[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18238-18241]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      PACIFIC SALMON RECOVERY ACT

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2798) to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to provide 
financial assistance to the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and 
California for salmon habitat restoration projects in coastal waters 
and upland drainages, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2798

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Pacific Salmon Recovery 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. SALMON CONSERVATION AND SALMON HABITAT RESTORATION 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Requirement To Provide Assistance.--Subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Commerce 
     shall provide financial assistance in accordance with this 
     Act to qualified States and qualified tribal governments for 
     salmon conservation and salmon habitat restoration 
     activities.
       (b) Allocation.--Of the amounts available to provide 
     assistance under this section each fiscal year (after the 
     application of section 3(g)), the Secretary--
       (1) shall allocate 85 percent among qualified States, in 
     equal amounts; and
       (2) shall allocate 15 percent among qualified tribal 
     governments, in amounts determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Transfer.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall promptly transfer in a 
     lump sum--
       (A) to a qualified State that has submitted a Conservation 
     and Restoration Plan under section 3(a) amounts allocated to 
     the qualified State under subsection (b)(1) of this section, 
     unless the Secretary determines, within 30 days after the 
     submittal of the plan to the Secretary, that the plan is 
     inconsistent with the requirements of this Act; and
       (B) to a qualified tribal government that has entered into 
     a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary under 
     section 3(b) amounts allocated to the qualified tribal 
     government under subsection (b)(2) of this section.
       (2) Transfers to qualified states.--The Secretary shall 
     make the transfer under paragraph (1)(A)--
       (A) to the Washington State Salmon Recovery Board, in the 
     case of amounts allocated to Washington;
       (B) to the Oregon State Watershed Enhancement Board, in the 
     case of amounts allocated to Oregon;
       (C) to the California Department of Fish and Game for the 
     California Coastal Salmon Recovery Program, in the case of 
     amounts allocated to California;
       (D) to the Governor of Alaska, in the case of amounts 
     allocated to Alaska; and
       (E) to the Office of Species Conservation, in the case of 
     amounts allocated to Idaho.
       (d) Reallocation.--
       (1) Amounts allocated to qualified states.--Amounts that 
     are allocated to a qualified State for a fiscal year shall be 
     reallocated under subsection (b)(1) among the other qualified 
     States, if--
       (A) the qualified State has not submitted a plan in 
     accordance with section 3(a) as of the end of the fiscal 
     year; or
       (B) the amounts remain unobligated at the end of the 
     subsequent fiscal year.
       (2) Amounts allocated to qualified tribal governments.--
     Amounts that are allocated to a qualified tribal government 
     for a fiscal year shall be reallocated under subsection 
     (b)(2) among the other qualified tribal governments, if the 
     qualified tribal government has not entered into a memorandum 
     of understanding with the Secretary in accordance with 
     section 3(b) as of the end of the fiscal year.

     SEC. 3. RECEIPT AND USE OF ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Qualified State Salmon Conservation and Restoration 
     Plan.--
       (1) In general.--To receive assistance under this Act, a 
     qualified State shall develop and submit to the Secretary a 
     Salmon Conservation and Salmon Habitat Restoration Plan.
       (2) Contents.--Each Salmon Conservation and Salmon 
     Restoration Plan shall, at a minimum--
       (A) be consistent with other applicable Federal laws;
       (B) be consistent with the goal of salmon recovery;
       (C) except as provided in subparagraph (D), give priority 
     to use of assistance under this section for projects that--
       (i) provide a direct and demonstrable benefit to salmon or 
     their habitat;
       (ii) provide the greatest benefit to salmon conservation 
     and salmon habitat restoration relative to the cost of the 
     projects; and
       (iii) conserve, and restore habitat, for--

       (I) salmon that are listed as endangered species or 
     threatened species, proposed for such listing, or candidates 
     for such listing, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
     (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
       (II) salmon that are given special protection under the 
     laws or regulations of the qualified State;

       (D) in the case of a plan submitted by a qualified State in 
     which, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, there is 
     no area at which a salmon species referred to in subparagraph 
     (C)(iii)(I) spawns--
       (i) give priority to use of assistance for projects 
     referred to in subparagraph (C)(i) and (ii) that contribute 
     to proactive programs to conserve and enhance species of 
     salmon that intermingle with, or are otherwise related to, 
     species referred to in subparagraph (C)(iii)(I), which may 
     include (among other matters)--

