§722 Cooperation with Eligible Entities

Summary

Allows the Commandant of the Coast Guard to give federal money or grants (but not loans or loan guarantees) to eligible groups when money is available. The money can help reduce harm from Coast Guard actions like base expansion to natural and cultural resources. Grants can be used to limit development, keep or restore access (including tribal treaty and subsistence fishing areas), repair or replace tribal or Native Hawaiian resources if damaged (done in consultation with the affected tribe or organization), and protect resources outside Coast Guard sites that could interfere with Coast Guard actions. The funds cannot be used so the Coast Guard itself gets money. The Commandant must notify the listed Senate committees and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in writing at least 3 full business days before making an agreement, include expected costs when possible, and give those committees a copy of the grant within 5 full business days after a request is sent to the Commandant. Defined terms (one line each): cultural resource — things like historic buildings, sacred sites, archaeological items, treaty or subsistence resources; eligible entity — States, local governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations; natural resource — land, water, air, wildlife and similar resources (grouped as surface water, ground water, air, geologic, and biological); State — includes states, DC, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. territories; Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, and Native Hawaiian organization — have meanings given by federal law (Native Hawaiian organization also includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs).