,
Lexington, KY 40503-5479; phone: (859) 224-7350; fax: (859) 224-
7399; dsawyer@ky.usda.gov.
Louisiana: Donald W. Gohmert, 3737 Government Street,
Alexandria, LA 71302; phone: (318) 473-7751; fax: (318) 473-7626;
don.gohmert@la.usda.gov.
Maine: Joyce Swartzendruber, Suite 3, 967 Illinois Avenue,
Bangor, ME 04401; phone: (207) 990-9100, ext. 3; fax: (207) 990-
9599; joyce.swartzendruber@me.usda.gov.
Maryland: David P. Doss, John Hanson Business Center, Suite 301,
339 Busch's Frontage Road, Annapolis, MD 21401-5534; phone: (410)
757-0861; fax: (410) 757-0687; david.doss@md.usda.gov.
Massachusetts: Cecil B. Currin, 451 West Street, Amherst, MA
01002-2995; phone: (413) 253-4351; fax: (413) 253-4375;
cecil.currin@ma.usda.gov.
Michigan: Ronald C. Williams, Suite 250, 3001 Coolidge Road,
East Lansing, MI 48823-6350; phone: (517) 324-5270; fax: (517) 324-
5171; ron.williams@mi.usda.gov.
Minnesota: William Hunt, Suite 600, 375 Jackson Street, St.
Paul, MN 55101-1854; phone: (651) 602-7900; fax: (651) 602-7913 or
7914; william.hunt@mn.usda.gov.
Mississippi: Homer L. Wilkes, Suite 1321, Federal Building, 100
West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269-1399; phone: (601) 965-5205;
fax: (601) 965-4940; hwilkes@ms.nrcs.usda.gov.
Missouri: Roger A. Hansen, Parkade Center, Suite 250, 601
Business Loop 70, West Columbia, MO 65203-2546; phone: (573) 876-
0901; fax: (573) 876-0913; roger.hansen@mo.usda.gov.
Montana: David White, Federal Building, Room 443, 10 East
Babcock Street, Bozeman, MT 59715-4704; phone: (406) 587-6811; fax:
(406) 587-6761; dwhite@mt.nrcs.usda.gov.
Nebraska: Stephen K. Chick, Federal Building, Room 152, 100
Centennial Mall, North Lincoln, NE 68508-3866 phone: (402) 437-5300;
fax: (402) 437-5327; steve.chick@ne.usda.gov.
Nevada: Livia Marques, Building F, Suite 201, 5301 Longley Lane,
Reno, NV 89511-1805; phone: (775) 784-5863; fax: (775) 784-5939;
livia.marques@nv.usda.gov.
New Hampshire: Richard D. Babcock, Federal Building, 2 Madbury
Road, Durham, NH 03824-2043; phone: (603) 868-7581; fax: (603) 868-
5301; richard.babcock@nh.nrcs.usda.gov.
New Jersey: Anthony J. Kramer, 220 Davidson Avenue, 4th Floor,
Somerset, NJ 08873-3157; phone: (732) 537-6040; fax: (732) 537-6095;
tkramer@nj.nrcs.usda.gov.
New Mexico: Rosendo Trevino III, Suite 305, 6200 Jefferson
Street, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109-3734; phone: (505) 761-4400; fax:
(505) 761-4462; rosendo.trevino@nm.usda.gov.
New York: Joseph R. DelVecchio, Suite 354, 441 South Salina
Street, Syracuse, NY 13202-2450; phone: (315) 477-6504; fax: (315)
477-6550; joseph.delvecchio@ny.usda.gov.
North Carolina: Mary K. Combs, Suite 205, 4405 Bland Road,
Raleigh, NC 27609-6293; phone: (919) 873-2101; fax: (919) 873-2156;
mary.combs@nc.usda.gov.
