The legislation was introduced on September 16. A number of amendments, including the manager's amendment containing technical revisions asserted by the Administration, were accepted and now allows the Administration to support the bill. Most of the other 30 amendments were withheld. Some Senators have indicated that they intend to hold their more controversial amendments for the floor. These issues include water rights and compensation to private property owners.
Funding is also a major outstanding issue.
The bill contains a host of new requirements, including new deadlines for recovery planning, and authorizes appropriations for the Fish and Widlife Service at twice the current level, which may or may not be supported through the annual appropriations process. David explained that each agency developed a plan directed to meet the Secretary's strategic goals. The Department met a major milestone of the GPRA in the delivery of the Strategic Plan on September 30. The next step is to develop complete annual performance plans to accompany FY 1999 budget request. Would reauthorized the NorthAmerican Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989.