§4405 Conditions relating to wetlands conservation projects

Summary

The Secretary must use federal money under this chapter and section 669b(b) to help carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approves, and must follow the allocation rules in section 4407(a)(2) and the funding limits in section 4407(b). Land or water bought with those funds normally must be added to the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Secretary can instead give the funds or transfer the property without charge to a State, public agency, or other entity if the Commission agrees and the recipient was named in the approved project description. The Secretary must find the property should not join the Refuge System, require the recipient to manage the land to meet the chapter’s goals, include a reversion clause if they fail, and set terms to protect the wetland and its wildlife long term. The Secretary also may, following allocation rules in section 4407(a)(1) and limits in section 4407(b), grant funds to agencies or others for approved projects in Canada or Mexico if the recipient was named in the approved project description and the grant terms protect any land or interests for long-term wetland and wildlife conservation. Land acquired under these grants does not become part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and is not covered by the federal rules for adding lands to that system.