Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

49 U.S.C. § 6703 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 49. Transportation § 6703. National culvert removal, replacement, and restoration grant program

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a)Definitions.--In this section:

(1)Director.--The term “Director” means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

(2)Indian Tribe.--The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(3)Program.--The term “program” means the annual competitive grant program established under subsection (b).

(4)Secretary.--The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.

(5)Undersecretary.--The term “Undersecretary” means the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

(b)Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Undersecretary, shall establish an annual competitive grant program to award grants to eligible entities for projects for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that--

(1) would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish; and

(2) with respect to weirs, may include--

(A) infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir; and

(B) weir improvements.

(c)Eligible entities.--An entity eligible to receive a grant under the program is--

(1) a State;

(2) a unit of local government; or

(3) an Indian Tribe.

(d)Grant selection process.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Undersecretary and the Director, shall establish a process for determining criteria for awarding grants under the program, subject to subsection (e).

(e)Prioritization.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Undersecretary and the Director, shall establish procedures to prioritize awarding grants under the program to--

(1) projects that would improve fish passage for--

(A) anadromous fish stocks listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533);

(B) anadromous fish stocks identified by the Undersecretary or the Director that could reasonably become listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under that section;

(C) anadromous fish stocks identified by the Undersecretary or the Director as prey for endangered species, threatened species, or protected species, including Southern resident orcas (Orcinus orcas); or

(D) anadromous fish stocks identified by the Undersecretary or the Director as climate resilient stocks; and

(2) projects that would open up more than 200 meters of upstream habitat before the end of the natural habitat.

(f)Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with a grant to a State or a unit of local government under the program shall be not more than 80 percent.

(g)Technical assistance.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Undersecretary and the Director, shall develop a process to provide technical assistance to Indian Tribes and underserved communities to assist in the project design and grant process and procedures.

(h)Administrative expenses.--Of the amounts made available for each fiscal year to carry out the program, the Secretary, the Undersecretary, and the Director may use not more than 2 percent to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this section.

(i)Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $800,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 49 U.S.C. § 6703 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 49. Transportation § 6703. National culvert removal, replacement, and restoration grant program - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-49-transportation/49-usc-sect-6703/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard