§6703 National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program

Summary

Creates an annual competition for grants run by the Secretary of Transportation, with help from the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Grants pay to replace, remove, or fix culverts and weirs to restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Weir work can include adding ways for fish to go around or over the weir. States, local governments, and Indian Tribes can apply. For grants to States or local governments, the federal share cannot be more than 80 percent. Key terms: Director = head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Indian Tribe = as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act; program = the annual grant program. The Secretary, consulting the Undersecretary and Director, sets award rules and must give priority to projects helping endangered or threatened anadromous fish, stocks that could become listed, stocks that are prey for protected species (including Southern resident orcas), or climate-resilient stocks, and to projects that open more than 200 meters of upstream habitat. The agencies must give technical help to Tribes and underserved communities. Up to 2 percent of yearly funds may pay administration. $800,000,000 is authorized each year for fiscal years 2022–2026.