FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

AUTHORIZATION:

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978, Title IV, Section 402.

To compensate U.S. commercial fishermen for damage/loss of fishing gear and 50 percent of resulting economic loss due to oil and gas related activities in any area of the Outer Continental Shelf.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

None.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Applicant must be a U.S. commercial fisherman.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   U.S. Commercial fishermen.

Credentials/Documentation:   Financial statements, records, logbooks, receipts, and estimates which establish that the applicant is a fisherman and owned the property for which compensation is claimed.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Submit applications to Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.

Award Procedure:   Review and approval by Financial Services Division, NMFS.

Deadlines:   Ninety day statutory filing period for claims. Presumption of causation allowed if reported within 15 days after the vessel first returns to port from the trip of the casualty.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   For 2 months.

Appeals:   Assistant Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Not applicable.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   None.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   13-5120-0-2-376.

Obligations:   (Direct payments) FY 01 $269,100; FY 02 est $300,000; and FY 03 est $300,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$500 to $54,000. Average: $6,000.

In fiscal year 2001, 26 claims were paid. An estimated 25 claims will be paid in fiscal year 2002 and an estimated 25 claims will be paid in fiscal year 2003.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Available from Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service. 43 U.S.C. 1841 et seq; 50 CFR Part 296.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Michael Grable, Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-2396. Use the same number for FTS. Fax: (301) 713-1306. Email: Charles.Cooper@noaa.gov.

Web Site Address:   http://www.noaa.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.