16 USC 3954 - National coastal wetlands conservation grants

Collapse to view only § 3954. National coastal wetlands conservation grants

§ 3951. Definitions
§ 3952. Priority Louisiana coastal wetlands restoration projects
§ 3953. Louisiana coastal wetlands conservation planning
§ 3954. National coastal wetlands conservation grants
§ 3955. Distribution of appropriations
§ 3956. General provisions
§ 3957. Environmental banks

§ 3951. DefinitionsAs used in this chapter, the term—

(1) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Army;

(2) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(3) “development activities” means any activity, including the discharge of dredged or fill material, which results directly in a more than de minimus 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “de minimis”.

change in the hydrologic regime, bottom contour, or the type, distribution or diversity of hydrophytic vegetation, or which impairs the flow, reach, or circulation of surface water within wetlands or other waters;

(4) “State” means the State of Louisiana;

(5) “coastal State” means a State of the United States in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or one or more of the Great Lakes; for the purposes of this chapter, the term also includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa;

(6) “coastal wetlands restoration project” means any technically feasible activity to create, restore, protect, or enhance coastal wetlands through sediment and freshwater diversion, water management, or other measures that the Task Force finds will significantly contribute to the long-term restoration or protection of the physical, chemical and biological integrity of coastal wetlands in the State of Louisiana, and includes any such activity authorized under this chapter or under any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, new projects, completion or expansion of existing or on-going projects, individual phases, portions, or components of projects and operation, maintanence 2

2 So in original. Probably should be “maintenance”.

and rehabilitation of completed projects; the primary purpose of a “coastal wetlands restoration project” shall not be to provide navigation, irrigation or flood control benefits;

(7) “coastal wetlands conservation project” means—

(A) the obtaining of a real property interest in coastal lands or waters, if the obtaining of such interest is subject to terms and conditions that will ensure that the real property will be administered for the long-term conservation of such lands and waters and the hydrology, water quality and fish and wildlife dependent thereon; and

(B) the restoration, management, or enhancement of coastal wetlands ecosystems if such restoration, management, or enhancement is conducted on coastal lands and waters that are administered for the long-term conservation of such lands and waters and the hydrology, water quality and fish and wildlife dependent thereon;

(8) “Governor” means the Governor of Louisiana;

(9) “Task Force” means the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force which shall consist of the Secretary, who shall serve as chairman, the Administrator, the Governor, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Commerce; and

(10) “Director” means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 302, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4778.)

§ 3952. Priority Louisiana coastal wetlands restoration projects

(a) Priority project list

(1) Preparation of list

(2) Task Force procedures

(3) Transmittal of list

(4) List of contents

(A)Area identification; project description.—The list of priority coastal wetlands restoration projects shall include, but not be limited to—

(i) identification, by map or other means, of the coastal area to be covered by the coastal wetlands restoration project; and

(ii) a detailed description of each proposed coastal wetlands restoration project including a justification for including such project on the list, the proposed activities to be carried out pursuant to each coastal wetlands restoration project, the benefits to be realized by such project, the identification of the lead Task Force member to undertake each proposed coastal wetlands restoration project and the responsibilities of each other participating Task Force member, an estimated timetable for the completion of each coastal wetlands restoration project, and the estimated cost of each project.

(B)Pre-plan.—Prior to the date on which the plan required by subsection (b) of this section becomes effective, such list shall include only those coastal wetlands restoration projects that can be substantially completed during a five-year period commencing on the date the project is placed on the list.

(C) Subsequent to the date on which the plan required by subsection (b) of this section becomes effective, such list shall include only those coastal wetlands restoration projects that have been identified in such plan.

(5) Funding

(b) Federal and State project planning

(1) Plan preparation

(2) Purpose of the plan

(3) Integration of existing plans

(4) Elements of the planThe restoration plan developed pursuant to this subsection shall include—

(A) identification of the entire area in the State that contains coastal wetlands;

(B) identification, by map or other means, of coastal areas in Louisiana in need of coastal wetlands restoration projects;

(C) identification of high priority coastal wetlands restoration projects in Louisiana needed to address the areas identified in subparagraph (B) and that would provide for the long-term conservation of restored wetlands and dependent fish and wildlife populations;

(D) a listing of such coastal wetlands restoration projects, in order of priority, to be submitted annually, incorporating any project identified previously in lists produced and submitted under subsection (a) of this section;

(E) a detailed description of each proposed coastal wetlands restoration project, including a justification for including such project on the list;

(F) the proposed activities to be carried out pursuant to each coastal wetlands restoration project;

(G) the benefits to be realized by each such project;

(H) an estimated timetable for completion of each coastal wetlands restoration project;

(I) an estimate of the cost of each coastal wetlands restoration project;

(J) identification of a lead Task Force member to undertake each proposed coastal wetlands restoration project listed in the plan;

(K) consultation with the public and provision for public review during development of the plan; and

(L) evaluation of the effectiveness of each coastal wetlands restoration project in achieving long-term solutions to arresting coastal wetlands loss in Louisiana.

