[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Mr Bond, Mr. Voinovich, and Mrs. 
        Clinton):
  S. 3552. A bill to conserve the United States fish and aquatic 
communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation 
and improve the quality of life for the people of the United States and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to speak about the National Fish 
Habitat Conservation Act, which I am introducing today along with my 
colleagues Senators Bond and Voinovich. This legislation would 
establish the most comprehensive effort ever attempted to treat the 
causes of fish habitat decline.
  Healthy waterways and robust fish populations are vital to the well-
being of our society. They provide clean water and sustainable 
fisheries. They also provide recreational value to those who fish wild 
waters or canoe tranquil streams. Unfortunately, today 40 percent of 
our fish populations are in decline and half of our waters are 
impaired. Unless we act in an informed and coordinated fashion, fish 
habitats will continue to be lost.
  Our Nation's current efforts to address threats to fish species are 
often highly fragmented and not comprehensive enough to reverse this 
downward trend. Under the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act, 
Federal Government agencies, state and local governments, conservation 
groups, fishing industry groups, and businesses will work together 
collectively for the first time to conserve and protect aquatic 
habitats.
  This legislation leverages Federal, State and private funds to build 
regional partnerships aimed at addressing the nation's biggest 
fisheries problems. By directing critical new resources towards the 
nation's fish and aquatic communities through these partnerships, we 
can foster fish habitat conservation efforts and improve the quality of 
life for the American people. Using a bottom-up approach, the goal of 
this effort is to foster landscape scale, multi-state aquatic habitat 
improvements across the country that perpetuate not only fishery 
resources but the tradition of recreational fishing.
  The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act authorizes $75 million 
annually to be directed toward fish habitat projects that are supported 
by regional Fish Habitat Partnerships. Based on the hugely successful 
North American Wetlands Conservation Act model, this legislation 
establishes a multi-stakeholder National Fish Habitat Board charged 
with recommending projects to the Secretary of Interior for funding. 
Regional Fish Habitat Partnerships are responsible for implementing 
approved on-the-ground projects that are designed to protect, restore 
and enhance fish habitats and fish populations.
  The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act lays the foundation for a 
new paradigm of how fish habitats should be protected and preserved. 
This bill will bring together all of the different groups that have a 
stake in the health and productivity of our nation's fish habitats and 
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important 
legislation.
  Mr. BOND. Madam President, today, along with my colleagues Senators 
Lieberman and Voinovich, I am introducing the National Fish Habitat 
Conservation Act. This legislation will enable us to stop the causes of 
fish habitat decline throughout the Nation.
  Preventing the decline of fish species and their habitat will require 
everyone working together. Under the National Fish Habitat Conservation 
Act, Federal Government agencies, State and local governments, 
conservation groups, fishing industry groups, and businesses will all 
work together to preserve our aquatic habitats.
  Together, they will improve waterways vital to securing a robust fish 
population. The well-being of our water resources is essential not only 
for healthy fish but also those who boat through beautiful streams and 
fish in wild waters for recreational entertainment. This, however, may 
not be an option if we do not take action now. As of today, 40 percent 
of the fish population is in decline and half of our waters have become 
weakened and polluted.
  The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act will authorize $75 million 
every year to fund local fish habitat projects supported by regional 
Fish Habitat Partnerships. This bill creates a multistakeholder 
National Fish Habitat Board that will recommend projects to the 
Secretary of the Interior for funding. This idea draws from the already 
successful North American Wetlands Conservation Act model, which has 
benefited wetlands in America, Canada, and Mexico. The Regional Fish 
Partnerships will also be called on to execute approved on-the-ground 
projects designed to ensure the improvement of the fish population and 
habitat.
  By using a bottom-up approach, we will engage those who most directly 
impact the health of local waterways and fish populations. These 
partnerships are imperative to our efforts in conserving the fish 
species and our goal of improving the quality of life for the American 
people.
  I am thankful to Senator Lieberman for his work on this bipartisan 
effort and encourage all of my colleagues to join our efforts to 
protect fish and fish habitat.
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