Section 1804

SEC. 1804. NATIONAL HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE PRESERVATION.

(a) DEFINITIONS. —In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE. —The term ‘‘historic covered bridge’’ means a covered bridge that is listed or eligible for Listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

(2) STATE. —The term ‘‘State’’ has the meaning such term has in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code.

(b) HISTORIC COVERED BRIDGE PRESERVATION. —The Secretary shall—

(1) Collect and disseminate information on historic covered bridges;

(2) Conduct educational programs relating to the history and construction techniques of historic covered bridges;

(3) conduct research on the history of historic covered bridges; and

(4) conduct research on, and study techniques for, protecting historic covered bridges from rot, fire, natural disasters, or weight-related damage.

(c) GRANTS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make a grant to a State that submits an application to the Secretary that demonstrates a need for assistance in carrying out one or more historic covered bridge projects described in paragraph (2).

(2) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—A grant under paragraph (1) may be made for a project—

(A) to rehabilitate or repair a historic covered bridge; or

(B) to preserve a historic covered bridge, including through—

(i) installation of a fire protection system, including a fireproofing or fire detection system and sprinklers;

(ii) installation of a system to prevent vandalism and arson; or

(iii) relocation of a bridge to a preservation site.

(3) AUTHENTICITY REQUIREMENTS.—A grant under paragraph

(1) may be made for a project only if—

(A) to the maximum extent practicable, the project—

(i) is carried out in the most historically appropriate manner; and

(ii) preserves the existing structure of the historic covered bridge; and

(B) the project provides for the replacement of wooden components with wooden components, unless the use of wood is impracticable for safety reasons.

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

(e) APPLICABILITY OF TITLE 23.—Funds made available to carry out this section shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; except that the Federal share of the cost of any project or activity carried out under this section shall be determined in accordance with section 120 of such title, and such funds shall remain available until expended and shall not be transferable.