16 U.S.C. § 3801 (2024) — Title 16: CONSERVATION / Chapter 58: ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND CONSERVATION AND RESERVE PROGRAM / Subchapter I: DEFINITIONS / Section 3801: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of subchapters I through VIII:

(1) The term "agricultural commodity" means—

(A) any agricultural commodity planted and produced in a State by annual tilling of the soil, including tilling by one-trip planters; or

(B) sugarcane planted and produced in a State.

(2) Beginning farmer or rancher.—The term "beginning farmer or rancher" has the meaning given the term in section 1991(a)(8) of title 7.

(3) Conservation plan.—The term "conservation plan" means the document that—

(A) applies to highly erodible cropland;

(B) describes the conservation system applicable to the highly erodible cropland and describes the decisions of the person with respect to location, land use, tillage systems, and conservation treatment measures and schedule; and

(C) is approved by the local soil conservation district, in consultation with the local committees established under section 590h(b)(5) of this title and the Secretary, or by the Secretary.

(4) Conservation system.—The term "conservation system" means a combination of 1 or more conservation measures or management practices that—

(A) are based on local resource conditions, available conservation technology, and the standards and guidelines contained in the Natural Resources Conservation Service field office technical guides; and

(B) are designed to achieve, in a cost effective and technically practicable manner, a substantial reduction in soil erosion or a substantial improvement in soil conditions on a field or group of fields containing highly erodible cropland when compared to the level of erosion or soil conditions that existed before the application of the conservation measures and management practices.

(5) The term "conservation district" means any district or unit of State or local government formed under State or territorial law for the express purpose of developing and carrying out a local soil and water conservation program. Such district or unit of government may be referred to as a "conservation district", "soil conservation district", "soil and water conservation district", "resource conservation district", "natural resource district", "land conservation committee", or a similar name.

(6) The term "cost sharing payment" means a payment made by the Secretary to an owner or operator of a farm or ranch containing highly erodible cropland under the provisions of section 3834(b) of this title.

(7)(A) The term "converted wetland" means wetland that has been drained, dredged, filled, leveled, or otherwise manipulated (including any activity that results in impairing or reducing the flow, circulation, or reach of water) for the purpose or to have the effect of making the production of an agricultural commodity possible if—

(i) such production would not have been possible but for such action; and

(ii) before such action—

(I) such land was wetland; and

(II) such land was neither highly erodible land nor highly erodible cropland.

(B) Wetland shall not be considered converted wetland if production of an agricultural commodity on such land during a crop year—

(i) is possible as a result of a natural condition, such as drought; and

(ii) is not assisted by an action of the producer that destroys natural wetland characteristics.

(8) Farm.—The term "farm" means a farm that—

(A) is under the general control of one operator;

(B) has one or more owners;

(C) consists of one or more tracts of land, whether or not contiguous;

(D) is located within a county or region, as determined by the Secretary; and

(E) may contain lands that are incidental to the production of perennial crops, including conserving uses, forestry, and livestock, as determined by the Secretary.

(9) Field.—The term "field" means a part of a farm that is separated from the balance of the farm by permanent boundaries such as fences, roads, permanent waterways, or other similar features. At the option of the owner or operator of the farm, croplines may also be used to delineate a field if farming practices make it probable that the croplines are not subject to change. Any highly erodible land on which an agricultural commodity is produced after December 23, 1985, and that is not exempt under section 3812 of this title, shall be considered as part of the field in which the land was included on December 23, 1985, unless the owner and Secretary agree to modification of the boundaries of the field to carry out this chapter.

(10) The term "highly erodible cropland" means highly erodible land that is in cropland use, as determined by the Secretary.

(11)(A) The term "highly erodible land" means land—

(i) that is classified by the Soil Conservation Service as class IV, VI, VII, or VIII land under the land capability classification system in effect on December 23, 1985; or

(ii) that has, or that if used to produce an agricultural commodity, would have an excessive average annual rate of erosion in relation to the soil loss tolerance level, as established by the Secretary, and as determined by the Secretary through application of factors from the universal soil loss equation and the wind erosion equation, including factors for climate, soil erodibility, and field slope.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the land capability class or rate of erosion for a field shall be that determined by the Secretary to be the predominant class or rate of erosion under regulations issued by the Secretary.

(C) Equations.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the universal soil loss equation and wind erosion equation used by the Department of Agriculture as of that date. The Secretary may not change the equations after that date except following notice and comment in a manner consistent with section 553 of title 5.

(12) The term "hydric soil" means soil that, in its undrained condition, is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during a growing season to develop an anaerobic condition that supports the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation.

(13) The term "hydrophytic vegetation" means a plant growing in—

(A) water; or

(B) a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen during a growing season as a result of excessive water content.

(14) Indian tribe.—The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given the term in section 5304(e) of title 25.

(15) The term "in-kind commodities" means commodities that are normally produced on land that is the subject of an agreement entered into under subchapter IV.

(16) Integrated pest management.—The term "integrated pest management" means a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.

(17) Livestock.—The term "livestock" means all animals raised on farms, as determined by the Secretary.

(18) Nonindustrial private forest land.—The term "nonindustrial private forest land" means rural land, as determined by the Secretary, that—

(A) has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees; and

(B) is owned by any nonindustrial private individual, group, association, corporation, Indian tribe, or other private legal entity that has definitive decisionmaking authority over the land.