       (I) salmon-related research, data collection, and 
     monitoring;
       (II) salmon supplementation and enhancement;
       (III) salmon habitat restoration;
       (IV) increasing economic opportunities for salmon 
     fishermen; and
       (V) national and international cooperative habitat 
     programs; and

       (ii) provide for revision of the plan within one year after 
     any date on which any salmon species that spawns in the 
     qualified State is listed as an endangered species or 
     threatened species, proposed for such listing, or a candidate 
     for such listing, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
     (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
       (E) establish specific goals and timelines for activities 
     funded with such assistance;
       (F) include measurable criteria by which such activities 
     may be evaluated;
       (G) require that activities carried out with such 
     assistance shall--
       (i) be scientifically based;
       (ii) be cost effective;
       (iii) not be conducted on private land except with the 
     consent of the owner of the land; and
       (iv) contribute to the conservation and recovery of salmon;
       (H) require that the qualified State maintain its aggregate 
     expenditures of funds from non-Federal sources for salmon 
     habitat restoration programs at or above the average level of 
     such expenditures in the 2 fiscal years preceding the date of 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (I) ensure that activities funded under this Act are 
     conducted in a manner in which, and in areas where, the State 
     has determined that they will have long-term benefits.
       (3) Solicitation of comments.--In preparing a plan under 
     this subsection a qualified State shall seek comments on the 
     plan from local governments in the qualified State.
       (b) Tribal MOU With Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--To receive assistance under this Act, a 
     qualified tribal government shall enter into a memorandum of 
     understanding with the Secretary regarding use of the 
     assistance.
       (2) Contents.--Each memorandum of understanding shall, at a 
     minimum--
       (A) be consistent with other applicable Federal laws;
       (B) be consistent with the goal of salmon recovery;

[[Page 18239]]

       (C) give priority to use of assistance under this Act for 
     activities that--
       (i) provide a direct and demonstrable benefit to salmon or 
     their habitat;
       (ii) provide the greatest benefit to salmon conservation 
     and salmon habitat restoration relative to the cost of the 
     projects; and
       (iii) conserve, and restore habitat, for--

       (I) salmon that are listed as endangered species or 
     threatened species, proposed for such listing, or candidates 
     for such listing, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
     (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
       (II) salmon that are given special protection under the 
     ordinances or regulations of the qualified tribal government;