(5) Plan modification

(6) Plan submission

(7) Plan evaluation

(d) Consistency

(1) In implementing, maintaining, modifying, or rehabilitating navigation, flood control or irrigation projects, other than emergency actions, under other authorities, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director and the Administrator, shall ensure that such actions are consistent with the purposes of the restoration plan submitted pursuant to this section.

(2) At the request of the Governor of the State of Louisiana, the Secretary of Commerce shall approve the plan as an amendment to the State’s coastal zone management program approved under section 1455 of this title.

(e) Funding of wetlands restoration projects

(f) Cost-sharing

(1) Federal share

(2) Federal share upon conservation plan approval

(3) Form of State share

(4) Existing cost-sharing agreements

(5) Federal share in calendar years 1996 and 1997

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 303, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4779; Pub. L. 104–303, title V, § 532, Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3774.)

§ 3953. Louisiana coastal wetlands conservation planning

(a) Development of conservation plan

(1) Agreement

(2) Terms of agreement

(A) Upon receiving notification pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Secretary, the Director, and the Administrator shall promptly enter into an agreement (hereafter in this section referred to as the “agreement”) with the State under the terms set forth in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.

(B) The agreement shall—

(i) set forth a process by which the State agrees to develop, in accordance with this section, a coastal wetlands conservation plan (hereafter in this section referred to as the “conservation plan”);

(ii) designate a single agency of the State to develop the conservation plan;

(iii) assure an opportunity for participation in the development of the conservation plan, during the planning period, by the public and by Federal and State agencies;

(iv) obligate the State, not later than three years after the date of signing the agreement, unless extended by the parties thereto, to submit the conservation plan to the Secretary, the Director, and the Administrator for their approval; and

(v) upon approval of the conservation plan, obligate the State to implement the conservation plan.

(3) Grants and assistanceUpon the date of signing the agreement—

(A) the Administrator shall, in consultation with the Director, with the funds made available in accordance with section 3955 of this title, make grants during the development of the conservation plan to assist the designated State agency in developing such plan. Such grants shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of developing the plan; and

(B) the Secretary, the Director, and the Administrator shall provide technical assistance to the State to assist it in the development of the plan.

(b) Conservation plan goal

(1) identification of the entire coastal area in the State that contains coastal wetlands;

(2) designation of a single State agency with the responsibility for implementing and enforcing the plan;

(3) identification of measures that the State shall take in addition to existing Federal authority to achieve a goal of no net loss of wetlands as a result of development activities, exclusive of any wetlands gains achieved through implementation of section 3952 of this title;

(4) a system that the State shall implement to account for gains and losses of coastal wetlands within coastal areas for purposes of evaluating the degree to which the goal of no net loss of wetlands as a result of development activities in such wetlands or other waters has been attained;

(5) satisfactory assurances that the State will have adequate personnel, funding, and authority to implement the plan;

(6) a program to be carried out by the State for the purpose of educating the public concerning the necessity to conserve wetlands;

(7) a program to encourage the use of technology by persons engaged in development activities that will result in negligible impact on wetlands; and

(8) a program for the review, evaluation, and identification of regulatory and nonregulatory options that will be adopted by the State to encourage and assist private owners of wetlands to continue to maintain those lands as wetlands.

(d) Approval of conservation plan

(1) In general

(2) Approval criteriaThe Secretary, the Director, and the Administrator shall approve a conservation plan submitted by the Governor, if they determine that—

(A) the State has adequate authority to fully implement all provisions of such a plan;

(B) such a plan is adequate to attain the goal of no net loss of coastal wetlands as a result of development activities and complies with the other requirements of this section; and

(e) Modification of conservation plan

(1) Noncompliance

(2) Reconsideration

(3) Approval of modified plan

(f) Amendments to conservation plan

(g) Implementation of conservation plan

(h) Federal oversight

(1) Initial report to Congress

(2) Report to Congress

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 304, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4783.)

§ 3954. National coastal wetlands conservation grants

(a) Matching grants

(b) Priority

Subject to the cost-sharing requirements of this section, the Director may grant or otherwise provide any matching moneys to any coastal State which submits a proposal substantial in character and design to carry out a coastal wetlands conservation project. In awarding such matching grants, the Director shall give priority to coastal wetlands conservation projects that are—

(1) consistent with the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan developed under section 3921 of this title; and

(2) in coastal States that have established dedicated funding for programs to acquire coastal wetlands, natural areas and open spaces. In addition, priority consideration shall be given to coastal wetlands conservation projects in maritime forests on coastal barrier islands.

