2013 Yukon River Salmon Research and Management Projects

studies that advance the scientific community's understanding and management of Chinook and chum salmon in the Yukon River of Alaska. Funding will support work beginning May 2013 and with project activities completed and final reports due June 2014. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop projects that incorporate local capacity with members of Yukon River communities in which they may be working. Coordinating projects with state and federal regulatory agencies is also recommended, but not mandatory. The conceptual project proposals will be evaluated by an interagency review committee, for information on the ranking criteria, please see the full announcement Cost sharing or matching is not required, but is encouraged. The Service will develop and award the financial assistance documents funding the final proposals that meet all federal requirements and for which funding is available. Currently the source of general funding is federally appropriated funds directed to the Service. The funds shall be used for cooperative Chinook and chum salmon research and management projects in the portion of the Yukon River drainage located in the United States that are recommended by the Panel after review for scientific and technical merit. Following are the specific Categories and their corresponding Factors laid out by the U.S. Delegation of the Panel for the Fiscal Year 2013 Research and Management Fund. The four categories will be used as evaluation criteria and are listed in descending order of importance from highest, Priority 1 to lowest, Priority 4. The factors within each category are not prioritized. Priority 1 Category assesses and achieves fishery management objectives. 1. Develop and expand the genetic baseline for Yukon salmon stocks. 2. Identify stock composition of salmon runs through genetic stock identification. 3. Develop and or improve inseason run size and stock specific estimates at the mouth of the Yukon River. 4. Monitor salmon escapements by Alaskan Geographic Units. 5. Develop or incorporate new methodologies and or approaches to improve management and research capability. 6. Refine in-season border passage assessment, estimates. Priority 2 Category assesses conserve and restores salmon habitats. 1. Habitat monitoring. 2. Identify and characterize salmon spawning and rearing habitats. 3. Identify and evaluate potential impacts to habitat. 4. Identify and monitor key salmon spawning streams, areas index streams. 5. Identify and implement restoration opportunities. Priority 3 Category to improve understanding of salmon biology and ecology. 1. Develop scientifically based biological escapement goals for Canadian origin salmon. 2. Develop population estimates for Yukon River salmon stocks. 3. Assessment of the quality of escapements, e.g., age, size, sex, and health. 4. Investigate relationships between salmon and their physical environment. 5. Investigate relationships between salmon and other organisms. Priority 4 Category to build and maintain public support of, and meaningful participation in, salmon resource management. 1. Develop mutual understandings between agencies and the public, best demonstrated by a third party. 2. Build and maintain community capacity. 3. Encourage stewardship of the resource. 4. Promote public values of the salmon resource. For More information please contact Aaron Martin at 907.456.0418. The following are incorporated into this agreement by reference: 1. Your complete application for this assistance agreement, including amendments to the application 2. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-87) as amended 3. OSM grant regulations (Code of Federal Regulations: 30 CFR Chapter VII, Parts 725, 735, 795, 870-887) 4. Your approved regulatory and/or reclamation program as listed in 30 CFR Chapter VII, Subchapter T. 5. OSM's Federal Assistance Manual, directive GMT-10 6. The standard Department of Interior Financial Assistance terms and conditions for this award are incorporated herein by reference with the same force and effect as if in full text. The full text can be found at http://www.doi.gov/pam/programs/financial_assistance/TermsandConditions.cfm or can be obtained by contacting the Financial Assistance Administrator. This agreement takes effect at the time of approval by the Director of OSM or his authorized delegate. The recipient accepts the agreement including the terms and conditions by starting work or making its first request for Federal funds approved under this agreement.