((a)) ** In general** Not later than 1 year after , the Council,  shall develop an estuary habitat restoration strategy designed to ensure a comprehensive approach to maximize benefits derived from estuary habitat restoration projects and to foster the coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to restoration of estuary habitat.1November 7, 20002000-11-07

((b)) ** Goal** The goal of the strategy shall be the restoration of 1,000,000 acres of estuary habitat by the year 2010.

((c)) ** Integration of estuary habitat restoration plans, programs, and partnerships** In developing the estuary habitat restoration strategy, the Council shall—

((1)) conduct a review of estuary management or habitat restoration plans and Federal programs established under other laws that authorize funding for estuary habitat restoration activities; and

((2)) ensure that the estuary habitat restoration strategy is developed in a manner that is consistent with the estuary management or habitat restoration plans.

((d)) ** Elements of the strategy** The estuary habitat restoration strategy shall include proposals, methods, and guidance on—

((1)) maximizing the incentives for the creation of new public-private partnerships to carry out estuary habitat restoration projects and the use of Federal resources to encourage increased private sector involvement in estuary habitat restoration activities;

((2)) ensuring that the estuary habitat restoration strategy will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the estuary management or habitat restoration plans;

((3)) promoting estuary habitat restoration projects to—

((A)) provide healthy ecosystems in order to support—

((i)) wildlife, including endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, and resident species of an estuary watershed; and

((ii)) fish and shellfish, including commercial and recreational fisheries;

((B)) improve surface and ground water quality and quantity, and flood control;

((C)) provide outdoor recreation; and

((D)) address other areas of concern that the Council determines to be appropriate for consideration;

((4)) addressing the estimated historic losses, estimated current rate of loss, and extent of the threat of future loss or degradation of each type of estuary habitat;

((5)) measuring the rate of change for each type of estuary habitat;

((6)) selecting a balance of smaller and larger estuary habitat restoration projects; and

((7)) ensuring equitable geographic distribution of projects funded under this chapter.

((e)) ** Public review and comment** Before the Council adopts a final or revised estuary habitat restoration strategy, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a draft of the estuary habitat restoration strategy and provide an opportunity for public review and comment.

((f)) ** Periodic revision** Using data and information developed through project monitoring and management, and other relevant information, the Council may periodically review and update, as necessary, the estuary habitat restoration strategy.