[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: March 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1994
Mr. MITCHELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 368, S.
476, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Improvement Act of 1994;
that the committee substitute amendment be agreed to, and the bill, as
amended, be deemed read the third time, passed, and the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table, that any statements and colloquies
appear in the Record as if read.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senate proceeded to consider the following bill (S. 476) to
reauthorize and amend the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Establishment Act, which had been reported from the Committee on
Environment and Public Works with an amendment to strike out all after
the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
ESTABLISHMENT ACT
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Improvement Act of 1994''.
SEC. 102. COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS WITH NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
Section 2(b)(1) of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701(b)(1)) is
amended by inserting ``and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration'' after ``the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service''.
SEC. 103. MEMBERSHIP OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FOUNDATION.
(a) Consultations Regarding Appointments.--
(1) In general.--Section 3(b) of the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3702(b)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``The Secretary of the Interior shall consult with the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere before
appointing any Director of the Board.''.
(2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall
apply to appointments of Directors of the Board of Directors
of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation made after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Expansion of Board.--Section 3(a) of the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3702(a))
is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``nine'' and inserting ``15''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``three'' and inserting
``4''.
(c) Initial Terms.--Of the Directors on the Board of
Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation first
appointed pursuant to the amendment made by subsection
(b)(1), notwithstanding the second sentence of section 3(b)
of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment
Act (16 U.S.C. 3702(b))--
(1) 2 shall be appointed to a term of 2 years;
(2) 2 shall be appointed to a term of 4 years; and
(3) 2 shall be appointed to a term of 6 years;
as specified by the Secretary of the Interior at the time of
appointment.
(d) Completion of Appointments.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
Interior shall appoint the additional members of the Board of
Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
referred to in subsection (c).
(e) Authority of Board Not Affected.--The authority of the
Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation to take any action otherwise authorized by law
shall not be affected by reason of the Secretary of the
Interior not having completed the appointment of Directors of
the Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation pursuant to the amendment made by subsection
(b)(1).
SEC. 104. REAUTHORIZATION OF NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE
FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT ACT.
(a) Reauthorization.--Section 10 of the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``not to exceed
$15,000,000'' and all that follows through the end of the
sentence and inserting ``$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Additional Authorization.--The amounts authorized to
be appropriated under this section are in addition to any
amounts provided or available to the Foundation under any
other Federal law.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--Section 10(b)(1) of the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C.
3709(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``paragraphs (2) and
(3),'' and inserting ``paragraph (2),''.
SEC. 105. CONVEYANCE OF SENECAVILLE NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY.
(a) Conveyance Authorized.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law and not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
convey to the State of Ohio without reimbursement all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the
property known as the Senecaville National Fish Hatchery,
located in Senecaville, Ohio, including--
(1) all easements and water rights relating to that
property; and
(2) all land, improvements, and related personal property
comprising that hatchery.
(b) Use of Property.--All property and interests conveyed
under this section shall be used by the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources for the Ohio fishery resources management
program.
(c) Reversionary Interest.--All right, title, and interest
in and to all property and interests conveyed under this
section shall revert to the United States on any date on
which any of the property or interests are used other than
for the Ohio fishery resources management program.
TITLE II--BROWNSVILLE WETLANDS POLICY CENTER
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Brownsville Wetlands
Policy Act of 1994''.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF WETLANDS POLICY CENTER AT THE PORT
OF BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS.
(a) Establishment of Center.--For purposes of utilizing
grants made by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
there may be established in accordance with this title, on
property owned or held in trust by the Brownsville Navigation
District at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, a wetlands policy
center which shall be known as the ``Brownsville Wetlands
Policy Center at the Port of Brownsville, Texas'' (referred
to in this title as the ``Center''). The Center shall be
operated and maintained by the Port of Brownsville with
programs to be administered by the University of Texas at
Brownsville.
(b) Mission of the Center.--The primary mission of the
Center shall be to utilize the unique wetlands property at
the Port of Brownsville and adjacent waters of South Texas to
focus on wetland matters for the purposes of protecting,
restoring, and maintaining the Lagoon Ecosystems of the
Western Gulf of Mexico Region.
