(A) the area is a representative estuarine ecosystem that is suitable for long-term research and contributes to the biogeographical and typological balance of the System; (B) the law of the coastal state provides long-term protection for reserve resources to ensure a stable environment for research; (C) designation of the area as a reserve will serve to enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas, and provide suitable opportunities for public education and interpretation; and (D) the coastal state in which the area is located has complied with the requirements of any regulations issued by the Secretary to implement this section. (c) ESTUARINE RESEARCH GUIDELINES.-The Secretary shall develop guidelines for the conduct of research within the System that shall include (1) a mechanism for identifying, and establishing priorities among, the coastal management issues that should be addressed through coordinated research within the System; (2) the establishment of common research principles and objectives to guide the development of research programs within the Systems; (3) the identification of uniform research methodologies which will ensure comparability of data, the broadest application of research results, and the maximum use of the System for research purposes; (4) the establishment of performance standards upon which the effectiveness of the research efforts and the value of reserves within the System in addressing the coastal management issues identified in paragraph (1) may be measured; and (5) the consideration of additional sources of funds for estuarine research than the funds authorized under this Act, and strategies for encouraging the use of such funds within the System, with particular emphasis on mechanisms established under subsection (d). In developing the guidelines under this section, the Secretary shall consult with prominent members of the estuarine research community. (d) PROMOTION AND COORDINATION OF ESTUARINE RESEARCH.— The Secretary shall take such action as is necessary to promote and coordinate the use of the System for research purposes including— (1) requiring that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in conducting or supporting estuarine research, give priority consideration to research that uses the System; and (2) consulting with other Federal and State agencies to promote use of one or more reserves within the System by such agencies when conducting estuarine research. (e) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. (1) The Secretary may, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Secretary shall promulgate, make grants— (A) to a coastal state— (i) for purposes of acquiring such lands and waters, and any property interests therein, as are necessary to en sure the appropriate long-term management of an area as a national estuarine reserve, (ii) for purposes of operating or managing a national estuarine reserve and constructing appropriate reserve facilities, or (iii) for purposes of conducting educational or interpretive activities; and (B) to any coastal state or public or private person for purposes of supporting research and monitoring within a national estuarine reserve that are consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c). (2) Financial assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the United States, including requiring coastal states to execute suitable_title documents setting forth the property interest or interests of the United States in any lands and waters acquired in whole or part with such financial assistance. (3)(A) The amount of the financial assistance provided under paragraph (1)(A)(i) with respect to the acquisition of lands and waters, or interests therein, for any one national estuarine reserve may not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the costs of the lands, waters, and interests therein or $5,000,000, whichever amount is less. (B) The amount of the financial assistance provided under paragraph (1)(A) (ii) and (iii) and paragraph (1)(B) may not exceed 70 percent of the costs incurred to achieve the purposes described in those paragraphs with respect to a reserve, except that the amount of the financial assistance provided under paragraph (1)(A)(iii) may be up to 100 percent of any costs for activities that benefit the entire System. (C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), financial assistance under this subsection provided from amounts recovered as a result of damage to natural resources located in the coastal zone may be used to pay 100 percent of the costs of activities carried out with the assistance. (f) EVALUATION OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. (1) The Secretary shall periodically evaluate the operation and management of each national estuarine reserve, including education and interpretive activities, and the research being conducted within the reserve. (2) If evaluation under paragraph (1) reveals that the operation and management of the reserve is deficient, or that the research being conducted within the reserve is not consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c), the Secretary may suspend the eligibility of that reserve for financial assistance under subsection (e) until the deficiency or inconsistency is remedied. (3) The Secretary may withdraw the designation of an estuarine areas a national estuarine reserve if evaluation under paragraph (1) reveals that (A) the basis for any one or more of the findings made under subsection (b)(2) regarding that area no longer exists; or (B) a substantial portion of the research conducted within the area, over a period of years, has not been consistent with the research guidelines developed under subsection (c). (g) REPORT.