---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6410"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6410"
heading: "Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6410"
units:
  - "Chapter 83 — Coral Reef Conservation"
---

# §6410. Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program

- (a) **In general—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) shall establish a program (to be known as the “Ruth D. Gates [Coral Reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [Conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) Grant Program”) to provide grants for [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the [conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) and [restoration](/usc/16/6415.md?p=19) of [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8) (in this section referred to as “[coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4)”) pursuant to proposals approved by the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) in accordance with this section.
- (b) **Matching requirements for grants—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except as provided in [paragraph (3)](#b-3), Federal funds for any [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for which a grant is provided under [subsection (a)](#a) may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4).
  - (2) **Non-Federal share—** The non-Federal share of the cost of a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) may be provided by in-kind contributions and other noncash support.
  - (3) **Waiver—** The [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) may waive all or part of the matching requirement under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) if the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) determines that no reasonable means are available through which an applicant can meet the matching requirement with respect to a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) and the probable benefit of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) outweighs the public interest in the matching requirement.
- (c) **Eligibility—**
  - (1) **In general—** An entity described in [paragraph (2)](#c-2) may submit to the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) a proposal for a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4).
  - (2) **Entities described—** An entity described in this paragraph is—
    - (A) a [covered reef manager](/usc/16/6415.md?p=11) or a [covered Native entity](/usc/16/6415.md?p=10);
    - (B) a regional fishery management council established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery [Conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) and Management Act ([16 U.S.C. 1801](/usc/16/1801.md) et seq.);
    - (C) a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [stewardship](/usc/16/6415.md?p=23) partnership seeking to implement a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) action plan in effect under [section 6404 of this title](/usc/16/6404.md);
    - (D) a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) research center designated under [section 6411(b) of this title](/usc/16/6411.md?p=b); or
    - (E) a nongovernmental organization or research institution with demonstrated expertise in the [conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) or [restoration](/usc/16/6415.md?p=19) of [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) in practice or through significant contributions to the body of existing scientific research on [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7).
- (d) **Project proposals—** Each proposal for a grant under this section for a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) shall include the following:
  - (1) The name of the individual or entity responsible for conducting the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4).
  - (2) A description of the qualifications of the individual or entity.
  - (3) A succinct statement of the purposes of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4).
  - (4) An estimate of the funds and time required to complete the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4).
  - (5) Evidence of support for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) by appropriate representatives of [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) or other government jurisdictions in which the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) will be conducted.
  - (6) Information regarding the source and amount of matching funding available to the applicant.
  - (7) A description of how the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) meets one or more of the criteria under [subsection (e)(2)](#e-2).
  - (8) In the case of a proposal submitted by a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [stewardship](/usc/16/6415.md?p=23) partnership, a description of how the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) aligns with the applicable [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) action plan in effect under [section 6404 of this title](/usc/16/6404.md).
  - (9) Any other information the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for a grant under this subsection.
- (e) **Project review and approval—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) shall review each [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal submitted under this section to determine if the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) meets the criteria set forth in [subsection (f)](#f).
  - (2) **Prioritization of conservation projects—** The [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) shall prioritize the awarding of funding for [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that meet the criteria for approval described in—
    - (A) subparagraphs [(A)](#f-2-A) through [(G)](#f-2-G) of subsection (f)(2) that are proposed to be conducted within priority [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) identified for [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) by the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) under the [National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy](/usc/16/6415.md?p=16); and
    - (B) subparagraphs [(E)](#f-2-E) through [(L)](#f-2-L) of subsection (f)(2) that are proposed to be conducted within priority [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) identified for [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [restoration](/usc/16/6415.md?p=19) by the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) under the [National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy](/usc/16/6415.md?p=16).
  - (3) **Review; approval or disapproval—** Not later than 180 days after receiving a proposal for a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) under this section, the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) request and consider written comments on the proposal from each Federal agency, [State](/usc/16/6415.md?p=22) government, [covered Native entity](/usc/16/6415.md?p=10), or other government jurisdiction, including the relevant regional fishery management councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery [Conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) and Management Act ([16 U.S.C. 1801](/usc/16/1801.md) et seq.), or any National Marine Sanctuary or Marine National Monument, with jurisdiction or management authority over [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8) in the [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) where the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is to be conducted, including the extent to which the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is consistent with locally established priorities, unless such entities were directly involved in the development of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal;
    - (B) provide for the merit-based peer review of the proposal and require standardized documentation of that peer review;
    - (C) after considering any written comments and recommendations based on the reviews under subparagraphs [(A)](#e-3-A) and [(B)](#e-3-B), approve or disapprove the proposal; and
    - (D) provide written notification of that approval or disapproval, with summaries of all written comments, recommendations, and peer reviews, to the entity that submitted the proposal, and each of those [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), [covered Native entity](/usc/16/6415.md?p=10), and other government jurisdictions that provided comments under [subparagraph (A)](#e-3-A).
