§ 7783. Grants to weed management entities

• (a) In carrying out a grant under this subchapter, the weed management entity and the Secretary shall—
  • (1) if the activities funded under the grant will take place on Federal land, consult with the heads of the Federal agencies having jurisdiction over the land; or
  • (2) obtain the written consent of the non-Federal landowner.
• (b) In determining the amount of a grant to a weed management entity, the Secretary shall consider—
  • (1) the severity or potential severity of the noxious weed problem;
  • (2) the extent to which the Federal funds will be used to leverage non-Federal funds to address the noxious weed problem;
  • (3) the extent to which the weed management entity has made progress in addressing the noxious weeds problem; and
  • (4) other factors that the Secretary determines to be relevant.
• (c)
  • (1) A weed management entity that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use the grant funds to carry out a project authorized by subsection (d) for the control or eradication of a noxious weed.
  • (2)
    • (A) The Federal share of the cost of carrying out an authorized project under this section exclusively on non-Federal land shall not exceed 50 percent.
    • (B) The non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out an authorized project under this section may be provided in cash or in kind.
• (d) Projects funded by grants under this section 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.
  • (2) Other activities to control or eradicate noxious weeds or promote control or eradication of noxious weeds.
• (e) To be eligible to receive assistance under this section, a weed management entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary shall by regulation require.
• (f) Projects funded under this section shall be selected by the Secretary on a competitive basis, taking into consideration the following:
  • (1) The severity of the noxious weed problem or potential problem addressed by the project.
  • (2) The likelihood that the project will prevent or resolve the problem, or increase knowledge about resolving similar problems.
  • (3) The extent to which the Federal funds will leverage non-Federal funds to address the noxious weed problem addressed by the project.
  • (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 weed management entity has made progress in addressing noxious weed problems.
  • (6) The extent to which the project will provide a comprehensive approach to the control or eradication of noxious weeds.
  • (7) The extent to which the project will reduce the total population of noxious weeds.
  • (8) The extent to which the project promotes cooperation and participation between States that have common interests in controlling and eradicating noxious weeds.
  • (9) Other factors that the Secretary determines to be relevant.
• (g) In determining which projects 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 projects that maximize the involvement of State, local and, where applicable, Indian Tribe governments.
• (h) The Secretary shall give special consideration to States with approved weed management entities established by Indian Tribes and may provide an additional allocation to a State to meet the particular needs and projects that the weed management entity plans to address.