Sec. 5002. Northeast Coastal Region ecosystem restoration
332 words·~2 min read·
/bill/113/s/601/is/section-5002·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall plan, design, and construct projects for aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters of the Northeastern United States from the State of Virginia to the State of Maine, including associated bays, estuaries, and critical riverine areas. The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, the Governors of the coastal States from Virginia to Maine, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties, shall assess the needs regarding, and opportunities for, aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters of the Northeastern United States.
The Secretary shall develop a general coastal management plan based on the assessment carried out under paragraph (1), maximizing the use of existing plans and investigation, which plan shall include— an inventory and evaluation of coastal habitats; identification of aquatic resources in need of improvement; identification and prioritization of potential aquatic habitat restoration projects; and identification of geographical and ecological areas of concern, including— finfish habitats; diadromous fisheries migratory corridors; shellfish habitats; submerged aquatic vegetation; wetland; and beach dune complexes and other similar habitats.
The Secretary may carry out an aquatic ecosystem restoration project under this section if the project— is consistent with the management plan developed under subsection (b); and provides for— the restoration of degraded aquatic habitat (including coastal, saltmarsh, benthic, and riverine habitat); the restoration of geographical or ecological areas of concern, including the restoration of natural river and stream characteristics; the improvement of water quality; or other projects or activities determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
The management plan developed under subsection
(b)shall be completed at Federal expense. The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this section shall be 35 percent. Not more than $10,000,000 in Federal funds may be allocated under this section for an eligible project. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section (including funds for the completion of the management plan) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.