II Calendar No. 395 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 1288 [Report No. 109–233] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 22, 2005 Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Akaka) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources April 20, 2006 Reported, under authority of the order of the Senate of April 7, 2006, by Mr. Domenici, with amendments Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act.

2.

Cooperative agreements for national park natural resource protection

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) may enter into cooperative agreements with State, local, or tribal governments, other Federal agencies, other public entities, educational institutions, private nonprofit organizations, or willing private landowners to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of National Park System units. (b)

Terms and conditions

A cooperative agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall— (1)provide for— (A)the conservation of natural resources in units of the National Park System; (A)clear and direct benefits to natural resources of a unit of the National Park System; (B)the preservation, conservation, and restoration of coastal and riparian systems, watersheds, and wetlands; (C)preventing, controlling or eradicating invasive exotic species that occupy land within a unit of the National Park System or adjacent to a unit of the National Park System; or (D)restoration of natural resources, including native wildlife habitat; (2)include a statement of purpose demonstrating how the agreement will— (A)enhance science-based natural resource stewardship at the unit of the National Park System; and (B)benefit the parties to the agreement; (3)specify any staff required and technical assistance to be provided by the Secretary or other parties to the agreement in support of activities inside and outside the unit of the National Park System that will— (A)protect natural resources of the unit; and (B)benefit the parties to the agreement; (4)identify any materials, supplies, or equipment that will be contributed by the parties to the agreement or by other Federal agencies; (5)describe any financial assistance to be provided by the Secretary or the partners to implement the agreement; (6)ensure that any expenditure by the Secretary pursuant to the agreement is determined by the Secretary to support the purposes of natural resource stewardship at a unit of the National Park System; and (7)shall include such terms and conditions that are agreed to by the Secretary and the other parties to the agreement. (c)

Limitations

The Secretary shall not use any amounts associated with an agreement entered into under subsection (b)(a) for the purposes of land acquisition, regulatory activity, or the development, maintenance, or operation of infrastructure, except for ancillary support facilities that the Secretary determines to be necessary for the completion of projects or activities identified in the agreement. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

April 20, 2006 Reported with amendments