There is established an Environmental Protection and Mitigation Fund. There is authorized to be appropriated to such fund $35,000,000 for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1986. Amounts in the fund shall be available for undertaking, in advance of construction of any water resources project authorized to be constructed by the Secretary, such measures authorized as part of such project, including the acquisition of lands and interests therein, as may be necessary to ensure that project-induced losses to fish and wildlife production and habitat will be mitigated. The Secretary shall reimburse the Fund for any amounts expended under this section for a water resources project from the first appropriations made for construction, including planning and designing, of such project.
[1]