Foa_Content_of_F22AS00007_Modification - May 17- 2021.pdf

Signature Date

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration https://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Fiscal Year: 2022

F22AS00007

Due Date for Applications: 06/25/2021

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100, Expiration Date: 7/31/2021

We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Responses to Ranking Criteria (20-page limit)

Drawings/Maps/Photographs (No Page Limit)

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (P.L. 114-94) authorizes funding for the NCWCG Program through Fiscal Year 2021.

15.614

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956) (Act) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal areas through competitive matching grants to eligible State, Commonwealth, and Territory (State) agencies. The Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, and a portion of gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines. Revenues are deposited into and appropriated from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The primary goal of the NCWCG Program is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (P.L. 114-94) authorizes funding for the NCWCG Program through Fiscal Year 2021.

Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism. The NCWCG Program is co-administered by the Service’s Coastal Program and by the Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR). The mission of the Coastal Program is to achieve voluntary habitat conservation by providing technical and financial assistance, in collaboration with partners, for the benefit of Federal trust species. WSFR’s mission is to work through partnerships to conserve and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. WSFR’s vision is of healthy, diverse, and accessible fish and wildlife populations that offer recreation, economic activity, and other societal benefits, in addition to sustainable ecological functions. WSFR’s guiding principle is that society benefits from conservation-based management of fish and wildlife and their habitats and opportunities to use and enjoy them. The NCWCG Program aligns with the Coastal Program’s mission and with WSFR’s mission, vision, and guiding principle.

The Final Rule establishing the requirements for participation in the NCWCG Program was published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2002 (67 Federal Register (FR) 49264). The Program regulations are in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 84.

Additional information about the NCWCG Program is available here.

The NCWCG Program provides eligible State agencies with grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects can include:

1. Acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners for long‐term conservation;

2. Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems; or

3. A combination of acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management.

All projects must ensure long‐term conservation (at least 20 years) of coastal wetland resources.

We score and rank applications based on criteria published in 50 CFR 84.32. See Section E.

Application Review Information of this announcement for a summary of the ranking criteria.

Projects to create wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist are ineligible for NCWCG Program funding (50 CFR 84.20(b)(3)). For each project site, we require evidence verifying the current or historic presence of a wetland. This may include information from the Service’s National Wetlands Inventory, earlier Geographic Information System data, or historic information. Projects to acquire and/or restore upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetlands ecosystem are not significant and direct are also ineligible for NCWCG Program funding (50 CFR 84.20(b)(8)). A proposal must include sufficient information demonstrating that targeted lands or waters meet the definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem

(50 CFR 84.11).

Individual projects that have clearly been divided into multiple proposals for submission in one grant cycle to avoid the maximum award limit of $1,000,000 will also not be accepted for review (See 50 CFR 84.30(a)(3)). Although this rule does not necessarily preclude you from submitting multiple applications in one grant cycle for conservation of adjacent parcels or parcels under ownership of a single individual or entity, we may reject a proposal if there is evidence that a targeted parcel was or will be subdivided and appraised as two parcels or require a two-part appraisal to avoid exceeding the maximum award. If you have questions about the eligibility of your proposals, please contact your Regional WSFR Office for guidance.

Wildlife TRACS (Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species) is the tracking and reporting system used by WSFR to capture information about conservation and related actions funded by its grant programs. TRACS serves as the electronic repository system for all performance, accomplishment, and real property reporting related to those Federal awards.

TRACS highlights program accountability by documenting program accomplishments and results. As outlined in this announcement, grant and project statement information and https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/07/30/02-19065/national-coastal-wetlands-conservation-grant-program https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=4d19e9d148de08350c185a13a6332849&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f5b1da650306fe3f8f293004eb9a866f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.84&rgn=div5#se50.9.84_120 https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f5b1da650306fe3f8f293004eb9a866f&mc=true&node=pt50.9.84&rgn=div5#se50.9.84_120 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_111 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_130 performance reporting data must be entered into TRACS as authorized under 2 CFR 200.102(c), 200.202, 200.301, and 200.329.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 18,000,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 1,000,000 Minimum Award $ 50,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $ 18,000,000 Expected Award Date February 25, 2022

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments Additional Information on Eligibility Participation is limited to State agencies or entities designated as eligible by the Governor of a coastal State. The eligible agency is usually a State natural resource or fish and wildlife agency.

