I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2055 
To establish a Salmon Stronghold Partnership program to protect wild Pacific 
salmon, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 22, 2009 
Mr. THOMPSON of California (for himself, Mr. DICKS, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. 
GEORGE
MILLER
of California, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. 
BLUMENAUER, and Mrs. TAUSCHER) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To establish a Salmon Stronghold Partnership program to 
protect wild Pacific salmon, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Pacific Salmon Stronghold Conservation Act of 2009’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings; purposes. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
Sec. 4. Salmon Stronghold Partnership. 
Sec. 5. Information and assessment. 
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Sec. 6. Salmon stronghold watershed grants and technical assistance program. 
Sec. 7. Interagency cooperation. 
Sec. 8. International cooperation. 
Sec. 9. Conditions relating to salmon stronghold conservation projects. 
Sec. 10. Administrative provisions. 
Sec. 11. Acquisition of real property interests. 
Sec. 12. Limitations. 
Sec. 13. Reports to Congress. 
Sec. 14. Authorization of appropriations. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) Several species of salmon native to the riv-
ers of the United States are highly migratory, inter-
acting with salmon originating from Canada, Japan, 
Russia, and South Korea and spending portions of 
their life history outside of the territorial waters of 
the United States. Recognition of the migratory and 
transboundary nature of salmon species has led 
countries of the North Pacific to seek enhanced co-
ordination and cooperation through multilateral and 
bilateral agreements. 
(2) Salmon are a keystone species, sustaining 
more than 180 other species in freshwater and ma-
rine ecosystems. They are also an indicator of eco-
system health and potential impacts of climate 
change. 
(3) Salmon are a central part of the culture, 
economy, and environment of Western North Amer-
ica. 
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(4) Economic activities relating to salmon gen-
erate billions of dollars of economic activity and pro-
vide thousands of jobs. 
(5) During the anticipated future rapid environ-
mental change, maintaining key ecosystem processes 
and functions, population abundance, and genetic in-
tegrity will be vital to ensuring the health and long- 
term viability of salmon populations. 
(6) Salmon strongholds provide critical produc-
tion zones for commercial, recreational, and subsist-
ence fisheries. 
(7) Taking into consideration the frequency 
with which fisheries have collapsed before the enact-
ment of this Act, use of scientific research to cor-
rectly identify and conserve core centers of abun-
dance, productivity, and diversity is vital to sustain 
salmon populations and fisheries in the future. 
(8) Measures being undertaken as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act to recover threatened 
or endangered salmon stocks, such as Federal, 
State, and local programs to restore habitat, are 
vital. These measures will be complemented and en-
hanced by identifying and sustaining core centers of 
abundance, productivity, and diversity in the health-
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iest remaining salmon ecosystems throughout the 
range of salmon species. 
(9) The effects of climate change are affecting 
salmon habitat at all life history stages, and future 
habitat conservation must consider climate change 
projections to safeguard natural systems under fu-
ture climate conditions. 
(10) Greater coordination between public and 
private entities can assist salmon strongholds by 
marshaling and focusing resources on scientifically 
supported, high priority conservation actions. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to expand Federal support and resources 
for the protection and restoration of the healthiest 
remaining salmon strongholds in North America to 
sustain core centers of salmon abundance, produc-
tivity, and diversity in order to ensure the long-term 
viability of salmon populations— 
(A) in the States of California, Idaho, Or-
egon, and Washington, by focusing resources on 
cooperative, incentive-based efforts to conserve 
the roughly 20 percent of salmon habitat that 
supports approximately two-thirds of salmon 
abundance; and 
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(B) in the State of Alaska, a regional 
stronghold that produces more than one-third 
of all salmon, by increasing resources available 
to public and private organizations working co-
operatively to conserve regional core centers of 
salmon abundance and diversity; 
(2) to maintain and enhance economic benefits 
related to fishing or associated with healthy salmon 
stronghold habitats, or both, including flood protec-
tion, recreation, water quantity and quality, carbon 
sequestration, climate change mitigation and adapta-
tion, and other ecosystem services; and 
(3) to complement and add to existing Federal, 
State, and local salmon recovery efforts by using 
sound science to identify and sustain core centers of 
salmon abundance, productivity, and diversity in the 
healthiest remaining salmon ecosystems throughout 
their range. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Assistant Administrator for the 
National Marine Fisheries Service of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
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(2) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the 
Salmon Stronghold Partnership Board established 
under section 4(a)(3). 
