Wildlife partnership program

The Secretary shall provide the amounts available in the Fund to designated State agencies on a matching basis to assist in carrying out wildlife conservation and appreciation projects that are eligible under subsection (b) of this section. The following wildlife conservation and appreciation projects shall be eligible for matching funds from the Fund: The Secretary shall not provide funding to carry out an eligible wildlife conservation and appreciation project unless the Secretary determines that such a project— The amount of appropriated Federal funds provided from the Fund by the Secretary to any designated State Agency with respect to any fiscal year to carry out an eligible wildlife conservation and appreciation project under this section— Of the total cost each fiscal year of each project carried out with amounts provided by the Secretary under subsection (a), at least ⅓ shall be paid with amounts from State, non-Federal sources, except that if designated State agencies from 2 or more States cooperate in implementing such a project at least 30 percent shall be paid with amounts from such State, non-Federal sources. Payments required by this paragraph may not be in the form of an in-kind contribution. Of the total cost each fiscal year of each project carried out with amounts provided by the Secretary under subsection (a), at least ⅓ shall be paid with amounts from voluntary contributions by private entities or persons, except that if designated State agencies from 2 or more States cooperate in implementing such a project, at least 30 percent shall be paid from such sources. Subject to the approval of the Secretary, such contributions for a project may be in the form of, but are not required to be limited to, private cash donations, and the contribution of materials, equipment, or services necessary for the project. No designated State agency shall be eligible to receive matching funds from the Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation Fund if revenue derived from activities regulated by such an agency is diverted for any purpose other than the management and conservation of fish and wildlife. Such revenue shall include, but not be limited to, all income from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; all income from nongame checkoff systems; all income from the sale of waterfowl, habitat conservation, and other stamps that are requisite for engaging in certain activities regulated by the designated State agency; all income from the sale of any commodities and products by the designated State agency from lands and waters administered by the State for fish and wildlife purposes; and all funds apportioned to the designated State agency under the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund and to the Secretary not to exceed $6,250,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003.