(c) Board of Directors.--The Center shall be governed by a
Board of Directors to oversee the management and financial
affairs of the Center. The Board of Directors shall be
cochaired by the Port of Brownsville, the University of Texas
at Brownsville, and the designee of the Director of the Fish
and Wildlife Service, and shall include as members other
representatives considered appropriate by those cochairs.
(d) Oversight of the Center.--
(1) Annual report.--The Board of Directors of the Center
shall prepare an annual report and submit the report through
the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
to Congress.
(2) Contents.--Annual reports under this subsection shall
cover the programs, projects, activities, and accomplishments
of the Center. The reports shall include a review of the
budget of the Center, including all sources of funding
received to carry out Center operations.
(3) Availability of information.--The Board of Directors of
the Center shall make available all pertinent information and
records to allow preparation of annual reports under this
subsection.
(4) General accounting office.--The Comptroller General of
the United States shall periodically submit to Congress
reports on the operations of the Center.
SEC. 203. GRANTS.
The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, make
grants to the Center for use for carrying out activities of
the Center.
SEC. 204. LEASE.
The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, subject to the availability of appropriations, may
enter into a long-term lease with the Port of Brownsville for
use by the Center of wetlands property owned by the Port of
Brownsville. Terms of the lease shall be negotiated, and the
lease shall be signed by both parties, prior to the disposal
of any Federal funds pursuant to this title. The lease shall
include a provision authorizing the Director to terminate the
lease at any time.
SEC. 205. OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--As conditions of receiving assistance
under this title--
(1) the University of Texas at Brownsville shall make
available to the Center for fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996,
and 1997--
(A) administrative office space;
(B) classroom space; and
(C) other in-kind contributions for the Center, including
overhead and personnel; and
(2) the Port of Brownsville shall make available up to
7,000 acres of Port Property for the programs, projects, and
activities of the Center.
(b) Annual Report.--The Board of Directors of the Center
shall include in the annual report of the Board under section
202(d) a statement of whether the conditions referred to in
subsection (a) have been met.
SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service $5,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $4,000,000 for fiscal
year 1996, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
1997, for making grants to the Center under section 203,
including for use for the establishment, operation,
maintenance, and management of the Center.
SEC. 207. RELATIONSHIP OF CENTER WITH THE CENTER FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SERVICES, CORPUS
CHRISTI, TEXAS.
None of the funds appropriated pursuant to this title may
be used to relocate any of the administrative operations of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from the Center
for Environmental Studies and Services Building on the campus
of Corpus Christi State University, to the Brownsville
Wetlands Policy Center at the Port of Brownsville, Texas,
established pursuant to this title.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, I rise in support of S. 476,
legislation reauthorizing and amending the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act.
This legislation contains provisions of significant importance to my
home State of Texas and the Nation--establishment of the Brownsville
Wetlands Center. Under this bill, the Port of Brownsville, TX, would
make available 7,000 acres of wetlands property for the establishment
of a center to conduct wetlands research, educate minorities, and
analyze current industrial policy as it affects protection of wetlands.
This center will be a unique regional and national asset that will
allow researchers and policymakers to examine an existing heavy
industrial enterprise and how it coexists with wetland ecosystems in
the western Gulf of Mexico area. With direct input from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and local universities, the Wetlands Policy Center
could soon evolve into a true center of excellence in this important
area of wetlands policy research.
I am particularly enthusiastic about the prospects for the center to
become a prototype for the development of graduate degree and career
opportunities for minorities and women in the area of environmental
sciences. The University of Texas at Brownsville, with a student
population that is over 75 percent Hispanic, will serve as the anchor
of this innovative program, providing unique educational opportunities
for minorities and women throughout the Rio Grande Valley region in the
areas of environmental protection, science, and engineering. This
legislation will make it possible for minorities and women throughout
the region to interface with Federal policymakers, agency officials,
researchers, and the private sector to focus on new technologies and
approaches on the issue of wetlands protection.
I would like to acknowledge my friend and colleague, Congressman
Solomon Ortiz, for his efforts in bringing this legislation through the
House and into the Senate. I would also like to thank the Senate
Environment and public Works Committee for its favorable consideration.
Madam President, I urge my colleagues to vote for passage of S. 476.
Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I am pleased to support S. 476, a bill
introduced by my good friend Senator Chafee, the distinguished ranking
member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. This bill will
reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment
Act.