(19) Person and legal entity.—For purposes of applying payment limitations under subchapter IV, the terms "person" and "legal entity" have the meanings given those terms in section 1308(a) of title 7.

(20) The term "rental payment" means a payment made by the Secretary to an owner or operator of a farm or ranch containing highly erodible cropland to compensate the owner or operator for retiring such land from crop production and placing such land in the conservation reserve in accordance with subchapter IV.

(21) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(22) The term "shelterbelt" means a vegetative barrier with a linear configuration composed of trees, shrubs, and other approved perennial vegetation.

(23) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.—The term "socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher" has the meaning given the term in section 2279(e)(2) 1 of title 7.

(24) The term "State" means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

(25) Technical assistance.—The term "technical assistance" means technical expertise, information, and tools necessary for the conservation of natural resources on land active in agricultural, forestry, or related uses. The term includes the following:

(A) Technical services provided directly to farmers, ranchers, and other eligible entities, such as conservation planning, technical consultation, and assistance with design and implementation of conservation practices.

(B) Technical infrastructure, including activities, processes, tools, and agency functions needed to support delivery of technical services, such as technical standards, resource inventories, training, data, technology, monitoring, and effects analyses.

(26) The term "vegetative cover" means—

(A) perennial grasses, legumes, forbs, or shrubs with an expected life span of 5 or more years; or

(B) trees.

(27) The term "wetland", except when such term is part of the term "converted wetland", means land that—

(A) has a predominance of hydric soils;

(B) is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions; and

(C) under normal circumstances does support a prevalence of such vegetation.

For purposes of this Act, and any other Act, this term shall not include lands in Alaska identified as having high potential for agricultural development which have a predominance of permafrost soils.

(b) The Secretary shall develop—

(1) criteria for the identification of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation; and

(2) lists of such soils and such vegetation.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, §1201, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1504; Pub. L. 99–349, title I, July 2, 1986, 100 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 101–624, title XIV, §1421(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3572; Pub. L. 104–127, title III, §301(a)–(c), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 980, 981; Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §2001, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1025; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title II, §2001, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1753; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, §2713(a), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 772.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subchapters I through VIII, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original a reference to subtitles A through I, meaning subtitles A through I of title XII of Pub. L. 99–198. Subtitles A through E and G through I are classified generally to subchapters I through V and VI through VIII of this chapter. Subtitle F of title XII was repealed by Pub. L. 104–127. Section 3851 of this title, contained in subchapter V–A, is based on section 1252 of Pub. L. 99–198, which was directed to be added to the previously repealed subtitle F by Pub. L. 110–246. See Codification note set out under section 3851 of this title.

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(9), was in the original "this title", meaning title XII of Pub. L. 99–198, which enacted this chapter and former section 2005a of this title and amended sections 590g, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009 of this title, sections 4207 and 4209 of Title 7, Agriculture, and provisions set out as a note under section 1981 of Title 7.

The date of enactment of this subparagraph, referred to in subsec. (a)(11)(C), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–127, which was approved Apr. 4, 1996.

Section 2279(e)(2) of title 7, referred to in subsec. (a)(23), was redesignated section 2279(a)(5) of title 7 by section 12301(b)(3), (5)(B) of Pub. L. 115–334.

This Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(27), is Pub. L. 99–198, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1354, known as the Food Security Act of 1985. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1985 Amendment note set out under section 1281 of Title 7, Agriculture, and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–79 substituted "VIII" for "V" in introductory provisions.

2008—Subsec. (a)(2) to (27). Pub. L. 110–246, §2001, added pars. (2), (8), (14), (16) to (19), (23), and (25) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (18) as (3) to (7), (9) to (13), (15), (20) to (22), (24), (26), and (27), respectively.

1996—Subsec. (a)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 104–127, §301(a), added pars. (2) and (3) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (4) as (4) to (6), respectively. Former pars. (5) and (6) redesignated (7) and (8), respectively.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 104–127, §301(b), added par. (7) and struck out former par. (7) which read as follows: "The term 'field' means such term as is defined in section 718.2(b)(9) of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (as of January 1, 1985), except that any highly erodible land on which an agricultural commodity is produced after December 23, 1985, and that is not exempt under section 3812 of this title shall be considered as part of the field in which such land was included on December 23, 1985, unless the Secretary permits modification of the boundaries of the field to carry out subchapters I through V of this chapter."

Pub. L. 104–127, §301(a)(1), redesignated par. (5) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 104–127, §301(a)(1), redesignated par. (6) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (10).

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 104–127, §301(a)(1), redesignated par. (7) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (11).

Subsec. (a)(9)(C). Pub. L. 104–127, §301(c), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (a)(10) to (18). Pub. L. 104–127, §301(a)(1), redesignated pars. (8) to (16) as (10) to (18), respectively.

1990—Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 101–624 substituted introductory provisions and subpars. (A) to (C) for "The term 'wetland', except when such term is part of the term 'converted wetland', means land that has a predominance of hydric soils and that is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions."

1986—Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 99–349 inserted provision that for purposes of this Act, and any other Act, the term "wetland" shall not include lands in Alaska identified as having high potential for agricultural development which have a predominance of permafrost soils.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Short Title of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–234, title III, §3001, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 474, provided that: "This title [amending section 3831 of this title] may be cited as the 'Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006'."