(3) CHARTER.—The term ‘‘Charter’’ means the 
charter of the Board developed under section 4(g). 
(4) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service. 
(5) ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES.—The term ‘‘eco-
system services’’ means an ecological benefit gen-
erated from a healthy, functioning ecosystem, includ-
ing clean water, pollutant filtration, regulation of 
river flow, prevention of soil erosion, regulation of 
climate, and fish production. 
(6) PROGRAM.—Except as otherwise provided, 
the term ‘‘program’’ means the salmon stronghold 
watershed grants and technical assistance program 
established under section 6(a). 
(7) SALMON.—The term ‘‘salmon’’ means any 
of the wild anadromous Oncorhynchus species that 
occur in the Western United States, including— 
(A) chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta); 
(B) 
pink 
salmon 
(Oncorhynchus 
gorbuscha); 
(C) sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka); 
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(D) 
chinook 
salmon 
(Oncorhynchus 
tshawytscha); 
(E) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch); 
and 
(F) 
steelhead 
trout 
(Oncorhynchus 
mykiss). 
(8) SALMON STRONGHOLD.—The term ‘‘salmon 
stronghold’’ means any area that meets biological 
criteria for abundance, productivity, diversity (life 
history and run timing), habitat quality, or other bi-
ological attributes important to sustaining viable 
populations of salmon throughout their range, as de-
fined by the Board. 
(9) SALMON STRONGHOLD PARTNERSHIP.—The 
term ‘‘Salmon Stronghold Partnership’’ means the 
Salmon Stronghold Partnership established under 
section 4(a)(1). 
(10) SECRETARY.—Except as otherwise pro-
vided, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of 
Commerce. 
SEC. 4. SALMON STRONGHOLD PARTNERSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a Salmon Stronghold Partnership that is a 
cooperative, incentive-based, public-private partner-
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ship among appropriate Federal, State, tribal, and 
local governments, private landowners, and non-
governmental organizations working across political 
boundaries, government jurisdictions, and land own-
erships to identify and conserve salmon strongholds. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—To the extent possible, the 
membership of the Salmon Stronghold Partnership 
shall include each entity described under subsection 
(b). 
(3) LEADERSHIP.—The Salmon Stronghold 
Partnership shall be managed by the Salmon 
Stronghold Partnership Board established under 
subsection (b). 
(b) SALMON STRONGHOLD PARTNERSHIP BOARD.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
the Salmon Stronghold Partnership Board for pur-
poses of this Act. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Board shall consist of 
individuals with strong scientific or technical creden-
tials and expertise, appointed as follows: 
(A) One representative from each of— 
(i) the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, appointed by the Administrator; 
(ii) the United States Fish and Wild-
life Service, appointed by the Director; 
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(iii) the Forest Service, appointed by 
the Chief of the Forest Service; 
(iv) the Environmental Protection 
Agency, appointed by the Administrator of 
such agency; 
(v) the Bonneville Power Administra-
tion, appointed by the Administrator of 
such administration; 
(vi) the Bureau of Land Management, 
appointed by the Director of such bureau; 
and 
(vii) the Northwest Power and Con-
servation Council, appointed by such coun-
cil. 
(B) One representative from the natural 
resources staff of the office of the Governor or 
of an appropriate natural resource agency of a 
State, appointed by the Governor of that State, 
from each of the States of— 
(i) Alaska; 
(ii) California; 
(iii) Idaho; 
(iv) Oregon; and 
(v) Washington. 
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(C) Not less than 3 and not more than 5 
representatives from Indian tribes or tribal 
commissions selected by the Board and located 
within the range of salmon, as appointed by 
such Indian tribes or tribal commissions. 
