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Title 16 — Conservation

Chapter 90 — Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination

§ 7124. Evaluation and approval of projects by Secretary concerned

Statutory text

(a)

Conditions for approval of proposed project

The Secretary concerned may make a decision to approve a project submitted by a resource advisory committee under section 7123 of this title only if the proposed project satisfies each of the following conditions:

(1)

The project complies with all applicable Federal laws (including regulations).

(2)

The project is consistent with the applicable resource management plan and with any watershed or subsequent plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan and approved by the Secretary concerned.

(3)

The project has been approved by the resource advisory committee in accordance with section 7125 of this title, including the procedures issued under subsection (e) of that section.

(4)

A project description has been submitted by the resource advisory committee to the Secretary concerned in accordance with section 7123 of this title.

(5)

The project will improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restore and improve land health and water quality.

(b)

Environmental reviews

(1)

Request for payment by county

The Secretary concerned may request the resource advisory committee submitting a proposed project to agree to the use of project funds to pay for any environmental review, consultation, or compliance with applicable environmental laws required in connection with the project.

(2)

Conduct of environmental review

If a payment is requested under paragraph (1) and the resource advisory committee agrees to the expenditure of funds for this purpose, the Secretary concerned shall conduct environmental review, consultation, or other compliance responsibilities in accordance with Federal laws (including regulations).

(3)

Effect of refusal to pay

(A)

In general

If a resource advisory committee does not agree to the expenditure of funds under paragraph (1), the project shall be deemed withdrawn from further consideration by the Secretary concerned pursuant to this subchapter.

(B)

Effect of withdrawal

A withdrawal under subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to be a rejection of the project for purposes of section 7127(c) of this title.

(c)

Decisions of Secretary concerned

(1)

Rejection of projects

(A)

In general

A decision by the Secretary concerned to reject a proposed project shall be at the sole discretion of the Secretary concerned.

(B)

No administrative appeal or judicial review

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a decision by the Secretary concerned to reject a proposed project shall not be subject to administrative appeal or judicial review.

(C)

Notice of rejection

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary concerned makes the rejection decision, the Secretary concerned shall notify in writing the resource advisory committee that submitted the proposed project of the rejection and the reasons for rejection.

(2)

Notice of project approval

The Secretary concerned shall publish in the Federal Register notice of each project approved under subsection (a) if the notice would be required had the project originated with the Secretary.

(d)

Source and conduct of project

Once the Secretary concerned accepts a project for review under section 7123 of this title, the acceptance shall be deemed a Federal action for all purposes.

(e)

Implementation of approved projects

(1)

Cooperation

Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, using project funds the Secretary concerned may enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with States and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners and other persons to assist the Secretary in carrying out an approved project.

(2)

Best value contracting

(A)

In general

For any project involving a contract authorized by paragraph (1) the Secretary concerned may elect a source for performance of the contract on a best value basis.

(B)

Factors

The Secretary concerned shall determine best value based on such factors as—

(i)

the technical demands and complexity of the work to be done;

(ii)
(I)

the ecological objectives of the project; and

(II)

the sensitivity of the resources being treated;

(iii)

the past experience by the contractor with the type of work being done, using the type of equipment proposed for the project, and meeting or exceeding desired ecological conditions; and

(iv)

the commitment of the contractor to hiring highly qualified workers and local residents.

(f)

Requirements for project funds

The Secretary shall ensure that at least 50 percent of all project funds be used for projects that are primarily dedicated—

(1)

to road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration; or

(2)

to restoration of streams and watersheds.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000

    Pub. L. 106–393 title II § 204 · 114 Stat. 1607

    Enacted · 16 U.S.C. § 7124

    Pub. L. 106–393, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3902

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    Pub. L. 106–393, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3902

