16 U.S.C. § 6406 — Block grants

Page 2585 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 6407 1 See References in Text note below. the partnership referred to in paragraph (1)(A); and (ii) the chairperson consents to the re- quest. (e) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Com- mittee Act The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 1 shall not apply to coral reef stewardship partnerships under this section. (Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 206, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3937.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 92–463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, which was set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Govern- ment Organization and Employees, and was substan- tially repealed and restated in chapter 10 (§ 1001 et seq.) of Title 5 by Pub. L. 117–286, §§ 3(a), 7, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4197, 4361. For disposition of sections of the Act into chapter 10 of Title 5, see Disposition Table pre- ceding section 101 of Title 5. PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 6405, Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 206, Dec. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 2804, related to emergency assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3931. § 6406. Block grants (a) In general In each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2023 and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall provide block grants of financial assistance of not less than $500,000 to each covered State to support management and restoration activities and further the implemen- tation of coral reef action plans in effect under section 6404 of this title by covered States and non-Federal coral reef stewardship partnerships in accordance with this section. The Adminis- trator shall review each covered State’s applica- tion for block grant funding to ensure that ap- plications are consistent with applicable action plans and the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy. (b) Responsibilities of the Administrator The Administrator is responsible for— (1) providing guidance on the proper docu- mentation of expenditures authorized under this chapter; (2) issuing annual solicitations to covered States for awards under this section; and (3) determining the appropriate allocation of additional amounts among covered States in accordance with this section. (c) Responsibilities of covered States Each covered State is responsible for docu- menting and reporting— (1) such State’s use of Federal funds received under this chapter; and (2) such expenditures of non-Federal funds made in furtherance of coral reef management and restoration as the Administrator deter- mines appropriate. (d) Cooperative agreements Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator may seek to enter into a co- operative agreement with a covered State to fund coral reef conservation and restoration ac- tivities in waters managed under the jurisdic- tion of such covered State that are consistent with the National Coral Reef Resilience Strat- egy and any applicable action plan under section 6404 of this title. (e) All Islands Committee The Administrator may enter into a coopera- tive agreement with the All Islands Committee of the Task Force to provide support for its ac- tivities. (Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 207, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3938.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1) and (c)(1), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’ which was translated as reading ‘‘this title’’, meaning title II of Pub. L. 106–562, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 6406, Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 207, Dec. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 2804, related to national program to conserve coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3931. § 6407. Coral Reef Stewardship Fund (a) Agreement The Administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Foundation’’), authorizing the Foundation to receive, hold, and administer funds received under this section. (b) Fund (1) In general The Foundation shall establish an account, which shall— (A) be known as the ‘‘Coral Reef Steward- ship Fund’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Fund’’); and (B) serve as the successor to the account known before December 23, 2022, as the Coral Reef Conservation Fund and administered through a public-private partnership with the Foundation. (2) Deposits The Foundation shall deposit funds received under this section into the Fund. (3) Purposes The Fund shall be available solely to sup- port coral reef stewardship activities that— (A) further the purposes of this chapter; and (B) are consistent with— (i) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; and (ii) coral reef action plans in effect, if any, under section 6404 of this title cov- ering a coral reef or ecologically signifi-