If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact your Regional WSFR Office (see Section https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1102&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1102&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=049305c173b88964e96991aafabcf1f4&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1202 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=049305c173b88964e96991aafabcf1f4&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1301 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=049305c173b88964e96991aafabcf1f4&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1329

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts). Eligible coastal States are States bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin);

States bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts. Louisiana is not an eligible coastal State for this Program as provided in the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3955 (b)(1)). Here is the complete list of eligible States:

Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Yes Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement If you have established a fund that is used for acquiring coastal wetlands, other natural areas, or open space, you may receive up to 75 percent of total project costs through the NCWCG Program up to the maximum award of $1,000,000. To be reimbursed up to 75 percent of total project costs, you must provide either a description of the State trust fund (in sufficient detail for us to make an eligibility determination), or a statement that eligibility has been previously approved and there has been no change in the fund. If you have not established such a fund or do not include information on the State trust fund in your application, you may receive up to 50 percent of total project costs through the NCWCG Program.

In accordance with 48 U.S.C. 1469(a), Amendment of Subsection (d), the Regional Director shall waive the first $200,000 of match required as per this announcement in any grant to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Territories of American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The maximum Federal participation rates of 50 and 75 percent are based on total project costs, i.e., the amount requested from the NCWCG Program plus the amount of eligible non‐Federal cost share that you identify in your project budget. Other funds that are related to the project or are part of a larger project but are not designated as cost share in your project budget are not included in total project costs when calculating the maximum Federal participation rate. Cost share requirements are detailed in 50 CFR 84.46.

C3. Other The primary purpose of the NCWCG Program is to help eligible State agencies acquire, restore, enhance, and/or manage coastal wetlands ecosystems. Recreation and outreach or education activities necessary for meeting these purposes are eligible for NCWCG Program funding up to a combined maximum of 10 percent of the total project costs, including the Federal share and matching funds. Such activities must be “site-specific” and “substantive” to receive points under https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title48/pdf/USCODE-2009-title48-chap10-sec1469a.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=cb577fe674093491123a536aab07fea3&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_146&rgn=div8

Ranking Criterion 12 (50 CFR 84.32(a)(12)(i)). Any proposed recreation or outreach/education activities must be described and justified in the application.

Planning and related activities are ineligible as a primary project focus (50 CFR 84.20(b)(6)), but may be allowable as a minimal component of a project. Monitoring necessary for meeting Program purposes is eligible, such as evaluating results of project activities and measuring impacts on targeted resources (50 CFR 84.12(b)). Research is not eligible for funding. Planning, engineering, design, permitting, and monitoring costs necessary for completion of site-specific project objectives are eligible for funding up to a combined maximum of 30 percent of the total project costs, including the Federal share and required match. Any proposed activities involving planning, engineering, design, permitting, or monitoring must be described and justified in your application.

Contact your WSFR Regional Office for more detailed guidance on specific proposed costs involving recreation, outreach/education activities, planning, design, permitting, or monitoring.

Review 50 CFR 84.20 for more information on eligible and ineligible activities, or contact your WSFR Regional Office.

You may meet your minimum required cost share or match through contributions from one or more third party entities. A third party is any individual or organization other than the State applicant, such as a partner or subrecipient. In order for match to be allowable, it must meet all the criteria listed in 2 CFR 200.306(b). As the primary State grant recipient, you are responsible for the full amount of the non-Federal match proposed, including any amount provided by one or more third parties, as listed on the Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance (SF- 424).

You may attribute some or all of your allowable indirect costs as voluntary committed cost-share/match; however, you may only charge to the Federal award the indirect costs calculated against the allowable direct costs charged to the Federal award.

To receive points under ranking Criterion 11 (50 CFR 84.32 (a)(11)), at least some of the non- Federal match must be provided in cash. Direct costs identified in the SF-424 are only considered to meet the definition of cash match if they are provided in the form of U.S. currency.

Some examples include a cash contribution for the purchase of real property, a direct payment to a contractor, or funds that the State grant recipient allocates for employee salaries and benefits to complete project objectives.