Short Title of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–7, div. N, title II, §201, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 538, provided that: "This title [amending sections 3832 and 3841 of this title] may be cited as the 'Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003'."

Short Title of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–387, §1(a) [title XI, §1101], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–75, provided that: "This title [amending sections 3831 and 3832 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 3831 of this title] may be cited as the 'Conservation of Farmable Wetland Act of 2000'."

Short Title of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–624, title XIV, §1401, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3568, provided that: "This title [enacting sections 1003a, 1010, 3824, 3830, 3835a, 3837 to 3837f, 3838 to 3838f, 3839 to 3839d, 3846, 3847, 3861, and 3862 of this title and sections 136i–1, 2814, 3130, 5401 to 5403, 5501 to 5506 and 5822 of Title 7, Agriculture, amending this section, sections 590p, 1002, 1003, 3459, 3461, 3811, 3812, 3821 to 3823, 3831, 3832, 3834, 3835, 3836, 3843, and 3845 of this title, and sections 136a, 136a–1, 136d, 136w–3, 3157, and 4202 of Title 7, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 2101 and 3831 of this title and sections 136a and 4201 of Title 7] may be cited as the 'Conservation Program Improvements Act'."

Regulations

Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §2904, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1091, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title II, §2904, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1819, provided that:

"(a) Issuance.—Except as otherwise provided in this title [see Tables for classification] or an amendment made by this title, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [June 18, 2008], the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Commodity Credit Corporation, shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this title.

"(b) Applicable Authority.—The promulgation of regulations under subsection (a) and administration of this title—

"(1) shall be carried out without regard to—

"(A) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act); and

"(B) the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804) relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking; and

"(2) may—

"(A) be promulgated with an opportunity for notice and comment; or

"(B) if determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Commodity Credit Corporation, as an interim rule effective on publication with an opportunity for notice and comment.

"(c) Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 808(2) of title 5, United States Code."

[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]

Pub. L. 107–171, title II, §2702, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 279, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Except as otherwise provided in this title [see Tables for classification] or an amendment made by this title, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [May 13, 2002], the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Commodity Credit Corporation, shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this title.

"(b) Applicable Authority.—The promulgation of regulations under subsection (a) and administration of this title—

"(1) shall—

"(A) be carried out without regard to chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act); and

"(B) the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804) relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking; and

"(2) may—

"(A) be promulgated with an opportunity for notice and comment; or

"(B) if determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Commodity Credit Corporation, as an interim rule effective on publication with an opportunity for notice and comment.

"(c) Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 808(2) of title 5, United States Code."

Temporary Administration of Conservation Programs

Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §2504, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4584, provided that:

"(a) Interim Administration.—Subject to subsection (d), the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall use the applicable regulations in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2018], to the extent that the terms and conditions of those regulations are consistent with the amendments made by this title [see Tables for classification], to carry out the programs under laws as amended by this title, including—

"(1) the conservation reserve program under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) (as amended by subtitle B);

"(2) the environmental quality incentives program under subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq[.]) (as added by section 2301(a)(1) and amended by subtitle C);

"(3) the conservation stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3839aa–21 et seq.] (as added by subsections (a)(2) and (b) of section 2301 and amended by subtitle C); and

"(4) the agricultural conservation easement program established under subtitle H of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq.) (as amended by subtitle F).

"(b) Regional Conservation Partnership Program.—Notwithstanding subsection (e) of section 1271E of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871e) (as amended by section 2706), and subject to subsection (d), for fiscal year 2019, the Secretary may use an availability of program funding announcement consistent with the amendments made by subtitle G [subtitle G (§§2701–2707) of title II of Pub. L. 115–334, amending sections 3871 to 3871f of this title] to carry out the regional conservation partnership program under subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871 et seq.) without issuing a regulation.

"(c) Funding.—The Secretary may only use funds authorized to be made available by this title or the amendments made by this title for the specific programs described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) and subsection (b), in accordance with any restrictions on the use of those funds, for the purposes described in subsections (a) and (b).

"(d) Termination of Authority.—The authority of the Secretary to carry out subsections (a) and (b) shall terminate on September 30, 2019.

"(e) Permanent Administration.—Effective beginning on the termination date described in subsection (d), the Secretary shall carry out this title and the amendments made by this title in accordance with such final regulations as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this title and the amendments made by this title."

Pub. L. 113–79, title II, §2712, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 771, provided that:

"(a) Applicability.—This section is applicable to activities under—

"(1) the wetlands reserve program, the farmland protection program, and the farm viability program being merged into the agricultural conservation easement program under the amendment made by section 2301 [enacting sections 3865 to 3865d of this title and amending section 3844 of this title];

"(2) the wildlife habitat incentive program being merged into the environmental quality incentives program under the amendments made by subtitle C [subtitle C (§§2201–2208) of title II of Pub. L. 113–79, amending sections 3839aa to 3839aa–4, 3839aa–7, and 3839aa–8 of this title];

"(3) the agricultural water enhancement program, the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, the cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and the Great Lakes basin program being merged into the regional conservation partnership program under the amendment made by section 2401 [enacting sections 3871 to 3871f of this title]; and

"(4) the grassland reserve program being merged into the conservation reserve program under the amendments made by subtitle A [subtitle A (§§2001–2008) of title II of Pub. L. 113–79, amending sections 3831, 3831b, and 3832 to 3835 of this title and repealing section 3835a of this title] and into the agricultural conservation easement program under the amendment made by section 2301.

