DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

SEC. 107. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES. (a) Technical Assistance and Grants.— (1) In general.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance and, subject to the availability of appropriations, grants to units of government, nonprofit organizations, and other persons upon request of the Partnership, and to the Partnership, regarding the management plan and its implementation. (2) Prohibition of certain requirements.—The Secretary may not, as a condition of the award of technical assistance or grants under this section, require any recipient of such technical assistance or a grant to enact or modify land use restrictions. (3) Determinations regarding assistance.—The Secretary shall decide if a unit of government, nonprofit organization, or other person shall be awarded technical assistance or grants and the amount of that assistance. Such decisions shall be based on the relative degree to which the assistance effectively fulfills the objectives contained in the Heritage Area 112 STAT. 3252management plan and achieves the purposes of this title. Such decisions shall give consideration to projects which provide a greater leverage of Federal funds. (b) Provision of Information.—In cooperation with other Federal agencies, the Secretary shall provide the general public with information regarding the location and character of the Heritage Area. (c) Other Assistance.—The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with public and private organizations for the purposes of implementing this subsection. (d) Duties of Other Federal Agencies.—Any Federal entity conducting any activity directly affecting the Heritage Area shall consider the potential effect of the activity on the Heritage Area management plan and shall consult with the Partnership with respect to the activity to minimize the adverse effects of the activity on the Heritage Area.