1.This Act may be cited as
the Cooperative Conservation
Enhancement Act
.
2.
(a)Congress
finds that—
(1)fostering
innovation, emphasizing partnerships, creating incentives for stewardship,
drawing on information from local citizens, and providing integrated
decision-making frameworks that involve States and localities in Federal
decision-making are successful cooperative conservation strategies that help
conserve our Nation’s natural resources and protect our environment;
(2)Americans favor
environmental protection and natural resource management achieved through
cooperation over conflict, which is the goal of cooperative
conservation;
(3)successful
conservation policies reside in the efforts of citizens to maintain healthy
land and waters and the wildlife that depend on them, in particular, in the
actions of citizens in their own backyards, at their places of recreation and
work, on farms and ranches, and in communities across the Nation;
(4)to ensure
long-term benefits and to meet program goals, it is important for Federal,
State, and local officials to tap the ingenuity, imagination, and innovative
spirit of citizens at the local level, which is where the resolution to many
conservation challenges lies;
(5)cooperative
conservation represents a proven and necessary approach to achieving
conservation goals, and includes the people who engage in activities on public
and private land and established measures by which to judge whether actions
have truly improved the environment, enhanced natural resources, maintained
healthy local communities, and fostered dynamic economies;
(6)through
cooperative conservation, benefits to the environment and natural resources are
measured by results on the ground, in the water, and in the air;
(7)cooperative
conservation emphasizes cooperative problem solving, incentives, and
cooperation over prescriptive rules;
(8)cooperative
conservation respects property rights, contracts, and compacts;
(9)actions taken by
the Executive Branch to further cooperative conservation have begun to show
tangible results in addressing the challenges that citizens and Federal land
managers are facing as they work to improve land, waters, and wildlife habitat
through partnered problem solving;
(10)it is the intent
of Congress to recognize the importance of enhancing means available to
landowners, States, Indian tribes, and Federal land managers to achieve
improvements to the environment and natural resources through cooperative
conservation; and
(11)the Secretary of
the Interior is generally authorized to undertake many activities with partners
to conserve natural resources and protect the environment, but that specific
authorization to accomplish these goals through cooperative conservation would
reinforce the importance of these goals.
(b)The
purposes of this Act are—
(1)to strengthen and
advance the Department of the Interior’s commitment to the improvement of the
environment and enhancement of natural resources through cooperative
conservation efforts;
(2)to advance
successful models of cooperative conservation by ensuring clear, but flexible,
authority for programs currently carried out by the Department through its
bureaus under many disparate authorities;
(3)to expand the use
of cooperative conservation by providing the Secretary of the Interior with new
authorities to better promote conservation partnerships with private
individuals, organizations, and government entities;
(4)to further the
use of partnerships to help the Department's land and natural resource managers
better meet their obligations;
(5)to promote
conservation partnership capacity building; and
(6)to authorize the
use of collaborative problem solving and alternative dispute resolution in the
Department's bureaus and offices.
3.In this Act:
(1)The term cooperative conservation means
actions that relate to the use, enhancement, and enjoyment of natural
resources, protection of the environment, or both, and that involve
collaborative activity among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments,
private for-profit and nonprofit institutions, other nongovernmental entities,
or individuals.
(2)The
term Department means the Department of the Interior.
(3)The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
<enum>I</enum><header>Working landscape
projects</header>
<section id="ID4b5dc0b8b9c647ab972e92793e751b0a"><enum>101.</enum><header>Short
title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited
as the <quote><short-title>Working Landscape Projects Act
of 2007</short-title>.</quote></text>
</section><section id="IDa6091c6beb264d10a3d01a3cb068593d"><enum>102.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph id="id6F31D4CEE60349C48AE40BDF64EC7E0D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administrative
services</header><text>The term <term>administrative services</term> includes
services and costs associated with the operations of activities authorized
under this title. These services and costs shall include meeting announcements,
copying, and personnel and reasonable rental costs for facilities necessary for
implementing this title. Such services and costs shall be consistent with
applicable Federal rules, regulations, and guidance.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID19aed39f018244309bdd316c7126428a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Governance
activities</header><text>The term <term>governance activities</term> means
those activities required to ensure the operation and implementation of
projects described under this title, including hiring personnel to coordinate
project implementation, providing oversight and monitoring of projects and
project goals, performing adaptive management techniques on projects,
coordinating activities with various partners, performing scientific oversight
of projects, including commissioning scientific studies, and requesting data
from Federal, State, and local government officials, nonprofit organizations,
and private individuals.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6f159f86c07e40f8a72b18d26c67499f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Information
dissemination activities</header><text>The term <term>information dissemination
activities</term> includes broadcasting the announcement of meetings and the
distribution of reports, memos, and other relevant information necessary for
carrying out the authorities under this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDee7c041dbd3e47fc89d337799c72634b"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Landscape
project partner</header><text>The term <term>landscape project partner</term>
means a representative of Federal, State, or tribal governments, private
landowners or corporations, or nonprofit organizations.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID95cd9025dad74c4fa31bcd9b2fd59797"><enum>103.</enum><header>Authorization
for administrative, governance, and information dissemination purposes</header>
<subsection id="ID321f739b1492445a9cb7186693595940"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id490A7F1124D64AE9A30DC7921CD39CC2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary is
authorized, through a competitive process, to directly fund or reimburse
landscape project partners for the development or maintenance of necessary
administrative services, governance activities, and information dissemination
activities necessary for the implementation of a landscape project.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE4A606B19461493497357D947888C322" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The funding under paragraph (1) shall
not exceed 3 years for a particular project.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFECC2036837F432DAF802F3A2195CDFB" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In order to qualify for
administrative funding, a project shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idE110989EE5484C41BBCBBE8ABB08B90E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>include participation by
representatives from a diversity of individuals and organizations, including
government;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDC2250A89C9C4E648F344677FFCB720E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>affect several jurisdictions or land
ownerships; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC92691632E254D9BB62F33175144CD94"><enum>(C)</enum><text>have the potential for advancing
cooperative conservation across a geographical area.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID842b28dd1ce84678be2f15133e2153a7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
projects</header><text>Such projects may include—</text>
<paragraph id="id05B5EDA8B2A04FFB88B457FE063FDE1E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>established
cooperative projects that have a documented record of success and demonstrated
leadership and organizational capacity;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEFD5AB8CE53048C3AF99DB8BC014EE88"><enum>(2)</enum><text>existing
conservation projects that are at the stage of forming partnerships and require
sustained capacity building; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCD7C16861FAB40CE836BA4C5D189ACD8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>new or proposed
projects that have a plan for establishing partnerships and developing
landscape-based projects.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID27ca8a279c4c492895b4990084fd8b12"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criteria</header><text>Eligible
applications shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID41e4b7df0f554ba8bb42bd625cf1057c"><enum>(1)</enum><text>exhibit a clear
purpose;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7dc0c23c663e4171acb47273b46f4835"><enum>(2)</enum><text>demonstrate, or
have a plan for establishing, partnerships which include representation of key
interests through multiple partners;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa08281cebd0d4c2b876a70e35c56c157"><enum>(3)</enum><text>use, or plan to
use in the future, coordinated management with Federal and other
partners;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID450714022346468da56493377646480d"><enum>(4)</enum><text>have developed
performance goals and objectives consistent, where appropriate, with
departmental goals;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6c3d4dbcd2804133976eaacc186b8c3a"><enum>(5)</enum><text>have developed a
plan for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating achievement of project
performance goals and objectives;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4aee2bbf8bc2462e9dd1ef4f514df1ed"><enum>(6)</enum><text>include
non-Federal partners who commit resources to the project such as technical
resources or other funds, in-kind services, contributions of individuals’ time,
or meeting support;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd9ef2cc2dac8412a848da075b0e675f2"><enum>(7)</enum><text>demonstrate
processes, practices, and outcomes that can have general application by Federal
agencies and other non-Federal entities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc50e69ea25d94f3c80664ffe1660ec50"><enum>(8)</enum><text>receive Federal
funding through a competitive process established by the Secretary; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID628ac76471dd46c199d1994238e3b9c4"><enum>(9)</enum><text>have or expect to
develop a plan for phasing to an alternative non-Federal source of funds to
sustain the partnership at the conclusion of the Federal partnership
period.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDf6a905d305004d30b8fa874589c31557"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Conservation
project coordinator</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF627BC80FF424F49B2B2004DBA8A7BC5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Within 3 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may designate a Department
employee as a Conservation Project Coordinator (referred to in this subsection
as the <quote>Coordinator</quote>), who shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF0D7BDA0C5C845B2BDB6025688C2E939" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>serve as the primary Federal
coordinator of the projects that receive funding under this section; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9C7585E274B34CA08AFCCD2524A4F734" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>oversee and encourage the expedited
review and execution of any and all Federal decisions associated with such
projects, including the issuance of necessary guidance, decision memoranda,
regulations, and other activities, as necessary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idF86D13DDA51C472F99BBE716812B1D9F" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Coordinator may also carry out
such other related cooperative conservation related activities and projects as
the Secretary deems appropriate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id89046631A54B463584088AEE07634C5D" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>All actions carried out by the
Coordinator shall be related to the authorized programs and activities of the
Department.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDe3f6d8c324cd4e8d9b69ddacedf06b31"><enum>104.</enum><header>Funding</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">For the purpose of implementing section 103
and from amounts available for programs identified in the President’s annual
budget submission as Cooperative Conservation Programs, the Secretary is
authorized to use—</text>
<paragraph id="ID7a2639170b274e9c8ba80060b4c7d4b8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>up to 5 percent
of the funds made available for fiscal year 2008;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID61fda69256eb4223a9ae77caa727d19c"><enum>(2)</enum><text>up to 6 percent
of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID457cffbf2297483890e9c1100068a489"><enum>(3)</enum><text>up to 7 percent
of the funds made available for fiscal year 2010.</text>
</paragraph></section><enum>II</enum><header>Landowner
conservation assistance measures</header>
