Sec. 103. Northwest California Public Lands Remediation Partnership
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/bill/116/hr/2250/ih/section-103A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section: The term remediation means to facilitate the recovery of lands and waters that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed by illegal marijuana cultivation or another illegal activity. Remediation includes but is not limited to removal of trash, debris, and other material, and establishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological processes necessary to facilitate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem sustainability, resilience, and health under current and future conditions.
The term partnership means the Northwest California Public Lands Remediation Partnership, established by subsection (b). The term priority lands means Federal land within the Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, Six Rivers, and Mendocino National Forests, and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management within the Redding, Arcata, and Ukiah field offices. There is hereby established a Northwest California Public Lands Remediation Partnership. The purposes of the partnership are to— coordinate the activities of Federal, State, Tribal, and local authorities, and the private sector, in the remediation of priority lands in the State affected by illegal marijuana cultivation or other illegal activities; and use the resources and expertise of each agency, authority, or entity in implementing remediation activities on priority lands in the State.
The members of the partnership shall include the following: The Secretary of Agriculture, or a designee of the Secretary of Agriculture to represent the Forest Service. The Secretary of the Interior, or a designee of the Secretary of the Interior, to represent the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or a designee of the Director. The Secretary of the State Natural Resources Agency, or a designee of the Secretary, to represent the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A designee of the California State Water Resources Control Board. A designee of the California State Sheriffs’ Association. One member to represent federally recognized Indian Tribes, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. One member to represent nongovernmental organizations with an interest in Federal land remediation, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. One member to represent local governmental interests, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
A law enforcement official from each of the following: The Department of the Interior. The Department of Agriculture. A scientist to provide expertise and advise on methods needed for remediation efforts, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. A designee of the National Guard Counter Drug Program. To further the purposes of this section, the partnership shall— identify priorities for remediation on priority lands in the State; secure resources from Federal and non-Federal sources to apply to remediation of priority lands in the State; carry out remediation on priority lands in the State; support efforts by Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in carrying out remediation of priority lands in the State; support research and education on the impacts of, and solutions to, illegal marijuana cultivation and other illegal activities on priority lands in the State; involve other Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public in remediation efforts, to the extent practicable; and take any other actions necessary to address remediation of priority lands in the State.
To implement this section, the partnership may, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of Agriculture— make grants to the State, political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons; enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide grants or technical assistance to, the State, political subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested parties; hire and compensate staff; obtain funds or services from any source, including Federal and non-Federal funds, and funds and services provided under any other Federal law or program; contract for goods or services; and support activities of partners and any other activities that further the purposes of this section.
The partnership shall establish such rules and procedures as it deems necessary or desirable. The partnership shall, to the maximum extent practicable and in accordance with existing law, give preference to local entities and persons when carrying out this section. Members of the partnership shall serve without pay. The Secretary of Agriculture shall convene the partnership on a regular basis to carry out this section. The Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, as determined by the appropriate Secretary, to the partnership or any members of the partnership to carry out this Act.
The Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with the partnership, any members of the partnership, or other public or private entities to provide technical, financial, or other assistance to carry out this Act.