Summer Watershed Intern (15.254)

 

Program

15.254 Summer Watershed Intern

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 

Authorization

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977; Public Law 95-87; 91 Stat. 445-532.

 

Program Number

15.254

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide funds to not-for-profit watershed organizations to provide stipends and expenses for summer interns.

 

Types of Assistance

Direct Payments for Specified Use.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

To assist watershed groups by providing funds for the watershed organizations to hire summer interns to work on specific watershed projects. The project must clearly enhance the sustainability of the watershed organization, and must contribute directly to the remediation of acid mine drainage.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Private nonprofit institution/ organizations, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, established watershed organizations in the following States are eligible to participate: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Undergraduate and Graduate Students, throughout the United States, interested in helping to clean up the environment are also eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Watershed organizations in communities impacted by streams polluted by acid mine drainage will benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation

Proof of not-for-profit, IRS 501(c)(3), status is required of nonprofit watershed organizations. Proof of student status is required.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication is not required. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Guidelines and application procedures can be obtained from the OSM Website, www.osmre.gov/acsi/internprogram2002.htm. Paper copy of guidelines and application procedures can be obtained from the OSM Headquarters.

Award Procedure

Approval by the Director or his designee.

Deadlines

Sponsorships and internships will be awarded, starting in March, on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Not applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Partners are encouraged to make monetary contributions or provide in-kind services.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Each internship is for 12 weeks of full-time work by an intern. This 12-week period can be split with two interns or worked part-time over 24 weeks.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Three financial and programmatic reports are required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Records will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 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

Ten college students working in five States throughout the Appalachian region pioneered the Summer Watershed Intern Program during the summer of 1999. In 2000 and 2001, 20 college students participated as summer watershed interns.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-5015-0-1-302.

Obligations

(Direct payments) FY 02 $50,000; FY 03 est $50,000; and FY 04 est $50,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Each internship includes a $2,000 stipend for 12 weeks of full-time work by an intern and $500 for related expenses.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Section 404, Public Law 95-87.

 

Related Programs

15.253, Not-for-Profit AMD Reclamation.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses.

Headquarters Office

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Gene Krueger, Chief, Division of Reclamation Support. Telephone: (202) 208-5365. Use the same number for FTS.

Web Site Address

http://www.osmre.gov.acsi/internprogram2002.htm

 

Examples of Funded Projects

In 1999, ten college students pioneered the program, completing projects dealing with various aspects of cleaning up acid mine drainage.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Each proposed watershed project must clearly enhance the sustainability of the watershed organization and must contribute direct to the remediation of acid mine drainage. Candidates must be able to organize their work, work well with community groups and on their own, have an understanding of acid mine drainage remediation and the national Clean Streams program, and write well.