[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3051 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3051
To improve protections for wildlife, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 12, 2019
Mr. Barrasso (for himself and Mr. Carper) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve protections for wildlife, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America's
Conservation Enhancement Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT, DISEASE, AND PREDATION
Sec. 101. Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for reducing human-predator
conflict.
Sec. 102. Losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected
species.
Sec. 103. Depredation permits for black vultures and common ravens.
Sec. 104. Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force.
Sec. 105. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Sec. 106. North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
Sec. 107. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act.
Sec. 108. Modification of definition of sport fishing equipment under
Toxic Substances Control Act.
Sec. 109. Reauthorization of Chesapeake Bay Program.
Sec. 110. Reauthorization of Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998.
Sec. 111. Chesapeake watershed investments for landscape defense.
Sec. 112. Great Lakes monitoring, assessment, science, and research.
TITLE II--MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FUND FOR TOMORROW'S NEEDS
Sec. 201. Purpose.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Apportionment of available amounts.
Sec. 204. Expenditures for management of wildlife areas and resources.
Sec. 205. Firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants.
Sec. 206. Multistate conservation grant program.
TITLE III--NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Sec. 301. Purpose.
Sec. 302. Definitions.
Sec. 303. National Fish Habitat Board.
Sec. 304. Fish Habitat Partnerships.
Sec. 305. Fish Habitat Conservation Projects.
Sec. 306. Technical and scientific assistance.
Sec. 307. Coordination with States and Indian Tribes.
Sec. 308. Interagency Operational Plan.
Sec. 309. Accountability and reporting.
Sec. 310. Effect of this title.
Sec. 311. Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Sec. 312. Funding.
Sec. 313. Prohibition against implementation of regulatory authority by
Federal agencies through Partnerships.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 401. Sense of the Senate regarding conservation agreements and
activities.
Sec. 402. Study to review conservation factors.
Sec. 403. Study and report on expenditures.
Sec. 404. Use of value of land for cost sharing.
TITLE I--WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT, DISEASE, AND PREDATION
SEC. 101. THEODORE ROOSEVELT GENIUS PRIZE FOR REDUCING HUMAN-PREDATOR
CONFLICT.
(a) In General.--Section 7001(d) of the John D. Dingell, Jr.
Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 742b note;
Public Law 116-9) is amended--
(1) in paragraphs (2)(C)(v), (3)(C)(v), (4)(C)(v),
(5)(C)(v), and (6)(C)(v), by striking ``paragraph (7)(A)'' each
place it appears and inserting ``paragraph (8)(A)'';
(2) in paragraphs (2)(D)(ii), (2)(F)(ii), (3)(D)(ii),
(3)(F)(ii), (4)(D)(ii), (4)(F)(ii), (5)(D)(ii), (5)(F)(ii),
(6)(D)(ii), and (6)(F)(ii) by striking ``paragraph (7)(B)''
each place it appears and inserting ``paragraph (8)(B)'';
(3) in paragraph (6)(C)(iv), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``subparagraph (C)'' and inserting ``clause
(iii)'';
(4) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8);
(5) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Theodore roosevelt genius prize for reducing human-
predator conflict.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Board.--The term `Board' means the
Reducing Human-Predator Conflict Technology
Advisory Board established by subparagraph
(C)(i).
``(ii) Prize competition.--The term `prize
competition' means the Theodore Roosevelt
Genius Prize for reducing human-predator
conflict established under subparagraph (B).
``(B) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of the America's Conservation
Enhancement Act, the Secretary shall establish under
section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719) a prize
competition, to be known as the `Theodore Roosevelt
Genius Prize for reducing human-predator conflict'--
``(i) to encourage technological innovation
with the potential to advance the mission of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
with respect to reducing the frequency of
human-predator conflict using nonlethal means;
and
``(ii) to award 1 or more prizes annually
for a technological advancement that promotes
reducing human-predator conflict using
nonlethal means, which may include the
application and monitoring of tagging
technologies.
``(C) Advisory board.--
``(i) Establishment.--There is established
an advisory board, to be known as the `Reducing
Human-Predator Conflict Technology Advisory
Board'.
``(ii) Composition.--The Board shall be
composed of not fewer than 9 members appointed
by the Secretary, who shall provide expertise
in--
``(I) predator-human interactions;
``(II) the habitats of large
predators;
``(III) biology;
``(IV) technology development;
``(V) engineering;
``(VI) economics;
``(VII) business development and
management; and
``(VIII) any other discipline, as
the Secretary determines to be
necessary to achieve the purposes of
this paragraph.
``(iii) Duties.--Subject to clause (iv),
with respect to the prize competition, the
Board shall--
``(I) select a topic;
``(II) issue a problem statement;
``(III) advise the Secretary
regarding any opportunity for
technological innovation to reduce
human-predator conflict using nonlethal
means; and
``(IV) advise winners of the prize
competition regarding opportunities to
pilot and implement winning
technologies in relevant fields,
including in partnership with
conservation organizations, Federal or
State agencies, federally recognized
Indian Tribes, private entities, and
research institutions with expertise or
interest relating to reducing human-
predator conflict using nonlethal
means.
``(iv) Consultation.--In selecting a topic
and issuing a problem statement for the prize
competition under subclauses (I) and (II) of
clause (iii), respectively, the Board shall
consult widely with Federal and non-Federal
stakeholders, including--
``(I) 1 or more Federal agencies
with jurisdiction over the management
of native wildlife species at risk due
to conflict with human activities;
``(II) 1 or more State agencies
with jurisdiction over the management
of native wildlife species at risk due
to conflict with human activities;
``(III) 1 or more State, regional,
or local wildlife organizations, the
mission of which relates to the
management of native wildlife species
at risk due to conflict with human
activities; and
``(IV) 1 or more wildlife
conservation groups, technology
companies, research institutions,
institutions of higher education,
industry associations, or individual
stakeholders with an interest in the
management of native wildlife species
at risk due to conflict with human
activities.
``(v) Requirements.--The Board shall comply
with all requirements under paragraph (8)(A).
``(D) Agreement with national fish and wildlife
foundation.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
offer to enter into an agreement under which
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation shall
administer the prize competition.
``(ii) Requirements.--An agreement entered
into under clause (i) shall comply with all
requirements under paragraph (8)(B).
``(E) Judges.--
``(i) Appointment.--The Secretary shall
appoint not fewer than 3 judges who shall,
except as provided in clause (ii), select the 1
or more annual winners of the prize
competition.
``(ii) Determination by secretary.--The
judges appointed under clause (i) shall not
select any annual winner of the prize
competition if the Secretary makes a
determination that, in any fiscal year, none of
the technological advancements entered into the
prize competition merits an award.
``(F) Consultation with noaa.--The Secretary shall
consult with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, in the case of a cash prize
awarded under the prize competition for a technology
that addresses conflict between marine predators under
the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce, acting
through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and humans.
``(G) Report to congress.--Not later than 60 days
after the date on which a cash prize is awarded under
this paragraph, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate
and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a report on the prize competition that
includes--
``(i) a statement by the Board that
describes the activities carried out by the
Board relating to the duties described in
subparagraph (C)(iii);
``(ii) if the Secretary has entered into an
agreement under subparagraph (D)(i), a
statement by the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation that describes the activities
carried out by the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation relating to the duties described in
paragraph (8)(B); and
``(iii) a statement by 1 or more of the
judges appointed under subparagraph (E) that
explains the basis on which the winner of the
cash prize was selected.
``(H) Termination of authority.--The Board and all
authority provided under this paragraph shall terminate
on December 31, 2023.''; and
(6) in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding
clause (i), by striking ``or (6)(C)(i)'' and inserting
``(6)(C)(i), or (7)(C)(i)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
striking ``or (6)(D)(i)'' and inserting
``(6)(D)(i), or (7)(D)(i)''; and
(ii) in clause (i)(VII), by striking ``and
(6)(E)'' and inserting ``(6)(E), and (7)(E)''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that data
collected from the tagging of predators can inform innovative
management of those predators and innovative education activities to
minimize human-predator conflict.
SEC. 102. LOSSES OF LIVESTOCK DUE TO DEPREDATION BY FEDERALLY PROTECTED
SPECIES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Depredation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``depredation'' means
actual death, injury, or destruction of livestock that
is caused by a federally protected species.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``depredation'' does not
include damage to real or personal property other than
livestock, including--
(i) damage to--
(I) other animals;
(II) vegetation;
(III) motor vehicles; or
(IV) structures;
(ii) diseases;
(iii) lost profits; or
(iv) consequential damages.
(2) Federally protected species.--The term ``federally
protected species'' means a species that is or previously was
protected under--
(A) the Act of June 8, 1940 (commonly known as the
``Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act'') (54 Stat.
250, chapter 278; 16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.);
(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.); or
(C) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et
seq.).
(3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(4) Livestock.--
(A) In general.--The term ``livestock'' means
horses, mules and asses, rabbits, llamas, cattle,
bison, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, bees, honey and
beehives, or any other animal generally used for food
or in the production of food or fiber.
(B) Inclusion.--The term ``livestock'' includes
guard animals actively engaged in the protection of
livestock described in subparagraph (A).
(5) Program.--The term ``program'' means the grant program
established under subsection (b)(1).