(D) One representative from each of 3 
nongovernmental organizations with salmon 
conservation and management expertise, as se-
lected by the Board. 
(E) One national or regional representative 
from an association of counties, as selected by 
the Board. 
(F) Representatives of any other entities 
with significant resources regionally dedicated 
to the protection of salmon ecosystems that the 
Board determines are appropriate, as selected 
by the Board. 
(3) FAILURE TO APPOINT.—If a representative 
described in subparagraph (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F) 
of paragraph (1) is not appointed to the Board or 
fails to otherwise participate in the Board, the 
Board shall carry out its functions until the rep-
resentative is appointed or joins in such participa-
tion. 
(c) MEETINGS.— 
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(1) FREQUENCY.—Not less frequently than 3 
times each year, the Board shall meet to provide op-
portunities for input from a broader set of stake-
holders. 
(2) NOTICE.—Prior to each meeting the Board 
shall give timely notice of the meeting to the public, 
and to each county or tribal government with juris-
diction over all or part of a salmon stronghold iden-
tified by the Board. 
(d) BOARD CONSULTATION.—The Board shall seek 
expertise from fisheries experts from agencies, colleges, or 
universities as appropriate. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Board shall nominate and 
select a Chairperson from among the members of the 
Board. 
(f) COMMITTEES.—The Board shall establish a 
standing science advisory committee to assist it in the de-
velopment, collection, evaluation, and peer review of statis-
tical, biological, economic, social, and other scientific in-
formation, and may establish additional standing or ad 
hoc committees as necessary. 
(g) CHARTER.—The Board shall develop a written 
Charter that— 
(1) provides for the members of the Board de-
scribed in subsection (b); 
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(2) may be signed by a broad range of partners, 
to reflect a shared understanding of the purposes, 
intent, and governance framework of the Salmon 
Stronghold Partnership; and 
(3) includes— 
(A) the defining criteria for salmon strong-
holds; 
(B) the process for identifying salmon 
strongholds; and 
(C) the process for awarding salmon 
stronghold watershed grants under section 6, 
including— 
(i) the number of years for which such 
grants may be awarded; 
(ii) the process for renewing such 
grants; 
(iii) the eligibility requirements for 
such grants; 
(iv) the process by which eligible 
projects may be individually ranked in pri-
ority for such grants according to the mag-
nitude and extent of their positive impacts 
on salmon abundance, productivity or di-
versity, or any combination thereof, that 
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lead to increased viability for salmon popu-
lations; 
(v) 
reporting 
requirements 
for 
projects awarded such grants; and 
(vi) criteria for evaluating the success 
of projects awarded such grants. 
(h) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Board. 
SEC. 5. INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT. 
The Administrator shall carry out specific informa-
tion and assessment functions associated with salmon 
strongholds, in coordination with other regional salmon ef-
forts, including— 
(1) triennial assessment of status and trends in 
salmon strongholds; 
(2) geographic information system and mapping 
support to facilitate conservation planning; 
(3) projections of climate change impacts on all 
habitats and life history stages of salmon; 
(4) development and application of models and 
other tools to identify the salmon conservation ac-
tions projected to have the greatest positive impacts 
on abundance, productivity, or diversity (or any 
combination thereof) within salmon strongholds; and 
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(5) measurement of the effectiveness of Salmon 
Stronghold Partnership activities. 