The Foundation is a federally chartered, charitable nonprofit
corporation. Formed in 1984, the Foundation administers donations from
the private sector to enhance the conservation work of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. The Foundation matches these private donations
with Federal appropriations, multiplying their effectiveness. Since its
founding, the Foundation has funded over $108 million worth of fish and
wildlife conservation projects, while using only $32 million in Federal
appropriations.
The Foundation has funded over 870 conservation projects across the
Nation and around the world. In my own State of Montana, the Foundation
is providing a $12,000 grant for an 8-week environmental field study
program for native American youth in Fort Belknap. It has awarded
$25,000 to the Rock Creek Advisory Council, a Missoula group, to assist
in the purchase of conservation easements which will benefit a blue
ribbon trout stream and important bighorn sheep winter habitat. The
Foundation is also making a $10,000 grant to the Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks Department to help acquire 24-acre Eagle Island, located on
the Missouri River, valued for its fisheries and wetlands resources.
Projects like these, in Montana and in every other State, are helping
improve fish and wildlife conservation in the most cost-effective way
possible. The Foundation's efforts are precisely the kind of public-
private partnership for conservation that we need more of and that I am
proud to support.
The bill before us, S. 476, will enable the Foundation to continue
its important work. In addition, the bill authorizes the transfer of
the Senecaville National Fish Hatchery to the State of Ohio for use by
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in its fishery management
program. The bill also authorizes the establishment of the Brownsville
Wetlands Policy Center at the Port of Brownsville, TX.
I urge my colleagues to support passage of S. 476.
Mr. CHAFEE. Madam President, I rise in support of S. 476, a bill I
introduced 1 year ago, to reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act. The Foundation has proven extremely
effective. It advances the conservation of our natural resources
through the formation of innovative partnerships between the public and
private sectors. This is an organization that deserves our support.
The Foundation was established as a federally chartered but private
and independent, nonprofit organization to serve as a link between
Government and private efforts to conserve our fish and wildlife
resources. It is authorized to receive private donations and matching
Federal appropriations to benefit fish and wildlife conservation.
Since the Foundation was established in 1984, it has funded over 870
conservation projects all over the Nation and in 12 foreign countries.
The Foundation has used the partnership approach to fund fish and
wildlife projects valued at over $108 million--utilizing only $32
million in Federal appropriations. Dollar for dollar the Foundation is
one of the most effective organizations for implementing conservation
projects, matching every Federal dollar with $2 in nonfederal
contributions.
As impressive as these numbers may be, the Foundation's role as a
catalyst for conservation efforts goes beyond the specific projects
funded. The Foundation has been at the forefront of the effort to form
partnerships between Government agencies, conservation organizations,
individuals, and corporations interested in conservation of our natural
resources. Not only do these partnerships help to stretch scarce
Federal dollars, but they encourage greater public participation in
conservation programs, setting the stage for future initiatives.
The Foundation has also been instrumental in getting important
projects off the ground by providing seed money and expertise,
including the North American waterfowl management plan--an initiative
to benefit declining populations of waterfowl; Partners in Flight--a
program to conserve neotropical migratory birds, including songbirds;
and conservation training and education programs.
The bill also authorizes the transfer of the Senecaville National
Fish Hatchery to the State of Ohio, for use by the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources for its fishery resources management program. In
addition, the bill authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
make grants--subject to the availability of appropriations--to
establish the Brownsville Wetlands Policy Center at the Port of
Brownsville, TX. The center is to be operated and maintained by the
Port of Brownsville and the University of Texas at Brownsville.
With our support, the Foundation will continue to be in the forefront
of innovative and cost-effective methods to advance the conservation of
our fish and wildlife. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of
S. 476.
Mr. HOLLINGS. Madam President, as chairman of the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I would like to discuss with the
chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works S. 476, the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Improvement Act of 1994, and the
role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA].
Mr. BAUCUS. I would be pleased to discuss S. 476 with the chairman of
the Commerce Committee.
Mr. HOLLINGS. Under the Senate rules, the jurisdiction of the
Commerce Committee includes such matters as coastal zone management,
marine fisheries, and ocean and atmospheric activities. Stemming from
that jurisdictional interest, the committee has exercised longstanding
oversight over the programs and activities of NOAA.
