[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Bond, Ms. Stabenow, 
        Mr. Cardin, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Crapo):
  S. 1214. A bill to conserve fish and aquatic communities in the 
United States through partnerships that foster fish habitat 
conservation, to 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, Casey, Stabenow, Cardin, Whitehouse, and 
Sanders. This legislation will significantly advance ongoing efforts to 
restore and protect fish habitat, improve the health of our waterways 
and ensure that we have robust fish populations far into the future.
  Today, nearly half of our fish populations are in decline and half of 
our waters are impaired, which is why it is especially important that 
we work together to protect and restore remaining habitat. The National 
Fish Habitat Conservation Act will leverage federal, state and private 
funds to support voluntary regional conservation partnerships, which in 
turn will allow federal and state governments, the recreational and 
commercial fishing industries, the conservation community, and 
businesses to work together--for the first time--to effectively 
conserve aquatic habitats.
  Our legislation authorizes $75 million annually for fish habitat 
projects. Based on the highly successful North American Wetlands 
Conservation Act model, the bill establishes a multi-stakeholder 
National Fish Habitat Board to recommend science-based conservation 
projects to the Secretary of Interior for funding. Regional partners 
will then work to implement those conservation projects to protect, 
restore and enhance fish habitats and fish populations.
  The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act will go a long way toward 
ensuring the viability of our fish and their habitats for generations 
to come. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
important legislation and reverse the decline of our ailing waterways 
and fisheries.
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