114 STAT. 2674
PUBLIC LAW 106-541—DEC. 11, 2000
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. —^ There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000.
SEC. 544. PUGET SOUND AND ADJACENT WATERS RESTORATION,
WASHINGTON.
(a) DEFINITION OF CRITICAL RESTORATION PROJECT. — In this
section, the term "critical restoration project" means a project that
will produce, consistent with Federal programs, projects, and activities, immediate and substantial ecosystem restoration, preservation,
and protection benefits.
(b) CRITICAL RESTORATION PROJECTS.— The Secretary may
participate in critical restoration projects in the area of Puget
Sound, Washington, and adjacent waters, including—
(1) the watersheds that drain directly into Puget Sound;
(2) Admiralty Inlet;
(3) Hood Canal;
(4) Rosario Strait; and
(5) the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Cape Flattery.
(c) PROJECT SELECTION. —
(1) IN GENERAL. — The Secretary may identify critical restoration projects in the area described in subsection (b) based
on—
(A) studies to determine the feasibility of carrying out
the critical restoration projects; and
(B) analyses conducted before the date of enactment
of this Act by non-Federal interests.
(2) CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW AND
APPROVAL. —
(A) IN GENERAL. —In consultation with the Secretary
of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, the Governor
of the State of Washington, tribal governments, and the
heads of other appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, the Secretary may develop criteria and procedures
for prioritizing projects identified under paragraph (1).
(B) CONSISTENCY WITH FISH RESTORATION GOALS.— The
criteria and procedures developed under subparagraph (A)
shall be consistent with fish restoration goals of the
National Marine Fisheries Service and the State of Washington.
(C) USE OF EXISTING STUDIES AND PLANS. —In carrying
out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, studies and plans in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act to identify project
needs and priorities.
(3) LOCAL PARTICIPATION.— In prioritizing projects for
implementation under this section, the Secretary shall consult
with, and consider the priorities of, public and private entities
that are active in watershed planning and ecosystem restoration
in Puget Sound watersheds, including—
(A) the Salmon Recovery Funding Board;
(B) the Northwest Straits Commission;
(C) the Hood Canal Coordinating Council;
(D) county watershed planning councils; and
(E) salmon enhancement groups.
Contracts.
(d) IMPLEMENTATION. —The Secretary may carry out projects
identified under subsection (c) after entering into an agreement
with an appropriate non-Federal interest in accordance with section
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