S. 476 would authorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to
encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of property for the
benefit of, or in connection with, NOAA activities and services. I
understand that the Foundation currently is cooperating with NOAA on
fisheries conservation, marine sanctuaries, and other projects. S. 476
would provide explicit authority and direction for these activities.
Given the longstanding jurisdictional interest of the Commerce
Committee in NOAA, this committee will continue to exercise its
oversight over NOAA activities, including those implemented pursuant to
this legislation.
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I recognize the jurisdiction of the
Commerce Committee over NOAA and its marine and estuarine programs. I
assure the chairman of the Commerce Committee that nothing in this bill
would affect the jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee over NOAA or
those activities. Does the ranking Republican on the Environment
Committee agree?
Mr. CHAFEE. I agree, Madam President.
Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, I share the concerns of the chairman of
the Commerce Committee. My home State of Alaska has over one-half the
coastline of the United States. NOAA's work critical to Alaska, and the
jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee over the Department of Commerce
and NOAA is one of the main reasons I joined the committee. I would
like to ask a question of the distinguished chairman of the Committee
on Environment and Public Works regarding S. 476.
Mr. BAUCUS. I would be happy to answer a question from my colleague
from Alaska.
Mr. STEVENS. I understand that the Secretary of Interior has the
authority for board appointments. What is the understanding of my
colleague from Montana about the duty of the Secretary of Interior to
consult with the Secretary of Commerce in making these appointments?
Mr. BAUCUS. The Senator from Alaska is correct that the Secretary of
Interior has the authority to make the board appointments. However, S.
476 directs the Secretary of Interior to consult with the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere before appointing board
members. The committee intends that the consultation of the Secretary
of the Interior with the Department of Commerce be meaningful and that
the Secretary of Interior give full consideration to the
recommendations of the Department of Commerce.
Mr. HOLLINGS. Madam President, I thank the chairman of the
Environment and Public Works Committee for addressing these concerns.
So the bill (S. 476), as amended, was deemed read the third time, and
passed, as follows:
S. 476
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
ESTABLISHMENT ACT
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Improvement Act of 1994''.
SEC. 102. COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS WITH NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
Section 2(b)(1) of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701(b)(1)) is
amended by inserting ``and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration'' after ``the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service''.
SEC. 103. MEMBERSHIP OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FOUNDATION.
(a) Consultations Regarding Appointments.--
(1) In general.--Section 3(b) of the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3702(b)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``The Secretary of the Interior shall consult with the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere before
appointing any Director of the Board.''.
(2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall
apply to appointments of Directors of the Board of Directors
of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation made after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Expansion of Board.--Section 3(a) of the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3702(a))
is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``nine'' and inserting ``15''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``three'' and inserting
``4''.
(c) Initial Terms.--Of the Directors on the Board of
Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation first
appointed pursuant to the amendment made by subsection
(b)(1), notwithstanding the second sentence of section 3(b)
of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment
Act (16 U.S.C. 3702(b))--
(1) 2 shall be appointed to a term of 2 years;
(2) 2 shall be appointed to a term of 4 years; and
(3) 2 shall be appointed to a term of 6 years;
as specified by the Secretary of the Interior at the time of
appointment.
(d) Completion of Appointments.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
Interior shall appoint the additional members of the Board of
Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
referred to in subsection (c).
(e) Authority of Board Not Affected.--The authority of the
Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation to take any action otherwise authorized by law
shall not be affected by reason of the Secretary of the
Interior not having completed the appointment of Directors of
the Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation pursuant to the amendment made by subsection
(b)(1).
SEC. 104. REAUTHORIZATION OF NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE
FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT ACT.
(a) Reauthorization.--Section 10 of the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``not to exceed
$15,000,000'' and all that follows through the end of the
sentence and inserting ``$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Additional Authorization.--The amounts authorized to
be appropriated under this section are in addition to any
amounts provided or available to the Foundation under any
other Federal law.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--Section 10(b)(1) of the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C.
3709(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``paragraphs (2) and
(3),'' and inserting ``paragraph (2),''.
SEC. 105. CONVEYANCE OF SENECAVILLE NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY.