       (D) in the case of a memorandum of understanding entered 
     into by a qualified tribal government for an area in which, 
     as of the date of the enactment of this Act, there is no area 
     at which a salmon species that is referred to in subparagraph 
     (C)(iii)(I) spawns--
       (i) give priority to use of assistance for projects 
     referred to in subparagraph (C)(i) and (ii) that contribute 
     to proactive programs described in subsection (a)(2)(D)(i);
       (ii) include a requirement that the memorandum shall be 
     revised within one year after any date on which any salmon 
     species that spawns in the area is listed as an endangered 
     species or threatened species, proposed for such listing, or 
     a candidate for such listing, under the Endangered Species 
     Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
       (E) establish specific goals and timelines for activities 
     funded with such assistance;
       (F) include measurable criteria by which such activities 
     may be evaluated;
       (G) establish specific requirements for reporting to the 
     Secretary by the qualified tribal government;
       (H) require that activities carried out with such 
     assistance shall--
       (i) be scientifically based;
       (ii) be cost effective;
       (iii) not be conducted on private land except with the 
     consent of the owner of the land; and
       (iv) contribute to the conservation or recovery of salmon; 
     and
       (I) require that the qualified tribal government maintain 
     its aggregate expenditures of funds from non-Federal sources 
     for salmon habitat restoration programs at or above the 
     average level of such expenditures in the 2 fiscal years 
     preceding the date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Eligible Activities.--
       (1) In general.--Assistance under this Act may be used by a 
     qualified State in accordance with a plan submitted by the 
     State under subsection (a), or by a qualified tribal 
     government in accordance with a memorandum of understanding 
     entered into by the government under subsection (b), to carry 
     out or make grants to carry out, among other activities, the 
     following:
       (A) Watershed evaluation, assessment, and planning 
     necessary to develop a site-specific and clearly prioritized 
     plan to implement watershed improvements, including for 
     making multi-year grants.
       (B) Salmon-related research, data collection, and 
     monitoring, salmon supplementation and enhancement, and 
     salmon habitat restoration.
       (C) Maintenance and monitoring of projects completed with 
     such assistance.
       (D) Technical training and education projects, including 
     teaching private landowners about practical means of 
     improving land and water management practices to contribute 
     to the conservation and restoration of salmon habitat.
       (E) Other activities related to salmon conservation and 
     salmon habitat restoration.
       (2) Use for local and regional projects.--Funds allocated 
     to qualified States under this Act shall be used for local 
     and regional projects.
       (d) Use of Assistance for Activities Outside of 
     Jurisdiction of Recipient.--Assistance under this section 
     provided to a qualified State or qualified tribal government 
     may be used for activities conducted outside the areas under 
     its jurisdiction if the activity will provide conservation 
     benefits to naturally produced salmon in streams of concern 
     to the qualified State or qualified tribal government, 
     respectively.
       (e) Cost Sharing by Qualified States.--
       (1) In general.--A qualified State shall match, in the 
     aggregate, the amount of any financial assistance provided to 
     the qualified State for a fiscal year under this Act, in the 
     form of monetary contributions or in-kind contributions of 
     services for projects carried out with such assistance. For 
     purposes of this paragraph, monetary contributions by the 
     State shall not be considered to include funds received from 
     other Federal sources.
       (2) Limitation on requiring matching for each project.--The 
     Secretary may not require a qualified State to provide 
     matching funds for each project carried out with assistance 
     under this Act.
       (3) Treatment of monetary contributions.--For purposes of 
     subsection (a)(2)(H), the amount of monetary contributions by 
     a qualified State under this subsection shall be treated as 
     expenditures from non-Federal sources for salmon conservation 
     and salmon habitat restoration programs.
       (f) Coordination of Activities.--
       (1) In general.--Each qualified State and each qualified 
     tribal government receiving assistance under this Act is 
     encouraged to carefully coordinate salmon conservation 
     activities of its agencies to eliminate duplicative and 
     overlapping activities.
       (2) Consultation.--Each qualified State and qualified 
     tribal government receiving assistance under this Act shall 
     consult with the Secretary to ensure there is no duplication 
     in projects funded under this Act.
       (g) Limitation on Administrative Expenses.--
       (1) Federal administrative expenses.--Of the amount made 
     available under this Act each fiscal year, not more than 1 
     percent may be used by the Secretary for administrative 
     expenses incurred in carrying out this Act.
       (2) State and tribal administrative expenses.--Of the 
     amount allocated under this Act to a qualified State or 
     qualified tribal government each fiscal year, not more than 3 
     percent may be used by the qualified State or qualified 
     tribal government, respectively, for administrative expenses 
     incurred in carrying out this Act.

     SEC. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

       (a) Qualified State Governments.--Each qualified State 
     seeking assistance under this Act shall establish a citizens 
     advisory committee or provide another similar forum for local 
     governments and the public to participate in obtaining and 
     using the assistance.
       (b) Qualified Tribal Governments.--Each qualified tribal 
     government receiving assistance under this Act shall hold 
     public meetings to receive recommendations on the use of the 
     assistance.

     SEC. 5. CONSULTATION NOT REQUIRED.

       Consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act 
     of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) shall not be required based 
     solely on the provision of financial assistance under this 
     Act.

     SEC. 6. REPORTS.

       (a) Qualified States.--Each qualified State shall, by not 
     later than December 31 of each year, submit to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives an 
     annual report on the use of financial assistance received by 
     the qualified State under this Act. The report shall contain 
     an evaluation of the success of this Act in meeting the 
     criteria listed in section 3(a)(2).
       (b) Secretary.--
       (1) Annual report regarding qualified tribal governments.--
     The Secretary shall, by not later than December 31 of each 
     year, submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources 
     of the House of Representatives an annual report on the use 
     of financial assistance received by qualified tribal 
     governments under this Act. The report shall contain an 
     evaluation of the success of this Act in meeting the criteria 
     listed in section 3(b)(2).
       (2) Biannual report.--The Secretary shall, by not later 
     than December 31 of the second year in which amounts are 
     available to carry out this Act, and of every second year 
     thereafter, submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources 
     of the House of Representatives a biannual report on the use 
     of funds allocated to qualified States under this Act. The 
     report shall review programs funded by the States and 
     evaluate the success of this Act in meeting the criteria 
     listed in section 3(a)(2).

     SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b(e)).
       (2) Qualified state.--The term ``qualified State'' means 
     each of the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, 
     and Idaho.
       (3) Qualified tribal government.--The term ``qualified 
     tribal government'' means--
       (A) a tribal government of an Indian tribe in Washington, 
     Oregon, California, or Idaho that the Secretary of Commerce, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, 
     determines--
       (i) is involved in salmon management and recovery 
     activities under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
     U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and
       (ii) has the management and organizational capability to 
     maximize the benefits of assistance provided under this Act; 
     and
       (B) an Alaska Native village or regional or village 
     corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the 
     Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) 
     that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of the Interior, determines--
       (i) is involved in salmon conservation and management; and
       (ii) has the management and organizational capability to 
     maximize the benefits of assistance provided under this Act.
       (4) Salmon.--The term ``salmon'' means any naturally 
     produced salmon or naturally produced trout of the following 
     species:
       (A) Coho salmon (oncorhynchus kisutch).
       (B) Chinook salmon (oncorhynchus tshawytscha).
       (C) Chum salmon (oncorhynchus keta).
       (D) Pink salmon (oncorhynchus gorbuscha).
       (E) Sockeye salmon (oncorhynchus nerka).
       (F) Steelhead trout (oncorhynchus mykiss).

[[Page 18240]]

       (G) Sea-run cutthroat trout (oncorhynchus clarki clarki).
       (H) For purposes of application of this Act in Oregon--
       (i) Lahontan cutthroat trout (oncorhnychus clarki 
     henshawi); and
       (ii) Bull trout (salvelinus confluentus).
       (I) For purposes of application of this Act in Washington 
     and Idaho, Bull trout (salvelinus confluentus).
       (5) Secretary.--The term Secretary means the Secretary of 
     Commerce.

     SEC. 8. PACIFIC SALMON TREATY.

       (a) Transboundary Panel Representation.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty Act 
     of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3632) is amended by redesignating 
     subsections (f), (g), and (h) in order as subsections (g), 
     (h), and (i), and by inserting after subsection (e) the 
     following:
       ``(f) Transboundary Panel.--The United States shall be 
     represented on the transboundary Panel by 7 Panel members, of 
     whom--
       ``(1) 1 shall be an official of the United States 
     Government with salmon fishery management responsibility and 
     expertise;
       ``(2) 1 shall be an official of the State of Alaska with 
     salmon fishery management responsibility and expertise; and
       ``(3) 5 shall be individuals knowledgeable and experienced 
     in the salmon fisheries for which the transboundary Panel is 
     responsible.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Subsection (g) of section 3 of the Pacific Salmon 
     Treaty Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3632), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection, is amended--
       (i) by striking ``and (e)(2)'' and inserting ``(e)(2), and 
     (f)(2)'';
       (ii) by striking ``and (e)(4)'' and inserting ``(e)(4), and 
     (f)(3)''; and
       (iii) by striking ``The appointing authorities listed 
     above'' and inserting ``For the southern, northern, and 
     Frazier River Panels, the appointing authorities listed 
     above''.
       (B) Subsection (h)(2) of section 3 the Pacific Salmon 
     Treaty Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3632), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection, is amended by striking 
     ``and southern'' and inserting ``, southern, and 
     transboundary''.
       (C) Section 9 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 1985 (16 
     U.S.C. 3638) is amended by striking ``9(g)'' and inserting 
     ``9(h)''.
       (b) Compensation and Expenses for United States 
     Representatives on Northern and Southern Fund Committees.--
       (1) Compensation.--Section 11 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3640) is amended by redesignating 
     subsections (c) and (d) in order as subsections (d) and (e), 
     and by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Compensation for Representatives on Northern Fund and 
     Southern Fund Committees.--United States Representatives on 
     the Pacific Salmon Treaty Northern Fund Committee and 
     Southern Fund Committee who are not State or Federal 
     employees shall receive compensation at the minimum daily 
     rate of pay payable under section 5376 of title 5, United 
     States Code, when engaged in the actual performance of duties 
     for the United States Section or for the Commission.''.
       (2) Expenses.--Subsection (d) of such section, as so 
     redesignated, is amended by inserting ``members of the 
     Northern Fund Committee, members of the Southern Fund 
     Committee,'' after ``Joint Technical Committee,''.
       (3) Clerical Amendments.--
       (A) In general.--Section 11 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty 
     Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 5332) is amended--
       (i) in subsection (a) by striking ``at the daily rate of 
     GS-18 of the General Schedule'' and inserting ``at the 
     maximum daily rate of pay payable under section 5376 of title 
     5, United States Code,''; and
       (ii) in subsection (b) by striking ``at the daily rate of 
     GS-16 of the General Schedule'' and inserting ``at the 
     minimum daily rate of pay payable under section 5376 of title 
     5, United States Code,''.
       (B) Application.--The amendments made by subparagraph (A) 
     shall not apply to Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, 
     Panel Members, and Alternate Panel Members (as those terms 
     are used in section 11 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 
     1985) appointed before the effective date of this subsection.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) Clerical amendment.--Section 623 of the Departments of 
     Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000, as enacted by section 
     1000(a)(1), Division B of Public Law 106-113 (16 U.S.C. 3645) 
     is redesignated and moved so as to be section 16 of the 
     Pacific Salmon Treaty Act of 1985.
       (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Subsection (d) of 
     such section is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For capitalizing 
     the Northern Fund and Southern Fund established under the 
     1999 Pacific Salmon Treaty Agreement and related agreements, 
     there are authorized to be appropriated a total of 
     $75,000,000 for the Northern Fund and a total of $65,000,000 
     for the Southern Fund for fiscal years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 
     2003, for the implementation of those agreements.''.