(6) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
(A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through
the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service; and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
(b) Grant Program for Losses of Livestock Due to Depredation by
Federally Protected Species.--
(1) In general.--The Secretaries shall establish a program
to provide grants to States and Indian tribes to supplement
amounts provided by States, Indian tribes, or State agencies
under 1 or more programs established by the States and Indian
tribes (including programs established after the date of
enactment of this Act)--
(A) to assist livestock producers in carrying out--
(i) proactive and nonlethal activities to
reduce the risk of livestock loss due to
depredation by federally protected species
occurring on--
(I) Federal, State, or private land
within the applicable State; or
(II) land owned by, or held in
trust for the benefit of, the
applicable Indian tribe; and
(ii) research relating to the activities
described in clause (i); and
(B) to compensate livestock producers for livestock
losses due to depredation by federally protected
species occurring on--
(i) Federal, State, or private land within
the applicable State; or
(ii) land owned by, or held in trust for
the benefit of, the applicable Indian tribe.
(2) Allocation of funding.--
(A) Reports to the secretaries.--Not later than
September 30 of each year, a State or Indian tribe
desiring to receive a grant under the program shall
submit to the Secretaries a report describing, for the
1-year period ending on that September 30, the losses
of livestock due to depredation by federally protected
species occurring on--
(i) Federal, State, or private land within
the applicable State; or
(ii) land owned by, or held in trust for
the benefit of, the applicable Indian tribe.
(B) Allocation.--The Secretaries shall allocate
available funding to carry out this Act among States
and Indian tribes for a 1-year period ending on
September 30 based on the losses described in the
reports submitted for the previous 1-year period ending
on September 30 under subparagraph (A).
(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
paragraph (1), a State or Indian tribe shall--
(A) designate an appropriate agency of the State or
Indian tribe to administer the 1 or more programs
supplemented by the grant funds;
(B) establish 1 or more accounts to receive grant
funds;
(C) maintain files of all claims received and paid
under grant-funded programs, including supporting
documentation; and
(D) submit to the Secretaries--
(i) annual reports that include--
(I) a summary of claims and
expenditures under the program during
the year; and
(II) a description of any action
taken on the claims; and
(ii) such other reports as the Secretaries
may require to assist the Secretaries in
determining the effectiveness of assisted
activities under this section.
(c) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) no State or Indian tribe is required to participate in
the program; and
(2) the program supplements, and does not replace or
supplant, any State compensation programs for depredation.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2025, of which--
(1) $5,000,000 shall be used to provide grants for the
purposes described in subsection (b)(1)(A); and
(2) $10,000,000 shall be used to provide grants for the
purpose described in subsection (b)(1)(B).
SEC. 103. DEPREDATION PERMITS FOR BLACK VULTURES AND COMMON RAVENS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (referred to in
this section as the ``Secretary''), may issue depredation permits to
livestock producers authorizing takings of black vultures or common
ravens otherwise prohibited by Federal law to prevent those vultures or
common ravens from taking livestock during the calving season or
lambing season.
(b) Limited to Affected States or Regions.--The Secretary may issue
permits under subsection (a) only to livestock producers in States and
regions in which livestock producers are affected or have been affected
in the previous year by black vultures or common ravens, as determined
by Secretary.
(c) Reporting.--The Secretary shall require, as a condition of a
permit under subsection (a), that the permit holder shall report to the
appropriate enforcement agencies the takings of black vultures or
common ravens pursuant to the permit.
SEC. 104. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TASK FORCE.
(a) Definition of Chronic Wasting Disease.--In this section, the
term ``chronic wasting disease'' means the animal disease afflicting
deer, elk, and moose populations that--
(1) is a transmissible disease of the nervous system
resulting in distinctive lesions in the brain; and
(2) belongs to the group of diseases known as transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies, which group includes scrapie,
bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease.
(b) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established within the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service a task force, to be known as
the ``Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force'' (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Task Force'').
(2) Duties.--The Task Force shall--
(A) collaborate with foreign governments to share
research, coordinate efforts, and discuss best
management practices to reduce, minimize, prevent, or
eliminate chronic wasting disease in the United States;
(B) develop recommendations, including
recommendations based on findings of the study
conducted under subsection (c), and a set of best
practices regarding--
(i) the interstate coordination of
practices to prevent the new introduction of
chronic wasting disease;
(ii) the prioritization and coordination of
the future study of chronic wasting disease,
based on evolving research needs;
(iii) ways to leverage the collective
resources of Federal, State, and local
agencies, Indian Tribes, and foreign
governments, and resources from private,
nongovernmental entities, to address chronic
wasting disease in the United States and along
the borders of the United States; and
(iv) any other area where containment or
management efforts relating to chronic wasting
disease may differ across jurisdictions;
(C) draw from existing and future academic and
management recommendations to develop an interstate
action plan under which States and the Federal
Government agree to enact consistent management,
educational, and research practices relating to chronic
wasting disease; and
(D) facilitate the creation of a cooperative
agreement by which States and relevant Federal agencies
agree to commit funds to implement best practices
described in the interstate action plan developed under
subparagraph (C).
(3) Membership.--
(A) In general.--The Task Force shall be composed
of--
(i) 1 representative of the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service with experience in
chronic wasting disease, to be appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Secretary'');
(ii) 1 representative of the United States
Geological Survey;
(iii) 2 representatives of the Department
of Agriculture with experience in chronic
wasting disease, to be appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture--
(I) 1 of whom shall have expertise
in research; and
(II) 1 of whom shall have expertise
in wildlife management;
(iv) in the case of each State in which
chronic wasting disease among elk, mule deer,
white-tailed deer, or moose has been reported
to the appropriate State agency, not more than
2 representatives, to be nominated by the
Governor of the State--
(I) not more than 1 of whom shall
be a representative of the State agency
with jurisdiction over wildlife
management or wildlife disease in the
State; and
(II) in the case of a State with a
farmed cervid program or economy, not
more than 1 of whom shall be a
representative of the State agency with
jurisdiction over farmed cervid
regulation in the State;
(v) in the case of each State in which
chronic wasting disease among elk, mule deer,
white-tailed deer, or moose has not been
documented, but that has carried out measures
to prevent the introduction of chronic wasting
disease among those species, not more than 2
representatives, to be nominated by the
Governor of the State;
(vi) not more than 2 representatives from
an Indian tribe or tribal organization chosen
in a process determined, in consultation with
Indian tribes, by the Secretary for each of
clauses (iv) and (v); and
(vii) not more than 5 nongovernmental
members with relevant expertise appointed,
after the date on which the members are first
appointed under clauses (i) through (v), by a
majority vote of the State representatives
appointed under clause (iv).
(B) Effect.--Nothing in this paragraph requires a
State to participate in the Task Force.
(4) Co-chairs.--The Co-Chairs of the Task Force shall be--
(A) the Federal representative described in
paragraph (3)(A)(i); and
(B) 1 State representative appointed under
paragraph (3)(A)(iv), to be selected by a majority vote
of those State representatives.
(5) Date of initial appointment.--
(A) In general.--The members of the Task Force
shall be appointed not later than 180 days after the
date on which the study is completed under subsection
(c).
(B) Notification.--On appointment of the members of
the Task Force, the Co-Chairs of the Task Force shall
notify the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Committees
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
(6) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the members appointed to the
Task Force--
(A) shall not affect the power or duty of the Task
Force; and
(B) shall be filled not later than 30 days after
the date of the vacancy.
(7) Meetings.--The Task Force shall convene--
(A) not less frequently than twice each year; and
(B) at such time and place, and by such means, as
the Co-Chairs of the Task Force determine to be
appropriate, which may include the use of remote
conference technology.
(8) Interstate action plan.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the members of the Task Force are
appointed, the Task Force shall submit to the
Secretary, and the heads of the State agencies with
jurisdiction over wildlife disease and farmed cervid
regulation of each State with a representative on the
Task Force, the interstate action plan developed by the
Task Force under paragraph (2)(C).
(B) Cooperative agreements.--
(i) In general.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary, any other
applicable Federal agency, and each applicable
State shall enter into a cooperative agreement
to fund necessary actions under the interstate
action plan submitted under subparagraph (A).
(ii) Target date.--The Secretary shall make
the best effort of the Secretary to enter into
any cooperative agreement under clause (i) not
later than 180 days after the date of
submission of the interstate action plan under
subparagraph (A).
(C) Matching funds.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
for each fiscal year, the Federal Government
shall provide funds to carry out an interstate
action plan through a cooperative agreement
under subparagraph (B) in the amount of funds
provided by the applicable States.
(ii) Limitation.--The amount provided by
the Federal Government under clause (i) for a
fiscal year shall be not greater than
$5,000,000.
(9) Reports.--Not later than September 30 of the first full
fiscal year after the date on which the first members of the
Task Force are appointed, and each September 30 thereafter, the
Task Force shall submit to the Secretary, and the heads of the
State agencies with jurisdiction over wildlife disease and
farmed cervid regulation of each State with a representative on
the Task Force, a report describing--
(A) progress on the implementation of actions
identified in the interstate action plan submitted
under paragraph (8)(A), including the efficacy of
funding under the cooperative agreement entered into
under paragraph (8)(B);
(B) updated resource requirements that are needed
to reduce and eliminate chronic wasting disease in the
United States;
(C) any relevant updates to the recommended best
management practices included in the interstate action
plan submitted under paragraph (8)(B) to reduce or
eliminate chronic wasting disease;
(D) new research findings and emerging research
needs relating to chronic wasting disease; and
(E) any other relevant information.
