PUBLIC LAW 108–108—NOV. 10, 2003
117 STAT. 1319
(b) The purpose of this title is to accomplish in a collaborative environment, the planning and rehabilitation of the Robert Fire and Wedge Fire and to ensure timely implementation of recovery and rehabilitation projects on the Kootenai National Forest. SEC. 403. REHABILITATION PROJECTS. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture (in this title referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) may conduct projects that the Secretary determines are necessary to rehabilitate and restore, and may conduct salvage harvests on, National Forest System lands in the North Fork drainage on the Flathead National Forest, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘‘North Fork Drainage’’ which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of Chief, Forest Service, Washington, D.C. (b) PROCEDURE.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided by this title, the Secretary shall conduct projects under this title in accordance with— (A) the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (B) other applicable laws. (2) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OR IMPACT STATEMENT.— If an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement (pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)) is required for a project under this title, the Secretary shall not be required to study, develop, or describe any alternative to the proposed agency action in the environmental assessment or the environmental impact statement. (3) PUBLIC COLLABORATION.—To encourage meaningful participation during preparation of a project under this title, the Secretary shall facilitate collaboration among the State of Montana, local governments, and Indian tribes, and participation of interested persons, during the preparation of each project in a manner consistent with the Implementation Plan for the 10-year Comprehensive Strategy of a Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment, dated May 2002, which was developed pursuant to the conference report for the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (House Report 106–646). (4) COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN WATER ACT.—Consistent with the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and Montana Code 75–5–703(10)(b), the Secretary is not prohibited from implementing projects under this title due to the lack of a Total Maximum Daily Load as provided for under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d)), except that the Secretary shall comply with any best management practices required by the State of Montana. (5) ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT CONSULTATION.—If a consultation is required under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) for a project under this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall expedite and give precedence to such consultation over any similar requests for consultation by the Secretary. (6) ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS.—Section 322 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102–381; 16 U.S.C. 1612 note) and section
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