Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 6.djvu/397

 PUBLIC LAW 101-646—NOV. 29, 1990 104 STAT. 4787 (A) preliminary assessments; (B) general or site-specific inventories; (C) reconnaissance, engineering or other studies; (D) preliminary design work; and (E) such other studies as may be necessary to identify and evaluate the feasibility of coastal wetland restoration projects; (2) to carry out coastal wetlands restoration projects in accordance with the priorities set forth on the list prepared under this title; (3) to carry out wetlands restoration projects in accordance with the priorities set forth in the restoration plan prepared under this title; (4) to make grants not to exceed $2,500,000 annually or $10,000,000 in total, to assist the agency designated by the State in development of the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan pursuant to this title. (b) COASTAL WETLANDS CONSERVATION GRANTS. —Of the total amount appropriated during a given fiscal year to carry out this title, 15 percent, not to exceed $15,000,000 shall be available, and shall remain available to the Director, for purposes of making grants— (1) to any coastal State, except States eligible to receive funding under section 306(a), to carry out cosistal wetlands conservation projects in accordance with section 305 of this title; and (2) in the amount of $2,500,000 in total for an assessment of the status, condition, and trends of wetlands in the State of Texas. (c) NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION.— Of the total amount appropriated during a given fiscal year to carry out this title, 15 percent, not to exceed $15,000,000, shall be available to, and shall remain available until expended by, the Secretary of the Interior for allocation to carry out wetlands conservation projects in any coastal State under section 8 of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Public Law 101-233, 103 Stat. 1968, December 13, 1989). SEC. 307. GENERAL PROVISIONS. 16 USC 3956. (a) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS.—The Secretary is authorized to carry out projects for the protection, restoration, or enhancement of aquatic and Eissociated ecosystems, including projects for the protection, restoration, or creation of wetlands and coastal ecosystems. In carrying out such projects, the Irrigation. Secretary shall give such projects equal consideration with projects pi^^control relating to irrigation, navigation, or flood control. (b) STUDY.— The Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to study the feasibility of moaifying the operation of existing navigation and flood control projects to allow for an increase in the share of the Mississippi River flows and sediment sent down the Atchafalaya River for purposes of land building and wetlands nourishment. SEC. 308. CONFORMING AMENDMENT. 16 U.S.C. 777c is amended by adding the following after the first sentence: "The Secretary shall distribute 18 per centum of each annual appropriation made in accordance with the provisions of

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