<section id="IDc7e82ec64d844814b33358f865ac2ce5"><enum>201.</enum><header>Short
title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited
as the <quote><short-title>Conservation Bank Program
Act</short-title></quote>.</text>
</section><section id="ID53117582060e4fc0bccb61fc62b46c17"><enum>202.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph id="ID41094571918a4d47a22b2047d882ce68"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Bank
operator</header><text>The term <term>bank operator</term> means any public or
private entity responsible for operating or managing a conservation bank under
an agreement with a bank sponsor.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7278e40e9043495694fad6ae70c42e27"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bank
sponsor</header><text>The term <term>bank sponsor</term> means any public or
private entity responsible for establishing and, in most circumstances,
operating or managing a conservation bank and for ensuring that the
conservation bank complies with all applicable laws.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID63588368c3fc410baa03dfda7f435bb4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Conservation
bank</header><text>The term <term>conservation bank</term> means a parcel of
land that—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDefb65b7d0a1b473190adb85b2207268e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>contains natural
resource values that are ecologically suitable with regard to topographic
features, habitat quality, compatibility of existing and future land use
activities surrounding the bank, species use of the area, or any other factors
determined to be relevant by the Secretary for achieving mitigation of
specified species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or candidates for listing under that Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe027eb5f83ce4371b1433dbbb0956ffe"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is conserved and
operated or managed in perpetuity through a conservation easement held by a
bank sponsor which is responsible for enforcing the terms of the easement for
specified species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or which are candidates for listing under that Act;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID64f005a3c7854f639a985c43e0e802b9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is used to offset
impacts occurring elsewhere to the same resource values on nonconservation bank
land.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2d82ed14f2074acd9fe1f86bd68492a0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Conservation
bank agreement</header><text>The term <term>conservation bank agreement</term>
means a legally enforceable written agreement between the conservation bank
sponsor and, if applicable, operator, and the Secretary that identifies the
conditions and criteria under which the conservation bank will be established
and operated or managed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9ba23a96244546759626a6b0bf811c35"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Conservation
bank review team</header><text>The term <term>Conservation Bank Review
Team</term> means the interagency group that can include Federal, State,
tribal, and local regulatory and resource agency representatives that are
signatories to a conservation bank agreement and which oversee the
establishment, use, and operation of a conservation bank.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5d7ec4c42dd94efb95748d0dcd2540e5"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Credit</header><text>The
term <term>credit</term> means a unit of measure representing the
quantification of species or habitat conservation values within a conservation
bank.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID62b095409dfe4a3db4d56c72b8cc3014"><enum>203.</enum><header>Establishment,
use, and operation of conservation banks</header>
<subsection id="IDcc9b39cce5e14208bf6f021ad1698ada"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Conservation
banking</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8388C9AE4C2F4FAEB931FD467251EF09"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary, acting
through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall select the members
of and convene a Conservation Bank Review Team to evaluate for acceptance
proposals received from bank sponsors to establish conservation banks according
to criteria that the Secretary shall establish in accordance with subsection
(b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id64BE30694D8F467D92591141140C0F9E" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>If the Conservation Bank Review Team
recommends a proposal, it shall present the proposal to the Secretary, who may
modify or accept the proposal.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCC8C6F11136A45CDAEEA957A7CF2C35B" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>If the Secretary accepts the
proposal, the Secretary may enter into a conservation bank agreement and is
responsible for establishing the terms under which the conservation bank will
operate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id97D3438F7A2640678C427B9CD5EC530F" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Representatives on the Conservation
Bank Review Team must unanimously agree in order for an acceptance to be
transmitted to the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4583445e31324fd892c8dbd8cdefa2e4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Criteria for
conservation banks</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In
determining whether to approve a conservation bank proposal, a Conservation
Bank Review Team shall consider such factors as the Secretary determines are
appropriate, including whether the conservation bank would—</text>
<paragraph id="IDfa3a4c7e97bf4e5198ed58fc34576127"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide an
economically effective process that provides options to landowners to offset
the adverse effects of proposed projects to species covered by the conservation
bank;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID294f8a9a29bf4196b5bac29acbd4794e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide adequate
mitigation for the species through such strategies as preservation, management,
restoration of degraded habitat, connecting of separated habitats, buffering of
already protected areas, creation of habitat, and other appropriate
actions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5d8bcc0d299843ed8d875074648b7889"><enum>(3)</enum><text>be of sufficient
size to ensure the maintenance of ecological integrity in perpetuity;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5c161a763f6d44b8a7bdcfb5da06a083"><enum>(4)</enum><text>provide funding
assurances to provide for the conservation bank’s perpetual operation,
management, monitoring, and documentation costs.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4e30f7989c544cbcb78a466fd1599c58"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conservation
