To date, cooperative agreements and amendments in the amount of approximately $44,089,000 have been granted to States, universities, and other recipients to conduct resource (fisheries, water quality, invertebrate, vegetation) monitoring and research of the Upper Mississippi River System.
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
In fiscal year 2008, 6 cooperative agreements were made to support the LTRMP.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Cooperative Agreements are entered into for the purpose of conducting resource monitoring and research as specified in the LTRMP Operations Plan and for other activities to carry out the purposes of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, local governments, intrastate/interstate agencies, sponsored organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations for the purposes stated in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
Beneficiary Eligibility
UMRS State, Federal, and private natural resource managers, users, and the general public.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed activity.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Limited discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are permitted.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Application form Standard Form (SF) 424, 424-A, and 424-B. The States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin; the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association; or any other agency established under paragraph (d)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662 are exempt from the application procedures by virtue of the Act. In order to comply with the Department of Interior regulations, the United States Geological Survey is now requiring all applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be submitted electronically via the Grants.gov website. Grants.gov is a central online system for applicants to find and apply for grants and cooperative agreements across the Federal government.
Award Procedures
Notification of an award is by a cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Upper Mississippi River Management Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662, Section 1103, 33 U.S.C. 652.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Up to 3 months.
Appeals
None. The application may be revised and resubmitted.
Renewals
The LTRMP is a permanent program. Agreements may be renewed on an annual basis dependent upon funding availability.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Cooperative Agreements will be awarded in 12-month budget periods. Funds are released as required.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual and final technical and financial reports are required.
Audits
Covered awardees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. seq.). In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0804-0-1-306.
Obigations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $2,950,136; FY 08 $2,691,425; and FY 09 est $2,429,261.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$307,493 to $777,324; $448,571.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Public Law 99-662, Section 1103, as amended. Information regarding LTRMP publications may be found at the web site address.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Inquiries regarding the LTRMP may be addressed to the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603, POC: Michael Jawson, Center Director, (608) 781-6221, Fax: (608) 783-6066, E-mail: Linda_Leake@usgs.gov; or Thomas S. Kelly, Management Analyst, (608) 781-6229, Fax: (608) 783-6066, E-mail: Tom_Kelly@usgs.gov; UMESC web site address, http://www.umesc.usgs.gov.
Headquarters Office
None.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and their institutions and agencies; States, universities, and others having expertise and experience conducting monitoring and research of the Upper Mississippi River System; States, universities, and others having expertise and experience conducting monitoring and research of large, impounded river systems.
For 2014, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has recognized 37 individuals for their outstanding work in the field of social enterprise.