II
Calendar No. 35
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 241
[Report No. 110–10]
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 10, 2007
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
February 15, 2007
Reported by Mr. Bingaman, without amendment
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.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Natural
Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act
.
Cooperative agreements for national park natural resource protection
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.
Terms and Conditions
A cooperative agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall—
provide for—
clear and direct benefits to natural resources of a unit of the National Park System;
the preservation, conservation, and restoration of coastal and riparian systems, watersheds, and wetlands;
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
restoration of natural resources, including native wildlife habitat;
include a statement of purpose demonstrating how the agreement will—
enhance science-based natural resource stewardship at the unit of the National Park System; and
benefit the parties to the agreement;
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—
protect natural resources of the unit; and
benefit the parties to the agreement;
identify any materials, supplies, or equipment that will be contributed by the parties to the agreement or by other Federal agencies;
describe any financial assistance to be provided by the Secretary or the partners to implement the agreement;
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
shall include such terms and conditions that are agreed to by the Secretary and the other parties to the agreement.
Limitations
The Secretary shall not use any amounts associated with an agreement entered into under subsection (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.
Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
February 15, 2007
Reported without amendment