"(b) Interim Administration.—Subject to subsection (d), with respect to the implementation of the agricultural conservation easement program under subtitle H of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq.], as added by section 2301, the amendments to the environmental quality incentives program made by subtitle C, the regional conservation partnership program under subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3871 et seq.], as added by section 2401, and the amendments to the conservation reserve program made by subtitle A, the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall use the regulations in existence as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 7, 2014] that are applicable to the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, the farmland protection program, the farm viability program, the wildlife habitat incentive program, the agricultural water enhancement program, the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, the cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and the Great Lakes basin program repealed by this subtitle [subtitle H (§§2701–2713) of title II of Pub. L. 113–79, see Tables for classification], to the extent that the terms and conditions of such regulations are consistent with—

"(1) the provisions of the agricultural conservation easement program and the regional conservation partnership program; and

"(2) the amendments to the environmental quality incentives program and the conservation reserve program made by this title.

"(c) Funding.—The Secretary may only use funds authorized in this title [see Tables for classification] or in the amendments made by this title for the specific programs listed in subsection (b), including any restrictions on the use of those funds, for the purposes identified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).

"(d) Termination of Authority.—The authority of the Secretary to carry out subsection (b) shall terminate on the date that is 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

"(e) Permanent Administration.—Effective beginning on the termination date described in subsection (d), the Secretary shall provide technical assistance, financial assistance, and easement enrollment in accordance with any final regulations that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this title and the amendments made by this title."

Continuation of Programs in Fiscal Year 2008

Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §2903(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1091, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title II, §2903(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1819, provided that: "Except as otherwise provided by an amendment made by this title [see Tables for classification], the Secretary of Agriculture shall continue to carry out any program or activity covered by title XII of the Food Security Act (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) until September 30, 2008, using the provisions of law applicable to the program or activity as they existed on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [June 18, 2008] and using funds made available under such title for fiscal year 2008 for the program or activity."

[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]

Reform and Assessment of Conservation Programs

Pub. L. 107–171, title II, §2005, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 237, required the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a plan to coordinate land retirement and agricultural working land conservation programs that are administered by the Secretary to achieve the goals of eliminating redundancy, streamlining program delivery, and improving services provided to agricultural producers and to submit to Congress a report on this plan by Dec. 31, 2005.

Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program

Pub. L. 110–114, title V, §5059, Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1215, which authorized the Secretary of the Army to provide technical assistance to the Secretary of Agriculture for use in carrying out the Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program established under subtitle G of title II of Pub. L. 107–171, formerly set out below, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §2811(b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4602.

Pub. L. 107–171, title II, subtitle G, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 275, which related to a Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program to integrate agriculture and forestry conservation programs of the Department of Agriculture with State and local efforts to address farm conservation needs on the Delmarva Peninsula, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §2811(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4602.

Cranberry Acreage Reserve Program

Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10608, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 515, which authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to purchase permanent easements in wetlands or buffer strips that were used or had a history of being used for the cultivation of cranberries and that were located in environmentally sensitive areas, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §2812, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4602.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

1 See References in Text note below.
16 U.S.C. § 241g (2024) — Title 16: CONSERVATION / Chapter 1: NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES / Subchapter XXVI: THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK / Section 241g: Change in name of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park
Change in name of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park
Status: in_force

The area formerly known as the "Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park", established by the Act of April 25, 1947 (61 Stat. 52) [16 U.S.C. 241 et seq.], shall henceforth be known as the "Theodore Roosevelt National Park".

(Pub. L. 95–625, title VI, §610, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3521.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of April 25, 1947, referred to in text, is act Apr. 25, 1947, ch. 41, 61 Stat. 52, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of act Apr. 25, 1947, ch. 41, 61 Stat. 52, which comprises this subchapter.
16 U.S.C. § 1822 (2024) — Title 16: CONSERVATION / Chapter 38: FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT / Subchapter III: FOREIGN FISHING AND INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENTS / Section 1822: International fishery agreements
International fishery agreements
Status: in_force

(a) Negotiations

The Secretary of State—

(1) shall renegotiate treaties as provided for in subsection (b);

(2) shall negotiate governing international fishery agreements described in section 1821(c) of this title;

(3) may negotiate boundary agreements as provided for in subsection (d);

(4) shall, upon the request of and in cooperation with the Secretary, initiate and conduct negotiations for the purpose of entering into international fishery agreements—

(A) which allow fishing vessels of the United States equitable access to fish over which foreign nations assert exclusive fishery management authority, and

(B) which provide for the conservation and management of anadromous species and highly migratory species; and

(5) may enter into such other negotiations, not prohibited by subsection (c), as may be necessary and appropriate to further the purposes, policy, and provisions of this chapter.

(b) Treaty renegotiation

The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall initiate, promptly after April 13, 1976, the renegotiation of any treaty which pertains to fishing within the exclusive economic zone (or within the area that will constitute such zone after February 28, 1977), or for anadromous species or Continental Shelf fishery resources beyond such zone or area, and which is in any manner inconsistent with the purposes, policy, or provisions of this chapter, in order to conform such treaty to such purposes, policy, and provisions. It is the sense of Congress that the United States shall withdraw from any such treaty, in accordance with its provisions, if such treaty is not so renegotiated within a reasonable period of time after April 13, 1976.

