Applications - Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program

Endangered Species Program

Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program

Notice of Availability of Federal Assistance

Program Overview Information:

Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Endangered Species Program

Funding Opportunity Title: Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program (WLDPGP)

Announcement Type: Initial announcement

Funding Opportunity

Number: WLDPGP12

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.666 Endangered Species Conservation-Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention

Dates: Due date for applications is ___________. States and tribes are encouraged to submit proposals to their State Single Point of Contact for review under Executive Order 12372 (if necessary) concurrent with their submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).

Additional Information:

Subtitle C of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11) (Act) authorized the Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program with two purposes: 1) prevention - grant dollars to assist livestock producers in undertaking proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves; and 2) compensation - grant dollars to reimburse livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Included in the authorization language was direction that the program be established as a grant program to provide funding to States and tribes, that the Federal cost-share not exceed 50 percent, and that funds be expended equally between the two purposes.

The Service is initiating a competitive program to States and tribes in accordance with P.L. 111-11. States and tribes may compete for prevention or compensation grants. Grant amounts will be contingent upon the quality and number of proposals received.

The Service is soliciting project proposals for financial assistance under the WLDPGP. This document describes how you can apply for funding under the WLDPGP and how we will determine which project proposals will be funded. Please read each of the following sections carefully. Each section contains important information regarding the WLDPGP grant program:

I. Funding Opportunity Description;

II. Award Information;

III. Eligibility Information;

IV. Application and Submission Information;

V. Application Review Information;

VI. Award Administration Information;

VII. Agency Contacts; and

VIII. Other Information.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

This is a new program as outlined below.

II. Award Information

States and tribes must submit proposals for the Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program to compete for grant dollars for the use of proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss or for grant dollars to compensate livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Proactive preventive measures may include, but are not limited to, fencing, livestock guard dogs, and range riders who patrol areas occupied by livestock and susceptible to predation by wolves. Qualifying projects must include a 50 percent non-Federal cost share. Qualifying livestock includes cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats, livestock guard animals, and other domestic animals.

Funding will be awarded based on national competition. The range of grant awards is expected to vary by program. Following a regional review of WLDPGP prevention and compensation grant proposals, all eligible proposals will be forwarded to the Headquarters Office for final award recommendations to the Director. The Service will make award selections for the competitive programs based upon the proposals submitted through this announcement. States and tribes should not initiate a project in expectation of WLDPGP funding, nor purchase materials until such time as they receive the final grant award document signed by an authorized Service official.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

WLDPGP funds will be allocated competitively directly to States and tribes through grants. The selected States and tribes will establish their own procedures for accepting applications from private entities (including individual ranchers, for-profit corporations, and not-for-profit corporations) interested in obtaining WLDPGP funds.

To be eligible to receive a grant, a State or tribe must

(1) designate an appropriate agency of the State or tribal government to administer one or both aspects of the program funded by the grant;

(2) establish one or more accounts to receive grant funds;

(3) maintain files of all claims received under programs funded by the grant, including supporting documentation;

(4) submit to the Service’s Regional Program Coordinator (see Table 2, Section VII)

(A) annual reports that include—

(i) a summary of claims and expenditures under the program during the year; and

(ii) a description of any action taken on the claims; and

(B) such other reports as the Secretary may require to assist in determining the effectiveness of activities provided assistance under this program (described below under VI. Award Administration Information); and

(5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program, for:

Depredation Compensation Grants -

• Commitment to ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and records of matching funds expended.

• Ability to protect the evidence of depredation.

• Coordination with local USDA APHIS-Wildlife Services field representatives, or other authorized official, who will coordinate an investigation.

• Documentation to ensure payments of fair-market value.

Nonlethal Prevention Grants -

• Commitment to ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and records of matching funds expended.

• Applicant demonstration of good faith effort to avoid conflicts.

