((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.