To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and recreational activities in the Connecticut River watershed of the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and for other purposes.

Summary: Lower Connecticut River Partnership Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical and financial assistance to the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts for management of the Connecticut River and the River's watershed.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Lower Connecticut River Partnership 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Connecticut River watershed in the States of 
        Connecticut and Massachusetts is a scenic region of cities and 
        historic villages located in an internationally and nationally 
        significant landscape of working farms, verdant forests, 
        mountains, and broad fertile floodplains of New England's 
        longest river, the Connecticut River.
            (2) The Connecticut River and its tributaries provide 
        outstanding fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and 
        hydropower generation for the New England region.
            (3) The Connecticut River watershed has been recognized by 
        Congress as part of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and 
        Wildlife Refuge, established by the Silvio O. Conte National 
        Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd note; Public Law 
        102-212).
            (4) The demonstrated interest in stewardship of the River 
        by the citizens living in the watershed led to the Presidential 
        designation of the River as one of 14 American Heritage Rivers 
        on July 30, 1998.
            (5) Where management of the River involves partnership with 
        local communities and organizations, support for the 
        partnership should be provided by the Secretary.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Secretary 
to provide to the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts technical and 
financial assistance for management of the River and the River 
watershed.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) River.--The term ``River'' means the Connecticut River.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means--
                    (A) the State of Connecticut; or
                    (B) the State of Massachusetts.

SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE FOR STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary may provide to the States technical 
and financial assistance in managing the River and the River watershed 
in cooperation and collaboration with conservation organizations and 
regional planning agencies in the watershed, including assistance for 
the following:
            (1) Developing policies for water quality, flow management, 
        and recreational boating for the River.
            (2) Developing protection plans for water quality in the 
        tributaries that flow into the River.
            (3) Developing a coordinated, collaborative approach on the 
        part of the States for monitoring the quality of the River for 
        human use and ecological health.
            (4) Restoring and protecting priority riverbanks to improve 
        water quality and aquatic and riparian habitat.
            (5) Encouraging and assisting communities, farmers, 
        conservation organizations, and riverfront landowners in--
                    (A) establishing and protecting riparian buffers; 
                and
                    (B) preventing nonpoint source pollution.
            (6) Encouraging and assisting communities in--
                    (A) protecting shoreland, wetland, and flood 
                plains; and
                    (B) managing and treating stormwater runoff.
            (7) In cooperation with dam owners--
                    (A) evaluating the decommissioning of uneconomic 
                dams in the watershed; and
                    (B) restoring natural riverine habitat.
            (8) Protecting and restoring the habitat of native trout, 
        anadromous fisheries, and other outstanding fish and wildlife 
        resources.
            (9) Encouraging new and improved markets for local 
        agricultural products.
            (10) Encouraging the protection of farmland and 
        economically sustainable agriculture.
            (11) Developing and promoting locally planned, approved, 
        and managed networks of heritage trails and water trails.
            (12) Coordinating and fostering opportunities for heritage 
        tourism and agritourism.
            (13) Demonstrating economic development based on heritage 
        tourism.
            (14) Supporting local stewardship.
            (15) Strengthening nonregulatory protection of heritage 
        resources.
            (16) Encouraging public access to the River from towns and 
        cities in the Valley.
            (17) Establishing indicators of sustainability.
            (18) Monitoring the impact of increased tourism and 
        recreational use on natural and historic resources.
    (b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 10 percent of the funds 
made available to any State under this Act may be used for 
administrative costs.
    (c) Coordination With Other Entities.--The Secretary shall 
encourage States receiving assistance under this Act to work in 
coordination with units of local government and nonprofit organizations 
when carrying out activities listed in subsection (a).