• Demonstrated effectiveness of nonlethal measures.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Qualifying projects must include at a minimum a 50 percent non-Federal cost share. The cost share may be cash or a third party in-kind contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services.

3. Other

The following additional criteria apply to all WLDPGP grants and must be satisfied for a project to receive WLDPGP funding:

1. A proposal cannot include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) costs.

2. A proposal cannot seek funding for projects that serve to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) including complying with a biological opinion under section 7 of the ESA or fulfilling commitments of a Habitat Conservation Plan under section 10 of the ESA, or for projects that serve to satisfy other Federal regulatory requirements (e.g., mitigation for Federal permits).

3. State or tribal administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or tribe, or included in the proposal in accordance with Federal requirements.

IV. Application and Submission Information

Competing States and tribes must complete and submit an SF 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and a narrative proposal to the Service for expenditure of the WLDPGP funds.

1. Address to Request Application Package

Please contact the appropriate Regional Program Coordinator listed in Table 2, Section VII below.

2. Content and Form of Application

States and tribes must follow the instructions in this document in order to apply for financial assistance under the WLDPGP. The Service will accept hard copy and electronic applications. Electronic submission of applications is encouraged but not required.

For hard copy application submissions your application must: 1) not be bound in any manner (except by a single binder clip); 2) not be submitted by facsimile; 3) be printed on only one side of the paper; 4) not include any paper larger than 8.5 by 11 inches; 5) include one signed original SF 424 and supporting information; and 6) be received by the appropriate Regional Office listed in Table 2, Section VII by ______________.

For electronic application submission through the Grants.gov internet site (www.grants.gov), you must follow all instructions provided by Grants.gov to ensure that your electronic application is received by _________. We will ONLY accept electronic applications that are submitted through Grants.gov. We will not accept any other form of electronic application. We highly recommend that applicants apply electronically through Grants.gov, and that you begin your application process well in advance of the closing date for submission of applications. The application process through Grants.gov requires that applicants complete a registration process and requires that all materials submitted are completely and accurately filled out. Please note that Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1.1 or newer (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html) is required to submit and download applications via Grants.gov.

We encourage you to contact the Regional Program Coordinator listed in Table 2, Section VII prior to submitting an application if you have questions regarding what information must be submitted. An incomplete application will not be considered for funding.

The application consists of a completed SF 424 and a narrative description of your project. The ultimate size of the proposal will depend on its complexity, but we request that you minimize the size of the narrative description of the proposal. Additionally, only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included (e.g., it is not necessary to include the resumes of project personnel).

The proposal must include a reasonably detailed budget indicating how the funding will be used and how each State/tribe is contributing. The proposal must also indicate the time commitment for maintaining the project’s benefits. The project proposal should also indicate whether partial funding of the project is practicable and, if so, what specific portion(s) of the project could be implemented with what level of funding. A proposal that is a part of a longer-term initiative will be considered; however, the proposed project’s objectives, benefits, and tasks must stand on their own as there are no assurances that additional funding would be awarded in subsequent years for associated or complementary projects.

The narrative description of your project proposal should specifically address each of the review criteria. We recommend the following format for the project narrative:

WOLF-LIVESTOCK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

GRANT APPLICATION

PROJECT TITLE: State your request for a Depredation Compensation Grant or Prevention Grant. If requesting funds from both components, provide separate narrative descriptions for each component.

PROJECT SCOPE AND NEED: Characterize the area to be covered and the extent of wolf depredation damage that has occurred in the area to be covered by the requested funds. Suggestions for presentation of this information include describing the number (or value) and type of livestock that have been lost, or some other description of the average extent of losses in the past 12 months or an average of the past 3 years.

APPROACH: For Depredation Compensation Grants - Describe how the required non-Federal cost-share will be achieved. Describe the numbers of past depredation events and the anticipated need for future depredation dollars; describe also how the value of reimbursement is determined and the procedures that will be used to verify that available funds will be used to compensate for losses caused by wolves. Describe any key cooperators and their respective roles in the program. Describe the extent of any public involvement in the administration of your compensation program. Describe your program’s procedures to maintain records that will support reporting to the Service how the funds were expended.

