---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 2905"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "2905"
heading: "Estuary habitat restoration strategy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/2905"
units:
  - "Chapter 42 — Estuary Restoration"
---

# §2905. Estuary habitat restoration strategy

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 1 year after November 7, 2000, the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1),[^1] shall develop an [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy designed to ensure a comprehensive approach to maximize benefits derived from [estuary habitat restoration projects](/usc/33/2902.md?p=5) and to foster the coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities related to restoration of [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3).
- (b) **Goal—** The goal of the strategy shall be the restoration of 1,000,000 acres of [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) by the year 2010.
- (c) **Integration of estuary habitat restoration plans, programs, and partnerships—** In developing the [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy, the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) conduct a review of [estuary](/usc/33/2902.md?p=2) management or habitat restoration plans and Federal programs established under other laws that authorize funding for [estuary habitat restoration activities](/usc/33/2902.md?p=4-A); and
  - (2) ensure that the [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy is developed in a manner that is consistent with the [estuary](/usc/33/2902.md?p=2) management or habitat restoration plans.
- (d) **Elements of the strategy—** The [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy shall include proposals, methods, and guidance on—
  - (1) maximizing the incentives for the creation of new public-private partnerships to carry out [estuary habitat restoration projects](/usc/33/2902.md?p=5) and the use of Federal resources to encourage increased private sector involvement in [estuary habitat restoration activities](/usc/33/2902.md?p=4-A);
  - (2) ensuring that the [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the [estuary](/usc/33/2902.md?p=2) management or habitat restoration plans;
  - (3) promoting [estuary habitat restoration projects](/usc/33/2902.md?p=5) to—
    - (A) provide healthy ecosystems in order to support—
      - (i) wildlife, including endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, and resident species of an [estuary](/usc/33/2902.md?p=2) watershed; and
      - (ii) fish and shellfish, including commercial and recreational fisheries;
    - (B) improve surface and ground water quality and quantity, and flood control;
    - (C) provide outdoor recreation; and
    - (D) address other areas of concern that the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) determines to be appropriate for consideration;
  - (4) addressing the estimated historic losses, estimated current rate of loss, and extent of the threat of future loss or degradation of each type of [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3);
  - (5) measuring the rate of change for each type of [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3);
  - (6) selecting a balance of smaller and larger [estuary habitat restoration projects](/usc/33/2902.md?p=5); and
  - (7) ensuring equitable geographic distribution of projects funded under this chapter.
- (e) **Public review and comment—** Before the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) adopts a final or revised [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy, the [Secretary](/usc/33/2902.md?p=9) shall publish in the Federal Register a draft of the [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy and provide an opportunity for public review and comment.
- (f) **Periodic revision—** Using data and information developed through project monitoring and management, and other relevant information, the [Council](/usc/33/2902.md?p=1) may periodically review and update, as necessary, the [estuary habitat](/usc/33/2902.md?p=3) restoration strategy.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–457, title I, § 106, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1963.)