appropriate use, a.~~d appreciation for Federal, State, a vocal lands, facilities, and natural and <br /> cultural resources; (B) to encourage an attitude of stewardship and responsibility toward these <br /> lands, facilities, and resources; and (C) to promote participation by individuals, organizations, <br /> and communities of a conservation ethic in caring for these lands, facilities, and resources." <br /> Section 4602 authorizes the solicitation and acceptance of gifts and bequests of money and <br /> property to aid or facilitate the purposes of the TPIA Program. Section 4605 states "The <br /> Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to further the <br /> purposes of the TPIA Program." <br /> F. Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000, PL 106-393 (16 U.S.C. <br /> 500) authorizes the BLM and FS to: 1) Promote the stabilization of payments to counties to <br /> provide funding for schools and roads as a supplement to other available funds 2) Create <br /> additional employment opportunities through, projects that improve the maintenance of existing <br /> infrastructure, implement stewaxdship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems and restore and <br /> improve land health and water quality 3) Improve cooperative relationships among the people <br /> that use and care for Federal Lands and the agencies that manage these lands. <br /> TITLE II-SPECIAL PROJECTS ON FEDERAL LANDS <br /> 204. EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF PROJECTS BY SECRETARY CONCERNED. <br /> (e) Implementation of Approved Projects.- <br /> (1)Cooperation.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, using project funds <br /> the Secretary concerned may enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with <br /> States and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners and other persons to <br /> assist the Secretary in carrying out an a roved- ro'ect. <br /> pp p J <br /> 202. GENERAL LIMITATION ON USE OF PROJECT FUNDS <br /> Project funds shall be expended solely on projects that meet the requirements of this title. Project <br /> funds maybe used by the Secretary. concerned for the purpose of entering into and implementing <br /> cooperative agreements with willing Federal agencies, State and local governments, private and <br /> nonprofit entities, and landowners for protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and <br /> wildlife habitat, and other resource objectives consistent with the purposes of this title on Federal <br /> land and on non-Federal land where projects would benefit these resources on Federal land. <br /> F. Cooperative Conservation Initiative- CCI is authorized in P.L. 108-7, Public Law 108-7, <br /> Consolidated Appropriations Resolution for FY 2003 Conference Report which states: The <br /> conference agreement includes an increase of $5,000,000 in the challenge cost share program for <br /> the Cooperative Conservation Initiative. Therefore, the CCI authority is within the challenge <br /> cost share program that is authorized in P.L. 101-512 and states: "Provided further, That <br /> notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements-Act of 1977 <br /> (31 U.S.C. 6301 - 6308), the Bureau is authorized hereafter to negotiate and enter into <br /> cooperative arrangements with public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and <br /> individuals, to implement challenge cost-share programs." <br /> <br /> IV. Benefits to the Public: This agreement will support a means for providing an effective cooperative <br /> working relationship between the BLM and the City, and combine technical expertise, funding and <br /> services toward the goal of restoring wetland, riparian, and upland habitats to benefit native wildlife <br /> species (including federally listed species) and water quality. These types of cooperative <br /> relationships help to more effectively address water quality and native species concerns in areas with <br /> intermingled private and public land ownership and provide incentives for private involvement to <br /> resolve those concerns. This work also improves working relationships with partners involved in the <br /> effort. <br /> 5 <br /> . _ _ _ <br /> <br />