(c) Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Resource
Study.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Academy.--The term ``Academy'' means the
National Academy of Sciences.
(B) Cervid.--The term ``cervid'' means any species
within the family Cervidae.
(C) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the
Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, and the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Director of the United States Geological
Survey, acting jointly.
(2) Study.--
(A) In general.--The Secretaries shall enter into
an arrangement with the Academy under which the Academy
shall conduct, and submit to the Secretaries a report
describing the findings of, a special resource study to
identify the predominant pathways and mechanisms of the
transmission of chronic wasting disease in wild,
captive, and farmed populations of cervids in the
United States.
(B) Requirements.--The arrangement under
subparagraph (A) shall provide that the actual expenses
incurred by the Academy in conducting the study under
subparagraph (A) shall be paid by the Secretaries.
(3) Contents of the study.--The study under paragraph (2)
shall--
(A) with respect to wild, captive, and farmed
populations of cervids in the United States, identify--
(i)(I) the pathways and mechanisms for the
transmission of chronic wasting disease within
live cervid populations and cervid products,
which may include pathways and mechanisms for
transmission from Canada;
(II) the infection rates for each pathway
and mechanism identified under subclause (I);
and
(III) the relative frequency of
transmission of each pathway and mechanism
identified under subclause (I);
(ii)(I) anthropogenic and environmental
factors contributing to new chronic wasting
disease emergence events;
(II) the development of geographical areas
with increased chronic wasting disease
prevalence; and
(III) the overall geographical patterns of
chronic wasting disease distribution;
(iii) significant gaps in current
scientific knowledge regarding the transmission
pathways and mechanisms identified under clause
(i)(I); and
(iv) for prioritization the scientific
research projects that will address the
knowledge gaps identified under clause (iii);
and
(B) review and compare science-based best
practices, standards, and guidance regarding the
management of chronic wasting disease in wild, captive,
and farmed populations of cervids in the United States
that have been developed by--
(i) the National Chronic Wasting Disease
Herd Certification Program of the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service;
(ii) the United States Geological Survey;
and
(iii) State wildlife and agricultural
agencies, in the case of practices, standards,
and guidance that provide practical, science-
based recommendations to State and Federal
agencies for minimizing or eliminating the risk
of transmission of chronic wasting disease in
the United States.
(4) Deadline.--The study under paragraph (2) shall be
completed not later than 180 days after the date on which funds
are first made available for the study.
(5) Data sharing.--The Secretaries shall share with the
entity conducting the study under paragraph (2) data and access
to databases on chronic wasting disease under the jurisdiction
of--
(A) the Veterinary Services Program of the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service; and
(B) the United States Geological Survey.
(6) Report.--On completion of the study, the Secretaries
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and
the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives a report that
describes--
(A) the findings of the study; and
(B) any conclusions and recommendations that the
Secretaries determine to be appropriate.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2025,
$5,000,000 to the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to
carry out administrative activities under subsection (b);
(2) for fiscal year 2021, $1,200,000 to the Secretary of
the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States
Geological Survey, to carry out activities to fund research
under subsection (c); and
(3) for fiscal year 2021, $1,200,000 to the Secretary of
Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, to carry out activities to
fund research under subsection (c).
SEC. 105. FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT.
Section 10 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C.
666c-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii)
as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(i) relevant Federal agencies;'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B) in consultation with stakeholders, including
nongovernmental organizations and industry;''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(p) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2021
through 2025--
``(1) $2,500,000 to the Secretary of the Army, acting
through the Chief of Engineers; and
``(2) $2,500,000 to the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.''.
SEC. 106. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT.
Section 7(c) of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 4406(c)) is amended by striking ``not to exceed--'' in the
matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through paragraph
(5) and inserting ``not to exceed $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 107. NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT ACT.
(a) Board of Directors of Foundation.--
(1) In general.--Section 3 of the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3702) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting
the following:
``(2) Appointment of directors.--After consulting with the
Secretary of Commerce and considering the recommendations
submitted by the Board, the Secretary of the Interior shall
appoint 28 Directors who, to the maximum extent practicable,
shall--
``(A) be knowledgeable and experienced in matters
relating to the conservation of fish, wildlife, or
other natural resources; and
``(B) represent a balance of expertise in ocean,
coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial resource
conservation.''; and
(ii) by striking paragraph (3) and
inserting the following:
``(3) Terms.--Each Director (other than a Director
described in paragraph (1)) shall be appointed for a term of 6
years.''; and
(B) in subsection (g)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(A)
Officers and employees may not be appointed
until the Foundation has sufficient funds to
pay them for their service. Officers'' and
inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--Officers''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) Executive director.--The Foundation shall
have an Executive Director who shall be--
``(i) appointed by, and serve at the
direction of, the Board as the chief executive
officer of the Foundation; and
``(ii) knowledgeable and experienced in
matters relating to fish and wildlife
conservation.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 4(a)(1)(B) of the North
American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4403(a)(1)(B)) is
amended by striking ``Secretary of the Board'' and inserting
``Executive Director of the Board''.
(b) Rights and Obligations of Foundation.--Section 4 of the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C.
3703) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``(c) Powers.--To carry out its
purposes under'' and inserting the following:
``(c) Powers.--
``(1) In general.--To carry out the purposes described
in'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (11) as
subparagraphs (A) through (K), respectively, and
indenting appropriately;
(C) in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)), by striking ``that are insured by an
agency or instrumentality of the United States'' and
inserting ``at 1 or more financial institutions that
are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or the Securities Investment Protection
Corporation'';
(D) in subparagraph (E) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)), by striking ``paragraph (3) or (4)''
and inserting ``subparagraph (C) or (D)'';
(E) in subparagraph (J) (as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(F) by striking subparagraph (K) (as redesignated
by subparagraph (B)) and inserting the following:
``(K) to receive and administer restitution and
community service payments, amounts for mitigation of
impacts to natural resources, and other amounts arising
from legal, regulatory, or administrative proceedings,
subject to the condition that the amounts are received
or administered for purposes that further the
conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants,
and other natural resources; and
``(L) to do acts necessary to carry out the
purposes of the Foundation.''; and
(G) by striking the undesignated matter at the end
and inserting the following:
``(2) Treatment of real property.--
``(A) In general.--For purposes of this Act, an
interest in real property shall be treated as including
easements or other rights for preservation,
conservation, protection, or enhancement by and for the
public of natural, scenic, historic, scientific,
educational, inspirational, or recreational resources.
``(B) Encumbered real property.--A gift, devise, or
bequest may be accepted by the Foundation even though
the gift, devise, or bequest is encumbered, restricted,
or subject to beneficial interests of private persons
if any current or future interest in the gift, devise,
or bequest is for the benefit of the Foundation.
``(3) Savings clause.--The acceptance and administration of
amounts by the Foundation under paragraph (1)(K) does not
alter, supersede, or limit any regulatory or statutory
requirement associated with those amounts.'';
(2) by striking subsections (f) and (g); and
(3) by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 10 of the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2021 through
2025--
``(A) $15,000,000 to the Secretary of the Interior;
``(B) $5,000,000 to the Secretary of Agriculture;
and
``(C) $5,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) Amounts from federal agencies.--
``(A) In general.--In addition to the amounts
authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a),
Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities are
authorized to provide funds to the Foundation through
Federal financial assistance grants and cooperative
agreements, subject to the condition that the amounts
are used for purposes that further the conservation and
management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural
resources in accordance with this Act.
``(B) Advances.--Federal departments, agencies, or
instrumentalities may advance amounts described in
subparagraph (A) to the Foundation in a lump sum
without regard to when the expenses for which the
amounts are used are incurred.
``(C) Management fees.--The Foundation may assess
and collect fees for the management of amounts received
under this paragraph.'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``funds'' and inserting ``amounts'';
(ii) by striking ``shall be used'' and
inserting ``may be used''; and
(iii) by striking ``and State and local
government agencies'' and inserting ``, State
and local government agencies, and other
entities''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Administration of amounts.--
``(A) In general.--In entering into contracts,
agreements, or other partnerships pursuant to this Act,
a Federal department, agency, or instrumentality shall
have discretion to waive any competitive process
applicable to the department, agency, or
instrumentality for entering into contracts,
agreements, or partnerships with the Foundation if the
purpose of the waiver is--
``(i) to address an environmental emergency
resulting from a natural or other disaster; or
``(ii) as determined by the head of the
applicable Federal department, agency, or
instrumentality, to reduce administrative
expenses and expedite the conservation and
management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other
natural resources.
``(B) Reports.--The Foundation shall include in the
annual report submitted under section 7(b) a
description of any use of the authority under
subparagraph (A) by a Federal department, agency, or
instrumentality in that fiscal year.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Use of Gifts, Devises, or Bequests of Money or Other
Property.--Any gifts, devises, or bequests of amounts or other
property, or any other amounts or other property, transferred to,
deposited with, or otherwise in the possession of the Foundation
pursuant to this Act, may be made available by the Foundation to
Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities and may be accepted
and expended (or the disposition of the amounts or property directed),
without further appropriation, by those Federal departments, agencies,
or instrumentalities, subject to the condition that the amounts or
property be used for purposes that further the conservation and
management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources.''.
