TITLE 2: NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION 1: MARITIME AND COASTAL RESOURCES
§ 1667. Coral Reef Restoration Fund. (a) There is hereby created a Coral Reef Restoration Fund, which shall be separated from and accounted for separately from the General Fund. (b) Pecuniary damages recovered by or on behalf of the Commonwealth for the destruction of, loss of, or injury to the coral reefs, that would otherwise be deposited in the General Fund, shall be deposited in the Coral Reef Restoration Fund and appropriated by the legislature. The expenditure of these monies shall be limited to the following purposes: (1) To provide funds to DLNR for reasonable costs incurred in obtaining payment of the damages for injury to, or destruction of, coral reefs, including administrative costs and costs of experts and consultants. Such funds may be provided in advance of recovery of damages. (2) To pay for restoration, rehabilitation, or replacement of the injured or destroyed coral reefs or other natural resources by a government department or agency or through a contract with a qualified person. (3) To pay for educational and public outreach programs related to the preservation and protection of the coral reefs. (4) To pay for projects related to the protection and maintenance of the coral reefs. (5) To pay for studies or surveys of the coral reefs that will aid in formulating policies and programs aimed at protecting the coral reefs. (c) Civil penalties that are imposed and collected under this article shall be deposited in the General Fund. Source: PL 20-79 § 3 (Nov. 2, 2018), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission inserted a period in (b)(1) pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(g).