The United States Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is requesting proposals for projects that develop and demonstrate improved technologies to address environmental issues related to the mining of coal and reclamation of the land after mining. Project funding will be limited to projects that can be completed without additional funding from OSM beyond those funds awarded in fiscal year 2007. OSM will consider all proposals relating to surface coal mining and reclamation. However, the National Technology Transfer Team (NTTT) has identified topical areas where special emphasis is needed. Proposals related to the following topics will improve their ranking score: Blasting Issues; Hydrology Issues, Steep Slope Mining and Reclamation; Underground Mine Mapping; Use of Recycled Materials; Landscape Stability; Soil Development on Reclaimed Lands; Vegetation Assessment, Wildlife Conservation, and Reforestation; Cropland Reclamation. The proposal application must be received by March 2, 2007. Each proposal should be submitted hard copy and as an electronic copy in PDF format or on a CD in PDF format. Send proposal applications to the following address: Kimery Vories, Team Leader NTTT, Office of Surface Mining, 501 Belle Street, Room 216, Alton, Illinois 62002, Tel. #618-463-6463 Ext. 103, e-mail
[email protected]. All proposals must support activities in one of OSM's three regions although it may apply to more than one region or nationally. Each proposal must support activities in the region within which the applicant's project is located and may include salaries, travel, equipment, materials, and services not including fees or profit. All proposals must include a letter of endorsement, (on official letterhead) by an appropriately authorized management official representing either a State, Indian, or Federal Title IV Abandoned Mine Land or Title V Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Regulatory Authority. Proposals without such an endorsement will not be considered for funding. Neverless, OSM reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any and all proposals. In summary, in order for a proposal to be considered, it must include the following: Electronic and paper submission must be received on or before the due date. The proposal must follow the application instructions, including completed forms FP-1 and B-1. Applicants may request funding, not to exceed $100,000 for the current FY 2007. The vehicle for awarding funds will be a cooperative agreement. OSM recommends a minimum cost-share of 25 percent with the applicant providing some portion of this percentage. The remainder may come from academia, industry, or other non-federal sources. OSM also recommends, as part of the full proposal application, signed letters of support indicating specific cash and/or in-kind services meeting the minimum 25 percent cost-share. (For a definition of cost-sharing see Federal Register 59 (64) Monday, April 4, 1994, Section 19.23.) OSM will announce the total amount of available funding at a later date and will grant the awards. It is expected that funds will be available after July 1, 2007. However, there is no guarantee that any funds will be available. OSM will notify applicants as to whether or not their proposal has been accepted. The full announcement is available electronically on line at www.mcrcc.osmre.gov. In order to receive a paper copy, please contact Kimery C. Vories e-mail address
[email protected].