RFP for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Brian Keller Brian.Keller at noaa.gov
Thu Jan 9 17:14:55 EST 2003


Please note the following request for preproposals for research in the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Posted at:
http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/research_monitoring/rfp2003fin.pdf

Please also note that the contact person is Dr. Bill Kruczynski
(kruczynski.bill at epamail.epa.gov; 850-934-9298).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES

REQUEST FOR PREPROPOSALS

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY- REGION 4
 WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM
 FOR THE
 FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

NOAA’S UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM
AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON’S
NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER

NOAA CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM

SANCTUARY FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

Summary:  The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that The
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, the
National Undersea Research Center NOAA’s Undersea Research Program
(NURP) and the University of North Carolina’s National Undersea Center,
the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (NCRCP), and Sanctuary Friends
of the Florida Keys announces opportunities for special studies in the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  Funding is contingent upon the
availability of federal appropriations.  It is anticipated that projects

funded under this announcement will have an October 1, 2003 start date.

Preproposals are requested for the following priority topics:
1.  Factors affecting recruitment and survival of marine species
2.  Triggering mechanisms and causative agents and/or processes that
 result in declines of coral abundance, coverage and species richness
3.  Factors affecting the distribution, abundance, and virulence of
pathogenic bacteria,
 viruses, or other pathogenic organisms
4.  Affects of management measures on abundance and distribution of
marine organisms

BACKGROUND

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was created by Public

Law 101-605, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection
Act of 1990.  Included in the Sanctuary are 2900 square nautical miles
of nearshore waters extending from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas.
The 1990 Act directed EPA and the State of Florida, in consultation with

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop a

Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary.  This is the
first designated marine sanctuary required to have a WQPP.

The purpose of the WQPP is to recommend priority corrective actions and
compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of pollution
to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity

of the Sanctuary.  This includes restoration and maintenance of a
balanced, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife,

and recreational activities in and on the water.  In addition, the Act
requires the development of a comprehensive water quality monitoring
program.  This announcement concerns the Research/Special Studies
Component of the WQPP that has been incorporated into the FKNMS Draft
Science Plan.

Since 1991, EPA and the State of Florida have worked with NOAA and other

federal, state, and local governmental agencies, university scientists,
environmental groups, and the public to develop a WQPP for the
Sanctuary.  The National Marine Sanctuaries Program Amendments Act of
1992 requires that EPA and the State implement the WQPP in cooperation
with NOAA.  A "Final Water Quality Protection Program Document" was
approved by the WQPP Steering Committee and contains the rationale and
strategies to achieve the goals of the WQPP.

The Draft FKNMS Science Plan identifies priority research areas that
include the four topic areas for this request for preproposals.  These
topic areas have been reviewed by the FKNMS Technical Advisory Committee

(TAC).   The Draft Science Plan includes short- and long-term data
collection, to understand causal linkages between pollution sources and
ecological problems.  This understanding will be used to develop
predictive models, evaluate management alternatives, devise corrective
actions, and improve the monitoring program.

The overall objective of the Special Studies Program is to identify and
understand cause and effect relationships among pollutants, transport
pathways, and the biological communities of the Sanctuary.  Specific
objectives are to: 1) identify and document cause and effect linkages
between specific pollutants, water quality problems, and ecological
impacts; 2) improve understanding of Sanctuary ecosystems, and develop
predictive capabilities based on that understanding; and, 3) develop
monitoring and research tools to detect pollutants, provide early
warning of widespread ecological problems, and identify cause and effect

relationships.

 PRIORITY TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDIES

Recruitment and Survival of Marine Species
Monitoring activities have documented the declines of corals and other
important marine species in the Florida Keys.  Research is needed to
assess the recruitment and survival of stony coral populations
(particularly reef-building species) throughout the Keys, the potential
effects of ecological parameters on the recovery of benthic communities,

and evaluation of factors responsible for the declines.  Two examples of

non-coral species are given below, but research proposals need not be
limited to these two example species.

The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) virtually disappeared
from waters surrounding the Florida Keys and much of the Caribbean basin

in 1983-84, and has only recently re-appeared in a few areas.  The cause

of the decline was never definitively established.  Research is needed
to assess natural recruitment rates and factors affecting survivorship.
The effectiveness of efforts (laboratory culturing and/or
transplantation/translocation experiments) to reintroduce urchins and
their subsequent effect on community structure need to be evaluated.