- (f) **Criteria for approval—** The [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) may not approve a proposal for a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) under this section unless the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4)—
  - (1) is consistent with—
    - (A) the [National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy](/usc/16/6415.md?p=16); and
    - (B) any Federal or non-Federal [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) action plans in effect under [section 6404 of this title](/usc/16/6404.md) covering a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) or ecologically significant [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) to be affected by the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4); and
  - (2) will enhance the [conservation](/usc/16/6415.md?p=4) and [restoration](/usc/16/6415.md?p=19) of [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) by—
    - (A) addressing conflicts arising from the use of environments near [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) or from the use of [corals](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5), species associated with [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7), and [coral products](/usc/16/6415.md?p=6), including supporting consensus-driven and community-based planning and management initiatives for the protection of [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8);
    - (B) improving compliance with laws that prohibit or regulate the [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) of [coral products](/usc/16/6415.md?p=6) or species associated with [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) or regulate the use and management of [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8);
    - (C) designing and implementing networks of real-time water quality monitoring along [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7), including data collection related to turbidity, nutrient availability, harmful algal blooms, and plankton assemblages, with an emphasis on [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) impacted by agriculture and urban development;
    - (D) promoting ecologically sound navigation and anchorages, including mooring buoy systems to promote enhanced recreational access, near [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7);
    - (E) furthering the goals and objectives of [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) action plans in effect under [section 6404 of this title](/usc/16/6404.md);
    - (F) mapping the location and distribution of [coral reefs](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) and potential [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) habitat;
    - (G) stimulating innovation to advance the ability of the United States to understand, research, or monitor [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8), or to develop management or adaptation options to conserve and restore [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8);
    - (H) implementing research to ensure the population viability of [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) species in United States waters listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 [[16 U.S.C. 1531](/usc/16/1531.md) et seq.] as detailed in the population-based recovery criteria included in species-specific recovery plans established under such Act;
    - (I) developing and implementing cost-effective methods to restore degraded [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8) or to create geographically appropriate [coral reef ecosystems](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8) in suitable waters, including by improving habitat or promoting success of keystone species, with an emphasis on novel [restoration](/usc/16/6415.md?p=19) strategies and techniques to advance [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) recovery and growth near population centers threatened by rising sea levels and storm surge;
    - (J) translating and applying [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) genetics research to [coral reef ecosystem](/usc/16/6415.md?p=8) [restoration](/usc/16/6415.md?p=19), including research related to traits that promote [resilience](/usc/16/6415.md?p=20) to increasing ocean temperatures, changing ocean chemistry, [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) bleaching, [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) diseases, and invasive species;
    - (K) developing and maintaining in situ [native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) propagation sites; or
    - (L) developing and maintaining ex situ [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) propagation nurseries and land-based [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) gene banks to—
      - (i) conserve or augment genetic diversity of [native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) populations;
      - (ii) support captive breeding of rare [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) species; or
      - (iii) enhance [resilience](/usc/16/6415.md?p=20) of [native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) populations to increasing ocean temperatures, changing ocean chemistry, [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) bleaching, and [coral](/usc/16/6415.md?p=5) diseases through selective breeding, conditioning, or other approaches that target genes, gene expression, phenotypic traits, or phenotypic plasticity.
- (g) **Funding requirements—** To the extent practicable based upon proposals for [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) submitted to the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1), the [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) shall ensure that funding for grants awarded under this section during a fiscal year is distributed as follows:
  - (1) Not less than 40 percent of funds available shall be awarded for [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the Pacific Ocean subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States.
  - (2) Not less than 40 percent of the funds available shall be awarded for [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States.
  - (3) To the extent there are viable applications made by eligible [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [stewardship](/usc/16/6415.md?p=23) partners, not more than 67 percent of funds distributed in each region in accordance with paragraphs [(1)](#g-1) and [(2)](#g-2) may be made exclusively available to [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that are—
    - (A) submitted by a [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [stewardship](/usc/16/6415.md?p=23) partnership; and
    - (B) consistent with the [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) action plan in effect under [section 6404 of this title](/usc/16/6404.md) by such a partnership.
  - (4) Of the funds distributed to support [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) in accordance with [paragraph (3)](#g-3), not less than 20 percent and not more than 33 percent shall be awarded for [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) submitted by a Federal [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [stewardship](/usc/16/6415.md?p=23) partnership, to the extent there are viable applications made by eligible Federal [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [stewardship](/usc/16/6415.md?p=23) partnerships.
- (h) **Task Force—** The [Administrator](/usc/16/6415.md?p=1) may consult with the [Secretary](/usc/16/6415.md?p=21) of the Interior and the [Task Force](/usc/16/6415.md?p=24) to obtain guidance in establishing priorities and evaluating proposals for [coral reef](/usc/16/6415.md?p=7) [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 211, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3941.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2)(B) and (e)(3)(A), is Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, which is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(H), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.