96-28756. Biological Resources Division; Species at Risk Program

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 218 (Friday, November 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57889-57890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28756]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey


Biological Resources Division; Species at Risk Program

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Biological Resources Division (BRD) is announcing the 
availability of funds through the Species at Risk Program (SAR). The 
basic purpose of SAR is to fund short-term research, inventory and 
monitoring projects to generate information that allows development of 
conservation agreements, action plans and management alternatives that 
provide for the protection of species of flora and fauna and their 
habitats and thereby reduce the need for listing species as threatened 
or endangered.

DATES: Information packages describing requirements for participation 
in this initiative will be available upon request until December 13, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Parties interested in this program should request an 
information package from: Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley 
Drive, M.S. 300, Reston, VA 20192 ATTN. Mr. John Mosesso or Ms. Wendy 
Kuhne.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Mosesso or Ms. Wendy Kuhne, 
Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 300, Reston, 
VA 20192 E-Mail: [e-mail] or [e-mail] or at 
703-648-4070.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

    Species at Risk (SAR) is a program that develops scientific 
information on the status and trends of sensitive species, particularly 
with respect to the relationship of species abundance and distribution 
to habitat conditions and stresses. The basic purpose of SAR is to 
generate information that allows development of conservation 
agreements, action plans and management alternatives that provide for 
the protection of species and their habitats and thereby reduce the 
need for listing species as threatened or endangered. The program 
provides an opportunity for investigators to participate through 
survey, monitoring and research activities. Projects are specifically 
intended to be of short duration and should seek to optimize 
partnerships with Federal agencies, states, universities and others in 
the private sector. Successful SAR projects are often conducted by 
investigators who have identified key small but critical gaps in our 
biological knowledge. Projects then fill these gaps and provide 
resource managers, regulators and private landowners useable 
information from which prudent resource management decisions can be 
made. As in previous years, SAR will focus on species for which there 
is concern but limited information on their abundance, distribution 
and/or status. Projects should identify or develop new information that 
will reduce the need

[[Page 57890]]

for a formal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (FWS) has provided a list of species of particular 
concern (list will be provided with application package). Projects 
focusing on these species will be given special consideration. Projects 
focusing on species not included on this list will also be considered 
if accompanied by sufficient justification. This program is 
specifically directed towards species for which opportunities exist for 
developing strategies that assure long-term population stability and 
reduce the likelihood they will have to be dealt with through the 
regulatory processes. Therefore, projects involving FWS ``Candidate,'' 
``Threatened,'' or ``Endangered'' species will not be considered. 
Likewise, species of great abundance, regardless of the management 
challenges they pose, are beyond the focus of SAR and will be rejected 
in the screening process.

    This program is conducted in furtherance of the Secretary's 
obligations under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 USC 742a-742j, 
as amended) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 USC 661-
667e, as amended).

B. Background

    The National Biological Service was transferred to the U.S. 
Geological Survey and renamed the Biological Resources Division (BRD) 
under Secretarial Order No. 3202 on October 1,1996. BRD gathers and 
analyzes biological information and serves as an information 
clearinghouse, providing broad access to the widest possible range of 
factual data on the status and trends of the Nation's biota and the 
potential effects of land management choices. This information serves 
public and private landowners who are interested in sustaining 
biological resources. It also provides understanding to help avoid 
conflicts that can both impede development and degrade natural 
habitats.
    The Species at Risk Program will develop scientific information and 
alternatives to assist Federal, State, and other land managers in their 
decisions regarding the protection of sensitive species and habitats.

C. Availability of Funds

    Through this program, pre-proposals are invited for funding in 
Fiscal Year 1997. Total funding anticipated for the fiscal year is up 
to $370,000. Monies will be provided to successful applicants on a 
competitive basis. In order to maximize the number of proposals there 
is no minimum project cost. The maximum project cost will be $80,000.

D. Eligibility Requirements

    Under the terms specified in the information package, pre-proposals 
will be accepted from State agencies, private and industry groups, 
academic institutions, and Native American Tribes and Nations. Pre-
proposals will be evaluated in light of their scientific merit, 
partnership opportunities, potential for providing useful information 
to resource managers, potential for conservation agreements, 
possibilities for cost sharing, and demonstration of successful 
completion within 18 months of date of initiation. Possible selectees 
will then be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration of 
funding.

E. Application Process

    Parties interested in participating in this program should request 
an information package that will include detailed application forms, 
Federal Assistance forms (Standard Form 424, etc.), proposal format 
requirements, etc. from:

Mail:
    Species at Risk Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M.S. 300, 
Reston, VA 20192, attn. John Mosesso or Wendy Kuhne
Or E-Mail:
    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]
Or Call: [phone]

F. Dates

    Notice of interest in this program must be received by December 13, 
1996.
Dennis B. Fenn,
Chief Biologist, Biological Resources Division,
[FR Doc. 96-28756 Filed 11-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-31-P