The queen conch has been protected from collection in waters of the
Florida Keys since 1986 because of severely diminished numbers.  Even
with protection, numbers of queen conch remain very low.  Recent
research suggests that some environmental factor(s) may prevent
successful gonad development in conchs found in nearshore waters while
those found offshore have mature gonads.  Research is needed to
determine factors controlling the population size of queen conch and
methods to maximize the successful re-establishment of this important
species.

Decline in Coral Abundance, Coverage, and Species Diversity
Monitoring at fixed stations throughout the Keys since 1996 has
documented a 37% decline in living coral coverage within spur and groove

habitats.     Multiple stressors have been proposed for the loss of
living coral, including nutrient addition to waters, coral diseases and
bleaching, global climate change, and other human impacts.  The
etiologies of coral diseases in general, and the newly discovered
diseases in particular, and the effects of disease on coral populations
in terms of prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates are largely
unknown.  Also, the role of environmental factors, such as degraded
water quality, in the onset and development of the diseases is not
understood.  Research is required to identify local, regional, and
global causative factors and processes that cause coral decline in the
Florida Keys.  Research is needed to understand the short and long-term
impacts of diseases, such as the impact of partial mortality on
reproduction and other functions.  Long-term studies of individual coral

colonies are needed to assess the effects of coral bleaching, disease,
mortality from various other sources, and potential for recovery.

Distribution and Abundance of Pathogenic Bacteria, Viruses, and other
Pathogens
Previous research in the Florida Keys identified pathogenic viruses in
69% of nearshore sampling stations.  Viruses were found to be infectious

at some stations during winter months.  Other research has documented
the concentration of human bacteria and viruses in coral mucus and the
identification of a potential coral disease organism as a widespread
bacterium that may be found in the human intestine and other
vertebrates.  Research is required to assess the distribution and
abundance of pathogens in waters of the Florida Keys, their sources and
impacts to human health, and their role in the continued survival of the

coral reef community.

Effects of Management Actions on Abundance and Distribution of Marine
Organisms
Preliminary research on the effects of established fully protected
(“no-take”) zones in the Florida Keys has demonstrated positive
increases in population size and average size of several commercially
and recreationally important fish species.  Also,  numbers and sizes of
spiny lobsters have increased in areas closed to fishing and other
extractive activities.  Research is required to understand and assess
the impacts of existing fully protected zones, including the recently
implemented Tortugas Ecological Reserve, on community interactions,
including commercially important fish and invertebrate species, as well
as non-commercially important organisms, such as algae, corals and
sponges.  Also, research is required to understand siting and sizing
requirements of protected areas to maximize their environmental
benefits.

 REQUEST FOR PREPROPOSALS

Investigators interested in submitting a preproposal in response to this

announcement should immediately fill out the Notice-of-Interest form
(Attachment A) attached to this announcement and send it to the address
or FAX number given on the form.

EPA has secured approximately $300,000 and Sanctuary Friends of the
Florida Keys has secured $100,000 to fund the special studies discussed
above.  In addition, it is anticipated that NURP/NCRCP will contribute
$150,000 in NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program funds, for total amount

of approximately $550,000 for this announcement.  Accepted proposals
will be eligible to receive funds via a grant, cooperative agreement, or

interagency agreement (federal agencies).  Proposals may be written for
one or two years.  Individual grants/cooperative agreements/interagency
agreements should not exceed a total of $100,000 per proposal.  A
minimum of 5% non-federal match is required for research projects funded

by EPA and Sanctuary Friends; a minimum of 50% non-federal match is
required for research projects funded by NURP/NCRCP.  Non-federal
matching funds may be comprised of a variety of public and private
sources and may include in-kind contributions and other non-cash
support.  For further guidance on the matching requirement, please refer

to Section 6403(b)(1) of the Coral Conservation Act of 2000.  Projects
with fieldwork in the upper Keys may be eligible to receive logistical
support through NURC/UNCW in Key Largo.

