FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450; Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13; Endangered Species Act, Public Law 93-205.

To comply with the Endangered Species Act, the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery plan, and to implement the Cheyenne River Prairie Management Plan on Indian lands.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Dissemination of Technical Information. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

The program monies are species specific. Appropriated funds allow those tribes in areas of endangered species habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, and Black-footed Ferret to conduct activities that are necessary to comply with the Endangered Species Act.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments whose reservations are in areas inhabited by these specific endangered species.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments.

Credentials/Documentation:   Initial application for financial assistance must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

Pre-application Coordination:   Informal application conference is recommended. Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local BIA agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedure:   In most cases, the award can be approved at the agency level. In some instances, the application will be forwarded to the Regional Director for approval.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Appeals:   An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR Part 900.

Renewals:   Financial assistance is in the form of nonrecurring awards appropriated for projects on a year-by-year basis. They are not intended to provide perennial support for tribal programs.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the grantee.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

Audits:   For awards made under this program, grantees and subgrantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. seq.).

Records:   Financial records must be retained for three years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for three years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for three years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions, or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-302.

Obligations:   (Total Amount of Awards) FY 01 $1,846,000; FY 02 est $1,151,500; and FY 03 est $137,900.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$20,000 to $1,000,000; Average: $500,000.

About a dozen tribes are involved in endangered species driven activities.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR 900; 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:   Office of Trust Responsibilities, Division of Water and Land Resources, Branch of Environmental and Cultural Resources Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, MS-4513 MIB, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: (202) 208-3607. Contact: Valerie Guardia.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.doi.gov/bia/otrhome.htm
http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Program activities include the development of water impoundments, cross fencing and vegetative management for the holistic management of a prairie resource; owl surveys; and radiotelemetry and habitat studies.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Criteria such as the geographic extent of potential critical habitat and the amount of harvested acres (forest, range, agricultural, etc.) are considered, as well as the methodologies proposed and the capability of the applicant to successfully conduct the project.