SEC. 6. SALMON STRONGHOLD WATERSHED GRANTS AND 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the Director, shall establish a salmon stronghold 
watershed grants and technical assistance program, as de-
scribed in this section. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program shall be 
to support salmon stronghold protection and restoration 
activities, including— 
(1) to fund the administration of the Salmon 
Stronghold Partnership in carrying out the Charter; 
(2) to encourage cooperation among the entities 
represented on the Board, local authorities, and pri-
vate entities to establish a network of salmon strong-
holds, and assist locally in specific actions that sup-
port the Salmon Stronghold Partnership; 
(3) to support entities represented on the 
Board— 
(A) to develop strategies focusing on the 
salmon conservation actions projected to have— 
(i) the greatest positive impacts on 
salmon abundance, productivity, or diver-
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sity, or any combination thereof, in salmon 
strongholds; and 
(ii) the greatest positive impacts on 
long-term salmon habitat and population 
viability in salmon strongholds; and 
(B) to provide financial assistance to the 
Salmon Stronghold Partnership to increase 
local economic opportunities and resources for 
actions or practices that provide long-term or 
permanent protection for and maintain key eco-
system services in salmon strongholds, includ-
ing— 
(i) payments for ecosystem services; 
(ii) placement of conservation ease-
ments, including those described in 26 
U.S.C. 170(h); and 
(iii) demonstration projects designed 
for specific salmon strongholds; 
(4) to maintain a forum to share best practices 
and approaches, employ consistent and comparable 
metrics, forecast and address climate impacts, and 
monitor, evaluate, and report regional status and 
trends of salmon ecosystems in coordination with re-
lated regional and State efforts; 
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(5) to work cooperatively with existing salmon 
conservation programs in and across salmon strong-
holds to achieve the goals of the Salmon Stronghold 
Partnership on a regional scale; 
(6) to accelerate the implementation of recovery 
plans in salmon strongholds that have salmon popu-
lations listed as threatened or endangered under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); 
(7) to develop and make information available 
to the public pertaining to the Salmon Stronghold 
Partnership; and 
(8) to conduct education outreach to the public, 
in coordination with other programs, to encourage 
increased stewardship of salmon strongholds. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Projects that will be carried 
out with assistance from the program shall be ad-
ministered as follows: 
(A) SITE-BASED
PROJECTS.—A project 
that will be carried out with assistance from the 
program within 1 State shall be selected as fol-
lows: 
(i) STATE PROJECTS.—If a State has 
a competitive grant process relating to 
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salmon conservation in effect as of the 
date of enactment of this Act and has a 
proven record of implementing an efficient, 
cost-effective, and competitive grant pro-
gram for salmon conservation or has a via-
ble plan to provide accountability under 
the program— 
(I) the Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Director, shall pro-
vide funds to the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation; 
(II) the National Fish and Wild-
life Foundation shall, pursuant to a 
request by the State for funding 
under this section, provide program 
funds to the State for selected 
projects, as directed by the Board in 
accordance with paragraph (2); and 
(III) the State shall administer 
projects to be carried out in such 
State with the assistance of the pro-
gram. 
(ii) NATIONAL
FISH
AND
WILDLIFE 
FOUNDATION PROJECTS.—If a State does 
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not meet the criteria described in clause 
(i)— 
(I) the Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Director, shall pro-
vide funds to the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation; 
(II) the National Fish and Wild-
life Foundation shall administer se-
lected projects to be carried out in 
such State with the assistance of the 
program, as directed by the Board in 
accordance with paragraph (2). 
(B) MULTISITE AND PROGRAMMATIC INI-
TIATIVES.—For a project that will be carried 
out with assistance from the program in more 
than 1 State or that is a programmatic initia-
tive that affects more than 1 State— 
(i) the Administrator, in consultation 
with the Director, shall provide funds to 
the National Fish and Wildlife Founda-
tion; and 
(ii) the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation 
shall 
administer 
selected 
projects to be carried out with the assist-
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ance of the program, as directed by the 
Board in accordance with paragraph (2). 
(2) PROJECT SELECTION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection 
(d), a project is eligible to receive assistance 
under the program if the project— 
(i) contributes to the conservation of 
salmon; 
(ii) meets the eligibility criteria set 
forth by the Board in its Charter under 
section 4(g); 
(iii)(I) addresses a factor limiting or 
threatening to limit abundance, produc-
tivity, diversity, habitat quality, or other 
biological attributes important to sus-
taining viable salmon populations within a 
salmon stronghold; or 
(II) is a programmatic action that 
supports the Salmon Stronghold Partner-
ship; 
(iv) addresses limiting factors to 
healthy ecosystem processes or sustainable 
fisheries management; 
(v) has the potential for conservation 
benefits and broadly applicable results; and 
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(vi) meets the requirements for cost 
sharing described in paragraph (3). 
(B) PRIORITIZATION.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Board shall 
prioritize individual projects eligible for 
funding under the program in accordance 
with the process for such prioritization es-
tablished in its Charter under section 
4(g)— 
(I) not less often than once each 
fiscal year; and 
(II) following the solicitation of 
projects for funding with amounts 
available under this Act for the fiscal 
year. 
(ii) REVISION.—The Board shall de-
velop or revise, or both, the criteria nec-
essary to prioritize projects eligible for 
funding under the program— 
(I) not less often than once each 
fiscal year; and 
(II) prior to the prioritization of 
projects to be funded with amounts 
available under this Act for that fiscal 
year. 
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(3) COST SHARING.— 
(A) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(i) NON-FEDERAL
LAND.—For any 
fiscal year, the Federal share of the cost of 
a project that receives assistance under the 
program and that is carried out on land 
that is not owned by the United States 
shall not exceed 50 percent of the total 
cost of the project. 
(ii) FEDERAL LAND.—For any fiscal 
year, the Federal share of the cost of a 
project that receives assistance under the 
program and that is carried out on land 
that is owned by the United States, includ-
ing the acquisition of inholdings, may be 
up to 100 percent of the total cost of the 
project. 
(B) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause 
(ii), the non-Federal share of the cost of a 
project that receives assistance under the 
program may not be derived from Federal 
grant programs, but may include in-kind 
contributions. 
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(2) REPORTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION.—Not 
less frequently than once every three years, each 
State that is provided program funds under sub-
section (c)(1)(A)(i) and the National Fish and Wild-
life Foundation shall provide reports to the Adminis-
trator that include the information required by the 
Administrator to evaluate the implementation of the 
program. 
SEC. 7. INTERAGENCY COOPERATION. 
The head of each Federal agency or department re-
sponsible for acquiring, managing, or disposing of Federal 
land that is within a salmon stronghold shall, to the extent 
consistent with the mission of the agency or department 
and existing law, cooperate with the Administrator and the 
Director to— 
(1) conserve the salmon stronghold; and 
(2) effectively coordinate and streamline Salm-
on Stronghold Partnership activities and delivery of 
overlapping, incentive-based programs that affect the 
salmon stronghold. 
SEC. 8. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO COOPERATE.—The Adminis-
trator and the Board may share status and trends data, 
innovative conservation strategies, conservation planning 
methodologies, and other information with North Pacific 
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countries including Canada, Japan, Russia, and South 
Korea, and appropriate international entities, to promote 
salmon conservation and habitat. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Administrator and the Board, or entities 
that are members of the Board, should and are encour-
aged to provide information to North Pacific countries in-
cluding Canada, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, and ap-
propriate international entities, to support the develop-
ment of a network of salmon strongholds across the na-
tions of the North Pacific. 
SEC. 9. CONDITIONS RELATING TO SALMON STRONGHOLD 
CONSERVATION PROJECTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—No land or interest in land, ac-
quired in whole or in part by the Secretary of the Interior 
with Federal funds made available under this Act to carry 
out a salmon stronghold conservation project may be 
transferred to a State, other public agency, or other entity 
unless— 
(1) the Secretary of the Interior determines 
that the State, agency, or entity is committed to 
manage, in accordance with this Act and the pur-
poses of this Act, the property being transferred; 
and 
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(2) the deed or other instrument of transfer 
contains provisions for the reversion of the title to 
the property to the United States if the State, agen-
cy, or entity fails to manage the property in accord-
ance with this Act and the purposes of this Act. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—Any real property interest con-
veyed under this section shall be subject to such terms 
and conditions as will ensure, to the maximum extent 
practicable, that the interest will be administered in ac-
cordance with this Act and the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) CONTRACTS, GRANTS, AND
TRANSFERS
OF 
FUNDS.—In carrying out this Act, the Secretary may— 
(1) consistent with a recommendation of the 
board and notwithstanding sections 6304 and 6305 
of title 31, United States Code, and the Federal Fi-
nancial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 
1999 (31 U.S.C. 6101 note; Public Law 106–107), 
enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and 
grants; 
(2) notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
apply for, accept, and use grants from any person to 
carry out the purposes of this Act; and 
(3) make funds available to any Federal agency 
to be used by the agency to award financial assist-
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ance for any salmon stronghold protection, restora-
tion, or enhancement project that the Secretary de-
termines to be consistent with this Act. 