     SEC. 9. TREATMENT OF INTERNATIONAL FISHERY COMMISSION 
                   PENSIONERS.

       For United States citizens who served as employees of the 
     International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission and the 
     International North Pacific Fisheries Commission (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Commissions'') and who worked in 
     Canada in the course of employment with those commissions, 
     the President shall--
       (1) calculate the difference in amount between the 
     valuation of the Commissions' annuity for each employee's 
     payment in United States currency and in Canadian currency 
     for past and future (as determined by an actuarial valuation) 
     annuity payments; and
       (2) out of existing funds available for this purpose, pay 
     each employee a lump-sum payment in the total amount 
     determined under paragraph (1) to compensate each employee 
     for past and future benefits resulting from the exchange rate 
     inequity.

     SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for 
     each of the fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003 to carry out 
     this Act. Funds appropriated under this section may remain 
     until expended.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2798, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today we are considering H.R. 2798, a bill that 
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial assistance to 
qualified States and tribal governments for salmon conservation and 
habitat restoration activities. The qualified States include Alaska, 
California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The tribal government from 
each State is also eligible to participate in the program.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill authorizes $200 million to be apportioned to 
the States and tribes for activities that will protect salmon or 
restore salmon habitat.
  While the Federal Government has spent millions of dollars on salmon 
restoration, the efforts have been successful.
  This bill will direct funds to the State and local projects where the 
money will do the most good. The States are required to match the 
Federal funds reported annually to Congress on the use of the funds and 
their consistency with the act.
  The Secretary reports annually to Congress on the tribal governments' 
use of the funds and every 2 years on each States use of the funds. 
Administrative uses of the funds are capped at 3 percent for the States 
and tribes, and 1 percent for the Secretary.
  The bill clarifies that the funds be given to the States in a lump 
sum and allows the States of Washington and Idaho to use funds for 
habitat restoration and conservation of endangered bull trout in 
addition to salmon.
  In addition, the bill includes language authorizing the Northern and 
Southern funds for the Pacific Salmon Treaty. These funds were created 
last year when the U.S. and Canada came to an agreement on a 10-year 
management scheme for salmon species covered under the treaty.
  The 1999 agreement also created a transboundary panel under the 
treaty; and this bill creates that panel, authorizes its participants 
and allows them to be compensated for time spent working on the panel.
  Finally, the bill includes a section that allows the commissioners to 
the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission and the North 
Pacific Fisheries Commission to get a review of their pension. These 
individuals are U.S. citizens and have been paid in Canadian dollars 
and have been harmed by the differences in the exchange rate.
  This bill would allow for review in a lump sum payment out of 
existing funds if an inequity has occurred.