North Dakota: Serapio Flores, Jr., Room 278, 220 E. Rosser
Avenue, Post Office Box 1458, Bismarck, ND 58502-1458; phone: (701)
530-2000; fax: (701) 530-2110; serapio.flores@nd.usda.gov.
Ohio: J. Kevin Brown, Room 522, 200 North High Street, Columbus,
OH 43215-2478; phone: (614) 255-2500; fax: (614) 255-2548;
kevin.brown@oh.usda.gov.
Oklahoma: M. Darrel Dominick, USDA Agri-Center Building, Suite
206, 100 USDA, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074-2655; phone: (405) 742-
1204; fax: (405) 742-1126; darrel.dominick@ok.usda.gov.
Oregon: Robert Graham, Suite 1300, 101 SW Main Street, Portland,
OR 97204-3221; phone: (503) 414-3200; fax: (503) 414-3103;
bob.graham@or.usda.gov.
Pennsylvania: Robin E. Heard, Suite 340, 1 Credit Union Place,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993; phone: (717) 237-2202; fax: (717) 237-
2238; robin.heard@pa.usda.gov.
Puerto Rico: Juan A. Martinez, Director, Caribbean Area, IBM
Building, Suite 604, 654 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-
4123; phone: (787) 766-5206; fax: (787) 766-5987;
juan.martinez@pr.usda.gov.
Rhode Island: Judith Doerner, Suite 46, 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick,
RI 02886-0111; phone: (401) 828-1300; fax: (401) 828-0433;
judith.doerner@ri.usda.gov.
South Carolina: Walter W. Douglas, Strom Thurmond Federal
Building, Room 950, 1835 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201-2489;
phone: (803) 253-3935; fax: (803) 253-3670;
walt.douglas@sc.usda.gov.
South Dakota: Janet L. Oertly, Federal Building, Room 203, 200
Fourth Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350-2475; phone: (605) 352-1200;
fax: (605) 352-1288; janet.oertly@sd.nrcs.usda.gov.
Tennessee: James W. Ford, 675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway,
Nashville, TN 37203-3878; phone: (615) 277-2531; fax: (615) 277-
2578; jford@tn.nrcs.usda.gov.
Texas: Lawrence Butler, W.R. Poage Building, 101 South Main
Street, Temple, TX 76501-7602; phone: (254) 742-9800; fax: (254)
742-9819; larry.butler@tx.usda.gov.
Utah: Harry Slawter, Acting, W.F. Bennett Federal Building, Room
4402, 125 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, Post Office
Box 11350, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0350, phone: (801) 524-4550,
fax: (801) 524-4403; harry.slawter@ut.usda.gov.
Vermont: Francis M. Keeler, 356 Mountain View Drive, Suite 105,
Colchester, VT 05446; phone: (802) 951-6795; fax: (802) 951-6327;
fran.keeler@vt.usda.gov.
Virginia: M. Denise Doetzer, Culpeper Building, Suite 209, 1606
Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229-5014; phone: (804) 287-1691;
fax: (804) 287-1737; denise.doetzer@va.usda.gov.
Washington: Raymond L. ``Gus'' Hughbanks, Rock Pointe Tower II,
Suite 450, W. 316 Boone Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201-2348; phone: (509)
323-2900; fax: (509) 323-2909; raymond.hughbanks@wa.usda.gov.
West Virginia: Lillian V. Woods, Room 301, 75 High Street,
Morgantown, WV 26505; phone: (304) 284-7540; fax: (304) 284-4839;
lillian.woods@wv.usda.gov.
Wisconsin: Patricia S. Leavenworth, 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite
200, Madison, WI 53717; phone: (608) 662-4422; fax: (608) 662-4430;
pat.leavenworth@wi.usda.gov.
Wyoming: Lincoln E. Burton, Federal Building, Room 3124, 100
East B Street, Casper, WY 82601-1911; phone: (307) 261-6453; fax:
(307) 261-6490; ed.burton@wy.usda.gov.
[FR Doc. 04-6935 Filed 3-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P