Critical conservation areas

In this section: The term “critical conservation area” means a geographical area that contains a critical conservation condition that can be addressed through the program. The term “priority resource concern” means a natural resource concern located in a critical conservation area that can be addressed through— water quantity improvement, including improvement relating to— In administering funds under section 3871d(d)(2) of this title, the Secretary shall select applications for partnership agreements and program contracts within critical conservation areas designated under this section that address 1 or more priority resource concerns for which the critical conservation area is designated. The Secretary shall identify 1 or more priority resource concerns that apply to each critical conservation area designated under this section after February 7, 2014, including the conservation goals and outcomes sufficient to demonstrate that progress is being made to address the priority resource concern. In designating critical conservation areas under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to geographical areas based on the degree to which the geographical area— The Secretary may— The Secretary may not designate more than 8 geographical areas as critical conservation areas under this section. The Secretary shall provide outreach and education to eligible partners and producers in critical conservation areas designated under this section to encourage the development of projects to address each priority resource concern identified by the Secretary for that critical conservation area. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall administer any partnership agreement or program contract under this section in a manner that is consistent with the terms of the program. The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that eligible activities carried out in critical conservation areas designated under this section complement and are consistent with other Federal and State programs and water quality and quantity strategies.