Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 5.djvu/787

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PUBLIC LAW 106-562—DEC. 23, 2000 114 STAT. 2801 strategy, consistent with the purposes of this title. The Administrator shall periodically review and revise the strategy as necessary. In developing this national strategy, the Secretary may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force established under Executive Order 13089 (June 11, 1998). (b) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. —The action strategy shall include a statement of goals and objectives as well as an implementation plan, including a description of the funds obligated each fiscal year to advance coral reef conservation. The action strategy and implementation plan shall include discussion of— (1) coastal uses and management; (2) water and air quality; (3) mapping and information management; (4) research, monitoring, and assessment; (5) international and regional issues; - (6) outreach and education; (7) local strategies developed by the States or Federal agenj cies, including regional fishery management councils; and (8) conservation, including how the use of marine protected areas to serve as replenishment zones will be developed consistent with local practices and traditions. SEC. 204. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM. 16 USC 6403. (a) GRANTS. — The Secretary, through the Administrator and subject to the availability of funds, shall provide grants of financial assistance for projects for the conservation of coral reefs (hereafter in this title referred to as "coral conservation projects"), for proposals approved by the Administrator in accordance with this section. (b) MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.— (1) FIFTY PERCENT. — Except as provided in paragraph (2), Federal funds for any coral conservation project under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such project. For purposes of this paragraph, the non-Federal share of project costs may be provided by in-kind contributions and other noncash support. (2) WAIVER. —The Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement under paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines that no reasonable means are available through which applicants can meet the matching requirement and the probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. (c) ELIGIBILITY.— Any natural resource management authority of a State or other government authority with jurisdiction over coral reefs or whose activities directly or indirectly affect coral reefs, or coral reef ecosystems, or educational or nongovernmental institutions with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of coral reefs, may submit to the Administrator a coral conservation proposal under subsection (e). (d) GEOGRAPHIC AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.— The Administrator shall ensure that funding for grants awarded under subsection (b) during a fiscal year are distributed in the following manner: (1) No less than 40 percent of funds available shall be awarded for coral conservation projects in the Pacific Ocean within the maritime areas and zones subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States.