For Prevention Grants – Describe how the required non-Federal cost-share will be achieved. Describe what types of activities the requested funds will be used to support (e.g., range riders, guard dogs, fladry). Describe any key cooperators and their respective roles in the program. Describe the extent of any public involvement in the administration of your prevention program and list key cooperators (e.g., Wildlife Services, NGOs) and their respective roles. Describe your program’s procedures to maintain records that will support reporting to the Service how the funds were expended. Describe any efforts to encourage participation in prevention activities and how grant funds will promote such participation. Describe how the grantee will assess the effectiveness of funded prevention activities and report those results to the Service.

ESTIMATED COST: Identify the total amount of Federal funds requested and the total amount of matching funds provided, through cash or a third party in-kind contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services. Estimates should include separate prices for materials and labor.

Your proposal should be submitted with the review criteria, as described below, in mind. Project descriptions that clearly address the specific review criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review and scoring.

Applicants must provide an Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424). This form is available from http://www.grants.gov or from the Regional Program Coordinators. This form must be signed by the official with the authority and responsibility to commit the State/tribe to participate in this program.

Applications without this completed form will not be considered.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Applications must be received by ____________.

4. Intergovernmental Review

The WLDPGP is eligible for coverage under Executive Order (EO) 12372 “Intergovernmental review of Federal Programs.” EO 12372 was issued to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on State and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. The EO allows each State to designate an entity to perform this function. States should contact the Service’s Regional Program Coordinator (see Table 2, Section VII) and/or the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for EO 12372 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. A complete list of the names and addresses for the SPOCs may be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc

5. Funding Restrictions

At this time, participation in the Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program is available to States and tribes. Individuals or corporations seeking funds will need to work through the procedures established by their State or tribal wildlife management/animal damage control agency.

WLDPGP funds are not available for land or easement purchase.

Environmental effects of projects funded through the WLDPG must be minor or negligible.

We cannot reimburse you for time that you expend or costs that you incur in developing a project or preparing the application, or in any discussions or negotiations you may have with us prior to the award. Pre-award costs will not be allowed. We will not accept such expenditures as part of your cost share. The costs proposed to be funded through the WLDPGP may not exceed 50 percent of the total costs. The total costs of a project consist of all allowable costs you incur, including the value of in-kind contributions, in accomplishing project objectives during the life of the project.

The grant award document will specify the project requirements. In order to receive funding, the prospective grantee will also need to provide assurances and certifications of compliance with other Federal requirements. For example, see Standard Form 424B (Non-construction) or Standard Form 424D (Construction) available at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/ToolkitFiles/toolkit.pdf). The form must be signed by the official with the authority and responsibility to commit the State/tribe to participate in this program. The State/tribal wildlife management/animal damage control agency will be provided with a grant for funding qualifying projects that meet the requirements established by the State. You should not initiate your project until you receive notification from an authorized Service official.

6. Other Submission Requirements

No other submission requirements pertain to the WLDPGP,

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Requests for grant funding must be submitted by State or tribal governments. Each individual State or tribal government will establish procedures for dispersal of funds to qualifying recipients.

State and tribal proposals will initially be reviewed by the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Endangered Species Office staff for both Depredation Compensation Grants and Prevention Grants. The following criteria will be used by Regional Office staff to evaluate proposals. Proposal should be submitted with the review criteria, as described below, in mind. Project descriptions that clearly address the specific review criteria in an organized manner will facilitate proposal review and scoring.

2. Review and Selection Process

Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Office reviews will be provided to the Headquarters Office staff for final grant awards. All proposals will compete at a national level for funding. A panel of Service representatives will assess the applications submitted and make funding recommendations to the Service Director. The Director will use the recommendations in selecting projects, although geographic distribution of funds, the amount of funding requested and other factors may also be considered. Partial funding of one or more projects, when practicable, may be considered.  