(a) Conveyance Authorized.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law and not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
convey to the State of Ohio without reimbursement all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the
property known as the Senecaville National Fish Hatchery,
located in Senecaville, Ohio, including--
(1) all easements and water rights relating to that
property; and
(2) all land, improvements, and related personal property
comprising that hatchery.
(b) Use of Property.--All property and interests conveyed
under this section shall be used by the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources for the Ohio fishery resources management
program.
(c) Reversionary Interest.--All right, title, and interest
in and to all property and interests conveyed under this
section shall revert to the United States on any date on
which any of the property or interests are used other than
for the Ohio fishery resources management program.
TITLE II--BROWNSVILLE WETLANDS POLICY CENTER
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Brownsville Wetlands
Policy Act of 1994''.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF WETLANDS POLICY CENTER AT THE PORT
OF BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS.
(a) Establishment of Center.--For purposes of utilizing
grants made by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
there may be established in accordance with this title, on
property owned or held in trust by the Brownsville Navigation
District at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, a wetlands policy
center which shall be known as the ``Brownsville Wetlands
Policy Center at the Port of Brownsville, Texas'' (referred
to in this title as the ``Center''). The Center shall be
operated and maintained by the Port of Brownsville with
programs to be administered by the University of Texas at
Brownsville.
(b) Mission of the Center.--The primary mission of the
Center shall be to utilize the unique wetlands property at
the Port of Brownsville and adjacent waters of South Texas to
focus on wetland matters for the purposes of protecting,
restoring, and maintaining the Lagoon Ecosystems of the
Western Gulf of Mexico Region.
(c) Board of Directors.--The Center shall be governed by a
Board of Directors to oversee the management and financial
affairs of the Center. The Board of Directors shall be
cochaired by the Port of Brownsville, the University of Texas
at Brownsville, and the designee of the Director of the Fish
and Wildlife Service, and shall include as members other
representatives considered appropriate by those cochairs.
(d) Oversight of the Center.--
(1) Annual report.--The Board of Directors of the Center
shall prepare an annual report and submit the report through
the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
to Congress.
(2) Contents.--Annual reports under this subsection shall
cover the programs, projects, activities, and accomplishments
of the Center. The reports shall include a review of the
budget of the Center, including all sources of funding
received to carry out Center operations.
(3) Availability of information.--The Board of Directors of
the Center shall make available all pertinent information and
records to allow preparation of annual reports under this
subsection.
(4) General accounting office.--The Comptroller General of
the United States shall periodically submit to Congress
reports on the operations of the Center.
SEC. 203. GRANTS.
The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, make
grants to the Center for use for carrying out activities of
the Center.
SEC. 204. LEASE.
The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, subject to the availability of appropriations, may
enter into a long-term lease with the Port of Brownsville for
use by the Center of wetlands property owned by the Port of
Brownsville. Terms of the lease shall be negotiated, and the
lease shall be signed by both parties, prior to the disposal
of any Federal funds pursuant to this title. The lease shall
include a provision authorizing the Director to terminate the
lease at any time.
SEC. 205. OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--As conditions of receiving assistance
under this title--
(1) the University of Texas at Brownsville shall make
available to the Center for fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996,
and 1997--
(A) administrative office space;
(B) classroom space; and
(C) other in-kind contributions for the Center, including
overhead and personnel; and
(2) the Port of Brownsville shall make available up to
7,000 acres of Port Property for the programs, projects, and
activities of the Center.
(b) Annual Report.--The Board of Directors of the Center
shall include in the annual report of the Board under section
202(d) a statement of whether the conditions referred to in
subsection (a) have been met.
SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service $5,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $4,000,000 for fiscal
year 1996, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
1997, for making grants to the Center under section 203,
including for use for the establishment, operation,
maintenance, and management of the Center.
SEC. 207. RELATIONSHIP OF CENTER WITH THE CENTER FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SERVICES, CORPUS
CHRISTI, TEXAS.
None of the funds appropriated pursuant to this title may
be used to relocate any of the administrative operations of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from the Center
for Environmental Studies and Services Building on the campus
of Corpus Christi State University, to the Brownsville
Wetlands Policy Center at the Port of Brownsville, Texas,
established pursuant to this title.
____________________