§ 6403. Coral reef conservation program
(a)
Grants
The Secretary, through the Administrator and subject to the availability of funds, shall provide grants of financial assistance for projects for the conservation of coral reefs (hereafter in this chapter referred to as “coral conservation projects”), for proposals approved by the Administrator in accordance with this section.
(b)
Matching requirements
(1)
Fifty percent
Except as provided in paragraph (2), Federal funds for any coral conservation project under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such project. For purposes of this paragraph, the non-Federal share of project costs may be provided by in-kind contributions and other noncash support.
(2)
Waiver
The Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement under paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines that no reasonable means are available through which applicants can meet the matching requirement and the probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement.
(c)
Eligibility
Any natural resource management authority of a State or other government authority with jurisdiction over coral reefs or whose activities directly or indirectly affect coral reefs, or coral reef ecosystems, or educational or nongovernmental institutions with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of coral reefs, may submit to the Administrator a coral conservation proposal under subsection (e) of this section.
(d)
Geographic and biological diversity
The Administrator shall ensure that funding for grants awarded under subsection (b) of this section during a fiscal year are distributed in the following manner:
(1)
No less than 40 percent of funds available shall be awarded for coral conservation projects in the Pacific Ocean within the maritime areas and zones subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States.
(e)
Project proposals
Each proposal for a grant under this section shall include the following:
(5)
Evidence of support for the project by appropriate representatives of States or other government jurisdictions in which the project will be conducted.
(f)
Project review and approval
(1)
In general
The Administrator shall review each coral conservation project proposal to determine if it meets the criteria set forth in subsection (g) of this section.
(2)
Review; approval or disapproval
Not later than 6 months after receiving a project proposal under this section, the Administrator shall—
(A)
request and consider written comments on the proposal from each Federal agency, State government, or other government jurisdiction, including the relevant regional fishery management councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or any National Marine Sanctuary, with jurisdiction or management authority over coral reef ecosystems in the area where the project is to be conducted, including the extent to which the project is consistent with locally-established priorities;
(B)
provide for the merit-based peer review of the proposal and require standardized documentation of that peer review;
(g)
Criteria for approval
The Administrator may not approve a project proposal under this section unless the project is consistent with the coral reef action strategy under section
6402 of this title and will enhance the conservation of coral reefs by—
(1)
implementing coral conservation programs which promote sustainable development and ensure effective, long-term conservation of coral reefs;
(2)
addressing the conflicts arising from the use of environments near coral reefs or from the use of corals, species associated with coral reefs, and coral products;
(3)
enhancing compliance with laws that prohibit or regulate the taking of coral products or species associated with coral reefs or regulate the use and management of coral reef ecosystems;
(4)
developing sound scientific information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems or the threats to such ecosystems, including factors that cause coral disease;
(5)
promoting and assisting to implement cooperative coral reef conservation projects that involve affected local communities, nongovernmental organizations, or others in the private sector;
(6)
increasing public knowledge and awareness of coral reef ecosystems and issues regarding their long term conservation;
(8)
developing and implementing techniques to monitor and assess the status and condition of coral reefs;
(h)
Project reporting
Each grantee under this section shall provide periodic reports as required by the Administrator. Each report shall include all information required by the Administrator for evaluating the progress and success of the project.
(i)
Coral Reef Task Force
The Administrator may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force to obtain guidance in establishing coral conservation project priorities under this section.
(j)
Implementation guidelines
Within 180 days after December 23, 2000, the Administrator shall promulgate necessary guidelines for implementing this section. In developing those guidelines, the Administrator shall consult with State, regional, and local entities involved in setting priorities for conservation of coral reefs and provide for appropriate public notice and opportunity for comment.