Marine Turtle Conservation Fund (15.645)

 

Program

15.645 Marine Turtle Conservation Fund

 

Federal Agency

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 

Authorization

Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004, Public Law 108-266.

 

Program Number

15.645

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To assist in the conservation of marine turtles and the nesting habitats of marine turtles in foreign countries by supporting and providing financial resources for projects to conserve the nesting habitats, conserve marine turtles in those habitats, and address other threats to the survival of marine turtles.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Project work should occur in foreign countries (outside of the United States) that have within their boundaries marine turtle nesting habitats and be conducted by any person or group with the demonstrated expertise required for the conservation of marine turtles. Applied research projects should address specific management needs and actions. Funds provided under this program will not be used for: the purchase of firearms or ammunitions; buying of intelligence information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity; law enforcement operations that prompt suspects to carry out illegal activities so they may be arrested (entrapment); or any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S. or the country in which the activity would occur.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by any government agency responsible for conservation and protection of marine turtles and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in marine turtle conservation.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Any government agency responsible for conservation and protection of marine turtles and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in marine turtle conservation.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Complete application information can be found at http://www.fws.gov/international/grants/grants.html, or if unable to access the website, from the Division of International Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 730, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Award Procedure

Projects are reviewed and competitively selected for funding based on established criteria contained in the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-266). An Assistance Award agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the grantee is processed by the Division of International Conservation in the new eGrantsPlus software. DIC then sends Award agreement documents to the grantee, which is effective on the date of FWS signature. The Division of International Conservation administers all future aspects of the Assistance Award including processing invoices for payment.

Deadlines

Proposals may be submitted throughout the year. However, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals between September and December, as the majority of grants are awarded between December and June each year. Based on funding availability, proposals received late in the fiscal year (between June and August) may not be considered for funding until the start of the next fiscal year (which begins October 1.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

None. However; at the discretion of the Division of International Conservation, active awards can be modified, e.g.: time extensions or budget changes.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

To the extent possible, grant funds are matched by nonfederal funds. This program has no statutory formula. In determining whether to approve project proposals, preference is given to projects for which matching funds are available.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awarded funds must be spent during the budget period that is approved for each Assistance Award, and in accordance with program financial and performance reporting procedures.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Progress and final reports are to be submitted in accordance with terms and conditions in the Assistance Award.

Audits

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 expend financial assistance ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after Dec.1, 2003) or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after Dec.1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Recipients will maintain records in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments" and 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations."

 

Program Accomplishments

New program. Accomplishments will be recorded for obligations made in 2005.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1652-0-1-303.

Obligations

(Assistance Awards) FY 04 $0; FY 05 est $89,610; and FY 06 est $220,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Variable amounts. Due to the limited funding available and the desire to support diverse projects, preference will be given to proposals requesting $25,000 or less. Higher amounts may be requested with appropriate justification.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Awards will be administered in conformance with the "Assistance Award Guidelines" established by the Division of International Conservation, which uses as its sources the regulations found in 43 CFR part 12 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Administration Manual. The "Assistance Award Guidelines" can be found on-line at http://www.fws.gov/international/grants/grants.html or in paper copy by contacting the Division of International Conservation at (703) 358-1754.

 

Related Programs

15.619, Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund; 15.620, African Elephant Conservation Fund; 15.621, Asian Elephant Conservation Fund; 15.629, Great Apes Conservation Fund.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of West Georgia, Department of Biology, Carrollton, Georgia 30118-6300. Telephone: (770) 214-9293. Fax: (678) 839-6548.

Headquarters Office

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Contact: Chief, Division of International Conservation, Room 730, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Telephone: (703)358 1754. Fax: (703)358 2115.

Web Site Address

http://international.fws.gov/grants/grants.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Marine turtle project funded by the Division of International Conservation outside of the funds available under the Marine Turtle Conservation Act have included nest protection projects, studies to manage and conserve turtle populations, community conservation support, habitat disturbance studies, impacts of predation, and development of curriculum for wildlife education.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of criteria developed from the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund (Public Law 108-266). Paper copies of the criteria are available on request from the Division of International Conservation, (703) 358-1754.