[[Page 18241]]

  Mr. Speaker, this is an important conservation bill and will do a 
great deal to conserve salmon and restore salmon habitat in the 
Northwest, and I urge an aye vote on the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2798, the Pacific 
Salmon Recovery Act introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thompson). I know that the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) 
gladly would have been here to offer his statement of support, but 
those of us from the most western part of the United States find it 
very difficult to make our flights on time on a day like Monday, but I 
am sure that he would have been happy to be here to present his 
statement in support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, as many Members of the House are aware, salmon are an 
important part of the economy of the West Coast of the United States 
and are fished both commercially and recreationally. They are also very 
important to tribal custom and tradition, and their decline in the past 
decade has been widely felt throughout the region.
  Already 25 varieties of salmon in the Pacific Northwest in California 
have been listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered 
Species Act, and more listings are very likely to occur. The causes of 
this decline are many, but can be predominantly attributed to habitat 
loss, water diversions, and river alteration.
  Mr. Speaker, restoration of salmon stocks will be difficult and the 
work to restore habitats and modify water uses can only be successful 
with the full participation of State and local governments. For that 
reason, the States and the administration support a coast-wide salmon 
recovery effort to be implemented by the States and the coastal tribes. 
Approximately $58 million was appropriated in this effort last year and 
the House Committee on Appropriations has allocated additional funding 
this year contingent upon an authorization.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2798 would provide that authorization. It has broad 
bipartisan support of the States, the administration, and fishing and 
conservation groups, and I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on this 
legislation, and I appreciate the gentleman from American Samoa for 
helping out with this legislation.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the H.R. 2798, the Pacific Salmon Recovery Act.
  My northern California district comprises several hundred miles of 
coastline and a large proportion of our State's salmon fisheries. 
However, decades of water diversions, dam building, poor industrial 
practices, and urban development have had a terrible impact on the 
rivers and streams of the Pacific Northwest.
  While salmon are still an integral part of the culture of my 
district, the fish stocks themselves are in a state of collapse.
  Twenty-six distinct population segments of Pacific salmon and sea-run 
trout are listed as either endangered or threatened under the 
Endangered Species Act.
  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Trinity River 
system alone has lost more than 80 percent of its King Salmon and more 
than 60 percent of its Steelhead Trout over the past 50 years.
  As recently as 1988, sport and commercial salmon fishing in the 
Pacific region generated more than $1.25 billion for the regional 
economy.
  Since them, salmon fishing closures have contributed to the loss of 
nearly 80 percent of this region's job base, with a total salmon 
industry loss over the past 30 years of approximately 72,000 family 
wage jobs.
  Today, at least 80 percent of the salmon caught commercially in the 
Pacific Northwest and northern California each year come, not from wild 
populations, but from hatchery stocks.
  With commercial harvest of coho salmon completely illegal and other 
species not far behind, hundreds of our fishing men and women have been 
forced out of business and our local economies have suffered.
  Early efforts at the state level have begun the process of reversing 
the decline of our salmon economy.
  But even this effort will not be sufficient. The Pacific Salmon 
Recovery Act will provide a much-needed boost to our stream restoration 
efforts, as it will for the states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 
Alaska.
  H.R. 2798 authorizes up to $200 million for salmon habitat 
restoration activities by the five Pacific states and the tribal 
governments over three years.
  Administrative expenses are capped at 1 percent for the Secretary of 
Commerce and 3 percent for the states and tribal governments to ensure 
that funds are spent where they are most desperately needed.
  Financial assistance to the states is contingent on a Memorandum of 
Understanding. At a minimum, the MOU will prioritize salmon recovery, 
provide measurable criteria for measuring success, and promote projects 
that are scientifically based and cost-effective.
  Eligible uses of the money include watershed planning, single, and 
multi-year project grants, watershed organization support and 
assistance, and project maintenance and monitoring.
  Decline of the salmon stocks and the resulting land use restrictions 
have impact every economic sector in the Pacific Northwest, from 
fishing to farming to manufacturing to recreation.
  We will never be able to return to what was once ``business as 
usual,'' but this measure would provide a significant step toward 
restoring our salmon habitat and repairing our local economies.
  Private landowners, conservation groups, and industry already have 
committed to the lengthy process of repairing the damage done.
  I urge my colleagues to support state, local, and private efforts to 
restore the Pacific Salmon runs by supporting the Pacific Salmon 
Recovery Act.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2798, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
authorize the Secretary of Commerce to provide financial assistance to 
the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho for 
salmon habitat restoration projects in coastal waters and upland 
drainages, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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