bank agreement requirements</header><text>The bank agreement shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID0eb64bb4e32741d68cef7549b6886af2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>include a
requirement for adequate funding, as determined by the Secretary, to provide
for the conservation bank’s perpetual operation, management, monitoring, and
documentation costs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID91359e44baaa4b79b184aea5d7db7989"><enum>(2)</enum><text>specify the exact
legal location of the conservation bank and its service area;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1e5520fb5a4948d58fcf5b3e9d78e4e3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>specify how
credits will be established and managed;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9e9d3a85d3d14abd812a8ecc82da834b"><enum>(4)</enum><text>include a
requirement that the bank sponsor submit, at the Secretary’s request, periodic
statements detailing the finances of the conservation bank; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID67379e7276f94eeb9eb0d996df9f9d5a"><enum>(5)</enum><text>require
submission to the Secretary of periodic monitoring reports on implementation of
the conservation bank agreement and such other matters as the Secretary may
prescribe.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID19dc31d22c3f4d288aabd045d18ec345"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Judicial
review</header><text>Any party to an agreement entered into under this section
may bring an action for violation of that agreement in the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDa230b401da1343379280f0a066a86e96"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Effect on
existing conservation banks</header><text>Conservation banks established before
the date of enactment of this Act are not required to comply with the criteria
in this Act, except where such conservation banks create new conservation banks
that are separate from the existing bank.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Promoting
partnerships</header>
<section id="IDdac55bfee85443cbbf163325f1276515"><enum>301.</enum><header>Cooperation
with outside entities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Except
as otherwise provided, in carrying out existing programs within the sums
appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary or a designee is authorized
to—</text>
<paragraph id="ID2d9bbc62feb84d979e763088e4fa9057"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide
assistance to, and cooperate with, Federal, State, local, public or private
agencies, organizations, or individuals or Indian tribes for purposes of
carrying out any measures that clearly and directly contribute to achieving
conservation or natural resource management-related mission and performance
goals of the Department or its bureaus; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID275eb083cbcb495fbb94e36f27bb45ae"><enum>(2)</enum><text>accept donations
of land and or interests in land in furtherance of the purposes of this
section.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID5e40020a4bcf43dc9c3a01705073d81a"><enum>302.</enum><header>Ability to
expend funds to benefit department land</header>
<subsection id="ID1f601f4ce46941b39bc6bb4a0ca29b8a"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization
of activities</header><text>In carrying out existing programs within the sums
appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary or a designee is authorized to
carry out activities on non-federally owned land provided those activities
directly benefit the resource values and management of Federal land,
including—</text>
<paragraph id="ID06772d4e24d640529483b01e4f600021"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the preservation,
conservation, and restoration of coastal and riparian systems, watersheds, and
wetlands;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0be15636aaf941b5b486f3c144e276b2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the prevention,
control, or eradication of invasive exotic species that occupy adjacent
non-Federal land; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0d36aa40094247c7bd4d3185ede12126"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the restoration
of natural resources, including native wildlife habitat.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDb2411e3def4e44218a72ff2242e1a6cb"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>Such
activities may only be conducted with the written permission of the landowner,
and must clearly and directly benefit the specific Department land management
unit by directly contributing to the programmatic and performance goals of that
unit.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDee4a89d13e674b8890489b9a22f047a4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Ineligible
activities</header><text>Eligible activities shall not include the construction
of permanent capital improvements or acquisition of land.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDfaedb806fdb44f38899fbdb10f3f391f"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Relationship to
existing programs</header><text>Nothing in this section supersedes or otherwise
affects or alters the authority provided in title V.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID7f339c8704d945e89cb1b93354c5b165"><enum>303.</enum><header>Publicizing
and providing non-financial assistance to partnerships</header>
<subsection id="IDc066f464c86f42c98ecbd2b6bc8c359f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In carrying out existing programs within the sums
appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary or a designee is authorized
to—</text>
<paragraph id="IDa18a4bd151cf4fccbe0a5250bf45eab3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>publicize
partnership programs and opportunities through publication of announcements in
newspapers of general circulation, in the Federal Register, or such other
methods as the Secretary determines are appropriate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5335795b45ad45ff846a64c9d371f1c1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide
nonfinancial assistance to private individuals who are establishing nonprofit
groups that are intended to support the mission of a bureau or of a particular
management unit of a bureau, such as a park or refuge.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6a539c68e11a493e98e9d8b70b659671"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clarifications</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3133F1DADF0E4621A75BFDFDE5AFFF2E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Nothing in this section
shall authorize a Department employee to establish a nonprofit entity or other
corporate entity to support the Department’s mission, including by acting as an
incorporator, founding board member, or by assuming any management or fiduciary
responsibilities with respect to any such nonprofit or corporate entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4D06F9D0AB7D432D86329160435CBB8C" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Nothing in this section shall waive
