Sec. 3503. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT

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## SEC. 3503 PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT ###

(a)Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a nonregulatory program to be known as the “Delaware River Basin restoration program”. ###

(b)Duties In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall— ####

(1)draw on existing plans for the Basin, or portions of the Basin, and work in consultation with applicable management entities, including representatives of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the Delaware River Basin Commission, the Federal Government, and other State and local governments, and regional organizations, as appropriate, to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities within the Basin; ####

(2)adopt a Basinwide strategy that— #####

(A)supports the implementation of a shared set of science-based restoration and protection activities developed in accordance with paragraph (1); #####

(B)targets cost-effective projects with measurable results; and #####

(C)maximizes conservation outcomes with no net gain of Federal full-time equivalent employees; and ####

(3)establish the voluntary grant and technical assistance programs in accordance with section 3504. ###

(c)Coordination In establishing the program, the Secretary shall consult, as appropriate, with— ####

(1)the heads of Federal agencies, including— #####

(A)the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; #####

(B)the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; #####

(C)the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service; #####

(D)the Chief of Engineers; and #####

(E)the head of any other applicable agency; ####

(2)the Governors of the Basin States; ####

(3)the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary; ####

(4)the Delaware River Basin Commission; ####

(5)fish and wildlife joint venture partnerships; and ####

(6)other public agencies and organizations with authority for the planning and implementation of conservation strategies in the Basin. ###

(d)Purposes The purposes of the program include— ####

(1)coordinating restoration and protection activities among Federal, State, local, and regional entities and conservation partners throughout the Basin; and ####

(2)carrying out coordinated restoration and protection activities, and providing for technical assistance throughout the Basin and Basin States— #####

(A)to sustain and enhance fish and wildlife habitat restoration and protection activities; #####

(B)to improve and maintain water quality to support fish and wildlife, as well as the habitats of fish and wildlife, and drinking water for people; #####

(C)to sustain and enhance water management for volume and flood damage mitigation improvements to benefit fish and wildlife habitat; #####

(D)to improve opportunities for public access and recreation in the Basin consistent with the ecological needs of fish and wildlife habitat; #####

(E)to facilitate strategic planning to maximize the resilience of natural systems and habitats under changing watershed conditions; #####

(F)to engage the public through outreach, education, and citizen involvement, to increase capacity and support for coordinated restoration and protection activities in the Basin; #####

(G)to increase scientific capacity to support the planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary to carry out coordinated restoration and protection activities; and #####

(H)to provide technical assistance to carry out restoration and protection activities in the Basin.