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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

11.439:  Marine Mammal Data Program

Objectives:  This program provides support to State agencies for the collection and analysis of information on marine mammals that occur in the State's waters and interact with State managed fisheries and other marine resources. Such information is used by the State and Federal governments to conserve marine mammals and address or resolve conflicts between marine mammals, fisheries and living marine resources.

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

11.439 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  State governments and quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  This program benefits the States that have marine mammals in waters under State jurisdiction and supports Federal requirements for conservation of marine mammals, and other public resources.

Credentials/Documentation:  Proposal from a State fishery agency or an Interstate Fisheries Commission submitted in accordance with 15 CFR Part 24.

11.439 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs". 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:  Submission of application on Standard Form 424 to the National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest or Alaska Regional Office. The applicants are subject to the requirements of the uniform rule implementing OMB Circular No. A-102 at 15 CFR part 24.

Award Procedure:  Applications are evaluated by the National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Office and processed by the NOAA Grants Management Division. Pursuant to Section 404 of Public Law 102-567, financial assistance awards to a State or Interstate Fishery Commission may be provided to the State on a sole-source basis.

Deadlines:  According to the NOAA Grants Management Division, project applications should be submitted at least 75 days in advance of desired effective date.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Within 75 calendar days after a complete and acceptable application is received.

Appeals:  No formal appeal procedure. If applications are unacceptable, the reasons are fully stated to the applicants. If the applicants desire to resubmit applications, projects must be revised in accordance with recommended changes.

Renewals:  Continuation grants can be made on an annual basis for approved multi-year projects. Future or continued funding will be at the discretion of NMFS, based on the availability of each fiscal year funding and satisfactory performance. Procedures for renewals are the same as application procedures.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Priority consideration is given to proposals for the collection of information on marine mammals involved in interactions with fisheries and other marine resources, and on activities impacting marine mammals such as native subsistence.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Programs designed to carry-out research and operational support consistent with cooperative management agreements and subsistence harvest efforts. Projects provide information on abundance and distribution of marine mammals that occur in Federal and State waters and their interactions with fisheries and other resources. Examples include aerial surveys, sampling and tagging of pinnipeds; determining and monitoring the number and trend in number of pinnipeds at selected sites; assessing the health of ESA listed Steller sea lions, identifying foraging habits and habitats, and assessments of pinnipeds predation on salmonids.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $48,800 to $790,414; $291,396.

11.439 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

11.439 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

These programs support marine mammal research and management efforts relative to developing fishery plans and determining conservation guidelines for a number of species. Several programs contribute to the United States participation in the International Whaling Commission and the fulfillment of native subsistence co-management commitments under section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In fiscal year 1999, nine awards were made and it is anticipated that 11 awards will be made in fiscal year 2000 and 11 awards for 2001.

11.439 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

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

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Cooperative Agreements) FY 99 $2,831,164; FY 00 est $3,229,114; and FY 01 est $3,750,000.

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

Authorization:  Marine Mammal Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  15 CFR Part 24; Marine Mammal Protection Act.

11.439 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Joe Scordino, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. Phone: (206) 526-6150, Fax: (206) 526-6426, Email: Joe.Scordino@noaa.gov. Alaska Regional Office: Pete Jones, NOAA/NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668. Phone: (907) 586-7280. Use the same number for FTS.

Headquarters Office:  Budget Officer, Administrative and Budget Processes Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: (301) 713-2245, Fax: (301) 713-2299. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

11.439 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula. Projects are funded at up to 100 percent Federal share.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Grants are normally made for one year. Assistance is released via the Financial Assistance Disbursement System (FADS).

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds may be used by State agencies for collection of information on marine mammals that occur in State waters and interact with fisheries and other marine resources.

11.439 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Reporting requirements are outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the Financial Assistance Award. The Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions generally require that performance and financial reports be submitted semi-annually unless a waiver is provided by the NOAA Grants Officer.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:  All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or sub grantees are required to be maintained in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Financial Assistance Award. The grantee must maintain records for 3 years from the date when the final expenditure report is submitted.