(c) International fishery agreements

No international fishery agreement (other than a treaty) which pertains to foreign fishing within the exclusive economic zone (or within the area that will constitute such zone after February 28, 1977), or for anadromous species or Continental Shelf fishery resources beyond such zone or area—

(1) which is in effect on June 1, 1976, may thereafter be renewed, extended, or amended; or

(2) may be entered into after May 31, 1976;

by the United States unless it is in accordance with the provisions of section 1821(c) of this title or section 1824(e) of this title.

(d) Boundary negotiations

The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary, may initiate and conduct negotiations with any adjacent or opposite foreign nation to establish the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone of the United States in relation to any such nation.

(e) Highly migratory species agreements

(1) Evaluation

The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall evaluate the effectiveness of each existing international fishery agreement which pertains to fishing for highly migratory species. Such evaluation shall consider whether the agreement provides for—

(A) the collection and analysis of necessary information for effectively managing the fishery, including but not limited to information about the number of vessels involved, the type and quantity of fishing gear used, the species of fish involved and their location, the catch and bycatch levels in the fishery, and the present and probable future condition of any stock of fish involved;

(B) the establishment of measures applicable to the fishery which are necessary and appropriate for the conservation and management of the fishery resource involved;

(C) equitable arrangements which provide fishing vessels of the United States with (i) access to the highly migratory species that are the subject of the agreement and (ii) a portion of the allowable catch that reflects the traditional participation by such vessels in the fishery;

(D) effective enforcement of conservation and management measures and access arrangements throughout the area of jurisdiction; and

(E) sufficient and dependable funding to implement the provisions of the agreement, based on reasonable assessments of the benefits derived by participating nations.

(2) Access negotiations

The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall initiate negotiations with respect to obtaining access for vessels of the United States fishing for tuna species within the exclusive economic zones of other nations on reasonable terms and conditions.

(3) Reports

The Secretary of State shall report to the Congress—

(A) within 12 months after November 28, 1990, on the results of the evaluation required under paragraph (1), together with recommendations for addressing any inadequacies identified; and

(B) within six months after November 28, 1990, on the results of the access negotiations required under paragraph (2).

(4) Negotiation

The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, shall undertake such negotiations with respect to international fishery agreements on highly migratory species as are necessary to correct inadequacies identified as a result of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).

(5) South Pacific tuna treaty

It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Government shall, at the earliest opportunity, begin negotiations for the purpose of extending the Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America, signed at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, April 2, 1987, and it 1 Annexes, Schedules, and implementing agreements for an additional term of 10 years on terms and conditions at least as favorable to vessels of the United States and the United States Government.

(f) Nonrecognition

It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Government shall not recognize the claim of any foreign nation to an exclusive economic zone (or the equivalent) beyond such nation's territorial sea, to the extent that such sea is recognized by the United States, if such nation—

(1) fails to consider and take into account traditional fishing activity of fishing vessels of the United States;

(2) fails to recognize and accept that highly migratory species are to be managed by applicable international fishery agreements, whether or not such nation is a party to any such agreement; or

(3) imposes on fishing vessels of the United States any conditions or restrictions which are unrelated to fishery conservation and management.

(g) Fishery agreement with Russia

(1) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, is authorized to negotiate and conclude a fishery agreement with Russia of a duration of no more than 3 years, pursuant to which—

(A) Russia will give United States fishing vessels the opportunity to conduct traditional fisheries within waters claimed by the United States prior to the conclusion of the Agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Maritime Boundary, signed June 1, 1990, west of the maritime boundary, including the western special area described in Article 3(2) of the Agreement;

(B) the United States will give fishing vessels of Russia the opportunity to conduct traditional fisheries within waters claimed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics prior to the conclusion of the Agreement referred to in subparagraph (A), east of the maritime boundary, including the eastern special areas described in Article 3(1) of the Agreement;

(C) catch data shall be made available to the government of the country exercising fisheries jurisdiction over the waters in which the catch occurred; and

(D) each country shall have the right to place observers on board vessels of the other country and to board and inspect such vessels.

(2) Vessels operating under a fishery agreement negotiated and concluded pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to regulations and permit requirements of the country in whose waters the fisheries are conducted only to the extent such regulations and permit requirements are specified in that agreement.

(3) The Secretary of Commerce may promulgate such regulations, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of any fishery agreement negotiated and concluded pursuant to paragraph (1).

(h) Bycatch reduction agreements

(1) The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall seek to secure an international agreement to establish standards and measures for bycatch reduction that are comparable to the standards and measures applicable to United States fishermen for such purposes in any fishery regulated pursuant to this chapter for which the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determines that such an international agreement is necessary and appropriate.

(2) An international agreement negotiated under this subsection shall be—

(A) consistent with the policies and purposes of this chapter; and

(B) subject to approval by Congress under section 1823 of this title.

(Pub. L. 94–265, title II, §202, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 339; Pub. L. 99–659, title I, §101(c)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3707; Pub. L. 101–627, title I, §§105(a), 120(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4439, 4459; Pub. L. 102–251, title III, §301(e), Mar. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 63; Pub. L. 104–297, title I, §105(b), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3564; Pub. L. 117–328, div. S, title II, §205(b)(1)(A), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5270.)

Amendment of Section

Pub. L. 102–251, title III, §§301(e)(1), (2), 308, Mar. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 63, 66, provided that, effective on the date on which the Agreement between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Maritime Boundary, signed June 1, 1990, enters into force for the United States, with authority to prescribe implementing regulations effective Mar. 9, 1992, but with no such regulation to be effective until the date on which the Agreement enters into force for the United States, this section is amended:

(1) in subsection (b), (A) by inserting "or special areas" immediately after "February 28, 1977)" and (B) by striking "such zone or area" and inserting in lieu thereof "such zone or areas"; and

(2) in subsection (c), (A) by inserting "or special areas" immediately after "February 28, 1977)" and (B) by striking "such zone or area" and inserting in lieu thereof "such zone or areas".

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(5), (b), and (h)(1), (2)(A), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, known as the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 117–328 struck out par. (3) which read as follows: "Not later than January 1, 1997, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing actions taken under this subsection."

1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–297, §105(b)(1), inserted before period at end "or section 1824(e) of this title".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–297, §105(b)(2), added subsec. (h).

1992—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–251, §301(e)(3), added subsec. (g).

1990—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–627, §105(a), added subsec. (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–627, §120(a), substituted "an exclusive economic" for "a exclusive economic".

Pub. L. 101–627, §105(a), redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

1986—Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 99–659 substituted "exclusive economic zone" for "fishery conservation zone" wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by section 301(e)(3) of Pub. L. 102–251 effective Mar. 9, 1992, and amendment by section 301(e)(1), (2), of Pub. L. 102–251 effective on date on which Agreement between United States and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Maritime Boundary, signed June 1, 1990, enters into force for United States, with authority to prescribe implementing regulations effective Mar. 9, 1992, but with no such regulation to be effective until date on which Agreement enters into force for United States, see section 308 of Pub. L. 102–251, set out as a note under section 773 of this title.

Shark Finning Prohibition

Pub. L. 106–557, Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2772, as amended by Pub. L. 109–479, title III, §302(c), Jan. 12, 2007, 120 Stat. 3623, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Shark Finning Prohibition Act'.

"SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

"The purpose of this Act is to eliminate shark-finning by addressing the problem comprehensively at both the national and international levels.

"SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON REMOVING SHARK FIN AND DISCARDING SHARK CARCASS AT SEA

"[Amended section 1857 of this title.]

"SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.

"No later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000], the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate regulations implementing the provisions of section 3076(1)(P) [307(1)(P)] of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1857(1)(P)), as added by section 3 of this Act.

"SEC. 5. INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS.

"The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Secretary of State, shall—

"(1) initiate discussions as soon as possible for the purpose of developing bilateral or multilateral agreements with other nations for the prohibition on shark-finning;

"(2) initiate discussions as soon as possible with all foreign governments which are engaged in, or which have persons or companies engaged in shark-finning, for the purposes of—

"(A) collecting information on the nature and extent of shark-finning by such persons and the landing or transshipment of shark fins through foreign ports; and

"(B) entering into bilateral and multilateral treaties with such countries to protect such species;

"(3) seek agreements calling for an international ban on shark-finning and other fishing practices adversely affecting these species through the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization's Committee on Fisheries, and appropriate regional fishery management bodies;

"(4) initiate the amendment of any existing international treaty for the protection and conservation of species of sharks to which the United States is a party in order to make such treaty consistent with the purposes and policies of this section;

"(5) urge other governments involved in fishing for or importation of shark or shark products to fulfill their obligations to collect biological data, such as stock abundance and by-catch levels, as well as trade data, on shark species as called for in the 1995 Resolution on Cooperation with FAO with Regard to study on the Status of Sharks and By-Catch of Shark Species; and

"(6) urge other governments to prepare and submit their respective National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks to the 2001 session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries, as set forth in the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.

"SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

"The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall provide to Congress, by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000], and every year thereafter, a report which—

"(1) includes a list that identifies nations whose vessels conduct shark-finning and details the extent of the international trade in shark fins, including estimates of value and information on harvesting of shark fins, and landings or transshipment of shark fins through foreign ports;

"(2) describes the efforts taken to carry out this Act, and evaluates the progress of those efforts;

"(3) sets forth a plan of action to adopt international measures for the conservation of sharks; and

"(4) includes recommendations for measures to ensure that United States actions are consistent with national, international, and regional obligations relating to shark populations, including those listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

"SEC. 7. RESEARCH.

"The Secretary of Commerce, subject to the availability of appropriations authorized by section 10, shall establish a research program for Pacific and Atlantic sharks to engage in the following data collection and research:

"(1) The collection of data to support stock assessments of shark populations subject to incidental or directed harvesting by commercial vessels, giving priority to species according to vulnerability of the species to fishing gear and fishing mortality, and its population status.

"(2) Research to identify fishing gear and practices that prevent or minimize incidental catch of sharks in commercial and recreational fishing.

"(3) Research on fishing methods that will ensure maximum likelihood of survival of captured sharks after release.

"(4) Research on methods for releasing sharks from fishing gear that minimize risk of injury to fishing vessel operators and crews.

