Marine Sanctuary Program (11.429)
Program
11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program
Federal Agency
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Authorization
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, Title III, Public Law 92-532, 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.; Marine Sanctuaries Amendments of 1984, Public Law 98-498; Marine Sanctuaries Amendments of 1988, Public Law 100-627; National Marine Sanctuaries Program Amendments Act of 1992, Public Law 102-587. National Marine Sanctuaries Preservation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-283; National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000, Public Law 106- 513.
Program Number
11.429
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To identify areas of the marine environment of special national significance due to their resource or human-use values; to provide authority for comprehensive and coordinated conservation and management of these marine areas that will complement existing regulatory authorities; to support, promote, and coordinate scientific research on, and monitoring of, the resources of these marine areas; to enhance public awareness, understanding, appreciation, and wise use of the marine environment; and to facilitate, to the extent compatible with the primary objective of resource protection, all public and private uses of the resources of these marine areas not prohibited pursuant to other authorities.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Cooperative agreements are entered into for the purpose of conducting research and educational programs; for the solicitation of private donations for the support of such activities in the Marine sanctuary system; to conduct enforcement activities at Marine sanctuary sites; and for other activities to carry out the purposes of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Scholarships are provided for masters and doctorate level studies particularly by women and minorities who are pursuing degrees in Marine Biology, Maritime Archaeology and Oceanography.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, local governments, regional agencies, interstate agencies, or other persons. Agreements to solicit private donations may only be made with nonprofit organizations. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who are U.S. citizens and have been admitted to a masters or doctorate program for studies in Marine Biology, Maritime Archaeology, and Oceanography.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Financial assistance is made for a public purpose. The ultimate beneficiary is the public. The scholarship program benefits individuals who do not have the financial means of pursuing graduate level studies and, in turn, ensures that women and minorities are representative in the areas supported by scholarship program.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposal with statement of work and budget estimate. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for educational institutions and A-122 for nonprofit organizations.
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 excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. For the scholarships to individuals, there is no preapplication requirement.
Application Procedure
This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations, and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments. For the scholarship program, the application process is described in the annual Federal Register Notice.
Award Procedure
The award is approved by NOAA.
Deadlines
Proposals should be submitted 120 days prior to the beginning date of the cooperative agreement. Scholarship deadlines are published in the annual Federal Register Notice.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
No formal procedure.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. This program has no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are usually made for a 1 year period. Funds are released as required.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial Status Reports and Performance Reports are required quarterly or semi-annually.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit 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.
Program Accomplishments
There are currently 13 designated marine sanctuaries. In fiscal year 2002, a 14th sanctuary site began the designation process, and the turret of the USS MONITOR was raised for preservation. Management Plan Reviews are underway at seven sites. Nine students were awarded scholarships in FY 02. Five were continuing and 4 new awards were made.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-1450-0-1-306.
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $2,607,900; FY 03 est $9,300,000; and FY 04 est $4,000,000. (Scholarships) FY 02 $288,000; FY 03 $384,000, FY 04 est $384,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$95,000 to $4,945,000. Average: $1,162,500. Scholarships: $32,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
15 CFR Part 922. Allowable cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes; OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit and for-profit organizations; OMB Circular A-21 for institutions of higher education; and 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. Financial assistance management will be in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit and commercial organizations, and with 15 CRF Part 24 for state and local governments.
Related Programs
11.417, Sea Grant Support; 11.419, Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards; 11.420, Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Maureen Warren (301) 713-3125 and Matthew Stout (301) 713-3125. Offices at each sanctuary.
Headquarters Office
Director, National Marine Sanctuary Program/NOS, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-3125.
Web Site Address
http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/
Examples of Funded Projects
Long-term management efforts at Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary; Educational programming and interpretation to create greater public awareness of the significance of marine sanctuaries; Jason Foundation to support an innovative science and technology education program for middle-school students and teachers; building the infrastructure to bring live video from a sanctuary site to the American public. Scholarships were awarded to graduate students studying Marine Biology, Oceanography, and Maritime Archeology.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
A set of ranking criteria was developed to establish the priority of proposed efforts funded through the National Marine Sanctuary Program. The criteria include: 1) importance of the information or transaction for sanctuary management decisions; 2) date of the available information or accomplishment for which funds are expended; 3) status of information or accomplishment; and 4) generic applicability of information or techniques receivable from effort. Criteria for scholarships include financial need, academic record, recommendations, organizational, analytical, and written communications skills based on the statement of intent, and research and career goals and objectives as described in the statement of intent.