Eligibility criteria for the NURP/NCRCP funds:
Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education,
not-for-profit institutions, and state, local, and Indian tribal
governments.  Proposals may include federal researchers as collaborators

with a researcher who is affiliated with a U.S. academic institution,
non-federal agency, or any other non-profit organization.  Federal
organizations may not charge federal salary or overhead, but other
categories are appropriate.  Non-NOAA or EPA federal applicants must
demonstrate legal authority to receive funds from another federal agency

in excess of their appropriation.  Proposals selected for funding from
non-federal applicants will be funded through a cost-reimbursable or
cooperative agreement.  For proposals with a federal partner, the
federal partner will receive funds through an inter-agency transfer (or
intra-agency in the Case of a NOAA or EPA partner) from the national
NURP office.

Submission of a preproposal is required.  Five copies of a preproposal
must be submitted no later than February 3, 2003.  Preproposals should
consist of a Preproposal Title Page (Attachment B) and no greater than
three pages of text (12 point/10 pitch type).  Preproposals will be
evaluated and ranked by the Management Committee of the WQPP and
NURP/NCRCP staff.  Evaluation of preproposals will be based upon
conformance with this request and the goals and objectives of the FKNMS
Draft Science Plan.   A Draft Science Plan will be e-mailed upon
request.

Investigators will be notified by February 10, 2003 whether a full
proposal should be submitted for review.  At that time, detailed
instructions for the preparation and submission of the full proposal
will be sent to authors submitting successful preproposals.  The
deadline for receipt of a full proposal is March 10, 2003.  Full
proposals must be no greater than fifteen pages of text.

Full proposals will be peer reviewed by an external review panel and
ranked according to scientific merit and feasibility.  Highly ranked
proposals will be presented to the FKNMS TAC for review.  The TAC will
rank proposals with high scientific merit based upon relevance to the
goals and objectives of the Draft Science Plan.  The Management
Committee will give great weight to the recommendations of the TAC in
making their final selection of proposals for funding.  The Management
Committee will present their top candidates for funding to the Special
Studies Subcommittee of the Steering Committee for final approval.
Grants will be awarded no later than September 30, 2003.

If you have any questions concerning the Water Quality Protection
Program or this request for preproposals, please call Bill Kruczynski at

850-934-9298 or e-mail “kruczynski.bill at epa.gov”.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES
 ATTACHMENT A
 NOTICE OF INTEREST

 U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PROGRAM
 FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON’S
 NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH CENTER

 SANCTUARY FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

Investigators interested in submitting a preproposal for special studies

in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary should complete this form
and send it by mail or FAX to:
Dr. Bill Kruczynski, Program Scientist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Gulf Ecology Laboratory
1 Sabine Island
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
FAX 850 934-9201
E-mail:  kruczynski.bill at epa.gov

Please Note:  Preproposals (5 copies) must be received no later than
February 3, 2003.

Name:______________________________________
Title:____________________________

Affiliation:___________________________________________________________________

Department:__________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address:_____________________________
City:____________________________

State:_______________________________________
Zip:_____________________________

Telephone Number:___________________________
FAX:____________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________________________

Your topic(s) of interest:
Recruitment and Survival               Coral Decline
Pathogens                 Management Effects
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES

ATTACHMENT B
PREPROPOSAL TITLE PAGE

TO BE SUBMITTED WITH FIVE COPIES OF THREE PAGE MAXIMUM PREPROPOSAL NO
LATER THAN FEBRUARY 3, 2003

PROJECT

TITLE______________________________________________________________________--

____________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT LEADER   OTHER INVESTIGATORS

_______________________________   _____________________________
Name

_______________________________   _____________________________
Affiliation

_______________________________   _____________________________
Address
_______________________________   _____________________________

_______________________________   _____________________________

_______________________________   _____________________________
Telephone

_______________________________   _____________________________
E-mail

Co-Funding from an agency other than EPA is_____ is not_____ required to

support the proposed special study.  If co-funding is available, please
indicate the amount of the expected non-federal match and percentage of
match in relation to expected total request:__________.

SUBMITTED BY__________________________  DATE_______________________

Signature_________________________________

--
Brian D. Keller
Science Coordinator
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
P.O. Box 500368
Marathon, FL 33050

305-743-2437 x25 fax 2357
brian.keller at noaa.gov
http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/

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