The term “Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program” means the State of Washington’s Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program approved under section 1455b of title 16.
The term “Federal Action Plan” means the plan developed under subsection (c)(3)(B).
The term “International Joint Commission” means the International Joint Commission established by the Treaty relating to the boundary waters and questions arising along the boundary between the United States and Canada, signed at Washington January 11, 1909, and entered into force May 5, 1910 (36 Stat. 2448; TS 548; 12 Bevans 319).
The term “Pacific Salmon Commission” means the Pacific Salmon Commission established by the United States and Canada under the Treaty concerning Pacific salmon, with annexes and memorandum of understanding, signed at Ottawa January 28, 1985, and entered into force March 18, 1985 (TIAS 11091; 1469 UNTS 357) (commonly known as the “Pacific Salmon Treaty”).
The term “Program Office” means the Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office established by subsection (b).
The term “Puget Sound Action Agenda” or“Action Agenda” means the most recent plan developed by the Puget Sound National Estuary Program Management Conference, in consultation with the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference, and approved by the Administrator as the comprehensive conservation and management plan for the Puget Sound under section 1330 of this title.
The term “Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force” means the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force established under subsection (c).
The term “Puget Sound Federal Task Force” means the Puget Sound Federal Task Force established in 2016 under a memorandum of understanding among 9 Federal agencies.
The term “Puget Sound National Estuary Program Management Conference” means the management conference for the Puget Sound convened pursuant to section 1330 of this title.
The term “Puget Sound Partnership” means the State agency created under the laws of the State of Washington (section 90.71.210 of the Revised Code of Washington), or its successor agency that has been designated by the Administrator as the lead entity to support the Puget Sound National Estuary Program Management Conference.
The term “Puget Sound region” means the land and waters in the northwest corner of the State of Washington from the Canadian border to the north to the Pacific Ocean on the west, including Hood Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The term “Puget Sound region” includes all watersheds that drain into the Puget Sound.
The term “Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference” means the 20 treaty Indian tribes of western Washington and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
The term “Salish Sea” means the network of coastal waterways on the west coast of North America that includes the Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The term “Salmon Recovery Plans” means the recovery plans for salmon and steelhead species approved by the Secretary of the Interior under section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 [16 U.S.C. 1533(f)] that are applicable to the Puget Sound region.
The term “State Advisory Committee” means the advisory committee established by subsection (d).
The term “Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative” means the report from the treaty Indian tribes of western Washington entitled “Treaty Rights At Risk: Ongoing Habitat Loss, the Decline of the Salmon Resource, and Recommendations for Change” and dated July 14, 2011, or its successor report that outlines issues and offers solutions for the protection of Tribal treaty rights, recovery of salmon habitat, and management of sustainable treaty and nontreaty salmon fisheries, including through Tribal salmon hatchery programs.
There is established in the Environmental Protection Agency a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office, to be located in the State of Washington.
The position of Director of the Program Office shall be a career reserved position, as such term is defined in section 3132 of title 5.
Using amounts made available to carry out this section, the Administrator shall delegate to the Director such authority and provide such staff as may be necessary to carry out this section.
Members appointed under this paragraph shall have experience and expertise in matters of restoration and protection of large watersheds and bodies of water, or related experience that will benefit the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound.
The Co-Chairs shall ensure the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force completes its duties through robust discussion of all relevant issues. The Co-Chairs shall share leadership responsibilities equally.
Not later than 5 years after December 23, 2022, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall develop and approve a Federal Action Plan that leverages Federal programs across agencies and serves to coordinate diverse programs and priorities for the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound.
Not less often than once every 5 years after the date of approval of the Federal Action Plan under clause (i), the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall review, and revise as appropriate, the Federal Action Plan.
The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall carry out its duties with input from, and in collaboration with, the State Advisory Committee and the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference, including by seeking advice and recommendations on the actions, progress, and issues pertaining to the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound.
After the initial meeting, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall meet, at a minimum, twice per year to carry out the duties of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
A meeting of any established working group or committee of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall not be considered a biannual meeting for purposes of subparagraph (B).
A simple majority of the members of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall constitute a quorum.
For the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force to take an official action, a quorum shall be present, and at least a two-thirds majority of the members present shall vote in the affirmative.
The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force may seek advice and input from any interested, knowledgeable, or affected party as the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force determines necessary to perform its duties.
A member of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall receive no additional compensation for service as a member on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
Travel expenses incurred by a member of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force in the performance of service on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force may be paid by the agency that the member represents.
On December 23, 2022, the 2016 memorandum of understanding establishing the Puget Sound Federal Task Force shall cease to be effective.
The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall, to the extent practicable, use the work product produced, relied upon, and analyzed by the Puget Sound Federal Task Force in order to avoid duplicating the efforts of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force.
The State Advisory Committee shall consist of up to seven members designated by the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership, in consultation with the Governor of Washington, who will represent Washington State agencies that have significant roles and responsibilities related to the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound.
Not later than 1 year after December 23, 2022, and biennially thereafter, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, in collaboration with the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference and the State Advisory Committee, shall submit to the President, Congress, the Governor of Washington, and the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership a report that summarizes the progress, challenges, and milestones of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force relating to the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound.
Nothing in this section affects, or is intended to affect, any right reserved by treaty between the United States and one or more Indian tribes.