(b) DONATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may— 
(A) enter into an agreement with any orga-
nization described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to authorize the 
organization to carry out activities under this 
Act; and 
(B) accept donations of funds or services 
for use in carrying out this Act. 
(2) PROPERTY.—The Secretary of the Interior 
may accept donations of property for use in carrying 
out this Act. 
(3) USE OF DONATIONS.—Donations accepted 
under this section— 
(A) shall be considered to be gifts or be-
quests to, or for the use of, the United States; 
and 
(B) may be used directly by the Secretary 
(or, in the case of donated property under para-
graph (2), the Secretary of the Interior) or pro-
vided to other Federal agencies or departments 
through interagency agreements. 
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(c) INTERAGENCY FINANCING.—The Secretary may 
participate in interagency financing, including receiving 
appropriated funds from other agencies or departments to 
carry out this Act. 
(d) STAFF.—Subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, the Administrator may hire such additional full-time 
employees as are necessary to carry out this Act. 
SEC. 11. ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS. 
(a) USE OF REAL PROPERTY.—No project that will 
result in the acquisition by the Secretary or the Secretary 
of the Interior of any land or interest in land, in whole 
or in part, may receive funds under this Act unless the 
project is consistent with the purposes of this Act. 
(b) PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.—No Federal 
funds made available to carry out this Act may be used 
to acquire any real property or any interest in any real 
property without the written consent of the 1 or more own-
ers of the property or interest in property. 
SEC. 12. LIMITATIONS. 
Nothing in this Act may be construed— 
(1) to create a reserved water right, express or 
implied, in the United States for any purpose, or af-
fect the management or priority of water rights 
under State law; 
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(2) to affect existing water rights under Federal 
or State law; 
(3) to affect any Federal or State law in exist-
ence on the date of enactment of this Act regarding 
water quality or water quantity; 
(4) to affect the authority, jurisdiction, or re-
sponsibility of any agency or department of the 
United States or of a State to manage, control, or 
regulate fish and resident wildlife under a Federal or 
State law or regulation; 
(5) to authorize the Secretary or the Secretary 
of the Interior to control or regulate hunting or fish-
ing under State law; 
(6) to abrogate, abridge, affect, modify, super-
sede, or otherwise alter any right of a federally rec-
ognized Indian tribe under any applicable Federal or 
tribal law or regulation; or 
(7) to diminish or affect the ability of the Sec-
retary or the Secretary of the Interior to join the ad-
judication of rights to the use of water pursuant to 
subsections (a), (b), or (c) of section 208 of the De-
partment of Justice Appropriation Act, 1953 (43 
U.S.C. 666). 
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SEC. 13. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Ad-
ministrator, in consultation with the Director, shall submit 
to Congress a report describing the activities carried out 
under this Act, including the recommendations of the Ad-
ministrator, if any, for legislation relating to the Salmon 
Stronghold Partnership. 
SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to each of the Administrator and Di-
rector, to be distributed or administered, or both, by 
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as a fis-
cal agent, to provide grants under the program 
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 
2013. 
(2) BOARD.—The National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation shall, from the amount appropriated 
pursuant to the authorization in paragraph (1), 
make available sufficient funds to the Board to carry 
out its duties under this Act. 
(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—For each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2013, there is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator $300,000 to provide technical 
assistance under the program and to carry out section 5. 
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(c) AVAILABILITY
OF
FUNDS.—Amounts appro-
priated pursuant to an authorization of appropriations in 
this section are authorized to remain available until ex-
pended. 
Æ 
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