grasses, legumes, forbs, shrubs, or trees. The participant agrees to reduce the aggregate total of acreage bases, allotments, and quotas for the contract period for each farm which contains land that is subject to a Conservation Reserve Program contract by an amount based on the ratio of the total cropland acreage on each farm, to the total acreage on each farm subject to the CRP contract. Financial and technical assistance are available to participants to assist in the establishment of a permanent vegetative cover. totaling $34,032,212 for installation of best management practices; cumulative obligations for all activities will total $64,000,000 through 1993, after $6.0 million in prior year funds were rescind ed. No funds are requested for fiscal year 1993. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Program is announced through news media and in letters to agricultural producers in the county; also through program handbooks and factsheets (issued by ASCS-USDA). Regulations published in the Fed eral Register, 7 CFR, Part 700. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult the local telephone directory for location of the county ASCS office. If no listing, get in touch with appropriate State ASCS office listed in the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service section of Appendix IV of the Catalog Headquarters Office: Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. Commercial Telephone: (202) 720-6221. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.054, Emergency Conservation Program; 10.063, Agricultural Conservation Program; 10.064, Forestry Incentives Program; 10.416, Soil and Water Loans; 10.901, Resource Conservation and Development; 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation; 10.764, Resource Conservation and Development Loans; 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; 15.607, Envi ronmental Contaminant. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: The RCWP provided techni cal and cost-share funds for the installation of Best Management Practices to reduce bacterial count, control sediment, nutrients, pesticides, animal waste and similar pollutants. Examples of selected projects are: Westport River Watershed, Massachusetts, $658,055 to treat 473 critical acres; Rock Creek Project, Idaho, $5,367,913 to treat 28,159 critical acres; and Highland Silver Lake, Illinois Project, $3,965,661 to treat 6,525 critical acres which con tribute to pollute the 600 acre lake. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: A total of 64 Project applications were evaluated by the National Coordinating Committee, composed of representatives of six USDA agencies and EPA. Twenty-one applications were recommended to the Secretary for approval, and announcement. The criteria used for selecting the projects included: (1) Severity of the water quality problems and explanation of pollutants; (2) demonstration of public benefits that would result from treatment of problems; (3) description of the project area; (4) treatment and BMP's needed; (5) costs of project including technical assistance estimates; (6) suitability of project for testing programs, policies and procedures for NPS pollution control; (7) monitoring and evaluation potential; and (8) estimated participation, local commitment and interagency cooperation. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: tion, estate, trust, other business enterprises or other legal entities lands, and State or local government croplands may apply. Beneficiary Eligibility: An individual, partnership, association, corpo ration, estate, trust, other business enterprises or other legal entities and, whenever applicable, a State, political subdivision of State, or any agency thereof owning or operating private crop lands, and State or local government croplands will benefit. Credentials/Documentation: The cropland must be owned or operat ed for not less than three years prior to the close of the annual signup period, unless the land was acquired by will or succession or the Department determines that ownership was not acquired for the purpose of placing the land in the conservation reserve. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: An environmental impact assessment has been prepared for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Submit a rental rate per acre bid to the local ASCS office that serves the area in which the farm or ranch is located during the announced signup period. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A 110. Award Procedure: The Department will notify persons whose bids are accepted as soon as practicable after the close of the signup. Deadlines: The rental rate per acre bid must be filed at the county ASCS office by the end of the announced signup period. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 7 to 90 days. Appeals: Participant may appeal any determination to county ASC committee or office, State committee or Deputy Administrator, except determinations concerning land eligibility may be appealed to the Soil Conservation Service. Renewals: Not applicable. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Annual rental payments are made at the rate set in the accepted bid. A one time cost-share payment is made when approved conservation practices are estab lished. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Annual rental payments in cash or generic commodity certificates will be made for 10-15 years. A cost-share payment up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices will be made after the practice is es tablished. Reports: None. General, USDA. centers for a specified number of years. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-3319-0-1-302. 