the application of the provisions of section 1913 of title 18, United States
Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID87501b23b3fd47ebb0397e376a22c484"><enum>304.</enum><header>Centers of
excellence for partnership learning</header>
<subsection id="ID0abc26ec25874593a82cc67476f8a96c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of
center of excellence for partnership learning</header><text>In this section,
the term <term>Center of Excellence for Partnership Learning</term> or
<term>Center</term> means a Federal facility that is identified by the
appropriate Secretary as meeting criteria established under this section and
which provides Federal employees and their partners the opportunity to learn
cooperative conservation-related best practices.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID5c59194b00ff490ca69361eaff5ede3d"><enum>(b)</enum><header>In
general</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id94602174D11647CABC25AC3FD500C2A2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In carrying out
existing programs within the sums appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary
and the Secretary of Agriculture may identify as Centers of Excellence for
Partnership Learning sites under their jurisdiction that meet the criteria in
subsection (c) with the purpose of providing Federal employees and partners,
including State and local government employees, nonprofit employees, private
sector employees, and employees of Indian tribes, the opportunity to learn the
best practices involved in creating successful partnerships and a culture of
collaboration.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0022B9AACD5C45E8A721A3837BD201E6" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Each Center identified under this
section may develop and host a schedule of activities including—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBCAA99EE863E436188D6B26127CAB188"><enum>(A)</enum><text>visits;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB9DC9EB050AC477CA58AFE9C7A1F131F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>seminars and other educational
courses; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB1D18976B4824970BBC76A5263D21B4B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>opportunities for details or job
swaps.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id5917E595AEC142DB9059C19CA62020DE" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To the maximum extent practicable,
each Center shall develop and accept applications for participation in Center
activities from employees of the Department or the Department of Agriculture or
of their partnering entities on a first-come, first-served basis.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDedefddcbe9ae417b9e2780a35253b3fb"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criteria for
identifying centers of excellence for partnership learning</header><text>Each
Center shall be identified based on the following criteria:</text>
<paragraph id="ID6cfaa759721f41e1947f16082fabe495"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Partnership
culture has been successfully integrated into the organization, and is not
dependent on any particular individual.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3e4aed6d349544879ebcfc86e32d92a4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The organization
has demonstrated partnership success stories that relate to identified
partnership competencies.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3ca852e356a34bb6a320c6e775bc1fae"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The organization
has the capacity to host and teach others from the participating
agencies.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4cf92e1d55e44d54b251b01b92d258c1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The organization
agrees to a schedule of hosting activities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb0116d1e833c4774bccc8db9890b3b29"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The organization
is willing to host follow-up activities with participating individuals.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDc206366c2e464764afb19b4397685c3b"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Incentives for
participation</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id59ED9D774E624C599C1F380468E5086B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The respective
Secretary for each Center identified in this section is authorized to accept
and use reimbursement from the participating agencies and partnering entities
for the cost of operating the program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id667FAEFF48524AD9A99A78BA1161F367" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The respective Secretary for each
Center is authorized to provide reimbursement of travel and per diem expenses
to Federal employees who participate in Center activities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDa6b8127bd8f7424096c4c7c39f951155"><enum>305.</enum><header>Partnership
roster</header>
<subsection id="ID5e0b349bef0046ba92e66b3ac63ad203"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture may
establish and make available to the public a multiagency roster with the goal
of enhancing capacity for partnerships and collaborative actions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id31A0D23032024E64B5A04BCCEEC99575"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorized
activities</header><text>The partnership roster authorized under this section
shall provide nonfinancial assistance and information to government agencies,
private sector organizations, and the public in a variety of areas,
including—</text>
<paragraph id="ID38760298107241108d142d015afccc7a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identification
and understanding of statutory and regulatory authorities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd6146f5281944c23a2e89519f65b8822"><enum>(2)</enum><text>development and
implementation of agreements and contracts used in Department and Department of
Agriculture programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3e52ffb4e0e94ecd8197776c3adeed31"><enum>(3)</enum><text>creation and
management of nonprofit support groups;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2462ce6b82e840a59fc88da39123b752"><enum>(4)</enum><text>diversification
and strengthening of agency funding through the use of partnerships, matching
funds, and other devices;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb0fdab76805d4e01bea9088d96d83fe9"><enum>(5)</enum><text>allowable avenues
for and uses of private philanthropy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa3b1629678c74cb3a10e0c49c88160c3"><enum>(6)</enum><text>development of a
partnership-focused workplace;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1a6e74796602436b8fc7f2bd28adb676"><enum>(7)</enum><text>building of
community connections and fostering of citizen engagement through the use of