(d) Limitation on Authority.--Section 11 of the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3710) is amended by
inserting ``exclusive'' before ``authority''.
SEC. 108. MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF SPORT FISHING EQUIPMENT UNDER
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT.
Section 3(2)(B) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.
2602(2)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (vi) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``, and''; and
(3) by inserting after clause (vi) the following:
``(vii) any sport fishing equipment (as such term is
defined in section 4162(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986) the sale of which is subject to the tax imposed by
section 4161(a) of such Code (determined without regard to any
exemptions from such tax provided by section 4162 or 4221 or
any other provision of such Code), and sport fishing equipment
components.''.
SEC. 109. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM.
Section 117 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1267) is amended by striking subsection (j) and inserting the
following:
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $90,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2025.''.
SEC. 110. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE ACT OF 1998.
Section 502(c) of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (Public
Law 105-312; 112 Stat. 2963; 129 Stat. 2579; 132 Stat. 691) is amended
by striking ``2019'' and inserting ``2025''.
SEC. 111. CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED INVESTMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE DEFENSE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Chesapeake bay agreements.--The term ``Chesapeake Bay
agreements'' means the formal, voluntary agreements--
(A) executed to achieve the goal of restoring and
protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed ecosystem and
the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed
ecosystem; and
(B) signed by the Chesapeake Executive Council.
(2) Chesapeake bay program.--The term ``Chesapeake Bay
program'' means the program directed by the Chesapeake
Executive Council in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay
agreements.
(3) Chesapeake bay watershed.--The term ``Chesapeake Bay
watershed'' means the region that covers--
(A) the Chesapeake Bay;
(B) the portions of the States of Delaware,
Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West
Virginia that drain into the Chesapeake Bay; and
(C) the District of Columbia.
(4) Chesapeake executive council.--The term ``Chesapeake
Executive Council'' means the council comprised of--
(A) the Governors of each of the States of
Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and West Virginia;
(B) the Mayor of the District of Columbia;
(C) the Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission; and
(D) the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
(5) Chesapeake wild program.--The term ``Chesapeake WILD
program'' means the nonregulatory program established by the
Secretary under subsection (b)(1).
(6) Grant program.--The term ``grant program'' means the
Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense grant
program established by the Secretary under subsection (c)(1).
(7) Restoration and protection activity.--The term
``restoration and protection activity'' means an activity
carried out for the conservation, stewardship, and enhancement
of habitat for fish and wildlife--
(A) to preserve and improve ecosystems and
ecological processes on which the fish and wildlife
depend; and
(B) for use and enjoyment by the public.
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) Program Establishment.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
nonregulatory program, to be known as the ``Chesapeake
Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense program''.
(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the Chesapeake WILD program
include--
(A) coordinating restoration and protection
activities among Federal, State, local, and regional
entities and conservation partners throughout the
Chesapeake Bay watershed;
(B) engaging other agencies and organizations to
build a broader range of partner support, capacity, and
potential funding for projects in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed;
(C) carrying out coordinated restoration and
protection activities, and providing for technical
assistance, throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed--
(i) to sustain and enhance restoration and
protection activities;
(ii) to improve and maintain water quality
to support fish and wildlife, habitats of fish
and wildlife, and drinking water for people;
(iii) to sustain and enhance water
management for volume and flood damage
mitigation improvements to benefit fish and
wildlife habitat;
(iv) to improve opportunities for public
access and recreation in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed consistent with the ecological needs
of fish and wildlife habitat;
(v) to facilitate strategic planning to
maximize the resilience of natural ecosystems
and habitats under changing watershed
conditions;
(vi) to engage the public through outreach,
education, and citizen involvement to increase
capacity and support for coordinated
restoration and protection activities in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed;
(vii) to sustain and enhance vulnerable
communities and fish and wildlife habitat;
(viii) to conserve and restore fish,
wildlife, and plant corridors; and
(ix) to increase scientific capacity to
support the planning, monitoring, and research
activities necessary to carry out coordinated
restoration and protection activities.
(3) Duties.--In carrying out the Chesapeake WILD program,
the Secretary shall--
(A) draw on existing plans for the Chesapeake Bay
watershed, or portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed,
including the Chesapeake Bay agreements, and work in
consultation with applicable management entities,
including Chesapeake Bay program partners, such as the
Federal Government, State and local governments, the
Chesapeake Bay Commission, and other regional
organizations, as appropriate, to identify, prioritize,
and implement restoration and protection activities
within the Chesapeake Bay watershed;
(B) adopt a Chesapeake Bay watershed-wide strategy
that--
(i) supports the implementation of a shared
set of science-based restoration and protection
activities developed in accordance with
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) targets cost-effective projects with
measurable results; and
(C) establish the grant program in accordance with
subsection (c).
(4) Coordination.--In establishing the Chesapeake WILD
program, the Secretary shall consult, as appropriate, with--
(A) the heads of Federal agencies, including--
(i) the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency;
(ii) the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(iii) the Chief of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service;
(iv) the Chief of Engineers;
(v) the Director of the United States
Geological Survey;
(vi) the Secretary of Transportation;
(vii) the Chief of the Forest Service; and
(viii) the head of any other applicable
agency;
(B) the Governors of each of the States of
Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and West Virginia and the Mayor of the District of
Columbia;
(C) fish and wildlife joint venture partnerships;
and
(D) other public agencies and organizations with
authority for the planning and implementation of
conservation strategies in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed.
(c) Grants and Technical Assistance.--
(1) Chesapeake wild grant program.--To the extent that
funds are made available to carry out this subsection, the
Secretary shall establish and carry out, as part of the
Chesapeake WILD program, a voluntary grant and technical
assistance program, to be known as the ``Chesapeake Watershed
Investments for Landscape Defense grant program'', to provide
competitive matching grants of varying amounts and technical
assistance to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) to
carry out activities described in subsection (b)(2).
(2) Eligible entities.--The following entities are eligible
to receive a grant and technical assistance under the grant
program:
(A) A State.
(B) The District of Columbia.
(C) A unit of local government.
(D) A nonprofit organization.
(E) An institution of higher education.
(F) Any other entity that the Secretary determines
to be appropriate in accordance with the criteria
established under paragraph (3).
(3) Criteria.--The Secretary, in consultation with
officials and entities described in subsection (b)(4), shall
establish criteria for the grant program to help ensure that
activities funded under this subsection--
(A) accomplish 1 or more of the purposes described
in subsection (b)(2); and
(B) advance the implementation of priority actions
or needs identified in the Chesapeake Bay watershed-
wide strategy adopted under subsection (b)(3)(B).
(4) Cost sharing.--
(A) Department of the interior share.--The
Department of the Interior share of the cost of a
project funded under the grant program shall not exceed
50 percent of the total cost of the project, as
determined by the Secretary.
(B) Non-department of the interior share.--
(i) In general.--The non-Department of the
Interior share of the cost of a project funded
under the grant program may be provided in cash
or in the form of an in-kind contribution of
services or materials.
(ii) Other federal funding.--Non-Department
of the Interior Federal funds may be used for
not more than 25 percent of the total cost of a
project funded under the grant program.
(5) Administration.--The Secretary may enter into an
agreement to manage the grant program with an organization that
offers grant management services.
(d) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report describing the implementation of this section,
including a description of each project that has received funding under
this section.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2021 through 2025.
(2) Supplement, not supplant.--Funds made available under
paragraph (1) shall supplement, and not supplant, funding for
other activities conducted by the Secretary in the Chesapeake
Bay watershed.
SEC. 112. GREAT LAKES MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, SCIENCE, AND RESEARCH.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Geological Survey.
(2) Great lakes basin.--The term ``Great Lakes Basin''
means the air, land, water, and living organisms in the United
States within the drainage basin of the Saint Lawrence River at
and upstream from the point at which such river and the Great
Lakes become the international boundary between Canada and the
United States.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Great Lakes support a diverse ecosystem, on which
the vibrant and economically valuable Great Lakes fisheries
depend.
(2) To continue successful fisheries management and
coordination, as has occurred since signing of the Convention
on Great Lakes Fisheries between the United States and Canada
on September 10, 1954, management of the ecosystem and its
fisheries require sound, reliable science, and the use of
modern scientific technologies.
(3) Fisheries research is necessary to support
multijurisdictional fishery management decisions and actions
regarding recreational and sport fishing, commercial fisheries,
tribal harvest, allocation decisions, and fish stocking
activities.
(4) President Richard Nixon submitted, and Congress
approved, Reorganization Plan No. 4 (84 Stat. 2090), conferring
science activities and management of marine fisheries to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(5) Reorganization Plan No. 4 expressly excluded fishery
research activities within the Great Lakes from the transfer,
retaining management and scientific research duties within the
already-established jurisdictions under the 1954 Convention on
Great Lakes Fisheries, including those of the Great Lakes
Fishery Commission and the Department of the Interior.
(c) Monitoring, Assessment, Science, and Research.--
(1) In general.--The Director may conduct monitoring,
assessment, science, and research, in support of the binational
fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin.
(2) Specific authorities.--The Director shall, under
paragraph (1)--
(A) execute a comprehensive, multi-lake, freshwater
fisheries science program;
(B) coordinate with and work cooperatively with
regional, State, tribal, and local governments; and
(C) consult with other interested entities groups,
including academia and relevant Canadian agencies.
