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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

11.420:  Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves

Objectives:  To assist States in the acquisition, monitoring, research, development and operation of national estuarine research reserves for the purpose of creating natural field laboratories to gather data and make studies of, and educate people about the natural and human processes occurring within the estuaries of the coastal zone.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

11.420 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Credentials/Documentation:  (1) For acquisition, development and operations grants: A letter from the Governor designating the lead agency for new reserve development; (2) for competitive monitoring and education grant proposals which do not come from the lead agency: A letter from the reserve manager indicating formal support of the application by the lead agency. For all grants, a statement of work and budget estimate. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

11.420 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  The standard application forms, as furnished by NOAA and required by 15 CFR Part 24, must be used when applying for Federal funding. These forms can be obtained from the NOAA Grants Management Division. Informal preapplication conferences are recommended. Consultation and assistance is available from NOAA in the preparation of an application. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." If a State or local government is the provider of matching funds, an applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:  For development (construction) awards, the Application for Federal Assistance (For Construction Programs) SF-424, as furnished by NOAA is to be submitted in original plus two copies. For operation and management, education and research, acquisition and non-construction development awards, the application for Federal assistance (For Non-Construction Programs) SF-424 is to be used. This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.

Award Procedure:  Applications are approved by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and Grants Management Division.

Deadlines:  Preapplications and applications should be submitted 150 and 120 days respectively prior to grant beginning date.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  From 90 to 120 workdays.

Appeals:  No formal procedure. If application is unacceptable the applicant is fully informed and may revise application.

Renewals:  Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  There are six types of awards to coastal States under the National Estuarine Research Reserve Program: (1) acquisition; (2) development; (3) operation; (4) monitoring; (5) education; and (6) research. Detailed criteria for the State's development of these awards and criteria for reviewing each award are provided in the regulations for the National Estuarine Research Reserves Program (15 CFR Part 921). Final regulations were published in the Federal Register, July 15, 1993.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Generic projects/activities funded under the national Estuarine Research Reserve program consist of: acquisition of lands to be included in the reserve; site selection procedures and management plan development; construction projects; operation of the reserve; and research and educational activities.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $16,500 to $6,000,000; $100,000.

11.420 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 11.417 Sea Grant Support;
• 11.419 Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards;
• 11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program.

11.420 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

11.420 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $11,230,000; FY 00 est $19,000,000; and FY 01 est $18,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  13-1450-0-1-306.

Authorization:  Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, Section 312, Public Law 92-583, 16 U.S.C. 1451 Seq.; Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1987, Section 315 (1), Public Law 94-370; Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1980, Public Law 96-464; Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1984, Public Law 98-960; Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Public Law 101-508.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  15 CFR Part 921 National Estuarine Research Reserve System Program Regulations.

11.420 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  None.

Headquarters Office:  Chief, Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, 1305 East-West Highway, 12th Floor Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: (301) 713-3125. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

11.420 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Range from 0 to 50 percent of the total project cost provided by the applicant depending upon the type of project. The Federal share for each reserve shall not exceed $5,000,000 for acquisition of lands, waters or interests therein.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Generally, 1 year. Acquisition and construction may be longer. Funds are released as required.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Grants may be used to cover the costs of acquisition, development and operation of National Estuarine Research Reserves. Development and operation costs may include the administrative expenses necessary for monitoring the reserve. Grants are available to states for education projects at reserves. Competitive research and monitoring grants are also available.

11.420 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  All financial status reports and performance reports are required semi-annually.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, recipients that are States, Local Governments, Non-profit Organizations, and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records:  All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or sub grantees are required to be maintained by the terms of the agreement. The grantee must retain records for 3 years from the date when the final expenditure report is submitted.