Upper Mississippi River System Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (15.978)
Program
15.978 Upper Mississippi River System Long Term Resource Monitoring Program
Federal Agency
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Upper Mississippi River Management Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662, Section 1103, 33 U.S.C. 652.
Program Number
15.978
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The mission of the LTRMP is to provide decision makers with information needed to maintain the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) as a sustainable large river ecosystem given its multiple- use character. Congress has declared the UMRS to be both a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant commercial navigation system. The long-term goals of the LTRMP are to: understand the UMRS ecosystem, monitor trends and effects with respect to selected resources, develop resource management alternatives, manage information, and develop useful products.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
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.
Application 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 Procedure
Application form Standard Form (SF) 424, 424-A, 424-B, and Department of the Interior Certifications and Representations must be used. 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.
Award Procedure
Notification of an award is by a cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable. The application may be revised and resubmitted.
Renewals
The LTRMP is a fifteen (15) year program; the current Congressional authorization extends through the year 2002. Agreements may be renewed on an annual basis through 2002 dependent upon funding availability.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
No statutory requirement.
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 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive 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 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.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, 7 cooperative agreement amendments were made to support the LTRMP. The number of agreements for fiscal year 2002 is expected to be 7.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0804-0-1-300.
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $2,907,561; FY 03 est $2,407,200; and FY 04 est $2,213,700.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$20,738 to $727,998; $363,400.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Public Law 99-662, Section 1103, as amended. Information regarding LTRMP publications may be found at the web site address.
Related Programs
None.
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: Dr. Leslie Holland-Bartels, Center Director, (608) 781-6221, FAX (608) 783-6066, e-mail Leslie_Holland-Bartels@usga.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.
Web Site Address
http://www.usgs.gov/ltrmp.html
Examples of Funded Projects
To date, cooperative agreements and amendments in the amount of approximately $32,671,500 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.
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.
