; and (B) provide written notification of the approval or disapproval of the project proposal to— (i) the individual or entity that submitted the project proposal; (ii) other appropriate Federal officials; and (iii) each State described in subparagraph (A). (3) Criteria for approval (A) In general The Secretary may approve a project proposal under this section if the project shows promise for contributing to recovering and sustaining wild desert fish populations in the Southwest. (B) Priority In determining whether to approve a project proposal under this section, the Secretary shall give the highest priority to projects that conserve species listed as threatened species or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). (C) Preferences In determining whether to approve a project proposal under this section, the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall give preference to— (i) conservation projects that are designed to ensure effective, long-term conservation of desert fish and desert fish habitats