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SEC. 204. EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF PROJECTS BY SECRETARY CONCERNED. (a) Conditions for Approval of Proposed Project.— The Secretary concerned may make a decision to approve a project submitted by a resource advisory committee under section 203 only if the proposed project satisfies each of the following conditions: (1) The project complies with all applicable Federal laws and regulations. (2) The project is consistent with the applicable resource management plan and with any watershed or subsequent plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan and approved by the Secretary concerned. (3) The project has been approved by the resource advisory committee in accordance with section 205, including the procedures issued under subsection (e) of such section. (4) A project description has been submitted by the resource advisory committee to the Secretary concerned in accordance with section 203. (5) The project will improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restore and improve land health and water quality. (b) Environmental Reviews.— (1) Payment of review costs.— (A) Request for payment by county.— The Secretary concerned may request the resource advisory committee submitting a proposed project to agree to the use of project funds to pay for any environmental review, consultation, or compliance with applicable environmental laws required in connection with the project. When such a payment is requested and the resource advisory committee agrees to the expenditure of funds for this purpose, the Secretary concerned shall conduct environmental review, consultation, or other compliance responsibilities in accordance with Federal law and regulations. (B) Effect of refusal to pay.— If a resource advisory committee does not agree to the expenditure of funds under subparagraph (A), the project shall be deemed withdrawn from further consideration by the Secretary concerned pursuant to this title. Such a withdrawal shall be deemed to be a rejection of the project for purposes of section 207(c). (c) Decisions of Secretary Concerned.— (1) Rejection of projects.— A decision by the Secretary concerned to reject a proposed project shall be at the Secretary’s sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a decision by the Secretary concerned to reject a proposed project shall not be subject to administrative appeal or judicial review. Within 30 days after making the rejection decision, Deadline. Notification. the Secretary concerned shall notify in writing the resource advisory committee that submitted the proposed project of the rejection and the reasons for rejection. (2) Notice of project approval.— The Secretary concerned shall publish in the Federal Register notice of each project approved under subsection (a) if such notice would be required had the project originated with the Secretary. (d) Source and Conduct of Project.— Once the Secretary concerned accepts a project for review under section 203, it shall be deemed a Federal action for all purposes. (e) Implementation of Approved Projects.— (1) Cooperation.— Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, using project funds the Secretary concerned may enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with States and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners and other persons to assist the Secretary in carrying out an approved project. (2) Best value contracting.— For any project involving a contract authorized by paragraph (1) the Secretary concerned may elect a source for performance of the contract on a best value basis. The Secretary concerned shall determine best value based on such factors as: (A) The technical demands and complexity of the work to be done. (B) The ecological objectives of the project and the sensitivity of the resources being treated. (C) The past experience by the contractor with the type of work being done, using the type of equipment proposed for the project, and meeting or exceeding desired ecological conditions. (D) The commitment of the contractor to hiring highly qualified workers and local residents. (3) Merchantable material contracting pilot program.— (A) Establishment.— The Secretary concerned shall establish a pilot program to implement a certain percentage of approved projects involving the sale of merchantable material using separate contracts for— (i) the harvesting or collection of merchantable material; and (ii) the sale of such material. (B) Annual percentages.— Under the pilot program, the Secretary concerned shall ensure that, on a nationwide basis, not less than the following percentage of all approved projects involving the sale of merchantable material are implemented using separate contracts: (i) For fiscal year 2001, 15 percent. (ii) For fiscal year 2002, 25 percent. (iii) For fiscal year 2003, 25 percent. (iv) For fiscal year 2004, 50 percent. (v) For fiscal year 2005, 50 percent. (vi) For fiscal year 2006, 50 percent. (C) Inclusion in pilot program.— The decision whether to use separate contracts to implement a project involving the sale of merchantable material shall be made by the Secretary concerned after the approval of the project under this title. (D) Assistance.— The Secretary concerned may use funds from any appropriated account available to the Secretary for the Federal lands to assist in the administration of projects conducted under the pilot program. The total amount obligated under this subparagraph may not exceed $1,000,000 for any fiscal year during which the pilot program is in effect. (E) Review and report.— Not later than September 30, 2003, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report assessing the pilot program. The Secretary concerned shall submit to such committees an annual report describing the results of the pilot program. (f) Requirements for Project Funds— The Secretary shall ensure that at least 50 percent of all project funds be used for projects that are primarily dedicated— (1) to road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration;or (2) to restoration of streams and watersheds.

  2. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act

    Pub. L. 112–141 div. F title I § 100101(a)(6) · 126 Stat. 405

    Substituted · 16 U.S.C. § 7124(e)(3)(B)(iii)

    Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “through 2012” for “and 2011”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “through 2012” for “and 2011”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (6) in section 204(e)(3)(B)(iii), by striking “and 2011” and inserting “through 2012”;

  3. Helium Stewardship Act of 2013

    Pub. L. 113–40 § 10(a)(2)(B) · 127 Stat. 534

    Substituted · 16 U.S.C. § 7124(e)(3)(B)(iii)

    Pub. L. 113–40 substituted “2013” for “2012”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 113–40 substituted “2013” for “2012”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (B) in section 204(e)(3)(B)(iii) (16 U.S.C. 7124(e)(3)(B)(iii)), by striking “2012” and inserting “2013”;

  4. Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015

    Pub. L. 114–10 title V § 524(c)(2) · 129 Stat. 87

    Substituted · 16 U.S.C. § 7124(e)(3)(B)(iii)

    Pub. L. 114–10 substituted “fiscal year 2010 and fiscal years thereafter” for “each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013”

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 114–10 substituted “fiscal year 2010 and fiscal years thereafter” for “each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013”.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) in section 204(e)(3)(B)(iii) (16 U.S.C. 7124(e)(3)(B)(iii)), by striking “each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013” and inserting “fiscal year 2010 and fiscal years thereafter”;

  5. Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018

    Pub. L. 115–141 div. O title IV § 401(b)(1) · 132 Stat. 348

    Struck · 16 U.S.C. § 7124(e)(3)

    Pub. L. 115–141 struck out par. (3) which established a pilot program to implement projects involving the sale of merchantable timber

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 115–141 struck out par. (3) which established a pilot program to implement projects involving the sale of merchantable timber.

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    Sec. 401. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall comply with the July 5, 2011, version of Chapter VI of its Internal Commission Procedures when responding to Congressional requests for information.

5 of 5 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions
Amendments2012–2018 · 4 rounds

2018

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 115–141 struck out par. (3) which established a pilot program to implement projects involving the sale of merchantable timber.

2015

Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 114–10 substituted “fiscal year 2010 and fiscal years thereafter” for “each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013”.

2013

Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 113–40 substituted “2013” for “2012”.

2012

Subsec. (e)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “through 2012” for “and 2011”.

Credits

2008–2018 · 5 acts
  1. 2008Pub. L. 106–393, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VI, § 601(a), , 122 Stat. 3902
  2. 2012amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title I, § 100101(a)(6), , 126 Stat. 906
  3. 2013Pub. L. 113–40, § 10(a)(2)(B), , 127 Stat. 545
  4. 2015Pub. L. 114–10, title V, § 524(c)(2), , 129 Stat. 180
  5. 2018Pub. L. 115–141, div. O, title IV, § 401(b)(1), , 132 Stat. 1079.
Show as published

(Pub. L. 106–393, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VI, § 601(a), , 122 Stat. 3902; amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. F, title I, § 100101(a)(6), , 126 Stat. 906; Pub. L. 113–40, § 10(a)(2)(B), , 127 Stat. 545; Pub. L. 114–10, title V, § 524(c)(2), , 129 Stat. 180; Pub. L. 115–141, div. O, title IV, § 401(b)(1), , 132 Stat. 1079.)

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