USC Chapter 15b

USC Chapter 15b
in effect

16 U.S.C. § 941 Findings

Congress finds that— (1) the Great Lakes have fish and wildlife communities that are structurally and functionally changing; (2) successful fish and wildlife management focuses on the lakes as ecosystems, and effective management requires the coordination and integration of efforts of many partners; (3) additional actions and better coordination are needed to protect and effectively manage the fish and wildlife resources, and the habitats on which the resources depend, in the Great Lakes Basin; and (4) this chapter allows Federal agencies, States, and Indian tribes to work in an effective partnership by providing the funding for restoration work.

16 U.S.C. § 941a Purpose

The purposes of this chapter are— (1) to develop and implement proposals for the restoration of fish and wildlife resources in the Great Lakes Basin; and (2) to provide assistance to the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitat in the Great Lakes Basin.

16 U.S.C. § 941b Definitions

In this chapter— (1) the term “Committee” means the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Proposal Review Committee established by section 941c(c) of this title; (2) the term “Director” means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) the term “Great Lakes Basin” means the air, land, water, and living organisms within the drainage basin of the Saint Lawrence River at or upstream from the point at which the river becomes the international boundary between Canada and the United States; (4) the term “Indian Tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, village, nation, or other organized group or community that is recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians, and that has Great Lakes fish and wildlife management authority in the Great Lakes Basin; (5) the term “lower Great Lakes” means the region in which is located that portion of the Great Lakes Basin which is downstream from the confluence of the Saint Clair River and Lake Huron near Port Huron, Michigan; (6) the term “non-Federal source” includes a State government, local government, Indian tribe, other non-Federal governmental entity, private entity, and individual; (7) the term “nonindigenous species” means a species of plant, animal, or other organism that did not occur in the Great Lakes Basin before European colonization of North America; (8) the term “regional project” means authorized activities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service related to fish and wildlife resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement impacting multiple States or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the Great Lakes basin; (9) the term “Report” means the United States Fish and Wildlife Service report entitled “Great Lakes Fishery Resources Restoration Study”, submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on September 13, 1995; (10) the term “restoration” means rehabilitation and maintenance of the structure, function, diversity, and dynamics of a biological system, including reestablishment of self-sustaining populations of fish and wildlife; (11) the term “State Director” means the head of the agency, department, board, commission, or other governmental entity of each of the States of New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which is responsible for the management and conservation of the fish and wildlife resources of that State; and (12) the term “upper Great Lakes” means that portion of the Great Lakes Basin which is upstream from the confluence of the Saint Clair River and Lake Huron near Port Huron, Michigan.