SERVICE REVIEW OF DEPREDATION COMPENSATION GRANT PROPOSAL

Regional Staff: Please evaluate each proposal separately. You may attach additional written explanations for the categories in this form if the space provided is inadequate.

WOLF-LIVESTOCK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

DEPREDATION COMPENSATION GRANTS

EVALUATION FORM

Project Title___________________________________________________________________

Region _____

State Agency or Tribal Government________________________________________________

Service contact for more information________________________________________________

Estimated total cost of proposal ___________________________________________________

Percent of cost to be borne by non-Federal entities (list by entity and % of cost) _____________

Amount of funding requested (total cost minus the non-Federal match) ___________________

Provide a brief narrative description that will serve as an “Executive Summary” of the grant request to be used for outreach purposes. Review and score (30 points maximum) each proposal’s Extent of Wolf Depredation, Program Evaluation and Record Keeping, and Reporting and Coordination.

EXTENT OF WOLF DEPREDATION

1) The purpose of this section is to assess the anticipated need for compensation funds by reviewing the past numbers and appraised value of livestock depredation by wolves. Estimate events only if investigated by a local USDA Wildlife Services (Wildlife Services) field representative, or other authorized State or tribal investigator.

Review the number of confirmed wolf depredation events in past 12 months, or the average number of confirmed events in the past 3 years as an estimate of future depredation events. Summarize fair market value of losses. Indirect costs (moving animals, etc.) are not covered; however veterinary bills for confirmed injuries to livestock caused by wolves may be covered.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 10, rank the total annual anticipated need of depredation compensation with 1 being less than $25,000/year, 5 being approximately $100,000/year, and 10 representing an anticipated need of more than $250,000/year. No compensation points provided for unconfirmed or missing livestock (10 points maximum). _____

PROGRAM EVALUATION AND RECORD KEEPING

2) The purpose of this section is to evaluate how robust the State or tribal wolf-livestock program is in terms of the procedures for investigation management and record keeping.

Rank program efficiencies. Review the rigor of the applicant’s program, including the process for confirming depredation by wolves, the availability of trained investigators, procedures for differentiating confirmed versus probable wolf depredations and the adequacy of record keeping.

Score: One a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) rank the effectiveness of the program, focusing on the depredation investigation and record keeping procedures (10 points maximum). _____

REPORTING AND COORDINATION

3) The purpose of this section is to evaluate the procedures for reporting documenting livestock depredation and the coordination with local USDA Wildlife Services field representatives or other authorized State or tribal investigator, and other partners.

Review the process for reporting depredation investigations, and the transparency of the program with partners and the public.

Score: On a scale of 1 to 10, rank the reliability of the reporting and coordination procedures. A higher ranking should be given to programs with coordinated wolf-livestock interaction prevention programs. A higher ranking should also be given to established programs with a high percentage of livestock producers participating (10 points maximum). _____

DEPREDATION GRANTS Total points: ________

SERVICE REVIEW OF PREVENTION GRANT PROPOSAL

WOLF-LIVESTOCK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

PREVENTION GRANTS

(PROACTIVE, NONLETHAL MEASURES)

EVALUATION FORM

Regional Staff: Please fill out this form completely. You may attach additional written explanations for the categories in this form if the space provided is inadequate.

Project Title__________________________________________________________

Region _____

State Agency or Tribal Government________________________________________________

Service contact for more information _________________________________________

Percent of cost to be borne by non-Federal entities (list by entity and % of cost) ___________

Amount of funding requested (total cost minus the non-Federal match)

Provide a brief narrative description that will serve as an “Executive Summary” of the grant request to be used for outreach purposes. Review and score (20 points maximum) each proposal’s Proactive Techniques and Outreach and Coordination.