94 est $1,826,593,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $50 to $50,000; $5,324. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal years 1986 through 1992, contracts were signed through the eleventh signup covering 35.4 million acres. Each contract covers an average of 99 acres with an average rental rate of $49.29. Acres enrolled for crop 10.069 CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP) FEDERAL AGENCY: AGRICULTURAL STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRI CULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Food Security Act of 1985, Title XII, Public Law 99-198, as amended; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624. OBJECTIVES: To protect the Nation's long-term capability to produce food and fiber; to reduce soil erosion; to reduce sedimentation; to improve water quality; to create a better habitat for fish and wildlife; to curb production of some surplus commodities; and to provide some needed income support for farmers. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified Use. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Eligible owners or operators may place highly erodible or environmentally sensitive cropland into a 10-15 year contract. The participant, in return for annual payments, agrees to implement a conservation plan approved by the local conservation district for converting highly erodible cropland or environmentally sensitive land to a less intensive use, i.e., cropland must be planted with a vegetative cover, such as, perennial years as follows: 1986 -2 million acres; 1987 · 13.7 million acres; 1988 - 8.8 million acres; 1989 - 5.4 million acres; 1990 - 4.1 million acres; 1991 -.5 million acres; and 1992 - 1.0 million acres. The average soil erosion reduction on land contracted in CRP is 19 tons per acre per year. This is the latest actual data. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Program is announced through news media and in letters toagricultural producers in the county. Regulations published in the Federal Regis ter, 7 CFR, Part 704 and Part 1410. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult the local telephone directory for location of the county ASCS office. If no listing, contact the appropriate State ASCS office listed in the ASCS section of Appen dix IV of the Catalog. Headquarters Office: Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-6221. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.054, Emergency Conservation Program; 10.063, Agricultural Conservation Program; 10.064, Forestry Incentives Program; 10.068, Rural Clean Water Program; 10.070, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program; 10.416, Soil and Water Loans; 10.764, Resource Conservation and Development Loans; 10.901, Resource Conservation and Development; 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation; 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; 15.607, Environmental Contaminant. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: All offers will be screened at both the local and national level to determine the acceptability of the rental rate bid. In addition, offers not located within designated public wellhead areas or requiring an easement will be evaluated in terms of cost for the environmental benefits obtained. Acres accepted will be limited to pre-announced levels for each signup period. 10.070 COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAM (CRBSCP) Wyoming and Clark county, Nevada. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: This program is excluded from cover age under OMB Circular No. A-102. 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 Procedure: Eligible persons may make application on Form CRSC-1, for cost-share assistance, at any time during the year, at the county ASCS office in the county where the land is located. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Cir cular No. A-110. Award Procedure: The county ASC committee may approve applica tions in whole, or partially, within the county allocation of Feder al funds for cost-share assistance. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: None. Appeals: Participants may appeal any determination to the county ASC committee, State ASC committee, or Deputy Administrator, State and County Operations, USDA. Renewals: Certain practice approvals may be extended by the county ASC committee. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Cost-share assistance levels must be funded up to 70 percent of total cost. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Long-term contracts of 3 to 10 years. Cost-share assistance is paid when the practice is per formed. Reports: None. Federal record centers for a specified number of years. Account Identification: 12-3318-0-1-304. $15,434,649; and FY 94 est $8,499,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: The range has not been identified. The average is $20,000. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The on-farm land treatment ac complishments from inception of the projects are: Grand Valley Project (1979-92) 53,000 total treated acres, 354 miles of ditch linins/pipeline installed, 4,505 acres treated for land leveling, 38 irrigation sprinkler systems installed on 619 acres, and salt load reduction of 56,653 tons; Uinta Project (1980-92) 137,000 treated acres, 315 miles of ditch linings/pipeline installed, 2,239 acres treated for land leveling, 1040 irrigation sprinkler systems installed on 67,399 acres, and salt load reduction of 55,485 tons; big Sandy Project (1988-92) 15,750 treated acres, 14 miles of ditch linings, pipeline installed, 35 irrigation sprinkler systems installed on 3,207 acres, and salt load reduction of 21,585 tons; Lower Gunnison #1, 2, and 3 (1988-92) 169,000 treated acres, 48 miles of ditch linings, pipeline installed, 706 acres treated for land leveling, 6 irrigation sprinkler systems installed on 172 acres, and salt load reduction of 24,772 tons; McElmo Creek Project (1987-92) 21,550 treated acres, 20 miles of ditch linings/pipeline installed, 49 irrigation sprinkler systems installed on 949 acres, and salt load reduction of 3,561 tons. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Guidelines are announced through the news media and in letters to agricultural producers in the county. Regulations will be published in the Fed. eral Register, Part 702. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult the local telephone directory for location of the county ASCS office. If there is no listing, get in touch with the appropriate State ASCS office listed in the ASCS section of Appendix IV of the Catalog. FEDERAL AGENCY: AGRICULTURAL STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRI CULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974, as amended, Section 202c of Title II, 43 U.S.C. 1592c. OBJECTIVES: To provide financial and technical assistance to: (1) Identify salt source areas; (2) develop project plans to carry out conservation practices to reduce salt loads; (3) install conservation practices to reduce salinity levels; (4) carry out research, education, and demonstration activities; (5) carry out monitoring and evaluation activities; and (6) to decrease salt concentration and salt loading which causes increased salinity levels within in the Colorado River and to enhance the supply and quality of water avail able for use in the United States and the Republic of Mexico. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified Use. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Eligible owners or operators in approved project areas may receive cost-share assistance to treat salinity problems caused by agricultural irrigation activities. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: A participant may be any of the following: an owner, landlord, operator, or tenant of eligible lands: Individual, Indian tribe, partnership, firm, association, corporation, joint stock company, conservation district, estate, trust, irrigation district or company, and State or local public or nonpublic entity not de scribed above. Beneficiary Eligibility: Any person in the Colorado River basin will benefit who uses or reuses water for irrigation, domestic, munici pal or industrial water supply or for fish and wildlife habitat. Credentials/Documentation: Any eligible landowner or operator who controls land in an identified salt source area is eligible to apply for cost-share assistance. This program is currently available in Mesa, Dolores, Delta, Montezuma, and Montrose counties, Colorado; Duchesne and Uinta counties, Utah; Sweetwater county, Headquarters Office: Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-6221. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.063, Agricultural Conservation Program; 10.054, Emergency Conservation Program; 10.064, Forestry Incentives Program; 10.068, Rural Clean Water Program; 10.764, Resource Conservation and Development Loans; 10.902, Soil and Water Conservation; 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Pre vention. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: For fiscal year 1993: $4,137,512 for the Uinta Basin, Utah unit; $2,697,449 for the Grand Valley, Colorado unit; $1, 281,212 for the McElmo Creek, Colorado unit; $3,992,048 for the Lower Gunnison, Colorado unit; $1,322,079 for the Big Sandy River, Wyoming unit; $250,200 for the Moapa Valley, Nevada unit; and $102,500 for planning studies in the Price-San Rafael, Utah; San Juan, New Mexico; and Moapa Valley, Nevada units. Funds are to be used to reduce salt loads by the use of irrigation reorganization and land treatment practices. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The type and severity of salinity problems; the need to correlate on the farm conservation treatment with canal and lateral improvement; estimated cost; extent of the salinity problem; proximity to water bodies; land use charges; offsite effects; onsite environmental effects; other resource problems; seasonal nature of salinity reduction practices to be installed; applicants' ability to complete practices in the shortest time practical; and positive or negative effects on wildlife. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: ment based on CCC contract fees to warehousemen adjusted for interest in warehouse.) Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Direct payment is based on computed annual level of reimbursement paid quarterly. An adjustment may be made in final payment for failure to maintain ex amination frequency specified by CCC in Schedule of Rates. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports:As requested by CCC. authorized representatives of the Department of Agriculture will examination program will be conducted. Records: Maintain records for review and references as required by CCC and by applicable State requirements. Minimum record re tention is six years. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-4336-0-1-351. $1,400,000; and FY 94 est $1,400,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $4,400 to $340,000; $98,806. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In excess of 35 percent of the examinations of warehouses having a CCC storage agreement are now conducted by cooperating State agencies. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Applicable Storage Agreements, warehouse examiner handbooks, CCC policy memoranda. