NORTH ATLANTIC COASTAL REGION.

SEC. 4009. NORTH ATLANTIC COASTAL REGION. (a) In General.—The Secretary shall carry out a comprehensive assessment and management plan to restore aquatic ecosystems within the coastal waters of the Northeastern United States from the State of Virginia to the State of Maine, including associated bays, estuaries, and critical riverine areas. (b) Assessment and Plan.—In carrying out the assessment and plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) as appropriate, coordinate with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, the Governors of the coastal States from Virginia to Maine, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties; (2) identify projects for aquatic ecosystem restoration based on an assessment of the need and opportunities for aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters of the Northeastern States described in subsection (a); and (3) use, to the maximum extent practicable, any existing plans and data. (c) Disposition.— (1) In general.—The Secretary may carry out any project identified in the assessment and plan pursuant to subsection (a) in accordance with the criteria for projects carried out under one of the following authorities: (A) Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330). (B) Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a). (C) Section 3 of the Act of August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 426g). (D) Section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326). (2) Report.—For each project that does not meet the criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include a recommendation relating to the project in the annual report submitted to Congress by the Secretary in accordance with section 7001.