PROACTIVE TECHNIQUES

1) The purpose of this section is to evaluate the extent to which the requested funds would foster increased use of prevention measures or encourage the development of new preventative measures. Prevention tools and incentives should be designed to decrease the risk of wolf-livestock interactions, and reduce the extent of livestock losses caused by wolves.

Consider the percentage of landowners in wolf areas using nonlethal techniques to deter or preclude wolf depredation of livestock. A variety of visual and auditory scare devices may be used, including electric fences, fladry or other flagging, range riders, increased monitoring, Radio‐Activated Guard (RAG) devices, livestock guard dogs, and modification of husbandry practices. State/tribal agencies may purchase and loan prevention supplies, such as radio receivers in accordance with applicable Federal financial assistance regulations. Funds may be used to pay salaries of range riders and for the care and feeding of documented livestock guard dogs. Consideration may also be given for incentives to participate in the program.

Score: Consider the percentage of livestock producers using nonlethal techniques, incentives for implementing nonlethal strategies, and the demonstrated effectiveness of any ongoing prevention measures or the likelihood of success if the proposal is to develop new techniques. Rank from 1 (low) to 10 (high) planned nonlethal techniques used with various number/age/type of livestock and the areas to be protected (10 points maximum). _

OUTREACH AND COORDINATION

2) The purpose of this section is to evaluate coordination strategies of States/tribes with partners regarding livestock depredation management and efforts to reduce wolf-livestock interactions.

Review the program’s demonstrated or planned work with partners including local USDA Wildlife Services and nongovernmental organizations. A higher score should be provided to States/tribes with a cooperative or interagency system to approve projects, or programs that use the results of local nonlethal strategies to guide future nonlethal preventative measures and expenditures. The highest ranking will go to programs committed to fostering coexistence between wolves and livestock producers.

Score: Consider the program’s efforts to involve potentially affected livestock producers, the planned coordination with USDA Wildlife Services and other partners, and the contribution of the program to wolf conservation (10 points maximum). ______

PREVENTION GRANTS - Total points: ____________

VI. Award Administration Information

The Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Office of Management and Budget have established requirements concerning Federal financial assistance. This includes established principles for determining which costs are allowable or eligible based on the type of applicant (see Table 1, this Section). Your application must comply with these requirements.

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Listed in the table below are administrative requirements that may apply to your project if funded through the WLDPGP. The documents listed below establish principles for determining which costs are allowable or eligible (“cost principles”) and describe other requirements that apply to receiving WLDPGP funding. These requirements apply to grantees and subgrantees of WLDPGP funding. In some cases, the requirements vary depending upon the type of organization receiving the funding or that is a subgrantee of the funding.

In addition, States and tribes must comply with all Federal laws including, but not limited to, compliance with environmental statutes such as the ESA, National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act as applicable.

On June 27, 2003, The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a Federal Register notice (68 FR 38402) that announced final policy issuance on the use of a universal identifier by grant applicants. The policy requires applicants applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003, to acquire a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. It is the responsibility of the organization seeking Federal funds to obtain a DUNS number, as necessary. Grant and cooperative agreement applicants (excluding individuals) need to ensure they have a DUNS number. Therefore, all applicants for WLDPGP funding MUST acquire a DUNS number to be submitted with the proposal. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711.