16 U.S.C. § 941c Identification, review, and implementation of proposals and regional projects

(a) In generalSubject to subsection (b)(2), the Director—(1) shall encourage the development and, subject to the availability of appropriations, the implementation of fish and wildlife restoration proposals and regional projects based on the results of the Report; and (2) in cooperation with the State Directors and Indian Tribes, shall identify, develop, and, subject to the availability of appropriations, implement regional projects in the Great Lakes Basin to be administered by Director in accordance with this section. (b) Identification of proposals and regional projects(1) Request by the DirectorThe Director shall annually request that State Directors and Indian Tribes, in cooperation or partnership with other interested entities and in accordance with subsection (a), submit proposals or regional projects for the restoration of fish and wildlife resources. (2) Requirements for proposals and regional projectsA proposal or regional project under paragraph (1) shall be—(A) submitted in the manner and form prescribed by the Director; and (B) consistent with—(i) the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, as amended; (ii) the 1954 Great Lakes Fisheries Convention; (iii) the 1980 Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, as revised in 1997, and Fish Community Objectives for each Great Lake and connecting water as established under the Joint Strategic Plan; (iv) the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.); (v) the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and joint ventures established under the plan; (vi) the strategies outlined through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration authorized under Executive Order 13340 (69 Fed. Reg. 29043; relating to the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force); (vii) the strategic action plan of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; and (viii) each applicable State wildlife action plan. (3) Sea lamprey authorityThe Great Lakes Fishery Commission shall retain authority and responsibility to formulate and implement a comprehensive program to eradicate or minimize sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes Basin. (c) Review of proposals(1) Establishment of CommitteeThere is established the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Proposal Review Committee, which shall operate under the guidance of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Membership and appointment(A) In generalThe Committee shall consist of 2 representatives of each of the State Directors and Indian Tribes, of whom—(i) 1 representative shall be the individual appointed by the State Director or Indian Tribe to the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission; and (ii) 1 representative shall have expertise in wildlife management. (B) AppointmentsEach representative shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing State Director or Tribal Chair. (C) ObserverThe United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall participate as an observer of the Committee. (D) RecusalA member of the Committee shall recuse himself or herself from consideration of proposals that the member, or the entity that the member represents, has submitted. (3) FunctionsThe Committee shall—(A) meet at least annually; (B) review proposals and regional projects developed in accordance with subsection (b) to assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposals and regional projects in fulfilling the purposes of this chapter; and (C) recommend to the Director any of those proposals and regional projects that should be funded and implemented under this section. (d) Implementation of proposals and regional projects(1) In generalAfter considering recommendations of the Committee and the goals specified in section 941d of this title, the Director shall—(A) select proposals and regional projects to be implemented; and (B) subject to the availability of appropriations and subsection (e), fund implementation of the proposals and regional projects. (2) Selection criteriaIn selecting and funding proposals and regional projects, the Director shall take into account the effectiveness and appropriateness of the proposals and regional projects in fulfilling the purposes of other laws applicable to restoration of the fish and wildlife resources and habitat of the Great Lakes Basin. (e) Cost sharing(1) In general(A) Non-Federal shareExcept as provided in paragraphs (3) and (5) and subject to paragraph (2), not less than 25 percent of the cost of implementing a proposal or regional project selected under subsection (d) (excluding the cost of establishing sea lamprey barriers) shall be paid in cash or in-kind contributions by non-Federal sources. (B) Time period for providing matchThe non-Federal share of the cost of implementing a proposal or regional project required under subparagraph (A) may be provided at any time during the 2-year period preceding January 1 of the year in which the Director receives the application for the proposal or regional project. (2) Authorized sources of non-Federal share(A) In generalThe Director may determine the non-Federal share under paragraph (1) by taking into account—(i) the appraised value of land or a conservation easement as described in subparagraph (B); or (ii) as described in subparagraph (C), the costs associated with—(I) securing a conservation easement; and (II) restoration or enhancement of the conservation easement. (B) Appraisal of conservation easement(i) In generalThe value of a conservation easement may be used to satisfy the non-Federal share of the cost of implementing a proposal or regional project required under paragraph (1)(A) if the Director determines that the conservation easement—(I) meets the requirements of subsection (b)(2); (II) is acquired before the end of the grant period of the proposal or regional project; (III) is held in perpetuity for the conservation purposes of the programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service related to the Great Lakes Basin, as described in section 941d of this title, by an accredited land trust or conservancy or a Federal, State, or tribal agency; (IV) is connected either physically or through a conservation planning process to the proposal or regional project; and (V) is appraised in accordance with clause (ii). (ii) AppraisalWith respect to the appraisal of a conservation easement described in clause (i)—(I) the appraisal valuation date shall be not later than 1 year after the price of the conservation easement was set under a contract; and (II) the appraisal shall—(aa) conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); and (bb) be completed by a Federal- or State-certified appraiser. (C) Costs of securing conservation easements(i) In generalAll costs associated with securing a conservation easement and restoration or enhancement of that conservation easement may be used to satisfy the non-Federal share of the cost of implementing a proposal or regional project required under paragraph (1)(A) if the activities and expenses associated with securing the conservation easement and restoration or enhancement of that conservation easement meet the requirements of subparagraph (B)(i). (ii) InclusionThe costs referred to in clause (i) may include cash, in-kind contributions, and indirect costs. (iii) ExclusionThe costs referred to in clause (i) may not be costs associated with mitigation or litigation (other than costs associated with the Natural Resource Damage Assessment program). (3) Regional projectsRegional projects selected under subsection (d) shall be exempt from cost sharing if the Director determines that the authorization for the project does not require a non-Federal cost-share. (4) Exclusion of Federal funds from non-Federal shareThe Director may not consider the expenditure, directly or indirectly, of Federal funds received by any entity to be a contribution by a non-Federal source for purposes of this subsection. (5) Effect on certain Indian tribesNothing in this subsection affects an Indian tribe affected by an alternative applicable cost sharing requirement under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).11 See References in Text note below.