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Chief, Warehouse Examination Division, Kansas City Commodity Office, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64141-0205. Telephone: (816) 926-6843. Headquarters Office: Director, Storage Contract Division, Agricul tural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P. O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-4018. RELATED PROGRAMS: None. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Commodity Credit Corpora tion Cooperative Agreements are currently in effect with the States of Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyo ming CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Regulatory State ware house law, active State enforcement program, and willingness to incorporate CCC examination requirements into State examination procedures. 10.071 FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATION IN WAREHOUSE EXAMINATION AGREEMENT (Warehouse Examination) FEDERAL AGENCY: AGRICULTURAL STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRI CULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 714 (i); Talmadge-Aiken Act, 7 U.S.C. 450. OBJECTIVES: To arrange for cooperation between Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the State agency in the examination and inspection of warehouses having a CCC storage agree ment and a State Warehouse license. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified Use. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: State agency may receive direct payment for warehouse examinations made in compliance with State laws and regulations and in accordance with CCC examina tion policy. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: The applicant must be a State government agency. Beneficiary Eligibility: Commodity Credit Corporation will benefit. Credentials/Documentation: Applicants must be State agencies which engage in warehouse examinations and inspections. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Eligible State agencies may make application in writing to the Deputy Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation, Deputy Administrator, Commodity Operations, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Washington, DC 20250. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Cir cular No. A-110. Award Procedure: The Commodity Credit Corporation through the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) will provide training and evaluation in CCC examination policy and procedures through an Interim Training Agreement prior to the award of a Cooperative Agreement. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Six months to three years. Appea State Agency may appeal to the Contracting Officer, Com modity Credit Corporation, Washington, DC. Renewals: Renewed annually. 10.072 WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM (WRP) FEDERAL AGENCY: AGRICULTURAL STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRI. CULTURE Law 99-198, as amended; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 104 Statute 3584, 7 U.S.C. 3837. OBJECTIVES: To restore and protect farmed wetlands, prior convert ed wetlands, wetlands formed under natural condition, riparian areas, and eligible buffer areas for landowners who have eligible land on which they agree to enter into a permanent or long-term easement with the Secretary. The goal of WRP is to have 1,000,000 acres of land enrolled by the end of the 1995 calendar year. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified Use. est USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Eligible landowners may offer farmed wetlands, prior converted wetlands, wetlands formed under natural condition, riparian areas, along with eligible buffer areas to be placed under a permanent or long-term easement. A deed restriction covering the land approved under easement must be recorded in the local land deeds office. The landowner will receive financial and technical assistance to install necessary restoration practices on the land under easement. Subject to the acceptance of an approved bid, the landowner will receive in cash an amount specified in the WRP contract but not to exceed the fair market value of the land less the fair market value of such land encumbered by the easement. The landowner shall ensure that the easement granted to Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) is superior to the rights of all others and shall agree to implement a wetland restoration plan designed to restore and maintain the easement area. The plan will include a designated access route to be used as necessary for easement management and monitoring. The plan will also include specific compatible land uses reserved to the landowner in the easement and the manner in which these uses are to be carried out. Such uses may include hunting and fishing, managed timber production including harvesting, and periodic haying or grazing. The landowner shall agree to a permanent retirement of crop acreage bases, allotments, and quotas to the extent that the sum of the crop acreage bases and al lotments will not exceed the remaining cropland. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: An individual landowner, partnership, associa tion, corporation, estate, trust, other business or other legal entities and, whenever applicable, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or any agency thereof owning private croplands. Beneficiary Eligibility: An individual landowner, partnership, asso ciation, corporation, estate, trust, other business enterprises or other legal entities and, whenever applicable, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or any agency thereof owning private crop lands will benefit. Credentials/Documentation: The landowner must have owned the land offered for at least the preceding 12 months prior to the end of the period in which the intent to participate is declared unless the land was acquired by will or succession as a result of the death of the previous owner; or the Department determines that the new owner did not acquire such land for the purpose of placing it in the WRP. