Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 121.djvu/1734

 PUBLIC LAW 110–140—DEC. 19, 2007

121 STAT. 1713

SEC. 712. ASSESSMENT OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND METHANE AND NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM ECOSYSTEMS.

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(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (1) ADAPTATION STRATEGY.—The term ‘‘adaptation strategy’’ means a land use and management strategy that can be used— (A) to increase the sequestration capabilities of covered greenhouse gases of any ecosystem; or (B) to reduce the emissions of covered greenhouse gases from any ecosystem. (2) ASSESSMENT.—The term ‘‘assessment’’ means the national assessment authorized under subsection (b). (3) COVERED GREENHOUSE GAS.—The term ‘‘covered greenhouse gas’’ means carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane gas. (4) ECOSYSTEM.—The term ‘‘ecosystem’’ means any terrestrial, freshwater aquatic, or coastal ecosystem, including an estuary. (5) NATIVE PLANT SPECIES.—The term ‘‘native plant species’’ means any noninvasive, naturally occurring plant species within an ecosystem. (6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior. (b) AUTHORIZATION OF ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 2 years after the date on which the final methodology is published under subsection (f)(3)(D), the Secretary shall complete a national assessment of— (1) the quantity of carbon stored in and released from ecosystems, including from man-caused and natural fires; and (2) the annual flux of covered greenhouse gases in and out of ecosystems. (c) COMPONENTS.—In conducting the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) determine the processes that control the flux of covered greenhouse gases in and out of each ecosystem; (2) estimate the potential for increasing carbon sequestration in natural and managed ecosystems through management activities or restoration activities in each ecosystem; (3) develop near-term and long-term adaptation strategies or mitigation strategies that can be employed— (A) to enhance the sequestration of carbon in each ecosystem; (B) to reduce emissions of covered greenhouse gases from ecosystems; and (C) to adapt to climate change; and (4) estimate the annual carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems under a range of policies in support of management activities to optimize sequestration. (d) USE OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES.—In developing restoration activities under subsection (c)(2) and management strategies and adaptation strategies under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary shall emphasize the use of native plant species (including mixtures of many native plant species) for sequestering covered greenhouse gas in each ecosystem. (e) CONSULTATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—In conducting the assessment under subsection (b) and developing the methodology under subsection (f), the Secretary shall consult with—

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