The mission of the LTRMP is to provide decision makers with information needed to maintain the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) as a sustainable large river ecosystem given its multiple- use character. Congress has declared the UMRS to be both a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant commercial navigation system. The long-term goals of the LTRMP are to: understand the UMRS ecosystem, monitor trends and effects with respect to selected resources, develop resource management alternatives, manage information, and develop useful products.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Cooperative Agreements are entered into for the purpose of conducting resource monitoring and research as specified in the LTRMP Operations Plan and for other activities to carry out the purposes of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
States, local governments, intrastate/interstate agencies, sponsored organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations for the purposes stated in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
UMRS State, Federal, and private natural resource managers, users, and the general public.
Credentials/Documentation:
Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed activity.
Pre-application Coordination:
Limited discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are permitted. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Application form Standard Form (SF) 424, 424-A, 424-B, and Department of the Interior Certifications and Representations must be used. The States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin; the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association; or any other agency established under paragraph (d)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662 are exempt from the application procedures by virtue of the Act.
Award Procedure:
Notification of an award is by a cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
Up to 3 months.
Appeals: Not applicable. The application may be revised and resubmitted.
Renewals: The LTRMP is a fifteen (15) year program; the current Congressional authorization extends through the year 2002. Agreements may be renewed on an annual basis through 2002 dependent upon funding availability.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
No statutory requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Cooperative Agreements will be awarded in 12-month budget periods. Funds are released as required.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Annual and final technical and financial reports are required.
Audits: Covered awardees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. seq.). In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 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:
14-0804-0-1-300.
Obligations: (Cooperative Agreements) FY 01 $2,907,561; FY 02 est $2,407,200; and FY 03 est $2,213,700.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
$20,738 to $727,998; Average: $363,400
In fiscal year 2001, 7 cooperative agreement amendments were made to support the LTRMP. The number of agreements for fiscal year 2002 is expected to be 7.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Public Law 99-662, Section 1103, as amended. Information regarding LTRMP publications may be found at the web site address.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office:
Inquiries regarding the LTRMP may be addressed to the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603, POC: Dr. Leslie Holland-Bartels, Center Director, (608) 781-6221, FAX (608) 783-6066, e-mail Leslie_Holland-Bartels@usga.gov; or Thomas S. Kelly, Management Analyst, (608) 781-6229, FAX (608) 783-6066, e-mail Tom_Kelly @usgs.gov.; UMESC web sit address, http://www.umesc.usgs.gov.
Headquarters Office: None.
Web Site Address: http://www.usgs.gov/ltrmp.html
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
To date, cooperative agreements and amendments in the amount of approximately $32,671,500 have been granted to States, universities, and other recipients to conduct resource (fisheries, water quality, invertebrate, vegetation) monitoring and research of the Upper Mississippi River System.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
The States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and their institutions and agencies; States, universities, and others having expertise and experience conducting monitoring and research of the Upper Mississippi River System; States, universities, and others having expertise and experience conducting monitoring and research of large, impounded river systems.