"(5) Research on methods to maximize the utilization of, and funding to develop the market for, sharks not taken in violation of a fishing management plan approved under section 303 or section 307(1)(P) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853, 1857(1)(P)).

"(6) Research on the nature and extent of the harvest of sharks and shark fins by foreign fleets and the international trade in shark fins and other shark products.

"SEC. 8. WESTERN PACIFIC LONGLINE FISHERIES COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

"The National Marine Fisheries Service, in consultation with the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, shall initiate a cooperative research program with the commercial longlining industry to carry out activities consistent with this Act, including research described in section 7 of this Act. The service [Service] may initiate such shark cooperative research programs upon the request of any other fishery management council.

"SEC. 9. SHARK-FINNING DEFINED.

"In this Act, the term 'shark-finning' means the taking of a shark, removing the fin or fins (whether or not including the tail) of a shark, and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea.

"SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

"There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for fiscal years 2007 through 2011 such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act."

Certificate of Legal Origin for Anadromous Fish Products

Pub. L. 101–627, title VIII, §801, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4464, provided that:

"(a) Negotiations.—Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990], the Secretary of State shall commence negotiations with nations which import or export anadromous fish or anadromous fish products for the purpose of securing general agreement among such nations to implement effective measures to prohibit international trade in anadromous fish or anadromous fish products unless such fish or fish products are accompanied by a valid certificate of legal origin attesting that the fish or fish product was lawfully harvested—

"(1) within the jurisdiction of a nation having naturally occurring or artificially established anadromous fish populations of the same species as the imported or exported product; or

"(2) on the high seas according to an international agreement among nations with jurisdiction over more than 1 percent of the stocks of anadromous fish being so harvested.

"(b) Issuance of Certificates.—For the purposes of subsection (a), a valid certificate of legal origin may be issued only by a nation which—

"(1) is the nation having jurisdiction over the vessel or other means by which the fish or fish product was harvested; and

"(2) maintains regular harvests of anadromous fish in a manner consistent with the criteria for lawful harvests set out in subsection (a).

"(c) Bilateral or Multilateral Agreements.—Efforts undertaken by the Secretary of State pursuant to subsection (a) may, at the discretion of the Secretary, be directed toward achieving either bilateral or multilateral agreements, including trade agreements, whichever the Secretary determines to be most likely to result in the earliest possible date or dates of agreement by those nations which individually have in excess of $1,000,000, or the equivalent, in import or export trade in anadromous fish and anadromous fish products.

"(d) Regulations.—The Secretary of Commerce shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990], promulgate regulations providing for—

"(1) the issuance of certificates of legal origin pursuant to agreements under subsection (a) for anadromous fish and anadromous fish products legally harvested by vessels of the United States;

"(2) the delegation of the authority to issue certificates of legal origin to States, territories, or possessions of the United States which the Secretary of Commerce determines to have implemented a program which is sufficient to accomplish the purposes of subsection (a); and

"(3) an orderly transition to such regulations, sufficient to ensure that United States commerce in anadromous fish and anadromous fish products is not unduly disrupted.

"(e) Report Required.—The Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990], submit to the Congress a report—

"(1) making recommendations as to the need for the adoption of United States import and export restrictions on anadromous fish and anadromous fish products consistent with subsection (a); and

"(2) identifying, evaluating, and making recommendations regarding any specific statutory or regulatory changes that may be necessary for the adoption of such restrictions.

"(f) Certification.—If, at any time following the promulgation of the regulations required by subsection (d), the Secretary of Commerce finds that any nation is engaging in trade in unlawfully taken anadromous fish or anadromous fish products, the Secretary shall certify that fact to the President, which certification shall be deemed to be a certification for the purposes of section 8(a)(1) of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978(a)(1))."

Driftnet Impact Monitoring, Assessment, and Control

Pub. L. 100–220, title IV, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1477, as amended by Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(a) [title II, §211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–41, provided that:

"SEC. 4001. SHORT TITLE.

"This title may be cited as the 'Driftnet Impact Monitoring, Assessment, and Control Act of 1987'.

"SEC. 4002. FINDINGS.

"The Congress finds that—

"(1) the use of long plastic driftnets is a fishing technique that may result in the entanglement and death of enormous numbers of target and nontarget marine resources in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean, including the Bering Sea;

"(2) there is a pressing need for detailed and reliable information on the number of marine resources that become entangled and die in actively fished driftnets and in driftnets that are lost, abandoned, or discarded; and

"(3) increased efforts are necessary to monitor, assess, and reduce the adverse impacts of driftnets.

"SEC. 4003. DEFINITIONS.

"As used in this title—

"(1) Driftnet.—The term 'driftnet' means a gillnet composed of a panel of plastic webbing one and one-half miles or more in length.

"(2) Driftnet fishing.—The term 'driftnet fishing' means a fish-harvesting method in which a driftnet is placed in water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.

"(3) Exclusive economic zone of the united states.—The term 'exclusive economic zone of the United States' means the zone defined in section 3(6) [now 3(11)] of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(b) [1802(11)]).

"(4) Marine resources.—The term 'marine resources' includes fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, and other forms of marine life or waterfowl.

"(5) Marine resources of the united states.—The term 'marine resources of the United States' means—

"(A) marine resources found in, or which breed within, areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the exclusive economic zone of the United States; and

"(B) species of fish, wherever found, that spawn in the fresh or estuarine waters of the United States.

