View all text of Chapter 15 B [§ 941 - § 941h]
§ 941c. Identification, review, and implementation of proposals and regional projects
(a) In generalSubject to subsection (b)(2), the Director—
(1) shall encourage the development and, subject to the availability of appropriations, the implementation of fish and wildlife restoration proposals and regional projects based on the results of the Report; and
(2) in cooperation with the State Directors and Indian Tribes, shall identify, develop, and, subject to the availability of appropriations, implement regional projects in the Great Lakes Basin to be administered by Director in accordance with this section.
(b) Identification of proposals and regional projects
(1) Request by the Director
(2) Requirements for proposals and regional projectsA proposal or regional project under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A) submitted in the manner and form prescribed by the Director; and
(B) consistent with—
(i) the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, as amended;
(ii) the 1954 Great Lakes Fisheries Convention;
(iii) the 1980 Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, as revised in 1997, and Fish Community Objectives for each Great Lake and connecting water as established under the Joint Strategic Plan;
(iv) the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.);
(v) the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and joint ventures established under the plan;
(vi) the strategies outlined through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration authorized under Executive Order 13340 (69 Fed. Reg. 29043; relating to the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force);
(vii) the strategic action plan of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; and
(viii) each applicable State wildlife action plan.
(3) Sea lamprey authority
(c) Review of proposals
(1) Establishment of Committee
(2) Membership and appointment
(A) In generalThe Committee shall consist of 2 representatives of each of the State Directors and Indian Tribes, of whom—
(i) 1 representative shall be the individual appointed by the State Director or Indian Tribe to the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission; and
(ii) 1 representative shall have expertise in wildlife management.
(B) Appointments
(C) Observer
(D) Recusal
(3) FunctionsThe Committee shall—
(A) meet at least annually;
(B) review proposals and regional projects developed in accordance with subsection (b) to assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposals and regional projects in fulfilling the purposes of this chapter; and
(C) recommend to the Director any of those proposals and regional projects that should be funded and implemented under this section.
(d) Implementation of proposals and regional projects
(1) In generalAfter considering recommendations of the Committee and the goals specified in section 941d of this title, the Director shall—
(A) select proposals and regional projects to be implemented; and
(B) subject to the availability of appropriations and subsection (e), fund implementation of the proposals and regional projects.
(2) Selection criteria
(e) Cost sharing
(1) In general
(A) Non-Federal share
(B) Time period for providing match
(2) Authorized sources of non-Federal share
(A) In generalThe Director may determine the non-Federal share under paragraph (1) by taking into account—
(i) the appraised value of land or a conservation easement as described in subparagraph (B); or
(ii) as described in subparagraph (C), the costs associated with—(I) securing a conservation easement; and(II) restoration or enhancement of the conservation easement.
(B) Appraisal of conservation easement
(i) In generalThe value of a conservation easement may be used to satisfy the non-Federal share of the cost of implementing a proposal or regional project required under paragraph (1)(A) if the Director determines that the conservation easement—(I) meets the requirements of subsection (b)(2);(II) is acquired before the end of the grant period of the proposal or regional project;(III) is held in perpetuity for the conservation purposes of the programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service related to the Great Lakes Basin, as described in section 941d of this title, by an accredited land trust or conservancy or a Federal, State, or tribal agency;(IV) is connected either physically or through a conservation planning process to the proposal or regional project; and(V) is appraised in accordance with clause (ii).
(ii) AppraisalWith respect to the appraisal of a conservation easement described in clause (i)—(I) the appraisal valuation date shall be not later than 1 year after the price of the conservation easement was set under a contract; and(II) the appraisal shall—(aa) conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); and(bb) be completed by a Federal- or State-certified appraiser.
(C) Costs of securing conservation easements
(i) In general
(ii) Inclusion
(iii) Exclusion
(3) Regional projects
(4) Exclusion of Federal funds from non-Federal share
(5) Effect on certain Indian tribes
(Pub. L. 101–537, title I, § 1005, Nov. 8, 1990, 104 Stat. 2372; Pub. L. 101–646, title II, § 2005, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4775; Pub. L. 104–332, § 2(h)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4091; Pub. L. 105–265, §§ 3(b), 6, Oct. 19, 1998, 112 Stat. 2358, 2359; Pub. L. 109–326, § 4, Oct. 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 1762; Pub. L. 114–322, title III, § 3901(c), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1848.)