Program Descriptions
Program Number
15.424
Title
Marine Minerals Activities
Federal Agency
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331.
Status
Active
Objectives
To evaluate OCS sand deposits for coastal restoration and beach nourishment needs, and to foster good working relationships regarding OCS mineral issues with coastal States.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The funds must be spent for OCS sand activities and not inside State waters. These cooperative agreements are awarded to assist States in order to find sand supplies for beach nourishment projects.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Proposals are received from coastal States in need of coastal restoration.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State agencies and organizations participating in the project, as well as the general public.
Credentials/Documentation
States submit proposals to the MMS which furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed research.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Applicants attend a workshop held by MMS, and define their requirements for the upcoming year. At this time the applicants and the MMS decide which projects will be funded for the upcoming year. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should consult the office of official designated as the single point of contact in their State to find out if the State has selected this program for review and for information on the process the State requires when applying for Federal assistance.
Application Procedure
This program is subject to the Department of the Interior regulations at 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and D, or any subsequent revisions. The standard SF-424 application forms must be used for this program. Applicants will be asked to submit their proposals electronically through http://Grants.gov
Award Procedure
An internal MMS review of the State's proposal is conducted including convening a panel to discuss the proposals and making the final decision on the funding for the project. A notification of a cooperative agreement award is issued so the project can begin.
Deadlines
November of each year or as soon as the MMS is given funding.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
90 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Leasing Division Marine Minerals Activities encourages a 1-to-1 match of each Federal dollar with a nonfederal dollar.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in 12-month budget periods.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual and final technical and financial reports using the OMB SF-269 form are required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-5003-0-2-999.
Obligations
FY 07 $750,000; FY 08 est $1,280,000; and FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$30,000 to $760,000.
Program Accomplishments
Sand resources identified and evaluated by this program have been used in 3 beach nourishment projects in the State of Maryland, 5 projects in Virginia, 1 in North Carolina, 4 in South Carolina, 8 in Florida, and 3 in Louisiana.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Regulations include the OCS Lands Act, Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
New Orleans Office: MMS, GOM OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70123-2394; Pacific Office: MMS, 770 Paseo Camarillo, 2nd Floor, Camarillo, CA 93010.
Headquarters Office
MMS, 381 Elden Street, MS-4021, Herndon, VA 20170.
Web Site Address
http://www.mms.gov/sandandgravel
Related Programs
15.423, Minerals Management Service (MMS) Environmental Studies Program (ESP)
Examples of Funded Projects
Offshore Cooperative Sand Programs with the following States: Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and California. Studies were funded in support of the Hurricane Katrina and Rita Relief efforts in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Cost of the project is the most important criteria followed by relevance to State and Federal needs, and technical ability of the State agency.
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