Save Our National Parks Transportation Act

“207. Nationally significant Federal lands and tribal projects program

“(a) Purpose—The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a nationally significant Federal lands and tribal projects program to provide funding to construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate nationally significant Federal lands and tribal transportation projects.

“(b) Eligibility

“(1) In general—Except as specified in paragraph (2), an entity eligible to receive funds under sections 201, 202, 203 and 204 of this title is eligible to receive funds under this section.

“(2) Special rule—A State, county or local government is eligible to receive funds under this section if such government is sponsored by an eligible Federal land management agency or Indian tribe.

“(c) Application—To be eligible to receive funds under this section, an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary may establish.

“(d) Project requirements—An eligible project under this section shall be a single continuous project—

“(1) on a Federal lands transportation facility, a Federal lands access transportation facility, or a tribal transportation facility, except that such facility is not required to be included on an inventory as described under section 202 or 203;

“(2) for which completion of activities required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), has been demonstrated through a record of decision with respect to the project, a finding that the project has no significant impact, or a determination that the project is categorically excluded; and

“(3) having an estimated cost, based on the results of preliminary engineering, equal to or exceeding $25,000,000, with priority consideration given to projects with an estimated cost equal to or exceeding $50,000,000.

“(e) Use of Funds—An applicant receiving funds under this section may only use such funds for construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation activities, except that activities related to project design are not eligible.

“(f) Selection criteria—In selecting a project to receive funds under this section the Secretary shall consider the extent to which the project—

“(1) furthers goals of the Department of Transportation, including state of good repair, environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness, quality of life, and safety;

“(2) improves the condition of critical multimodal transportation facilities;

“(3) needs construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation;

“(4) is included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places;

“(5) enhances environmental ecosystems;

“(6) uses new technologies and innovations that enhance the efficiency of the project;

“(7) is supported by funds other than those received under this title to construct, maintain, and operate the facility;

“(8) spans 2 or more States; and

“(9) serves lands owned by multiple Federal agencies or Indian tribes.”