Table 1. Administrative Requirements for WLDPGP Funding Awards
Category:	Specific Requirements:
Individuals, private firms, and other non-profits excluded from coverage under 2 CFR Part 230 (OMB Circular No. A-122)	* Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 31.2 * 43 CFR 18 (New Restrictions on Lobbying) * 48 CFR 31 or FAR 31.2 (Contracts with Commercial Organizations)
Non-Profit Organizations covered under 2 CFR Part 230 (OMB Circular No. A-122)	* 43 CFR 12 (Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs) * 43 CFR 18 (New Restrictions on Lobbying) * 2 CFR 215 (Administrative Requirements for Grants) * 2 CFR 230 (Cost Principles) * OMB Circular No. A-133 (Audits)
Educational Institutions (even if part of a State or local government)	* 43 CFR 12 (Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs) * 43 CFR 18 (New Restrictions on Lobbying) * 2 CFR 220 (Cost Principles) * 2 CFR 215 (Administrative Requirements for Grants) * OMB Circular No. A-133 (Audits)
States, local governments, and Indian tribes	* 43 CFR 12 (Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs) * 43 CFR 18 (New Restrictions on Lobbying) * 2 CFR 225 (Cost Principles) * OMB Circular No. A-102 (Grants and Cooperative Agreements) * OMB Circular No. A-133 (Audits)

The State or tribal wildlife management/animal damage control agency will be provided with a grant for funding qualifying projects that meet the requirements established by the State.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

Obligation of Funds: The Service’s goal is to obligate WLDPGP funds to States and tribes shortly following the award notification. States and tribal governments will assist the Service in meeting this goal by providing necessary documents for grant issuance as soon as possible following the grant award notifications.

Expenditure of Funds: The Service will follow all applicable laws and regulations in regard to the expenditure of awarded funding.

2. Reporting

Financial and performance reporting requirements are specified in 43 CFR 12.80 and 12.81, and in the Interim Guidance for Financial Status and Performance Reporting, dated May 15, 2009.

In general, OMB Circulars A-102 §_.40 and _.41 and 2 CFR 215 specify requirements for both financial and program performance reporting. Service guidance on financial and performance reporting is available in 516 FW 1 (http://www.fws.gov/policy/516fw1.html) and 516. FW 2 (http://www.fws.gov/policy/516fw2.html). Grantees may be required to complete one or more of the following financial forms:

• SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement;

• SF-425, Federal Financial Report

OMB Circulars A-102 §_.40 and 2 CFR 215 also set forth requirements for submission of grantee program performance reports. A performance report is due annually within 90 days of the anniversary of the start date of the grant and a final report is due 90 days after the grant expiration.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit organizations), non-Federal 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. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records: Records must be maintained for 3 years following the submission of the final expenditure report or until final action has been taken on any litigation, claim or audit finding.

VII. Agency Contacts

Please refer to the table below for a list of Regional Program Coordinators. Information on the WLDPGP is also available from the Branch of State Grants, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203.

Table 2. List of Regional Program Coordinators and Where To Send Project Proposals
Service Region	States or Territory where the project will occur	Where to send your WLDPGP project proposal	Regional WLDPGP Contact and Phone Number
Region 1	Idaho, Oregon, Washington,	Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastside Federal Complex 911 N.E. 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97232-4181	Hilary Cooley (208/685-6963)
Region 2	Arizona, New Mexico,	Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 500 Gold Avenue SW., Room 4012 Albuquerque, NM 87102	Stephen Robertson (505/248-7465)
Region 3	Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin	Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building One Federal Drive Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056	Lisa Mandell (612/713-5343)
Region 6	Montana and Wyoming	Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 134 Union Blvd., Suite 645 Lakewood, CO 80228	Mike Jimenez (307/330-5631)

VIII. Other Information

Please note that the Federal Government is not obligated to make any awards as a result of this announcement, and only official Service grant officers can bind the Government to the expenditure of funds.

OMB Control Number – 1018-XXXX

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires us to tell you why we are collecting this information, how we will use it, and whether or not you have to respond. We will use the information that we collect to evaluate applications submitted to acquire funding for Wolf-Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program funds. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit (grant funding). We estimate that it will take approximately 8 hours to complete an application, 4 hours to complete each report, and 10 hours for recordkeeping, including time necessary to review instructions, gather and maintain data, and provide information. You may send comments regarding the burden or any other aspect of the reporting requirements to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C Street, NW., M/S 2042-PDM, Washington, DC 20240. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

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