There is hereby established in the State Treasury the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Legal Fund for the purpose of funding the activities of the Department of Justice in providing legal advice to or appearing on behalf of a state agency that takes, funds or authorizes actions when those actions are challenged under the federal Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended, or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-500), as amended, to the limits of the fund. The fund created by this section shall consist of all moneys received on behalf of the fund by gift, grant or appropriation, from whatever source. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Department of Justice for the uses described in this section. Such uses may include, but need not be limited to, participation in a legal proceeding involving an action taken by a citizen or political subdivision of this state, where that action is authorized or funded by this state, and where:
(1) The state agency that authorizes or funds the action:
(a) Determines that the action is consistent with the Oregon Plan and is in compliance with applicable state laws; and
(b) Recommends to the Attorney General that the state participate in such legal challenge; and
(2) The Attorney General, after consulting with the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, determines that such participation is in the best strategic interest of the state. [1999 c.1026 §17]
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