Sec. 1310. Wildlife crossings program
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/bill/117/hr/3684/eh/section-1310A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall establish a competitive wildlife crossings grant program (referred to in this section as the program ) to provide grants for projects that seek to achieve— a reduction in the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions; and improved habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. The Secretary may make grants under the program to the following entities: A State. An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization. A territory. A Federal land management agency described in section 203(b) of title 23, United States Code. A group of entities described in paragraphs
(1)through (4). To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. In selecting grant recipients under the program, the Secretary shall consider the following: The extent to which the proposed project is likely to protect motorists and wildlife by reducing the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. The resilience benefits of the project. The extent to which the project incorporates climate science, including expected changes in migration patterns. The extent to which the project sponsor has coordinated with the relevant State agency with jurisdiction over fish and wildlife, if appropriate. In the case of a project involving species listed as threatened species or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), whether the project sponsor has coordinated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Other ecological benefits of the project, including— reductions in stormwater runoff and other water pollution; and the benefits of improved habitat connectivity for pollinators and the use of natively appropriate grasses. Whether the project supports local economic development and improvement of visitation opportunities. The extent to which the project incorporates innovative technologies, including advanced design techniques and other strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. The extent to which the project provides educational and outreach opportunities. Whether the project will further research to evaluate, compare effectiveness of, and identify best practices in selected projects. How the benefits compare to the costs of the project. Any other criteria relevant to reducing the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Grant amounts for a project under this section may be used for— development phase activities, including planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, preliminary engineering and design work, and other preconstruction activities; construction (including construction of protective features), reconstruction, rehabilitation, acquisition of real property (including land related to the project and improvements to the land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, acquisition of equipment, and operational improvements; and planning and technical assistance activities consistent with section 5107 of title 49, United States Code, including— data collection on wildlife-vehicle collisions; integration of State, Tribal, territorial, regional, or Federal wildlife conservation plans and data collection with transportation planning and project selection; technical assistance, including workforce development training, on reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species; and education and public outreach to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. A grant received under the program may be used to provide funds to an eligible partner as a subrecipient, in accordance with the terms of the project agreement and subject to the requirements of this section. In this section, the term eligible partner means— an eligible entity described in subsection (b); a metropolitan planning organization; a unit of local government; a regional transportation authority; a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority; a non-profit entity or institution of higher education; or a Federal, Tribal, regional, State, or local governmental entity not described in subsection (b). The Secretary shall reserve not less than 50 percent of the amounts made available under this section for projects located in a rural community. A project under this section shall be designed to ensure resilience over the anticipated service life of the asset. The Secretary may not award more than 10 percent of the amounts made available under this section for grants that propose only activities described in subsection (e)(3). Not later than 3 business days before awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate of the intention to award such a grant. Not later than December 31 of each calendar year, the Secretary shall publish, on the website of the Department of Transportation, a report describing the activities under the program for the fiscal year that ends during that calendar year. The report under paragraph
(1)shall include— a detailed description of the activities carried out under the program; an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program in meeting the purposes described in subsection (b); and policy recommendations, if any, to improve the effectiveness of the program. In this section: The term protective features has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 23, United States Code. The term resilience has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 23, United States Code. The term rural community means any area of a State or territory that is not an urbanized area, as such term is defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code. The term Secretary has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 23, United States Code. The term State has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 23, United States Code.
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Sec. 1310
Wildlife crossings program
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