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[Federal Register: August 17, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 160)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43179]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17au01-44]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

 
Nutrient Budgeting Tool: Notice Inviting Applications for New 
Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2001

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

ACTION: Announcement of availability of funds and request for 
applications for a Cooperative Agreement for the development of a farm 
nutrient budgeting tool that addresses manure, organic by-products, and 
commercial fertilizers.

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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces 
the availability of FY 2001 funds under the Conservation Technical 
Assistance program. Applications are being solicited for a Cooperative 
Agreement to develop a farm nutrient budgeting tool that addresses 
manure, organic by-products, and commercial fertilizers. Funding for 
this agreement is authorized by Section 714 of the FY 2001 Agricultural 
Appropriations Act, Public Law 106-387. Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) 
has come under scrutiny due to the potential adverse impact AFO can 
have on water quality if not managed properly. AFO operators are 
developing nutrient management plans to address the use of commercial 
fertilizers, manure, and other organic by-products for crop production 
which minimizes adverse impact on water quality. Due to the technical 
complexities involved in developing nutrient management plans, a 
simplified approach needs to be developed that will allow AFO operators 
to explore science-based planning alternatives.
    Eligible Applicants: States and public or non-profit agencies and 
organizations, including Indian Tribes and institutions of higher 
education.
    Date Applications Available: August 9, 2001.
    Deadline for Submission of Applications: August 30, 2001.
    Deadline for Inter-Governmental Review: September 10, 2001.
    Size of Award: $100,000.
    Project Period: Date of award through September 30, 2002.
    Page Limit: Application narrative (Part III of the application) is 
where the applicant addresses the selection criteria which reviewers 
use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to the 
equivalent of no more than 4 pages, using the following standards:
    1. A page is 8.5 inches by 11 inches; one side only, with 1-inch 
margins at the top, bottom, and one side.
    2. Use a font that is 12-point or larger, or no smaller than 10-
point (characters per inch). The page limit does not apply to Part I, 
the cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative 
budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or 
the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of 
support. In addition to the narrative supporting, information in 
relation to the selection criteria, which is readable, executable from 
a CD-ROM, or located on a web site, will be allowed. Furthermore, the 
information will not be counted against the four-page limitation.
    An application will be rejected if Part III does not comply with 
the page limit restrictions or the minimum font size.
    Applicable Regulations: The Department of Agriculture, Office of 
the Chief Financial Officer, regulations in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3019, and 
3052.
    Selection Criteria: In evaluating an application for an award, NRCS 
will take into account the degree to which the proposal addresses:
    1. The development of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrient 
budgets at the farm level for manure, organic by-products and 
commercial fertilizers; land grant university fertilizer requirements; 
and determination of manure nutrients generated on-farm for each major 
animal sector. (40)
    2. The functionality, ease of use, and the comprehensiveness of 
documentation provided by the proposed tool. (40)
    3. The qualifications, knowledge, and experience of individuals 
identified in the proposal as they relate to nutrient management and 
science-based tool development; and the capability of proposed staffing 
to complete the proposal within the period of the cooperative 
agreement.
    The maximum score for all the above criteria is 100 points.
    NRCS reserves the right to negotiate with the Project Director and/
or the submitting entity regarding project revisions (e.g. reductions 
in scope of work), funding level, or period of support prior to award. 
A proposal may be withdrawn at anytime before a final funding decision 
is made. A copy of each proposal that is not selected for funding 
(including those that are withdrawn) will be retained by NRCS for one 
year.
    Programmatic Contact: For additional information on the program, 
please contact: Mr. Dan Meyer, Department of Agriculture, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service at (301) 504-2226 or by e-mail at 
<A HREF="mailto:dan.meyer@usda.gov">dan.meyer@usda.gov</A>.
    For Applications Contact: Sheila Leonard, Department of 
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, 
Room 5220 South Building, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890. Telephone: (202) 
720-2604, FAX: (202) 720-7149.
    To file a complaint of discrimination to USDA, write USDA Director, 
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-
5964 (voice and TDD).
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

    Signed in Washington, D.C., on August 10, 2001.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Chief, Natural Resource Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 01-20828 Filed 8-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P

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