(a) In general

The Board may -

(1)

appoint, hire, and discharge the officers and employees of the Foundation, other than appoint the initial Executive Director of the Foundation;

(2)

adopt a constitution and bylaws for the Foundation that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and

(3)

undertake any other activities that may be necessary to carry out this chapter.

(b) Officers and employees

(1) Appointment and hiring

An officer or employee of the Foundation -

(A)

shall not, by virtue of the appointment or employment of the officer or employee, be considered a Federal employee for any purpose, including the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service, except that such an individual may participate in the Federal employee retirement system as if the individual were a Federal employee; and

(B)

may not be paid by the Foundation a salary in excess of $125,000 per year.

(2) Executive Director

(A) Initial Director

The Secretary shall appoint an individual to serve as the initial Executive Director of the Foundation who shall serve, at the direction of the Board, as the chief operating officer of the Foundation.

(B) Subsequent Directors

The Board shall appoint each subsequent Executive Director of the Foundation who shall serve, at the direction of the Board, as the chief operating officer of the Foundation.

(C) Qualifications

The Executive Director shall be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to natural resources conservation