114 STAT. 2674 PUBLIC LAW 106-541—DEC. 11, 2000 (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. —^ There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000. SEC. 544. PUGET SOUND AND ADJACENT WATERS RESTORATION, WASHINGTON. (a) DEFINITION OF CRITICAL RESTORATION PROJECT. — In this section, the term "critical restoration project" means a project that will produce, consistent with Federal programs, projects, and activities, immediate and substantial ecosystem restoration, preservation, and protection benefits. (b) CRITICAL RESTORATION PROJECTS.— The Secretary may participate in critical restoration projects in the area of Puget Sound, Washington, and adjacent waters, including— (1) the watersheds that drain directly into Puget Sound; (2) Admiralty Inlet; (3) Hood Canal; (4) Rosario Strait; and (5) the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Cape Flattery. (c) PROJECT SELECTION. — (1) IN GENERAL. — The Secretary may identify critical restoration projects in the area described in subsection (b) based on— (A) studies to determine the feasibility of carrying out the critical restoration projects; and (B) analyses conducted before the date of enactment of this Act by non-Federal interests. (2) CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. — (A) IN GENERAL. —In consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, the Governor of the State of Washington, tribal governments, and the heads of other appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, the Secretary may develop criteria and procedures for prioritizing projects identified under paragraph (1). (B) CONSISTENCY WITH FISH RESTORATION GOALS.— The criteria and procedures developed under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with fish restoration goals of the National Marine Fisheries Service and the State of Washington. (C) USE OF EXISTING STUDIES AND PLANS. —In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, studies and plans in existence on the date of enactment of this Act to identify project needs and priorities. (3) LOCAL PARTICIPATION.— In prioritizing projects for implementation under this section, the Secretary shall consult with, and consider the priorities of, public and private entities that are active in watershed planning and ecosystem restoration in Puget Sound watersheds, including— (A) the Salmon Recovery Funding Board; (B) the Northwest Straits Commission; (C) the Hood Canal Coordinating Council; (D) county watershed planning councils; and (E) salmon enhancement groups. Contracts. (d) IMPLEMENTATION. —The Secretary may carry out projects identified under subsection (c) after entering into an agreement with an appropriate non-Federal interest in accordance with section
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