33 U.S.C. § 2904 : US Code - Section 2904: Establishment of Estuary Habitat Restoration Council

Search 33 U.S.C. § 2904 : US Code - Section 2904: Establishment of Estuary Habitat Restoration Council

(a) Council
There is established a council to be known as the "Estuary
Habitat Restoration Council".
(b) Duties
The Council shall be responsible for -
(1) soliciting, reviewing, and evaluating project proposals and
developing recommendations concerning such proposals based on the
factors specified in section 2903(c)(3) of this title;
(2) submitting to the Secretary a list of recommended projects,
including a recommended priority order and any recommendation as
to whether a project should be carried out by the Secretary or by
another Federal department or agency under section 2903(g) of
this title;
(3) developing and transmitting to Congress a national strategy
for restoration of estuary habitat;
(4) periodically reviewing the effectiveness of the national
strategy in meeting the purposes of this chapter and, as
necessary, updating the national strategy; and
(5) providing advice on the development of the database,
monitoring standards, and report required under sections 2906 and
2907 of this title.
(c) Membership
The Council shall be composed of the following members:
(1) The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee).
(2) The Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the
Department of Commerce (or the Under Secretary's designee).
(3) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
(or the Administrator's designee).
(4) The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (or such
Secretary's designee).
(5) The Secretary of Agriculture (or such Secretary's
designee).
(6) The head of any other Federal agency designated by the
President to serve as an ex officio member of the Council.
(d) Prohibition of compensation
Members of the Council may not receive compensation for their
service as members of the Council.
(e) Chairperson
The chairperson shall be elected by the Council from among its
members for a 3-year term, except that the first elected
chairperson may serve a term of fewer than 3 years.
(f) Convening of Council
(1) First meeting
The Secretary shall convene the first meeting of the Council
not later than 60 days after November 7, 2000, for the purpose of
electing a chairperson.
(2) Additional meetings
The chairperson shall convene additional meetings of the
Council as often as appropriate to ensure that this chapter is
fully carried out, but not less often than annually.
(g) Council procedures
The Council shall establish procedures for voting, the conduct of
meetings, and other matters, as necessary.
(h) Public participation
Meetings of the Council shall be open to the public. The Council
shall provide notice to the public of such meetings.
(i) Advice
The Council shall consult with persons with recognized scientific
expertise in estuary or estuary habitat restoration,
representatives of State agencies, local or regional government
agencies, and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in
estuary or estuary habitat restoration, and representatives of
Indian tribes, agricultural interests, fishing interests, and other
estuary users -
(1) to assist the Council in the development of the estuary
habitat restoration strategy to be developed under section 2905
of this title; and
(2) to provide advice and recommendations to the Council on
proposed estuary habitat restoration projects, including advice
on the scientific merit, technical merit, and feasibility of a
project.