(3) Included research.--To properly serve the needs of
fisheries managers, monitoring, assessment, science, and
research under this section may include--
(A) deepwater ecosystem sciences;
(B) biological and food-web components;
(C) fish movement and behavior investigations;
(D) fish population structures;
(E) fish habitat investigations;
(F) invasive species science;
(G) use of existing, new, and experimental
biological assessment tools, equipment, vessels, other
scientific instrumentation and laboratory capabilities
necessary to support fishery management decisions; and
(H) studies to assess impacts on Great Lakes
Fishery resources.
(4) Savings clause.--Nothing in this section is intended or
shall be construed to impede, supersede, or alter the authority
of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, States, and Indian
tribes under the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between
the United States of America and Canada on September 10, 1954,
and the Great Lakes Fishery Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 931 et
seq.).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of fiscal years 2021
through 2025, there is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 to
carry out this section.
TITLE II--MODERNIZING THE PITTMAN-ROBERTSON FUND FOR TOMORROW'S NEEDS
SEC. 201. PURPOSE.
The first section of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act
(16 U.S.C. 669) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``One of
the purposes of this Act is to provide financial and technical
assistance to the States for the promotion of hunting and recreational
shooting.''.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
Section 2 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16
U.S.C. 669a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) as
paragraphs (4) through (11), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) for the purposes of determining the number of paid
hunting-license holders in a State, the term `fiscal year'
means the fiscal year or license year of the State;
``(3) the term `hunter recruitment and recreational shooter
recruitment' means any activity or project to recruit or retain
hunters and recreational shooters, including by--
``(A) outreach and communications as a means--
``(i) to improve communications with
hunters, recreational shooters, and the general
public with respect to hunting and recreational
shooting opportunities;
``(ii) to reduce barriers to participation
in these activities;
``(iii) to advance the adoption of sound
hunting and recreational shooting practices;
``(iv) to promote conservation and the
responsible use of the wildlife resources of
the United States; and
``(v) to further safety in hunting and
recreational shooting;
``(B) providing education, mentoring, and field
demonstrations;
``(C) enhancing access for hunting and recreational
shooting, including through range construction; and
``(D) providing education to the public about the
role of hunting and recreational shooting in funding
wildlife conservation;''.
SEC. 203. APPORTIONMENT OF AVAILABLE AMOUNTS.
(a) Apportionment of Certain Taxes.--The first subsection (c) of
section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C.
669c) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``Apportionment of Revenues From Pistols,
Revolvers, Bows, and Arrows.--'' after the enumerator;
(2) by striking ``One-half'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), \1/2\'';
(3) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and inserting a
period;
(4) by striking ``each State shall be apportioned not more
than 3 per centum and not less than 1 per centum of such
revenues'' and inserting the following:
``(2) Condition.--The amount apportioned to each State
under paragraph (1) shall be not greater than 3 percent and not
less than 1 percent of the revenues described in that
paragraph'';
(5) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by striking ``one-
sixth of 1 per centum of such revenues'' and inserting ``\1/6\
of 1 percent of those revenues'';
(6) by striking ``For the purpose'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Population determination.--For the purpose''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Use of funds.--In addition to other uses authorized
under this Act, amounts apportioned under this subsection may
be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter
recruitment.''.
(b) Technical Corrections.--Section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson
Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second subsection (c) and
subsection (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and
(2) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), in paragraph
(3), by striking ``subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subsection
(d)''.
SEC. 204. EXPENDITURES FOR MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AREAS AND RESOURCES.
Section 8 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16
U.S.C. 669g) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the third sentence, by striking
``and public relations''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``, as a part of such
program''.
SEC. 205. FIREARM AND BOW HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM GRANTS.
Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration
Act (16 U.S.C. 669h-1(a)(1)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) the enhancement of hunter recruitment
and recreational shooter recruitment; and''.
SEC. 206. MULTISTATE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 11 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h-2) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``Not more than'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--Not more than''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Availability for hunter and recreational
shooter grants.--Not more than $5,000,000 of the
revenues covered into the fund from any tax imposed
under section 4161(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 for a fiscal year shall be available to the
Secretary exclusively for making hunter recruitment and
recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a
national hunting and shooting sport recruitment
program, including related communication and outreach
activities.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``International'';
(3) in subsection (c)(2)(A)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``International''; and
(B) in clause (i), by inserting ``or to
recreational shooting activities'' after ``wildlife'';
and
(4) in subsection (d), by inserting ``or to recreational
shooting activities'' after ``wildlife''.
(b) Study.--Not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall--
(1) review and evaluate the effects of the funds made
available under subparagraph (B) of section 11(a)(1) of the
Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h-
2(a)(1)) on funds available for wildlife conservation; and
(2) submit a report describing the results of the review
and evaluation under paragraph (1) to--
(A) the Committee on Environment and Public Works
of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.
TITLE III--NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
SEC. 301. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to encourage partnerships among public
agencies and other interested persons to promote fish conservation--
(1) to achieve measurable habitat conservation results
through strategic actions of Fish Habitat Partnerships that
lead to better fish habitat conditions and increased fishing
opportunities by--
(A) improving ecological conditions;
(B) restoring natural processes; or
(C) preventing the decline of intact and healthy
systems;
(2) to establish a consensus set of national conservation
strategies as a framework to guide future actions and
investment by Fish Habitat Partnerships;
(3) to broaden the community of support for fish habitat
conservation by--
(A) increasing fishing opportunities;
(B) fostering the participation of local
communities, especially young people in local
communities, in conservation activities; and
(C) raising public awareness of the role healthy
fish habitat play in the quality of life and economic
well-being of local communities;
(4) to fill gaps in the National Fish Habitat Assessment
and the associated database of the National Fish Habitat
Assessment--
(A) to empower strategic conservation actions
supported by broadly available scientific information;
and
(B) to integrate socioeconomic data in the analysis
to improve the lives of humans in a manner consistent
with fish habitat conservation goals; and
(5) to communicate to the public and conservation
partners--
(A) the conservation outcomes produced collectively
by Fish Habitat Partnerships; and
(B) new opportunities and voluntary approaches for
conserving fish habitat.
SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National Fish
Habitat Board established by section 303.
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(4) Environmental protection agency assistant
administrator.--The term ``Environmental Protection Agency
Assistant Administrator'' means the Assistant Administrator for
Water of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given to the term ``Indian tribe'' in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304).
(6) National oceanic and atmospheric administration
assistant administrator.--The term ``National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Assistant Administrator'' means the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
(7) Partnership.--The term ``Partnership'' means an entity
designated by Congress as a Fish Habitat Partnership under
section 304.
(8) Real property interest.--The term ``real property
interest'' means an ownership interest in--
(A) land; or
(B) water (including water rights).
(9) Marine fisheries commissions.--The term ``Marine
Fisheries Commissions'' means--
(A) the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission;
(B) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission;
and
(C) the Pacific States Marine Commission.
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(11) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana
Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and the District of
Columbia.
(12) State agency.--The term ``State agency'' means--
(A) the fish and wildlife agency of a State; and
(B) any department or division of a department or
agency of a State that manages in the public trust the
inland or marine fishery resources of the State or
sustains the habitat for those fishery resources
pursuant to State law or the constitution of the State.
SEC. 303. NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) Fish habitat board.--There is established a board, to
be known as the ``National Fish Habitat Board'', whose duties
are--
(A) to promote, oversee, and coordinate the
implementation of this title;
(B) to establish national goals and priorities for
fish habitat conservation;
(C) to recommend to Congress entities for
designation as Partnerships; and
(D) to review and make recommendations regarding
fish habitat conservation projects.
(2) Membership.--The Board shall be composed of 26 members,
of whom--
(A) one shall be a representative of the Department
of the Interior;
(B) one shall be a representative of the United
States Geological Survey;
(C) one shall be a representative of the Department
of Commerce;
(D) one shall be a representative of the Department
of Agriculture;
(E) one shall be a representative of the
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies;
(F) four shall be representatives of State
agencies, one of whom shall be nominated by a regional
association of fish and wildlife agencies from each of
the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Western regions
of the United States;
(G) two shall be representatives of either--
(i) Indian Tribes in the State of Alaska;
or
(ii) Indian Tribes in States other than the
State of Alaska;
(H) one shall be a representative of either--
(i) the Regional Fishery Management
Councils established under section 302 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852); or
(ii) a representative of the Marine
Fisheries Commissions;
(I) one shall be a representative of the
Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Council;
(J) seven shall be representatives selected from at
least one from each of the following:
(i) the recreational sportfishing industry;
(ii) the commercial fishing industry;
(iii) marine recreational anglers;
(iv) freshwater recreational anglers;
(v) habitat conservation organizations; and
(vi) science-based fishery organizations;
(K) one shall be a representative of a national
private landowner organization;
(L) one shall be a representative of an
agricultural production organization;
(M) one shall be a representative of local
government interests involved in fish habitat
restoration;
(N) two shall be representatives from different
sectors of corporate industries, which may include--
(i) natural resource commodity interests,
such as petroleum or mineral extraction;
(ii) natural resource user industries; and
(iii) industries with an interest in fish
and fish habitat conservation; and
(O) one shall be a leadership private sector or
landowner representative of an active partnership.
