33 U.S.C. § 2905 — Estuary habitat restoration strategy

**(a) In general** Not later than 1 year after November 7, 2000, the Council, 11 So in original. The comma probably should not appear. shall develop an estuary habitat restoration strategy designed to ensure a comprehensive approach to maximize benefits derived from estuary habitat restoration projects and to foster the coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to restoration of estuary habitat. **(b) Goal** The goal of the strategy shall be the restoration of 1,000,000 acres of estuary habitat by the year 2010. **(c) Integration of estuary habitat restoration plans, programs, and partnerships** In developing the estuary habitat restoration strategy, the Council shall— (1) conduct a review of estuary management or habitat restoration plans and Federal programs established under other laws that authorize funding for estuary habitat restoration activities; and (2) ensure that the estuary habitat restoration strategy is developed in a manner that is consistent with the estuary management or habitat restoration plans. **(d) Elements of the strategy** The estuary habitat restoration strategy shall include proposals, methods, and guidance on— (1) maximizing the incentives for the creation of new public-private partnerships to carry out estuary habitat restoration projects and the use of Federal resources to encourage increased private sector involvement in estuary habitat restoration activities; (2) ensuring that the estuary habitat restoration strategy will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the estuary management or habitat restoration plans; (3) promoting estuary habitat restoration projects to— (A) provide healthy ecosystems in order to support— (i) wildlife, including endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, and resident species of an estuary watershed; and (ii) fish and shellfish, including commercial and recreational fisheries; (B) improve surface and ground water quality and quantity, and flood control; (C) provide outdoor recreation; and (D) address other areas of concern that the Council determines to be appropriate for consideration; (4) addressing the estimated historic losses, estimated current rate of loss, and extent of the threat of future loss or degradation of each type of estuary habitat; (5) measuring the rate of change for each type of estuary habitat; (6) selecting a balance of smaller and larger estuary habitat restoration projects; and (7) ensuring equitable geographic distribution of projects funded under this chapter. **(e) Public review and comment** Before the Council adopts a final or revised estuary habitat restoration strategy, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a draft of the estuary habitat restoration strategy and provide an opportunity for public review and comment. **(f) Periodic revision** Using data and information developed through project monitoring and management, and other relevant information, the Council may periodically review and update, as necessary, the estuary habitat restoration strategy.