Note: If you propose to use the value of donated land as all or a portion of the non‐Federal cost share, you should explain in the Project Narrative why the land is necessary to accomplish the project objectives. You should include information on all the parcels proposed for acquisition or restoration with NCWCG Program funds and all the match parcels in adequate detail for each ranking criterion so reviewers can make accurate and informed scoring decisions on both the subject and match parcel(s).

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_120&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_112&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_120&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se2.1.200_1306&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8

You must document all third‐party matching funds with a signed letter of financial commitment from an authorized representative of the match provider. The letter must detail the amount of matching funds or value of donated land and/or services. When assigning a value to volunteer services, you must explain in your Project Narrative or Budget Narrative why the volunteer activity is necessary and reasonable, and reference the compensation rate(s) for an equivalent State position or justify typical costs in the marketplace for similar work in your area. Please note that any contributions from Federal sources are not eligible for use as non-Federal match unless authorized by Federal statute (such as the Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program or REPI funds).You are responsible for ensuring availability of the full amount of the non‐Federal match that you indicate on the SF‐424.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

Excluded Parties: FWS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package You may access the application package in GrantSolutions or Grants.gov. If you have access to GrantSolutions, we recommend you apply there. To access the application package in GrantSolutions, Log in and search using Funding Opportunity Number F22AS00007, then follow the instructions to complete and submit your application. To access the application package in Grants.gov, use the “Search Grants” tab, and enter Funding Opportunity Number F22AS00007 or CFDA number 15.614. Downloading and saving the Application Package to your computer makes the required government-wide standard forms fillable and printable. Submit required documents downloaded via Grants.gov in Grants.gov.

If you need a copy in another format, contact:

Paul Van Ryzin U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: WSFR Fall Church, VA 22041 703-358-1849 Paul_VanRyzin@fws.gov https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html

Program Website Link https://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

SF-424, Budget Information Form Your application must include the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form, or you may include the same or more detailed information in another budget format. Use the SF-424C for construction and/or real property acquisition projects and the SF-424A for all other projects. These forms are available with this announcement in GrantSolutions and Grants.gov.

If a copy is not already on file with your Regional WSFR Office, your application must also include the appropriate signed and dated Assurances form. Use the Assurances for Construction Programs form (SF-424D) for construction and real property acquisition projects and the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs form (SF-424B) for all other projects. These forms are available with this announcement in GrantSolutions and Grants.gov.

Project Summary

Briefly summarize the project in one page or less. Include the title of the project, geographic location, and a brief overview of the need for the project. You may also include goals, objectives, specific project activities, or anticipated outputs and outcomes in this summary.

Project Narrative The Service has implemented an electronic performance reporting system called TRACS (https://tracs.fws.gov) in order to document recipient performance and for reporting on national program accomplishments that deliver meaningful results consistent with the NCWCG Program’s authorizing legislation. You are required to enter grant and Project Narrative information in TRACS. We encourage you to enter grant and Project Narrative information in TRACS prior to applying in GrantSolutions. TRACS data entry will facilitate development of a complete Project Narrative. Once entered, TRACS will generate a Project Narrative that you may use as part of your application in GrantSolutions. If you decline to enter grant and Project Narrative information in TRACS prior to applying in GrantSolutions, you will be required to enter this information within 60 calendar days of the latter: (a) period of performance start date;

or (b) the date the award was approved. If you need assistance, please contact your WSFR https://tracs.fws.gov

Regional Office (see Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts).

Submit a Project Narrative of no more than seven pages addressing the elements listed below (see also 50 CFR 84.22(c)).You may combine your responses as necessary; separate headings or sections for responses to each element are not required. Only your responses to the following requirements in this Project Narrative subsection are included within the page limit, unless otherwise indicated. Your Project Narrative must be formatted to fit on an 8.5” x 11” document, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and sides and page numbers at the bottom of the page (starting with the Project Narrative). Font size should be no less than 12 point.

Need: The need for the proposed project(s) within the purpose of the NCWCG Program.

Objectives: The Service created Standard Objectives to standardize performance reporting and document national accomplishments that deliver results consistent with the NCWCG Program’s authorizing legislation. To avoid delay, your project narrative must only use one or more of the Standard Objectives listed in the TRACS Performance Matrix. We encourage you to work with your WSFR Regional Office if you have questions about the use of TRACS Standard Objectives in your Project Narrative. Please refer to the Service’s WSFR Training Portal site for example project statements that utilize TRACS Standard Objectives.