partnerships;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0d7cc7666f2c48909ad627b08bbe053f"><enum>(8)</enum><text>allowable avenues
for donor recognition;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc2072ffbe25946088ba7bb3a7eacc495"><enum>(9)</enum><text>development of
communication skills; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8b1e265715d9458dba08133a8b5d2533"><enum>(10)</enum><text>conflict
management and collaborative management.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Cooperation
among Federal agencies</header>
<section id="ID7a5a6dbaa6f245f8bd1f7b3ae86f8442"><enum>401.</enum><header>Service first
authority</header>
<subsection id="IDf6d0dc3fea1547998acddd6bbe3b9468"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, through the Directors of the Bureau of
Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park
Service, and the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the U.S. Forest
Service, may—</text>
<paragraph id="ID9d3ca4747c024971b822c65bc7091c75"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct projects,
planning, permitting, leasing, including leasing of real property and office
space, contracting and other activities, either jointly or on behalf of one
another;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDad492ed79fbb4f3ea326fd438737ff05"><enum>(2)</enum><text>co-locate in
Federal offices and facilities leased or owned by an agency of either
Department;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0d9b31f45bd74e4fbfea8fcfa8823420"><enum>(3)</enum><text>promulgate
special rules for issuance of unified permits, applications, and leases;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID740b405f42484322ad23e8f327ebe1a9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>share or transfer
equipment, vehicles, or other personal property.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4f9c139543c64d81afa41dcf62786e2c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Delegation of
authority</header><text>Consistent with section 403, the Secretary and the
Secretary of Agriculture may make reciprocal delegations of their respective
authorities, duties, and responsibilities in support of the activities
authorized in this title to promote customer service and efficiency.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID93277dbdb8a2496d8cb82b42d151c183"><enum>402.</enum><header>Use of
funds</header>
<subsection id="IDff771b2a88714aeb86f1d28535425f0b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In carrying out the provisions of this title, the
Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture may make transfers of funds
available and reimbursement of funds on an annual basis among the Bureau of
Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service,
and the U.S. Forest Service, including transfers and reimbursements for
multiyear projects that involve 1 or more of those agencies.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID82c846e2eb1144658e8a771d215eecf2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
authority provided in this title may not be used to circumvent requirements and
limitations imposed on the use of funds.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDa690592ccd4d409fa79af185ea731f49"><enum>403.</enum><header>Construction</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing in this title shall alter, expand,
or limit the applicability of any public law or regulation to land administered
by the participating agencies of either Department.</text>
</section><enum>V</enum><header>Cooperative
assistance</header>
<section id="ID5d9a851718274f1a9ff65327b8250ea5"><enum>501.</enum><header>Fish and
wildlife service coastal program</header>
<subsection id="ID59e2ee355b714bc99c757373e2c68ab2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section—</text>
<paragraph id="IDdc7f9e8ee56d46038a92a721a756ce90"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Coastal program
partners</header><text>The term <term>coastal program partners</term> means
individuals, groups, or agencies, such as land conservancies, community
organizations, businesses, conservation organizations, private landowners,
State or local governments, and Federal agencies, including any partnerships or
consortia of these individuals, groups, or agencies, who agree to work on
habitat restoration or protection strategies under this program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID08369e93d5b0472781720431a8caa302"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Habitat
restoration</header><text>The term <term>habitat restoration</term> means the
manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site
with the goal of returning natural functions to the lost or degraded native
habitat.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1c4cd88b35dc4dddaeb2be8c9ca7442f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Important
coastal habitat</header>
<subparagraph id="id8A85D52B3AD849D8BB9E8F46BF6FEDBE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The term <term>Important Coastal Habitat</term> means
habitat in coastal ecosystems that supports or will support after protection or
restoration threatened and endangered species, fishery resources under the
Department’s jurisdiction, and migratory birds.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFF5C51B9A39D47F5A5EE731973FCEC22"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The
term <term>Important Coastal Habitat</term> includes the Great Lakes, Pacific
Islands, and the Caribbean, and bays, estuaries, coastal streams, and wetlands,
shore, and terrestrial habitats within coastal areas.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID679c7b2de6774b76af39565ccc83100d"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Priority
species</header><text>The term <term>priority species</term> means threatened
and endangered species, fishery resources under the Department’s jurisdiction,
and migratory birds.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDdce7dfdc133f4980aa459f439ea48269"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Project</header><text>The
term <term>project</term> means a project carried out under the authority of
this section in cooperation with coastal program partners and which has the
primary purpose of conserving important coastal habitat, and which may include
habitat restoration and other technical assistance.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7e2e07f9d0174ffeb932050f926e6c3c"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Technical
assistance</header><text>The term <term>technical assistance</term> means
biological and habitat assessments, inventories, project coordination,
monitoring, mapping, grant writing, and habitat restoration expertise.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDac6836821b434febac9fb713b977c284"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coastal
program</header><text>The Secretary is authorized to carry out the Coastal
Program within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to assess, conserve,
and restore important coastal habitats for the benefit of priority species.