16 U.S.C. § 941d Goals of United States Fish and Wildlife Service programs related to Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources

In administering programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service related to the Great Lakes Basin, the Director shall seek to achieve the following goals: (1) Restoring and maintaining self-sustaining fish and wildlife resources. (2) Minimizing the impacts of contaminants on fishery and wildlife resources. (3) Protecting, maintaining, and, where degraded and destroyed, restoring fish and wildlife habitat, including the enhancement and creation of wetlands that result in a net gain in the amount of those habitats. (4) Stopping illegal activities adversely impacting fishery and wildlife resources. (5) Restoring threatened and endangered species to viable, self-sustaining levels. (6) Protecting, managing, and conserving migratory birds.

16 U.S.C. § 941e Establishment of offices

(a) Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office(1) In generalThe Director shall establish an office with necessary administrative and technical support services to carry out all United States Fish and Wildlife Service operational activities related to fishery resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement in the lower Great Lakes. (2) Name and locationThe office shall be known as the “Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office”, and shall be centrally located in the lower Great Lakes so as to facilitate fishery resource restoration and enhancement activities relating to the lower Great Lakes. (3) ResponsibilitiesThe responsibilities of the Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office shall include operational activities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service related to fishery resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement in the Lower Great Lakes. (b) Upper Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices(1) In generalThe Director shall establish one or more offices with necessary administrative and technical support services to carry out United States Fish and Wildlife Service operational activities related to fishery resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement in the upper Great Lakes. (2) Name and locationEach of the offices shall be known as an “Upper Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office”, and shall be appropriately located so as to facilitate fishery resource activities in the upper Great Lakes. (3) ResponsibilitiesThe responsibilities of the Upper Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices shall include operational activities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service related to fishery resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement in the Upper Great Lakes.

16 U.S.C. § 941f Reports

(a) In generalNot later than December 31, 2021, and not later than December 31, 2027, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes, with respect to the period covered by the report—(1) actions taken to solicit and review proposals under section 941c of this title; (2) the results of proposals implemented under section 941c of this title; and (3) progress toward the accomplishment of the goals specified in section 941d of this title. (b) Public access to dataFor each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028, the Director shall make available through a public access website of the Department information that describes—(1) actions taken to solicit and review proposals under section 941c of this title; (2) the results of proposals implemented under section 941c of this title; (3) progress toward the accomplishment of the goals specified in section 941d of this title; (4) the priorities proposed for funding in the annual budget process under this chapter; and (5) actions taken in support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan based on the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration authorized under Executive Order 13340 (69 Fed. Reg. 29043; relating to the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force). (c) Continued monitoring and assessment of study findings and recommendationsThe Director—(1) shall continue to monitor the status, and the assessment, management, and restoration needs, of the fish and wildlife resources of the Great Lakes Basin; and (2) may reassess and update, as necessary, the findings and recommendations of the Report.

16 U.S.C. § 941g Authorization of appropriations

(a) AuthorizationThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Director for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028—(1) $6,000,000 to implement fish and wildlife restoration proposals as selected by the Director under section 941c(e) of this title, of which—(A) not more than the lesser of 33 1/3 percent or $2,000,000 may be allocated to implement regional projects by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as selected by the Director under section 941c(e) of this title; and (B) the lesser of 3 percent or $300,000 shall be allocated to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to cover costs incurred in administering the proposals by any entity; and (2) $2,000,000, which shall be allocated for the activities of the Upper Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices and the Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office under section 941e of this title. (b) Prohibition on use of funds for Federal acquisition of interests in landNo funds appropriated or used to carry out this chapter may be used for acquisition by the Federal Government of any interest in land.

16 U.S.C. § 941h Great Lakes monitoring, assessment, science, and research

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) DirectorThe term “Director” means the Director of the United States Geological Survey. (2) Great Lakes BasinThe 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) FindingsCongress 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 multi-jurisdictional 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 the 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 generalThe Director may conduct monitoring, assessment, science, and research, in support of the binational fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin. (2) Specific authoritiesThe 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 researchTo 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 clauseNothing 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 appropriationsFor each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, there is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 to carry out this section.

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