[Coral-List] NOAA CRCP and TNC Partnership: Setting the Record Straight

[Kacky.Andrews]

I feel the need to respond to Gene Shinn's posting about the partnership 
between NOAA and TNC on issues concerning coral reef conservation. The 
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program has a multi-year cooperative 
agreement with TNC to provide technical assistance, training and 
capacity building to managers in the states and territories. This 
cooperative agreement was awarded through a competitive process via a 
published notice in the Federal Register. TNC provides a 50% match for 
NOAA funding under this agreement. A cooperative agreement is different 
than a grant because it requires "substantial federal involvement." 
Working together toward common goals with each party contributing equal 
amounts--this meets my definition of partnership. This partnership 
between CRCP and TNC does not include any work associated with any 
changes in law, creating or amending any regulations or any work on the 
petition to list 82 species. Linking the job posting to any of these is 
factually incorrect and misleading.