-The Secretary shall include in the report required under section 316 information regarding (1) new designations of national estuarine reserves; (2) any expansion of existing national estuarine reserves; (3) the status of the research program being conducted within the System; and (4) a summary of the evaluations made under subsection (f). COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT REPORT SEC. 316. [16 U.S.C. 1462] (a) The Secretary shall consult with the Congress on a regular basis concerning the administration of this title and shall prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report summarizing the administration of this title during each period of two consecutive fiscal years. Each report, which shall be transmitted to the Congress not later than April 1 of the year following the close of the biennial period to which it pertains, shall include, but not be restricted to (1) an identification of the state programs approved pursuant to this title during the preceding Federal fiscal year and a description of those programs; (2) a listing of the states participating in the provisions of this title and a description of the status of each state's programs and its accomplishments during the preceding Federal fiscal year; (3) an itemization of the allocation of funds to the various coastal states and a breakdown of the major projects and areas on which these funds were expended; (4) an identification of any state programs which have been reviewed and disapproved, and a statement of the reasons for such action; (5) a summary of evaluation findings prepared in accordance with subsection (a) of section 312, and a description of any sanctions imposed under subsections (c) and (d) of section 312; (6) a listing of all activities and projects which, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) or subsection (d) of section 307, are not consistent with an applicable approved state management program; (7) a summary of the regulations issued by the Secretary or in effect during the preceding Federal fiscal year; (8) a summary of a coordinated national strategy and program for the Nation's coastal zone including identification and discussion of Federal, regional, state, and local responsibilities and functions therein; (9) a summary of outstanding problems arising in the administration of this title in order of priority; (10) a description of the economic, environmental, and social consequences of energy activity affecting the coastal zone and an evaluation of the effectiveness of financial assistance under section 308 in dealing with such consequences; (11) a description and evaluation of applicable interstate and regional planning and coordination mechanisms developed by the coastal states; (12) a summary and evaluation of the research, studies, and training conducted in support of coastal zone management; and (13) such other information as may be appropriate. (b) The report required by subsection (a) shall contain such recommendations for additional legislation as the Secretary deems necessary to achieve the objectives of this title and enhance its effective operation. (c)(1) The Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of Federal programs, other than this title, that affect coastal resources for purposes of identifying conflicts between the objectives and admin istration of such programs and the purposes and policies of this title. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall notify each Federal agency having appropriate jurisdiction of any conflict between its program and the purposes and policies of this title identified as a result of such review. (2) The Secretary shall promptly submit a report to the Congress consisting of the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection. Such report shall include recommendations for changes necessary to resolve existing conflicts among Federal laws and programs that affect the uses of coastal resources. RULES AND REGULATIONS SEC. 317. [16 U.S.C. 1463] The Secretary shall develop and promulgate, pursuant to section 553 of title 5, United States Code, after notice and opportunity for full participation by relevant Federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, regional organizations, port authorities, and other interested parties, both public and private, such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS SEC. 318. [16 U.S.C. 1464] (a) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to remain available until expended(1) for grants under sections 306, 306A, and 309 (A) $47,600,000 for fiscal year 1997; (B) $49,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; and (2) for grants under section 315 (A) $4,400,000 for fiscal year 1997; (B) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 1998; and (b) Federal funds received from other sources shall not be used to pay a coastal state's share of costs under section 306 or 309. (c) The amount of any grant, or portion of a grant, made to a State under any section of this Act which is not obligated by such State during the fiscal year, or during the second fiscal year after the fiscal year, for which it was first authorized to be obligated by such State shall revert to the Secretary. The Secretary shall add such reverted amount to those funds available for grants under the section for such reverted amount was originally made available. APPEALS TO THE SECRETARY SEC. 319. [16 U.S.C. 1465] (a) NOTICE.-The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice indicating when the decision record has been closed on any appeal to the Secretary taken from a consistency determination under section 307(c) or (d). No later than 90 days after the date of publication of this notice, the Secretary shall (1) issue a final decision in the appeal; or (2) publish a notice in the Federal Register detailing why a decision cannot be issued within the 90-day period. (b) DEADLINE.-In the case where the Secretary publishes a notice under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall issue a decision in |