Expected Results: Expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives.

Approach: Clearly describe the approach or activities to be used in meeting the objectives, including specific procedures, methods, schedules, key personnel, and cooperators. Please include (if applicable):

a. Any organization that will act as a subrecipient and their role(s) in meeting the project objectives; for any key personnel, briefly describe the education, experience and skills that make them qualified to carry out the proposed project (do not include resumes or curriculum vitae);

b. What organization will hold title to the real property being acquired or restored?

c. What type of ownership interest is involved (e.g., fee-simple, easement, combination, etc., and the related acres)?

d. What organization (or individual) will manage the real property interest?

e. How will long-term management (20 years or longer) of acquired or restored areas be accomplished (e.g., through long-term support provided by an endowment)?

f. What will be involved in the restoration? Why did you choose that approach? How likely is the proposed restoration technique to succeed? How much maintenance is involved, who will conduct it, and who will support it? Please provide examples of your success in implementing the proposed restoration approach in similar nearby ecosystems, if available.

g. Is the project ready to implement? For example, in the case of acquisitions, have the landowners supplied willing seller letters? For restoration projects, are the landowners willing to allow and maintain the proposed restoration, and have required permits been obtained or initiated? Are restoration designs completed or underway? Attach any relevant documents that address these elements. Copies of seller letters, permits and https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=sp50.9.84.b&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_122 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=216&forceview=1 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 designs may be provided separately from the Project Narrative and are not included in the page limit.

h. If your objectives include management of lands for recreational as well as conservation purposes, you must demonstrate that any anticipated recreational activities will not degrade habitat values of targeted lands.

Project Location: Maps or other geographic aids may be attached. Please include GPS Coordinates in decimal degrees, if available. Provide support for the eligibility of your project by demonstrating that targeted lands or waters meet the definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem (50 CFR 84.11). Reference to a coastal Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) alone does not establish eligibility. As applicable, provide: maps and diagrams of your project site(s) in relation to National Wetland Inventory or other wetland delineations, land cover, coastal landscape features such as tidal influence, and/or locations of other restored or managed areas in the vicinity of your project. Maps and other diagrams may be provided separately from the Project Narrative and are not included in the page limit.

Timeline: Describe significant milestones within the performance period of your project in detail, including dates you expect to begin and complete all compliance-related activities.

Describe any accomplishments to date.

Compliance: For projects conducted in the United States, provide a summary of anticipated Federal compliance requirements. Be sure to address all applicable compliance requirements including those involving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and all other requirements in applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Describe any compliance activities for your proposed project that have already been completed or are currently underway.

State Trust Fund: Include either a description of the State trust fund that supports or justifies your request for a 75 percent Federal share in sufficient detail for us to make an eligibility determination, or a statement that eligibility has been previously approved by us and no change has occurred in the fund. If you do not support or justify your request in your Project Narrative, we may determine that you are ineligible for a 75 percent Federal share.

Relationship to Other Projects and/or Other Federal Grants: If applicable, list other current, interrelated coastal acquisition, restoration, enhancement and conservation actions, the agencies involved, the relationship to the proposed project, and how the application fits into comprehensive natural resource plans for the area. If applicable, identify any relationship between this project and other work funded by State or Federal grants that is planned, anticipated, or underway. Please note that you must also provide an Overlap or Duplication of Effort Narrative whether or not you describe other current, interrelated conservation actions in your Project Narrative. The Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement is not included within the seven-page limit for your Project Narrative and should be included in your application separately. For more information, see below in this Section under the heading “Required Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement.”

Public Involvement and Interagency Coordination: Provide a description of public involvement or interagency coordination on coastal wetlands conservation projects that has https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=511f2cc60fa3db7431e38952473fa82b&mc=true&n=pt50.9.84&r=PART&ty=HTML#se50.9.84_111 occurred or is planned that relates to the application. Please specify the organizations or agencies involved and dates of involvement.

Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property

Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award. These forms may be found on https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html

Real property interests include, but are not limited to, fee simple, fee with exceptions to title, easements, water rights, mineral rights, and leaseholds regardless of their status as real or personal property under State law. You must use these forms to request approval of real property and leaseholds that:

a. Will be purchased for a financially assisted project with Federal funds or non-Federal cost-sharing or matching funds;

b. Were acquired previously by the recipient or subrecipient for another purpose, but will be or have already been committed to the financially assisted project; or

c. Will be (or have already been) accepted by the recipient or subrecipient as an in-kind contribution from a non-Federal third party for the financially assisted project.

Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR 200.306 “Cost sharing or matching” for more information.

If applicable, include information on:

1. Program Income, if any – Include the source, estimated amount, and the requested method of crediting the program income (e.g. deductive, additive, cost share).

2. Allocation of Costs – Identify the method used for allocating costs in multipurpose projects and facilities.

3. Equipment, including any tangible personal property (includes information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by you or your subrecipient(s) for financial statement purposes, or $5,000 (see 2 CFR 200.33). You and your subrecipients must follow the requirements at 2 CFR 200 when acquiring equipment under an award, with emphasis on 200.313, 200.317 through 200.326, and 200.439.

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4. Useful Life – Propose a useful life for each capital improvement that costs at least $25,000 to build, acquire, or install, and reference the method used to determine the useful life of a capital improvement with a value greater than $100,000 (see 2 CFR 200.13).

5. Contingency Costs: Contingency costs estimated using broadly-accepted cost estimating methodologies are permissible but must be separately identified in your budget; they must comply with Federal Cost Principles, they must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives, and they must be verifiable from your financial records (2 CFR 200.433). Explain how any contingency costs were calculated and why they are necessary to improve the precision of your budget estimates.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

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Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

Responses to Ranking Criteria (20-page limit)

Provide a description with appropriate documentation of how the proposed project addresses each of the 13 numeric ranking criteria in 50 CFR 84.32. We recommend that you address each ranking criterion individually with a brief statement or table.

If a real property interest is proposed as match, include information on both the parcel(s) proposed for acquisition or restoration with NCWCG Program funds and the match parcel(s) in adequate detail for each ranking criterion so reviewers can make informed scoring decisions.

Activities provided as cost share including land acquisition are part of the project and must be eligible activities.

Drawings/Maps/Photographs (No Page Limit)

We recommend that you include and identify drawings or photographs of the proposed project that characterize the following:

a. Existing state of the project area;

b. Proposed project area (in one or more maps, photographs, or images);

i. Detail which areas will be part of the grant funded activities, delineating the project boundaries;

ii. Detail which areas are part of the cost share, if applicable;

iii. Detail what restoration activities will take place and where, if applicable;

iv. Detail which areas, if any, are part of a larger effort that will be funded outside of this grant and cost share application;

v. Detail wetland types (please include National Wetlands Inventory, State

Wetlands Map, or other wetland delineation, if available); and

vi. Any other information that will assist reviewers to identify project components or factors involved with ranking.

c. Two maps of the project location: a map of the State showing the general location of the application and a map of the project site.

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=6bb807aedef6b0eade81862a8c0ff119&mc=true&node=se50.9.84_132&rgn=div8 award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Register on the SAM.gov website. “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM page also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

Foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 06/25/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Grant application packages must be submitted in GrantSolutions.gov or Grants.gov no later than Friday, June 25, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. We recommend that you submit your application early enough to address any unforeseen technical complications. All letters of financial commitment are due with the application by the deadline. To ensure submission of your application by the deadline, we recommend you submit a copy of your entire application in PDF format to your Regional WSFR point of contact identified in Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contacts. We will not consider applications or letters received after the deadline.

D5. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D6. Funding Restrictions Eligible Activities

1. Acquisition of a real property interest in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners, provided that the terms and conditions will ensure the real property will be managed for long-term conservation; and

2. The restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems, provided that restoration, enhancement, or management will be administered for long-term conservation.

Ineligible Activities

1. Projects that primarily benefit navigation, irrigation, flood control, or mariculture;

2. Acquisition, restoration, enhancement or management of lands to mitigate habitat losses;

3. Creation of wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist;

4. Enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and regulations, except when necessary for the accomplishment of approved project purposes;

5. Research;

6. Planning as a primary project focus;

7. Operations and maintenance, including long‐term invasive species management;

8. Acquisition and/or restoration of upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetlands ecosystem are not significant and direct; and

9. Projects providing less than 20 years of conservation benefits.

Note: These lists not comprehensive. If you have questions about the eligibility of specific activities, contact your Regional WSFR Office (see Section G,…