(d) Cost-sharing

(1) Federal share

Grants to coastal States of matching moneys by the Director for any fiscal year to carry out coastal wetlands conservation projects shall be used for the payment of not to exceed 50 percent of the total costs of such projects: except that such matching moneys may be used for payment of not to exceed 75 percent of the costs of such projects if a coastal State has established and is using one of the following for the purpose of acquiring coastal wetlands, other natural areas or open spaces:

(A) a trust fund from which the principal is not spent; or

(B) a fund derived from a dedicated recurring source of monies including, but not limited to, real estate transfer fees or taxes, cigarette taxes, tax check-offs, or motor vehicle license plate fees.

(2) Form of State share

(3) In-kind contributions

(e) Partial payments

(1) The Director may from time to time make matching payments to carry out coastal wetlands conservation projects as such projects progress, but such payments, including previous payments, if any, shall not be more than the Federal pro rata share of any such project in conformity with subsection (d) of this section.

(2) The Director may enter into agreements to make matching payments on an initial portion of a coastal wetlands conservation project and to agree to make payments on the remaining Federal share of the costs of such project from subsequent moneys if and when they become available. The liability of the United States under such an agreement is contingent upon the continued availability of funds for the purpose of this section.

(f) Wetlands assessment

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 305, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4785; Pub. L. 102–212, title III, § 302(a), Dec. 11, 1991, 105 Stat. 1660.)

§ 3955. Distribution of appropriations

(a) Priority project and conservation planning expendituresOf the total amount appropriated during a given fiscal year to carry out this chapter, 70 percent shall be available, and shall remain available until expended, for the purposes of making expenditures—

(1) not to exceed the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 annually to assist the Task Force in the preparation of the list required under this chapter and the plan required under this chapter, including preparation of—

(A) preliminary assessments;

(B) general or site-specific inventories;

(D) preliminary design work; and

(E) such other studies as may be necessary to identify and evaluate the feasibility of coastal wetland restoration projects;

(2) to carry out coastal wetlands restoration projects in accordance with the priorities set forth on the list prepared under this chapter;

(3) to carry out wetlands restoration projects in accordance with the priorities set forth in the restoration plan prepared under this chapter;

(4) to make grants not to exceed $2,500,000 annually or $10,000,000 in total, to assist the agency designated by the State in development of the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan pursuant to this chapter.

(b) Coastal wetlands conservation grantsOf the total amount appropriated during a given fiscal year to carry out this chapter, 15 percent shall be available, and shall remain available to the Director, for purposes of making grants—

(1) to any coastal State, except States eligible to receive funding under subsection (a), to carry out coastal wetlands conservation projects in accordance with section 3954 of this title; and

(2) in the amount of $2,500,000 in total for an assessment of the status, condition, and trends of wetlands in the State of Texas.

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 306, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4786; Pub. L. 103–375, § 5, Oct. 19, 1994, 108 Stat. 3495; Pub. L. 108–447, div. C, title I, § 114(a), Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2944.)

§ 3956. General provisions

(a) Additional authority for Corps of Engineers

(b) Study

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 307, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4787.)

§ 3957. Environmental banks

(a) Guidelines

(b) Requirements

The guidelines issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall—

(1) set forth procedures for establishment and approval of environmental banks subject to the approval of the heads of the appropriate Federal agencies responsible for implementation of Federal environmental laws for which mitigation credits may be used;

(2) establish criteria for siting of environmental banks that enhance the resilience of coastal resources to inundation and coastal erosion in high priority areas, as identified within Federal or State restoration plans, including the restoration of resources within the scope of a project authorized for construction;

(3) establish criteria that ensure environmental banks secure adequate financial assurances and legally enforceable protection for the land or resources that generate the credits from environmental banks;

(4) stipulate that credits from environmental banks may not be used for mitigation of impacts required under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

or the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) in an area where an existing mitigation bank approved pursuant to such laws within 5 years of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 has credits available;

(5) establish performance criteria for environmental banks; and

(6) establish criteria and financial assurance for the operation and monitoring of environmental banks.

(1) Definition of environmental bank

(2) Credits

(d) Savings clause

(1) Application of Federal law

Guidelines developed under this section and mitigation carried out through an environmental bank established pursuant to such guidelines shall comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law (including regulations), including—

(A) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(B) the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);

(D) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and

(E)section 2283 of title 33.

(2) Statutory construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to affect—

(A) any authority, regulatory determination, or legal obligation in effect the day before December 16, 2016; or

(B) the obligations or requirements of any Federal environmental law.

(e) Sunset

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 309, as added Pub. L. 114–322, title IV, § 5014, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1903; amended Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, § 8382(c), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3828.)