TIMETABLE FOR STUDY.

SEC. 214. TIMETABLE FOR STUDY. (a) Award of Contract.—The Secretary shall, before the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of an Act providing appropriations to carry out the study required by this part, enter into any contract or cooperative agreement necessary for conducting such study. (b) Completion of Study.—Any contract or agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall require the study to be completed and a report concerning such study to be submitted to the Secretary and to the appropriate committees of the Congress before the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the contract or agreement. (c) Implementation of Recommendations.—The Secretary, after allowing for public comment on the report submitted under subsection (b), shall take appropriate action based on the report before the end of the 6-month period following the date on which the Secretary receives the report.