Projects carried out under this authority may include activities to identify,
evaluate, and map important coastal habitat, to assist community efforts by
providing assessment and planning tools to identify important coastal habitats
that are a priority for protection and restoration, and to provide both
technical assistance and financial assistance, primarily through cooperative
agreements, to coastal program partners to plan and implement projects that
benefit coastal wetland, estuaries, upland, and stream habitats important to
priority species.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID65ba8e17cb70436b911b5d29d3903692"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The
Secretary shall, where appropriate, coordinate with interested Federal agencies
on the program authorized under this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID1430449ec1b04143a91e6b4441673b6b"><enum>502.</enum><header>Cooperative
conservation challenge cost-share</header>
<subsection id="ID67940547f72c4b49a1646ca5842311de"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section:</text>
<paragraph id="ID504459b4664c4a00828a8c007152ae3e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Habitat
enhancement</header>
<subparagraph id="id334910F4C4C1415DB3B72AB86217986A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The term <term>habitat enhancement</term> means the
manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a
native habitat to change, so as to heighten, intensify, or improve, a specific
function or seral stage of the native habitat.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id040685FC425443B48039B3E39E606DEE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exclusions</header><text>The
term <term>habitat enhancement</term> does not include regularly scheduled and
routine maintenance and management activities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDad4d02a43bbb4f68a29edcf4b0e5bef1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Habitat
establishment</header><text>The term <term>habitat establishment</term> means
the manipulation of physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a
project site to create and maintain habitat that did not previously exist on
the project site.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf96a53247013443aa140b68b9521a9e8"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Habitat
improvement</header><text>The term <term>habitat improvement</term> includes
restoring or artificially providing physiographic, hydrological, or disturbance
conditions necessary to establish or maintain native plant and animal
communities, including periodic manipulations to maintain intended habitat
conditions on completed project sites.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4d9f60a9ecfb49999fdb358b69b159a0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Habitat
restoration</header><text>The term <term>habitat restoration</term> means the
manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site
with the goal of returning natural functions to the lost or degraded native
habitat.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID542ebee18dac42d38b6667981697d419"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Challenge cost
share agreement authority</header>
<paragraph id="IDda47cdd9c5ce41b4a20aa3f3654edcd5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, or the Bureau of Land Management,
is authorized to negotiate and enter into cooperative arrangements with any
State or local government, Indian tribe, public or private agency,
organization, institution, corporation, individual, or other entity to carry
out on a public-private cost sharing basis on-the-ground conservation
activities, including functions and responsibilities relating to habitat
improvement, habitat restoration, habitat enhancement, and habitat
establishment on public or private land.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID099608ffe4cf40669c5fc34fd8cc39fc"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Private
land</header><text>Projects carried out on private land require—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID6e78b8a094dd4706b85ad2696124bb4b"><enum>(A)</enum><text>express
permission from landowners;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID647faaebb1db4191b4afeed12e0467ad"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a clear and
direct benefit to the specific Departmental land management unit entering into
the arrangement through the direct contribution to the programmatic and
performance goals of that unit; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID738fe8546baa40debb484d221ec13049"><enum>(C)</enum><text>that the project
be adjacent to, or in close proximity to, land administered by the
Department.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID0ac97bb23ea14297ab73a1ce79693f89"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Effect on
existing laws</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to
supersede, modify, or repeal existing laws providing additional cost-share
authorities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1cb571613fcf4f0e93a7135abe9f92fb"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Cost-sharing</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id844F4068F86E4493A2655ABC5FE033A4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Federal share for a
project authorized under this section may not exceed 50 percent and shall be
provided on a matching basis.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDADAB7A3AF9B4591AD4F951320A978A6" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The non-Federal share for a project
authorized under this section may be satisfied by the provision of cash,
services, or in-kind contributions.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID19a598e3c020494badfd2747a142fd71"><enum>503.</enum><header>Water
management improvement Act</header>
<subsection id="IDa0b89d45b1a3426fa3150611c3e4a672"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Short
title</header><text>This section may be cited as the <quote><act-name>Bureau of
Reclamation Water Management Improvement Act</act-name></quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDef401085b66a4c7d9673275206a5d6b9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization
of grants and cooperative agreements</header>
<paragraph id="IDd03ff1bfa86d479fb2c571dad3c5238d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary is authorized to enter into grants and
cooperative agreements with States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water
districts, or other organizations with water delivery authority to fund up to
50 percent of the cost of planning, designing, or constructing improvements
that will conserve water, increase water use efficiency, facilitate water
markets, enhance water management, or implement other actions to prevent
water-related crises or conflicts in watersheds that have a nexus to Federal