(3) Compensation.--A member of the Board shall serve
without compensation.
(4) Travel expenses.--A member of the Board may be allowed
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter
I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from
the home or regular place of business of the member in the
performance of the duties of the Board.
(b) Appointment and Terms.--
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
section, a member of the Board described in any of
subparagraphs (F) through (O) of subsection (a)(2) shall serve
for a term of 3 years.
(2) Initial board membership.--
(A) In general.--The initial Board shall consist of
representatives as described in subparagraphs (A)
through (F) of subsection (a)(2).
(B) Remaining members.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
representatives of the initial Board under subparagraph
(A) shall appoint the remaining members of the Board
described in subparagraphs (H) through (O) of
subsection (a)(2).
(C) Tribal representatives.--Not later than 60 days
after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
provide to the Board a recommendation of not fewer than
three Tribal representatives, from which the Board
shall appoint one representative pursuant to
subparagraph (G) of subsection (a)(2).
(3) Staggered terms.--Of the members described in
subsection (a)(2)(J) initially appointed to the Board--
(A) two shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;
(B) two shall be appointed for a term of 2 years;
and
(C) three shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
(4) Vacancies.--
(A) In general.--A vacancy of a member of the Board
described in subparagraph (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M),
(N), or (O) of subsection (a)(2) shall be filled by an
appointment made by the remaining members of the Board.
(B) Tribal representatives.--Following a vacancy of
a member of the Board described in subparagraph (G) of
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall recommend to the
Board a list of not fewer than three Tribal
representatives, from which the remaining members of
the Board shall appoint a representative to fill the
vacancy.
(5) Continuation of service.--An individual whose term of
service as a member of the Board expires may continue to serve
on the Board until a successor is appointed.
(6) Removal.--If a member of the Board described in any of
subparagraphs (H) through (O) of subparagraph (a)(2) misses
three consecutive regularly scheduled Board meetings, the
members of the Board may--
(A) vote to remove that member; and
(B) appoint another individual in accordance with
paragraph (4).
(c) Chairperson.--
(1) In general.--The representative of the Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies appointed under subsection (a)(2)(E)
shall serve as Chairperson of the Board.
(2) Term.--The Chairperson of the Board shall serve for a
term of 3 years.
(d) Meetings.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall meet--
(A) at the call of the Chairperson; but
(B) not less frequently than twice each calendar
year.
(2) Public access.--All meetings of the Board shall be open
to the public.
(e) Procedures.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall establish procedures to
carry out the business of the Board, including--
(A) a requirement that a quorum of the members of
the Board be present to transact business;
(B) a requirement that no recommendations may be
adopted by the Board, except by the vote of two-thirds
of all members;
(C) procedures for establishing national goals and
priorities for fish habitat conservation for the
purposes of this title;
(D) procedures for designating Partnerships under
section 304; and
(E) procedures for reviewing, evaluating, and
making recommendations regarding fish habitat
conservation projects.
(2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum.
SEC. 304. FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) Authority To Recommend.--The Board may recommend to Congress
the designation of Fish Habitat Partnerships in accordance with this
section.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of a Partnership shall be--
(1) to work with other regional habitat conservation
programs to promote cooperation and coordination to enhance
fish populations and fish habitats;
(2) to engage local and regional communities to build
support for fish habitat conservation;
(3) to involve diverse groups of public and private
partners;
(4) to develop collaboratively a strategic vision and
achievable implementation plan that is scientifically sound;
(5) to leverage funding from sources that support local and
regional partnerships;
(6) to use adaptive management principles, including
evaluation of project success and functionality;
(7) to develop appropriate local or regional habitat
evaluation and assessment measures and criteria that are
compatible with national habitat condition measures; and
(8) to implement local and regional priority projects that
improve conditions for fish and fish habitat.
(c) Criteria for Designation.--An entity seeking to be designated
by Congress as a Partnership shall--
(1) submit to the Board an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Board may
reasonably require; and
(2) demonstrate to the Board that the entity has--
(A) a focus on promoting the health of important
fish and fish habitats;
(B) an ability to coordinate the implementation of
priority projects that support the goals and national
priorities set by the Board that are within the
Partnership boundary;
(C) a self-governance structure that supports the
implementation of strategic priorities for fish
habitat;
(D) the ability to develop local and regional
relationships with a broad range of entities to further
strategic priorities for fish and fish habitat;
(E) a strategic plan that details required
investments for fish habitat conservation that
addresses the strategic fish habitat priorities of the
Partnership and supports and meets the strategic
priorities of the Board;
(F) the ability to develop and implement fish
habitat conservation projects that address strategic
priorities of the Partnership and the Board; and
(G) the ability to develop fish habitat
conservation priorities based on sound science and
data, the ability to measure the effectiveness of fish
habitat projects of the Partnership, and a clear plan
as to how Partnership science and data components will
be integrated with the overall Board science and data
effort.
(d) Requirements for Recommendation to Congress.--The Board may
recommend to Congress for designation an application for a Partnership
submitted under subsection (c) if the Board determines that the
applicant--
(1) meets the criteria described in subsection (c)(2);
(2) identifies representatives to provide support and
technical assistance to the Partnership from a diverse group of
public and private partners, which may include State or local
governments, nonprofit entities, Indian Tribes, and private
individuals, that are focused on conservation of fish habitats
to achieve results across jurisdictional boundaries on public
and private land;
(3) is organized to promote the health of important fish
species and important fish habitats, including reservoirs,
natural lakes, coastal and marine environments, coral reefs,
and estuaries;
(4) identifies strategic fish and fish habitat priorities
for the Partnership area in the form of geographical focus
areas or key stressors or impairments to facilitate strategic
planning and decision making;
(5) is able to address issues and priorities on a
nationally significant scale;
(6) includes a governance structure that--
(A) reflects the range of all partners; and
(B) promotes joint strategic planning and decision
making by the applicant;
(7) demonstrates completion of, or significant progress
toward the development of, a strategic plan to address declines
in fish populations, rather than simply treating symptoms, in
accordance with the goals and national priorities established
by the Board; and
(8) promotes collaboration in developing a strategic vision
and implementation program that is scientifically sound and
achievable.
(e) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than February 1 of the first
fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act
and each February 1 thereafter, the Board shall develop and
submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual
report, to be entitled ``Report to Congress on Future Fish
Habitat Partnerships and Modifications'', that--
(A) identifies each entity that--
(i) meets the requirements described in
subsection (d); and
(ii) the Board recommends to Congress for
designation as a Partnership;
(B) describes any proposed modifications to a
Partnership previously designated by Congress under
subsection (f); and
(C) with respect to each entity recommended for
designation as a Partnership, describes, to the maximum
extent practicable--
(i) the purpose of the recommended
Partnership; and
(ii) how the recommended Partnership
fulfills the requirements described in
subsection (d).
(2) Public availability; notification.--The Board shall--
(A) make the report publicly available, including
on the internet; and
(B) provide to the appropriate congressional
committees and the State agency of any State included
in a recommended Partnership area written notification
of the public availability of the report.
(f) Designation or Modification of Partnership.--Congress shall
have the exclusive authority to designate or modify a Partnership.
(g) Existing Partnerships.--
(1) Designation review.--Not later than 5 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, any partnership receiving
Federal funds as of the date of enactment of this Act shall be
subject to a designation review by Congress in which Congress
shall have the opportunity to designate the partnership under
subsection (f).
(2) Ineligibility for federal funds.--A partnership
referred to in paragraph (1) that Congress does not designate
as described in that paragraph shall be ineligible to receive
Federal funds under this title.
SEC. 305. FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION PROJECTS.
(a) Submission to Board.--Not later than March 31 of each year,
each Partnership shall submit to the Board a list of priority fish
habitat conservation projects recommended by the Partnership for annual
funding under this title.
(b) Recommendations by Board.--Not later than July 1 of each year,
the Board shall submit to the Secretary a priority list of fish habitat
conservation projects that includes a description, including estimated
costs, of each project that the Board recommends that the Secretary
approve and fund under this title for the following fiscal year.
(c) Criteria for Project Selection.--The Board shall select each
fish habitat conservation project recommended to the Secretary under
subsection (b) after taking into consideration, at a minimum, the
following information:
(1) A recommendation of the Partnership that is, or will
be, participating actively in implementing the fish habitat
conservation project.
(2) The capabilities and experience of project proponents
to implement successfully the proposed project.
(3) The extent to which the fish habitat conservation
project--
(A) fulfills a local or regional priority that is
directly linked to the strategic plan of the
Partnership and is consistent with the purpose of this
title;
(B) addresses the national priorities established
by the Board;
(C) is supported by the findings of the habitat
assessment of the Partnership or the Board, and aligns
or is compatible with other conservation plans;
(D) identifies appropriate monitoring and
evaluation measures and criteria that are compatible
with national measures;
(E) provides a well-defined budget linked to
deliverables and outcomes;
(F) leverages other funds to implement the project;
(G) addresses the causes and processes behind the
decline of fish or fish habitats; and
(H) includes an outreach or education component
that includes the local or regional community.
(4) The availability of sufficient non-Federal funds to
match Federal contributions for the fish habitat conservation
project, as required by subsection (e).
