(C) the establishment of appropriate time-
frames and intermediate steps for the elevation
of disputes to the Governor and the Secretary;
and
(D) a mechanism for the final resolution of
disputes, within 180 days from the date that
the dispute resolution process is initiated under
subparagraph (B).
(2) CONDITION FOR REPORT APPROVAL.—The
Secretary shall not approve a project implementation
report under this Act until the agreement estab-
lished under this subsection has been executed.
(3) NO
EFFECT
ON
LAW.—Nothing in the
agreement established under this subsection shall
alter or amend any existing Federal or State law or
the responsibility of any party to the agreement to
comply with any Federal or State law.
(j) INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC REVIEW.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, the Secretary
of the Interior, and the Governor, in consultation
with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task
Force, shall establish an independent scientific re-
view panel convened by a body, such as the National
Academy of Sciences, to review the Plan’s progress
toward achieving the natural system restoration
goals of the Plan.
(2) REPORT.—The panel described in para-
graph (1) shall produce a biennial report to Con-
gress, the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior,
and the Governor that includes an assessment of ec-
ological indicators and other measures of progress in
restoring the ecology of the natural system, based on
the Plan.
(k) OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE.—
(1) SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND
OPERATED BY SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DIS-
ADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS.—In executing the Plan,
the Secretary shall ensure that small business con-
cerns owned and controlled by socially and economi-
cally disadvantaged individuals are provided oppor-
tunities to participate under section 15(g) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)).
(2) COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that impacts on socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals, including individuals
with limited English proficiency, and commu-
nities are considered during implementation of
the Plan, and that such individuals have oppor-
tunities to review and comment on its imple-
mentation.
(B) PROVISION OF OPPORTUNITIES.—The
Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent
practicable, that public outreach and edu-
cational opportunities are provided, during im-
plementation of the Plan, to the individuals of
South Florida, including individuals with lim-
ited English proficiency, and in particular for
socially and economically disadvantaged com-
munities.
(l) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Beginning on October 1,
2005, and periodically thereafter until October 1, 2036,
the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, in con-
sultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Department of Commerce, and the State of Florida, shall
jointly submit to Congress a report on the implementation
of the Plan. Such reports shall be completed not less often
than every 5 years. Such reports shall include a descrip-
tion of planning, design, and construction work completed,
the amount of funds expended during the period covered
by the report (including a detailed analysis of the funds
expended for adaptive assessment under subsection
(b)(2)(C)(xi)), and the work anticipated over the next 5-
year period. In addition, each report shall include—
(1) the determination of each Secretary, and
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, concerning the benefits to the natural sys-
tem and the human environment achieved as of the
date of the report and whether the completed
projects of the Plan are being operated in a manner
that is consistent with the requirements of sub-
section (h);
(2) progress toward interim goals established in
accordance with subsection (h)(3)(B)(iii); and
(3) a review of the activities performed by the
Secretary under subsection (k) as they relate to so-
cially and economically disadvantaged individuals
and individuals with limited English proficiency.
(m) SEVERABILITY.—If any provision or remedy pro-
vided by this section is found to be unconstitutional or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, any
remaining provisions in this section shall remain valid and
enforceable.
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