(a) Consultation and consentIn carrying out an agreement under this section, the Secretary shall—
(c) Eligible activitiesActivities carried out under an agreement under this section may include the following:
(1)
Education, inventories and mapping, management, monitoring, methods development, and other capacity building activities, including the payment of the cost of personnel and equipment that promote control or eradication of noxious weeds.
(d) Selection of activitiesActivities funded under this section shall be selected by the Secretary taking into consideration the following:
(2)
The likelihood that the activity will prevent or resolve the problem, or increase knowledge about resolving similar problems.
(3)
The extent to which the activity will provide a comprehensive approach to the control or eradication of noxious weeds.
(4)
The extent to which the program will improve the overall capacity of the United States to address noxious weed control and management.
(5)
The extent to which the project promotes cooperation and participation between States that have common interests in controlling and eradicating noxious weeds.
(e) Regional, State, and local involvementIn determining which activities receive funding under this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable—
(1)
rely on technical and merit reviews provided by regional, State, or local weed management experts; and
(2)
give priority to activities that maximize the involvement of State, local, and, where applicable, representatives of Indian Tribe governments.
(f) Rapid response programAt the request of the Governor of a State, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with a weed management entity in that State to enable rapid response to outbreaks of noxious weeds at a stage which rapid eradication and control is possible and to ensure eradication or immediate control of the noxious weeds if—
(2)
the noxious weed is considered to be a significant threat to native fish, wildlife, or their habitats, as determined by the Secretary;