(5) The extent to which the fish habitat conservation
project--
(A) will increase fish populations in a manner that
leads to recreational fishing opportunities for the
public;
(B) will be carried out through a cooperative
agreement among Federal, State, and local governments,
Indian Tribes, and private entities;
(C) increases public access to land or water for
fish and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities;
(D) advances the conservation of fish and wildlife
species that have been identified by a State agency as
species of greatest conservation need;
(E) where appropriate, advances the conservation of
fish and fish habitats under the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq.) and other relevant Federal law and State
wildlife action plans; and
(F) promotes strong and healthy fish habitats so
that desired biological communities are able to persist
and adapt.
(6) The substantiality of the character and design of the
fish habitat conservation project.
(d) Limitations.--
(1) Requirements for evaluation.--No fish habitat
conservation project may be recommended by the Board under
subsection (b) or provided financial assistance under this
title unless the fish habitat conservation project includes an
evaluation plan designed using applicable Board guidance--
(A) to appropriately assess the biological,
ecological, or other results of the habitat protection,
restoration, or enhancement activities carried out
using the assistance;
(B) to reflect appropriate changes to the fish
habitat conservation project if the assessment
substantiates that the fish habitat conservation
project objectives are not being met;
(C) to identify improvements to existing fish
populations, recreational fishing opportunities, and
the overall economic benefits for the local community
of the fish habitat conservation project; and
(D) to require the submission to the Board of a
report describing the findings of the assessment.
(2) Acquisition authorities.--
(A) In general.--A State, local government, or
other non-Federal entity is eligible to receive funds
for the acquisition of real property from willing
sellers under this title if the acquisition ensures--
(i) public access for fish and wildlife-
dependent recreation; or
(ii) a scientifically based, direct
enhancement to the health of fish and fish
populations, as determined by the Board.
(B) State agency approval.--
(i) In general.--All real property interest
acquisition projects funded under this title
must be approved by the State agency in the
State in which the project is occurring.
(ii) Prohibition.--The Board may not
recommend, and the Secretary may not provide
any funding for, any real property interest
acquisition that has not been approved by the
State agency.
(C) Assessment of other authorities.--The Board may
not recommend, and the Secretary may not provide any
funding under this title for, any real property
interest acquisition unless the Partnership that
recommended the project has conducted a project
assessment, submitted with the funding request and
approved by the Board, to demonstrate all other
Federal, State, and local authorities for the
acquisition of real property have been exhausted.
(D) Restrictions.--A real property interest may not
be acquired pursuant to a fish habitat conservation
project by a State, local government, or other non-
Federal entity conducted with funds provided under this
title, unless--
(i) the owner of the real property
authorizes the State, local government, or
other non-Federal entity to acquire the real
property; and
(ii) the Secretary and the Board determine
that the State, local government, or other non-
Federal entity would benefit from undertaking
the management of the real property being
acquired because that is in accordance with the
goals of a Partnership.
(e) Non-Federal Contributions.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and
(4), no fish habitat conservation project may be recommended by
the Board under subsection (b) or provided financial assistance
under this title unless at least 50 percent of the cost of the
fish habitat conservation project will be funded with non-
Federal funds.
(2) Non-federal share.--Such non-Federal share of the cost
of a fish habitat conservation project--
(A) may not be derived from another Federal grant
program; and
(B) may include in-kind contributions and cash.
(3) Special rule for indian tribes.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (1) or any other provision of law, any funds made
available to an Indian Tribe pursuant to this title may be
considered to be non-Federal funds for the purpose of paragraph
(1).
(4) Waiver authority.--The Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Commerce with respect to marine or estuarine
projects, may waive the application of paragraph (2)(A) with
respect to a State or an Indian Tribe, or otherwise reduce the
portion of the non-Federal share of the cost of an activity
required to be paid by a State or an Indian Tribe under
paragraph (1), if the Secretary determines that the State or
Indian Tribe does not have sufficient funds not derived from
another Federal grant program to pay such non-Federal share, or
portion of the non-Federal share, without the use of loans.
(f) Approval.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
receipt of the recommended priority list of fish habitat
conservation projects under subsection (b), and subject to
subsection (d) and based, to the maximum extent practicable, on
the criteria described in subsection (c), the Secretary, after
consulting with the Secretary of Commerce on marine or
estuarine projects, shall approve or reject any fish habitat
conservation project recommended by the Board.
(2) Funding.--If the Secretary approves a fish habitat
conservation project under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
use amounts made available to carry out this title to provide
funds to carry out the fish habitat conservation project.
(3) Notification.--If the Secretary rejects under paragraph
(1) any fish habitat conservation project recommended by the
Board, not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of the
recommendation, the Secretary shall provide to the Board, the
appropriate Partnership, and the appropriate congressional
committees a written statement of the reasons that the
Secretary rejected the fish habitat conservation project.
SEC. 306. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--The Director, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Assistant Administrator, the Environmental Protection
Agency Assistant Administrator, and the Director of the United States
Geological Survey, in coordination with the Forest Service and other
appropriate Federal departments and agencies, may provide scientific
and technical assistance to Partnerships, participants in fish habitat
conservation projects, and the Board.
(b) Inclusions.--Scientific and technical assistance provided under
subsection (a) may include--
(1) providing technical and scientific assistance to
States, Indian Tribes, regions, local communities, and
nongovernmental organizations in the development and
implementation of Partnerships;
(2) providing technical and scientific assistance to
Partnerships for habitat assessment, strategic planning, and
prioritization;
(3) supporting the development and implementation of fish
habitat conservation projects that are identified as high
priorities by Partnerships and the Board;
(4) supporting and providing recommendations regarding the
development of science-based monitoring and assessment
approaches for implementation through Partnerships;
(5) supporting and providing recommendations for a national
fish habitat assessment;
(6) ensuring the availability of experts to assist in
conducting scientifically based evaluation and reporting of the
results of fish habitat conservation projects; and
(7) providing resources to secure State agency scientific
and technical assistance to support Partnerships, participants
in fish habitat conservation projects, and the Board.
SEC. 307. COORDINATION WITH STATES AND INDIAN TRIBES.
The Secretary shall provide a notice to, and cooperate with, the
appropriate State agency or Tribal agency, as applicable, of each State
and Indian Tribe within the boundaries of which an activity is planned
to be carried out pursuant to this title, including notification, by
not later than 30 days before the date on which the activity is
implemented.
SEC. 308. INTERAGENCY OPERATIONAL PLAN.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and
every 5 years thereafter, the Director, in cooperation with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Assistant
Administrator, the Environmental Protection Agency Assistant
Administrator, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, and
the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies
(including, at a minimum, those agencies represented on the Board)
shall develop an interagency operational plan that describes--
(1) the functional, operational, technical, scientific, and
general staff, administrative, and material needs for the
implementation of this title; and
(2) any interagency agreements between or among Federal
departments and agencies to address those needs.
SEC. 309. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING.
(a) Reporting.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Board
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report describing the progress of this title.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) an estimate of the number of acres, stream
miles, or acre-feet, or other suitable measures of fish
habitat, that was maintained or improved by
Partnerships under this title during the 5-year period
ending on the date of submission of the report;
(B) a description of the public access to fish
habitats established or improved under this title
during that 5-year period;
(C) a description of the improved opportunities for
public recreational fishing achieved under this title;
and
(D) an assessment of the status of fish habitat
conservation projects carried out with funds provided
under this title during that period, disaggregated by
year, including--
(i) a description of the fish habitat
conservation projects recommended by the Board
under section 305(b);
(ii) a description of each fish habitat
conservation project approved by the Secretary
under section 305(f), in order of priority for
funding;
(iii) a justification for--
(I) the approval of each fish
habitat conservation project; and
(II) the order of priority for
funding of each fish habitat
conservation project;
(iv) a justification for any rejection of a
fish habitat conservation project recommended
by the Board under section 305(b) that was
based on a factor other than the criteria
described in section 305(c); and
(v) an accounting of expenditures by
Federal, State, or local governments, Indian
Tribes, or other entities to carry out fish
habitat conservation projects under this title.
(b) Status and Trends Report.--Not later than December 31, 2020,
and every 5 years thereafter, the Board shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that includes--
(1) a status of all Partnerships designated under this
title;
(2) a description of the status of fish habitats in the
United States as identified by designated Partnerships; and
(3) enhancements or reductions in public access as a result
of--
(A) the activities of the Partnerships; or
(B) any other activities carried out pursuant to
this title.
SEC. 310. EFFECT OF THIS TITLE.
(a) Water Rights.--Nothing in this title--
(1) establishes any express or implied reserved water right
in the United States for any purpose;
(2) affects any water right in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act;
(3) preempts or affects any State water law or interstate
compact governing water; or
(4) affects any Federal or State law in existence on the
date of enactment of the Act regarding water quality or water
quantity.
(b) Authority To Acquire Water Rights or Rights to Property.--Only
a State, local government, or other non-Federal entity may acquire,
under State law, water rights or rights to property with funds made
available through section 312.
(c) State Authority.--Nothing in this title--
(1) affects the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility
of a State to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife
under the laws and regulations of the State; or
(2) authorizes the Secretary to control or regulate within
a State the fishing or hunting of fish and wildlife.
(d) Effect on Indian Tribes.--Nothing in this title abrogates,
abridges, affects, modifies, supersedes, or alters any right of an
Indian Tribe recognized by treaty or any other means, including--
(1) an agreement between the Indian Tribe and the United
States;
(2) Federal law (including regulations);
(3) an Executive order; or
(4) a judicial decree.