"(6) Secretary.—The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce.

"SEC. 4004. MONITORING AGREEMENTS.

"(a) Negotiations.—The Secretary, through the Secretary of State and in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall immediately initiate, negotiations with each foreign government that conducts, or authorizes its nationals to conduct, driftnet fishing that results in the taking of marine resources of the United States in waters of the North Pacific Ocean outside of the exclusive economic zone and territorial sea of any nation, for the purpose of entering into agreements for statistically reliable cooperative monitoring and assessment of the numbers of marine resources of the United States killed and retrieved, discarded, or lost by the foreign government's driftnet fishing vessels. Such agreements shall provide for—

"(1) the use of a sufficient number of vessels from which scientists of the United States and the foreign governments may observe and gather statistically reliable information; and

"(2) appropriate methods for sharing equally the costs associated with such activities.

"(b) Report.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall provide to the Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1987] a full report on the results of negotiations under this section.

"SEC. 4005. IMPACT REPORT.

"(a) In General.—The Secretary shall provide to the Congress within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1987], and at such other times thereafter as the Secretary considers appropriate, a report identifying the nature, extent, and effects of driftnet fishing in waters of the North Pacific Ocean on marine resources of the United States. The report shall include the best available information on—

"(1) the number and flag state of vessels involved;

"(2) the areas fished;

"(3) the length, width, and mesh size of driftnets used;

"(4) the number of marine resources of the United States killed by such fishing;

"(5) the effect of seabird mortality, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, on seabird populations; and

"(6) any other information the Secretary considers appropriate.

"(b) Information From Foreign Governments.—The Secretary, through the Secretary of State, shall—

"(1) request relevant foreign governments to provide the information described in subsection (a), and

"(2) include in a report under this section the information so provided and an evaluation of the adequacy and reliability of such information.

"SEC. 4006. ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENTS.

"(a) Negotiations.—The Secretary shall immediately initiate, through the Secretary of State and in consultation with the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating negotiations with each foreign government that conducts, or authorizes its nationals to conduct, driftnet fishing that results in the taking of marine resources of the United States in waters of the North Pacific Ocean outside of the exclusive economic zone and territorial sea of any nation, for the purpose of entering into agreements for effective enforcement of laws, regulations, and agreements applicable to the location, season, and other aspects of the operations of the foreign government's driftnet fishing vessels. Such agreements shall include measures for—

"(1) the effective monitoring and detection of violations;

"(2) the collection and presentation of such evidence of violations as may be necessary for the successful prosecution of such violations by the responsible authorities;

"(3) reporting to the United States of penalties imposed by the foreign governments for violations; and

"(4) appropriate methods for sharing equally the costs associated with such activities.

"(b) Certification for Purposes of Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967.—If the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determines that a foreign government has failed, within 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1987], to enter into and implement an agreement under subsection (a) or section 4004(a) that is adequate, the Secretary shall certify such fact to the President, which certification shall be deemed to be a certification for the purposes of section 8(a) of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978(a)).

"SEC. 4007. EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

"(a) Marking, Registry, and Identification System.—The Secretary shall evaluate, in consultation with officials of other Federal agencies and such other persons as may be appropriate, the feasibility of and develop recommendations for the establishment of a driftnet marking, registry, and identification system to provide a reliable method for the determination of the origin by vessel, of lost, discarded, or abandoned driftnets and fragments of driftnets. In conducting such evaluation, the Secretary shall consider the adequacy of existing driftnet identification systems of foreign nations and the extent to which these systems achieve the objectives of this title.

"(b) Alternative Driftnet Materials.—The Secretary, in consultation with such other persons as may be appropriate, shall evaluate the feasibility of, and develop appropriate recommendations for, the use of alternative materials in driftnets for the purpose of increasing the rate of decomposition of driftnets that are discarded or lost at sea.

"(c) Driftnet Bounty System.—The Secretary, in consultation with such other persons as may be appropriate, shall evaluate the feasibility of and develop appropriate recommendations for the implementation of a driftnet bounty system to pay persons who retrieve from the exclusive economic zone and deposit with the Secretary lost, abandoned, and discarded driftnet and other plastic fishing material.

"(d) Driftnet Fishing Vessel Tracking System.—The Secretary, in consultation with such other persons as may be appropriate, shall evaluate the feasibility of, and develop appropriate recommendations for, the establishment of a cooperative driftnet fishing vessel tracking system to facilitate efforts to monitor the location of driftnet fishing vessels.

"(e) Report.—The Secretary shall transmit to the Congress not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1987] a report setting forth—

"(1) the evaluations and recommendations developed under subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d);

"(2) the most effective and appropriate means of implementing such recommendations;

"(3) any need for further research and development efforts and the estimated cost and time required for completion of such efforts; and

"(4) any need for legislation to provide authority to carry out such recommendations.

"SEC. 4008. CONSTRUCTION WITH OTHER LAWS.

"This title [this note] shall not serve or be construed to expand or diminish the sovereign rights of the United States, as stated by Presidential Proclamation Numbered 5030, dated March 10, 1983 [16 U.S.C. 1453 note], and reflected in existing law on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1987].

"SEC. 4009. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

"There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce and the Department of State, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title."

[For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]

1 So in original.