1. Geographic location: How do you describe the geographic location of a project in the project statement. The regulation at 50 CFR 80.82(c)(6) requires the applicant to provide information on the geographic location, but it does not describe any format for this information. (75)
  2. Technical assistance: Include technical assistance in the list of eligible activities for Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration.  Define technical assistance and consider limits on what would be eligible for funding. (80)
  3. Budget information in applications. Review 50 CFR 80.82(c)(9), Budget Narrative, for any needed modification. Require the applicant to state how it determined indirect costs, i.e., is the applicant using the de minimis 10 percent rate or a negotiated rate. Require the submission of the recipient’s and any subrecipients’ current negotiated indirect cost agreement. Require the use of the SF 424 A and C. Require the applicant to supplement SF 424 C with an indirect-cost calculation in the Budget Narrative. Determine which budget categories on the SF 424 A and C are unnecessary. (75)
  4. Define law enforcement: Should the definition of law enforcement include: (a) the development of regulations and policies for hunting and fishing, and (b) preventive law enforcement? Examples of preventive LE are: leaflets for hunters and anglers; kiosks to provide information to hunters and anglers at hunter parking lots and boat landings; signs marking the boundaries of areas open or closed to hunting or fishing; and media releases related to hunting or fishing rules. (80)(Memorandum)
  5. Land acquisition in the Hunter Education subprogram and program: Include land acquisition as an eligible activity under both the Basic Hunter Education and Safety subprogram at 50 CFR 80.50(b) and the Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety program at 50 CFR 80.50(c). (80)
  6. Valuation of a Recipient’s in-kind contribution of real property: Clarify 2 CFR 200.306(h)(2) on how you value a recipient’s in-kind matching contribution of real property for a project that requires the use of the property for a period less than perpetuity. Mellinger Email. (75)
  7. Symbols: Should we continue to “encourage” the display of the program logos (symbols) on completed projects in 50 CFR 80.100, or should we require their display. (80)
  8. Freshwater/saltwater split: Is there a simpler way to calculate the allocation of funds between marine and freshwater fisheries? During the last revision of 50 CFR 80 in 2010-11, a State fish and wildlife agency proposed a simpler way of calculating the allocation in its comments on the proposed rule. In our response to the comment, we committed to revisit this issue during the next rulemaking on 50 CFR 80. (80)
  9. Project purpose: Provide criteria on how to state the project purpose. (75)
  10. Comprehensive management system grants: Fully address comprehensive management systems and incorporate the remaining features from Service Manual chapter 522 FW 4. (80)
  11. How do we establish substantiality in character and design? Can a project include fundamentally different elements as long as it is substantial in character and design?  For example, is there any reason a project could not include land acquisition, construction, and equipment purchase if the purpose of the project is to establish a new WMA? (80)
  12. Loss of control and diversion: Establish criteria or give generic examples to determine what falls within a State’s authority to give general direction to its State fish and wildlife agency and what would constitute loss of control. Clarify that it is not a diversion if a State establishes construction requirements or land-management standards applicable across the board. Who has the authority to speak for the Service on loss of control and diversion? Are there any requirements for consultation between the Regional and Washington Offices? (80)
  13. Federal nexus significant financial assistance for restoration, maintenance, or PILT:  Currently, 50 CFR 80.134 describes requirements for State agencies to use lands acquired and capital improvements constructed with WSFR funds for their authorized purpose.  In the case of capital improvements, this is for the useful life of the improvement, and for land acquisition this can be in perpetuity. There are no requirements for States to ensure that license-acquired lands that are restored or maintained with WSFR grant funds continue to serve WSFR grant purposes after the period of performance of the restoration or maintenance grant. Same goes for lands that receive significant grant funding for PILT payments.  Consider requiring something similar to a recorded Notice of Federal Participation on these WSFR-managed and maintained lands.  A threshold would be needed to determine at what point a "Federal nexus" is created. (June 5 Issue from Colleen Sculley.) (80)
  14. Period of performance: Can you extend the period of performance after the end of the existing period?  If so, what are the criteria for doing so? (75)
  15. Encumbrances: Provide criteria for how to handle requests for: (a) right-of-way easements for utility lines or the widening of public roads across lands acquired, managed, or maintained with Federal financial assistance; or (b) discretionary access easements, i.e., not court-ordered, across such lands?” (2 CFR 200.311 Real property. (a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to real property acquired or improved under a Federal award will vest upon acquisition in the non-Federal entity. (b) Use. Except as otherwise provided by Federal statutes or by the Federal awarding agency, real property will be used for the originally authorized purpose as long as needed for that purpose, during which time the non-Federal entity must not dispose of or encumber its title or other interests.) (75)
  16. Recruitment under WR, SFR and HE:  See what needs to be done to broaden eligibility.  See white paper dated November, 2013. (80)
  • No labels