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: An environmental impact assessment has been prepared for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Submit a total easement bid amount to the local ASCS office that serves the area in which the farm or ranch is located within 90 days after the close of the applicable signup period. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Cir cular Nos. A-102 and A-110. Award Procedure: The Department will notify the States of the ease ment bid status and they will notify the county ASCS offices who will notify the landowners. This process will be completed as soon as practicable after the close of the signup. Deadlines: The easement bid amount must be filed at the county ASCS office within 90 days after the close of the applicable signup period. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 7 to 180 days. Appeals: Landowner may appeal any determination to the county ASC committee of office, State committee or Deputy Administrator, except determinations concerning land eligibility may be ap pealed to the Soil Conservation Service. Renewals: The land offered may be reoffered in a future signup unless land or landowner was ineligible. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Annual payments are made for less than nonpermanent easements and optional annual or lump sum payments are made for permanent easements. Cost-share payments of not less than 75 percent of the cost of establishment will be paid for a permanent easement, and from 50 percent to 75 percent of actual cost for a nonpermanent easement when approved restoration practices are completed. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Cash payments will be made in ten equal annual payments except that in the case of permanent easements the payment may be made in a lump sum amount. Lump sum payments will be limited to ten percent of the landowner's total payment and will be paid annually until all easement practices are completed. Reports: None. General, USDA. Federal Record Centers for 30 years or in the case of permanent easements, for perpetuity. The easement (deed restriction) and applicable documents will be filed in the local land records office for the duration of the easement. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 12-1080-0-1-302. $43,257,000; and FY 94 est $0. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In FY 1993, 49,888 acres were tentatively accepted during the first signup in the 9 pilot States (California, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Wisconsin). The total cost for these acres is approximately $46 million, which includes easement, cost-share, technical assistance, and overhead costs. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: The program is announced through news media and in letters to agricultural landowners in the county. Regulations published in the Federal Register and 7 CFR 703. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult the local telephone directory for location of the county ASCA office. If no listing, contact the appropriate State ASCS office listed in the ASCS Section of Appen dix IV of the Catalog. Headquarters Office: Conservation and Environmental Protection Division, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-6221. (Use same 7-digit number for FTS.) RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.069, Conservation Reserve Program; 10.416, Soil and Water Loans; 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention; 15.607, Environmental Contaminant. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: All offers are screened at both the local and national level to determine the acceptability of the easement bid amount and ensure that offers will not be accepted in excess of the value of agricultural land adjusted for soil productivity; nonland assets idled; landowner cost of wetland restoration; long-term easement area operation and maintenance; and long-term costs for providing easement access route. The bids will be evaluated based on the environmental benefits per dollar of government expenditures on restoration and easement purchase. ! OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND ENTERPRISE 10.140 SPECIAL EMPHASIS OUTREACH PROGRAMS GRANTS (SEOP Small Grants Program) FEDERAL AGENCY: OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND ENTER PRISE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Second Morrill Act of 1890, Public Law 97-98, 7 U.S.C. 321, et seq. OBJECTIVES: To provide rapid financial support to assist public, pri vate, State, and/or other colleges and universities whose activities relate to the 1890 Morrill Act special emphasis areas. Overall goals of this program are to assist these institutions in their efforts to increase minority participation in agricultural and related fields, and to improve higher educational programs and resources that prepare students to enter into these fields. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants; Advisory Services and Counseling. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Awards are made to higher educa tion institutions and organizations whose activities would be consonant with the Second Morrill Act of 1890; i.e. those activities that enhance minority participation in the agricultural enterprise, such as: (a) Curriculum and faculty development, e.g., provide funds for faculty members to pursue post-graduate work in such fields as animal science, plant science, food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, computer science, agricultural economics, etc.; (b) student recruitment and retention, e.g., provide funds for promoting careers in agriculture and stimulating awareness about careers through popular media and brochures; (c) fiscal and technical assistance, e.g., provide USDA personnel to set up workshops and seminars covering Federal funding procedures and assist in writing proposals; (d) liaison with the private sector, e.g., assist in arranging work experiences for 1890 students with business, industry, and government agencies and enlisting private sector and other support for the relevant institutions; and (e) professional growth for students, e.g., provide funds for special emphasis assistantships for minority students, primarily 1890 institutions. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Public, private, State and/or other colleges, universities and related institutions of higher learning whose activities meet the required criteria of encouraging minority partici pation in agricultural sciences and related areas. Beneficiary Eligibility: Public, private, State and/or other colleges, universities and related institutions of higher learning whose activities meet the required criteria of encouraging minority partici pation in agricultural sciences. Credentials/Documentation: Allowable costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions.” This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: This program is excluded from cover age under E.O. 12372 and OMB Circular No. A-102. Application Procedure: Standard Application Form, along with a proposed budget and a cover letter that briefly describes the program area identified for assistance should be used. Applications are sent to the Special Emphasis Outreach Programs, Office of Advocacy and Enterprise, Department of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. This pro gram is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. Award Procedure: The Director of the Office of Advocacy and En terprise makes awards to approved applicants. Deadlines: April 30th, 1992. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable. Appeals: Not applicable. Renewals: This program will consider continued support for projects upon receipt of an updated proposal and current year's budget. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: for matching funds, however, institutions that can show collabora- will be favorably reviewed. There are no matching requirements. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grants are awarded for a maximum of 12 months. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Financial reports in accordance with OMB Circular No. A. 110, Attachment G to cover the Federal fiscal year October to September 30, and at completion of the grant. Audits: Onsite reviews may be conducted. Records: Not applicable. Account Identification: 12-0120-0-1-352. 94 est $100,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: The range of awards is from $5,000 to $25,000. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Received ten applications and funded eight in fiscal year 1992. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: USDA Uni form Federal Assistance Regulation, 7 CFR 3015 as amended October 1, 1982, OMB Circular No. A-21 (Revised February 26, 1979), OMB Circular No. A-110 dated July 30, 1978, OMB Circu lar No. A-88, E.O. 12677 and Sections 2501 FACTA of 1990. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Not applicable. Programs, Office of Advocacy and Enterprise, Department of Ag- 20250. Telephone: (202) 447-2019. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.214, Morrill-Nelson Funds for Food and Agricultural Higher Education; 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Grants; 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service. student recruitment and retention, agricultural career awareness initiatives for minority women, agriculture-oriented academic enrichment for minority students, exploration of minority students' enrichment needs to meet high demand for personnel in horticulture, and field research to help preserve historical aspects of agri culture in the South have been funded. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The criterion includes: (1) Institutional Commitment - Degree to which the institution is committed to the project, as shown by college or university funds, in-kind services, faculty and support staff time and historical success at retaining minority students in agricultural and related science careers; (2) Leverage of Federal Dollars - degree to which the proposal reflects collaborative approaches with other State, local, private, or Federal partnerships, institutions, agencies, etc.; (3) Ancillary Programs - degree to which other college or university programs support or contribute to this special project, such as tutoring programs in science and mathematics, career information materials, computer service center, symposium presentation, linkages with high schools, retention strategies that compliment recruitment, etc.; (4) Prepatory Features -degree to which the proposal reflects special innovative features to attract interest, and prepare elementary and secondary level students for agriculture, and other related courses; and (5) Feasibility and Policy Consistency - degree to which the proposal clearly describes its objective and evidences a high level of feasibility and consistency with USDA policy, OAE mission, and the likelihood that USDA and the respective institution will benefit from this initiative. |