(e) Adjudication of Water Rights.--Nothing in this title diminishes
or affects the ability of the Secretary to join an adjudication of
rights to the use of water pursuant to subsection (a), (b), or (c) of
section 308 of the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and The
Judiciary Appropriation Act, 1953 (43 U.S.C. 666).
(f) Department of Commerce Authority.--Nothing in this title
affects the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the
Department of Commerce to manage, control, or regulate fish or fish
habitats under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
(g) Effect on Other Authorities.--
(1) Private property protection.--Nothing in this title
permits the use of funds made available to carry out this title
to acquire real property or a real property interest without
the written consent of each owner of the real property or real
property interest, respectively.
(2) Mitigation.--Nothing in this title authorizes the use
of funds made available to carry out this title for fish and
wildlife mitigation purposes under--
(A) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);
(B) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16
U.S.C. 661 et seq.);
(C) the Water Resources Development Act of 1986
(Public Law 99-662; 100 Stat. 4082); or
(D) any other Federal law or court settlement.
(3) Clean water act.--Nothing in this title affects any
provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1251 et seq.), including any definition in that Act.
SEC. 311. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply
to--
(1) the Board; or
(2) any Partnership.
SEC. 312. FUNDING.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) Fish habitat conservation projects.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $7,200,000 for
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to provide funds for
fish habitat conservation projects approved under section
305(f), of which 5 percent is authorized only for projects
carried out by Indian Tribes.
(2) Administrative and planning expenses.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023 an amount equal to 5 percent of
the amount appropriated for the applicable fiscal year pursuant
to paragraph (1)--
(A) for administrative and planning expenses under
this title; and
(B) to carry out section 309.
(3) Technical and scientific assistance.--There is
authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024 to carry out, and provide technical and scientific
assistance under, section 306--
(A) $400,000 to the Secretary for use by the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(B) $400,000 to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Assistant Administrator for
use by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
(C) $400,000 to the Environmental Protection Agency
Assistant Administrator for use by the Environmental
Protection Agency;
(D) $400,000 to the Secretary for use by the United
States Geological Survey; and
(E) $400,000 to the Chief of the Forest Service for
use by the United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service.
(b) Agreements and Grants.--The Secretary may--
(1) on the recommendation of the Board, and notwithstanding
sections 6304 and 6305 of title 31, United States Code, and the
Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999
(31 U.S.C. 6101 note; Public Law 106-107), enter into a grant
agreement, cooperative agreement, or contract with a
Partnership or other entity to provide funds authorized by this
title for a fish habitat conservation project or restoration or
enhancement project;
(2) apply for, accept, and, subject to the availability of
appropriations, use a grant from any individual or entity to
carry out the purposes of this title; and
(3) subject to the availability of appropriations, make
funds authorized by this Act available to any Federal
department or agency for use by that department or agency to
provide grants for any fish habitat protection project,
restoration project, or enhancement project that the Secretary
determines to be consistent with this title.
(c) Donations.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may--
(A) enter into an agreement with any organization
described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of that Code to solicit private donations to
carry out the purposes of this title; and
(B) accept donations of funds, property, and
services to carry out the purposes of this title.
(2) Treatment.--A donation accepted under this title--
(A) shall be considered to be a gift or bequest to,
or otherwise for the use of, the United States; and
(B) may be--
(i) used directly by the Secretary; or
(ii) provided to another Federal department
or agency through an interagency agreement.
SEC. 313. PROHIBITION AGAINST IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATORY AUTHORITY BY
FEDERAL AGENCIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.
Any Partnership designated under this title--
(1) shall be for the sole purpose of promoting fish
conservation; and
(2) shall not be used to implement any regulatory authority
of any Federal agency.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 401. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS AND
ACTIVITIES.
It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) voluntary conservation agreements benefit species and
the habitats on which the species rely;
(2) States, Indian Tribes, units of local government,
landowners, and other stakeholders should be encouraged to
participate in voluntary conservation agreements; and
(3) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant
Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service, should
consider the enrollment in, and performance of, conservation
agreements and investment in, and implementation of, general
conservation activities by States, Indian Tribes, units of
local government, landowners, and other stakeholders in making
determinations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
SEC. 402. STUDY TO REVIEW CONSERVATION FACTORS.
(a) Definition of Secretaries.--In this section, the term
``Secretaries'' means--
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(2) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant
Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service; and
(3) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) Study.--To assess factors affecting successful conservation
activities under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.), the Secretaries shall carry out a study--
(1) to review any factors that threaten or endanger a
species for which a listing under the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) would not lead to a sustainable
population of the species;
(2) to review any barriers to--
(A) the delivery of Federal, State, local, or
private funds for such conservation activities,
including statutory or regulatory impediments, staffing
needs, and other relevant considerations; or
(B) the implementation of conservation agreements,
plans, or other cooperative agreements, including
agreements focused on voluntary activities,
multispecies efforts, and other relevant
considerations;
(3) to review factors that impact the ability of the
Federal Government to successfully implement the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
(4) to develop recommendations regarding methods to address
barriers identified under paragraph (2), if any; and
(5) to review determinations under the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) in which a species is
determined to be recovered by the Secretary of the Interior,
acting through the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, or the Secretary of Commerce, acting through
the Assistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries
Service, but remains listed under that Act, including--
(A) an explanation of the factors preventing a
delisting or downlisting of the species; and
(B) recommendations regarding methods to address
the factors described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations and Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives and make publicly available a report describing the
results of the study under subsection (b).
SEC. 403. STUDY AND REPORT ON EXPENDITURES.
(a) Reports on Expenditures.--
(1) Federal departments and agencies.--
(A) In general.--At the determination of the
Comptroller General of the United States (referred to
in this section as the ``Comptroller General''), to
facilitate the preparation of the reports from the
Comptroller General under paragraph (2), the head of
each Federal department and agency shall submit to the
Comptroller General data and other relevant information
that describes the amounts expended or disbursed
(including through loans, loan guarantees, grants, or
any other financing mechanism) by the department or
agency as a direct result of any provision of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
(including any regulation promulgated pursuant to that
Act) during--
(i) with respect to the first report under
paragraph (2), the 3 fiscal years preceding the
date of submission of the report; and
(ii) with respect to the second report
under paragraph (2), the 2 fiscal years
preceding the date of submission of the report.
(B) Requirements.--Data and other relevant
information submitted under subparagraph (A) shall
describe, with respect to the applicable amounts--
(i) the programmatic office of the
department or agency on behalf of which each
amount was expended or disbursed;
(ii) the provision of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
(or regulation promulgated pursuant to that
Act) pursuant to which each amount was expended
or disbursed; and
(iii) the project or activity carried out
using each amount, in detail sufficient to
reflect the breadth, scope, and purpose of the
project or activity.
(2) Comptroller general.--Not later than 2 years and 4
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations,
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations
and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report
that describes--
(A) the aggregate amount expended or disbursed by
all Federal departments and agencies as a direct result
of any provision of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (including any regulation
promulgated pursuant to that Act) during--
(i) with respect to the first report, the 3
fiscal years preceding the date of submission
of the report; and
(ii) with respect to the second report, the
2 fiscal years preceding the date of submission
of the report;
(B) the provision of the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (or regulation
promulgated pursuant to that Act) pursuant to which
each such amount was expended or disbursed; and
(C) with respect to each relevant department or
agency--
(i) the total amount expended or disbursed
by the department or agency as described in
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) the information described in clauses
(i) through (iii) of paragraph (1)(B).
(b) Report on Conservation Activities.--
(1) Federal departments and agencies.--At the determination
of the Comptroller General, to facilitate the preparation of
the report under paragraph (2), the head of each Federal
department and agency shall submit to the Comptroller General
data and other relevant information that describes the
conservation activities by the Federal department or agency as
a direct result of any provision of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (including any regulation
promulgated pursuant to that Act) during--
(A) with respect to the first report under
paragraph (2), the 3 fiscal years preceding the date of
submission of the report; and
(B) with respect to the second report under
paragraph (2), the 2 fiscal years preceding the date of
submission of the report.
(2) Comptroller general.--Not later than 2 years and 4
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation and Environment and Public Works of the
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a report that--
(A) describes the conservation activities by all
Federal departments and agencies for species listed as
a threatened species or endangered species under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.), as reported under paragraph (1), during--
(i) with respect to the first report, the 3
fiscal years preceding the date of submission
of the report; and
(ii) with respect to the second report, the
2 fiscal years preceding the date of submission
of the report;
(B) is organized into categories with respect to
whether a recovery plan for a species has been
established;
(C) includes conservation outcomes associated with
the conservation activities; and
(D) as applicable, describes the conservation
activities that required interaction between Federal
agencies and between Federal agencies and State and
Tribal agencies and units of local government pursuant
to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.).
SEC. 404. USE OF VALUE OF LAND FOR COST SHARING.
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 13 as section 14; and
(2) by inserting after section 12 the following:
``SEC. 13. VALUE OF LAND.
``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any institution
eligible to receive Federal funds under the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.)
shall be allowed to use the value of any land owned by the institution
as an in-kind match to satisfy any cost sharing requirement under this
Act.''.
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