(a) ESTABLISHMENT - The Secretary of Defense may establish and carry out a
program to conduct and manage in a coordinated manner the conservation and
cultural activities described in subsection (b).
(b) ACTIVITIES -
(1) A conservation or cultural activity eligible for the program that the
Secretary establishes under subsection
(a) is any activity-
(A) that has regional or Department of Defense-wide significance and that
involves more than one military department;
(B) that is necessary to meet legal requirements or to support military
operations;
(C) that can be more effectively managed at the Department of Defense level;
and
(D) for which no executive agency has been designated responsible by the
Secretary.
(2) Such activities include the following:
(A) The development of ecosystem-wide land management plans.
(B) The conduct of wildlife studies to ensure the safety of military
operations.
(C) The identification and return of Native American human remains and cultural
items in the possession or control of the Department of Defense, or discovered
on land under the jurisdiction of the Department, to the appropriate Native
American tribes.
(D) The control of invasive species that may hinder military activities or
degrade military training ranges.
(E) The establishment of a regional curation system for artifacts found on
military installations.
(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS - The Secretary may negotiate and enter into
cooperative agreements with public and private agencies, organizations,
institutions, individuals, or other entities to carry out the program
established under subsection (a).
(d) EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS - Nothing in this section shall be construed or
interpreted as preempting any otherwise applicable Federal, State, or local law
or regulation relating to the management of natural and cultural resources on
military installations.