Activities include the development and monitoring of interstate fishery management plans; fishery research and stock assessment; habitat conservation; and law enforcement. Others include restoration and maintenance of shared fisheries of the Atlantic Coast, with the principal emphasis on the conservation and restoration of migratory marine and diadromous fishery resources and their habitat, as well as the maintenance, enhancement, and improvement of public uses and benefits from these resources.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are restricted to "coastal fishery resources" which means any fishery, any species of fish, or any stock of fish that moves among, or is broadly distributed across, waters under the jurisdiction of two or more Atlantic Coastal States or waters under the jurisdiction of one or more Atlantic Coastal States and the exclusive economic zone.

Funds can be provided to the Commission and to the specified States for the preparation, implementation and enforcement of coastal fishery management plans and State activities required within such plans.

Funds can also be used for program activities to support and enhance State cooperation in collection, management and analysis of fishery data; law enforcement; habitat conservation; fishery research including biological and socioeconomic research; and fishery management planning.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants for assistance are the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the Atlantic Coast State governments which are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and the District of Columbia.

Beneficiary Eligibility

This program benefits State, and interstate marine resource conservation agencies, the marine fishing industries and the general public.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants are required to satisfy all DOC/NOAA standards and regulations, including routine and special terms and conditions for financial assistance programs application and conduct.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms are furnished by NOAA.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, " Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Proposals are submitted through Grants.Gov. Applicants will need to enter the Funding Opportunity Number and/or CFDA number to access the application package and instructions. Application package will then be submitted directly to the (Name of your Office - Example Coastal Services Center). Proposals are subject to the requirements of 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24, as applicable.

Award Procedures

Proposals are initially evaluated by the pertinent NMFS Office/Region/Science Center, and are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs. Projects recommended for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

Deadlines

Applications must be received by the Program Office by April 1 of each fiscal year.

Authorization

Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 5107, as amended.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The application processing time is 75 days as required by 15 U.S.C. 1539 (sole source selection).

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Grants and cooperative agreements are generally approved on an annual basis, but may be continued beyond the initial project period, subject to approved time frame and scope of work, satisfactory progress, and availability of funds. The Department of Commerce has the discretion to renew the award to increase funding, or extend the period of performance.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Projects are funded at up to 100 percent of the total project cost. A formula may be used to determine allocation of funds among eligible applicants. This formula may be based upon factors such as (but not limited to) the value of raw fish landed by domestic fishermen and the number of recreational fishing trips taken by anglers in each State, and the number of coastal fishery management plans in which the States participate. Recipient matching contributions are not required, but are encouraged. Direct allocations will be given to the District of Columbia, the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, Atlantic Coastal States, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, pursuant to NOAA'S discretion in accordance with the Statute.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are normally for a 12 month period but in some instances, award periods may extend beyond 12 months, or may be completed in less than 12 months. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and is expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures. Funds are released in advance or by reimbursement, as agreed to in the Standard Terms and Conditions document required for each grant.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements are outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the Financial Assistance Award.

Progress reports summarize work accomplished and explain situations where expected work has not been completed.

Financial reports indicate use of funds during the reporting period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), 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

Generally, a recipient is required to retain records relating to a particular grant for three years from the date of submission of the final financial report. In cases where litigation, claim or an audit is initiated prior to expiration of the three-year period, records must be retained until the action and resolution of any issues associated with it are complete or until the end of the three-year retention period; whichever is latest.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obigations

(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $9,250,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$13,980 to $1,925,948. Average: $150,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

For cost principles, see OMB Circular No. A-87 (State and local governments) and OMB Circular No. A-122 for other recipients. For grants management principles, see 15 CFR 24 (States and local governments) and 15 CFR 14 for other recipients.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Northeast: Harold C. Mears, Director, State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Dr., Gloucester MA 01930. Telephone: (978) 281-9243. Fax: (978) 281-9117. Email: Grants.Information@noaa.gov. Southeast: Cynthia Binkley, Federal Program Officer, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Telephone: (727) 824-5324. Fax: (727) 824-5364. E-mail: cynthia.binkley@noaa.gov.

Headquarters Office

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-2334. Fax: (301) 713-0596. E-mail: anne.lange@noaa.gov. Web site address: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/state_federal/state_federal.htm.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals are solicited from eligible coastal States and other eligible applicants by notification from the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast and Southeast Regional Offices. Proposals must undergo rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.