water projects within the States identified in section 1 of the Reclamation Act
of 1902 (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093) as amended and
supplemented (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID50cdac0a0c804a879ecc2d36a66eea54"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Criteria</header><text>Grants
and cooperative agreements entered into pursuant to this authority shall meet
the following criteria:</text>
<subparagraph id="IDe090eb92b13e4ddfbc68ae1b81aed145"><enum>(A)</enum><text>When such
improvements are to federally owned facilities, funds provided under any such
grant or cooperative agreement may be provided on a nonreimbursable basis to an
entity operating affected transferred works or may be deemed nonreimbursable
for nontransferred works.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID34c79635c8aa48c3b4343651f1e2c25e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Title to
improvements made to federally owned facilities shall be held by the United
States.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3457e7b06e27450999f42d53f77221f7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The calculation
of the non-Federal contribution shall provide for consideration of the value of
any in-kind contributions which the Secretary determines materially contribute
to the completion of the proposed action, but shall not include funds received
from other Federal agencies.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDacd5ebf0492d43d0aeb809919fc55ef8"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The cost of
operating and maintaining improvements for which funding is provided shall be
the responsibility of the non-Federal entity.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb56786daea7b4b5bb665929773211076"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The United States
shall not be held liable by any court for monetary damages of any kind arising
out of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to non-federally owned
facilities created or improved under this section, except for damages caused by
acts of negligence committed by the United States or by its employees or
agents. Nothing in this section increases the liability of the United States
beyond that provided in chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (popularly
known as the <quote><act-name>Federal Tort Claims
Act</act-name></quote>).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDd7f7615135054095ad6cb53ab70f16c2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Relationship To
project specific authority</header><text>This section shall not supersede any
existing project-specific funding authority.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID7b9db3cb4f7c47ec92c85cfef851e6db"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Research
agreements</header><text>The Secretary is also authorized to enter into
cooperative agreements with universities, nonprofit research institutions, or
organizations with water or power delivery authority to fund research to
conserve water, increase water use efficiency, or enhance water management
under such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems appropriate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID4fbb545304ed4b879affaa4196cb9817"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Mutual
benefit</header><text>Grants or cooperative agreements made pursuant to this
section may be for the mutual benefit of the United States and the other
party.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDcbb13e087898446eaf3689146aac6707"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated
$100,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this section, to remain available
until expended.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID96560a0545324cc7a4e23dab75c67035"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Reclamation
law</header><text>This section shall amend and supplement the Act of June 17,
1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093) and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory
thereof (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDd1e2cbc8578740c6886de56815180052"><enum>504.</enum><header>Consultation
with State plans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In evaluating
proposals for wildlife conservation grants under programs administered by the
Department, including grants and financial assistance authorized under this
title, the Secretary shall, where appropriate, consult the State Comprehensive
Conservation Plans required under the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program
and coordinate with State fish and wildlife agencies in the planning and
implementation of the actions identified in those Plans.</text>
</section><enum>VI</enum><header>Conflict
resolution</header>
<section id="ID77d27cf7d5f041dbbd2885924d82edc7"><enum>601.</enum><header>Alternative
dispute resolution office</header>
<subsection id="ID8b52849dd9154ede903c72fcd13c108f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE4832F65CAD34FEC90E1BC3F8A99256B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary shall
establish within the Department an Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute
Resolution to promote and advance the appropriate use of collaborative problem
solving and alternative dispute resolution processes in all bureaus and
offices.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA9A0FA93537F4637B70D3F2993966940" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Office established under
paragraph (1) shall coordinate efforts of the Department to increase the use of
early consensus-building, alternative dispute resolution processes, and
negotiated rulemaking consistent with existing laws, regulations, and
policies.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID92c66ab0d2b94c70bc53a8f8d6b8c866"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as are necessary to carry out the program described in this
section.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>VII</enum><header>Miscellaneous
provisions</header>
<section id="IDbbb300037a48489998c02ccb6ca1c610"><enum>701.</enum><header>Savings
provision</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing contained in
this Act shall be construed or applied to supersede any other provision of
Federal or State law.</text>
</section><section id="ID484dec00d6474c60b97582ca72f50f94"><enum>702.</enum><header>Severability
provision</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If any provision of
this Act, or the application of any provision of this Act to any person or
circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, and the
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.</text>
</section><section id="ID16802059a6c240b5b9ee3863c92bc393"><enum>703.</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary is authorized to prescribe
such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act.</text>
</section>