I 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5381 
To establish a volunteer program and promote community partnerships for 
the benefit of national fish hatcheries and fisheries program offices. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 11, 2006 
Mr. SAXTON (for himself and Mr. KIND) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Resources 
A BILL 
To establish a volunteer program and promote community 
partnerships for the benefit of national fish hatcheries 
and fisheries program offices. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Fish Hatch-
ery System Volunteer Act of 2006’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The National Fish Hatchery System (in this 
Act referred to as the ‘‘System’’)— 
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(A) consists of more than 60 hatcheries, 
seven fish technology centers, 9 fish health cen-
ters, and other fisheries program offices; 
(B) plays an integral role in the recovery 
of more than 50 threatened species and endan-
gered species and the restoration of over 100 
native species; 
(C) provides healthy fish populations that 
support recreational fishing opportunities, many 
of which are related to Federal water control 
structures; and 
(D) works with over 250 partners to help 
mitigate the impacts of aquatic habitat loss and 
invasive species. 
(2) The System faces many challenges, includ-
ing aging facilities, some of which date back to the 
late 1800s, and maintenance of intensive infrastruc-
tures such as wells, pumps, valves, pipes, filters, 
heaters, chillers, and treatment systems that must 
keep clean water moving 24 hours a day, 365 days 
a year. 
(3) By encouraging volunteer programs and do-
nations and fostering non-Federal partnerships with 
hatchery facilities, Federal funding for the hatch-
eries can be supplemented. 
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(4) By encouraging hatchery educational pro-
grams, public awareness of the resources of the Sys-
tem and public participation in the conservation of 
aquatic resources can be promoted. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are the fol-
lowing: 
(1) To encourage the use of volunteers to assist 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the 
management of hatcheries within the System. 
(2) To facilitate partnerships between the Sys-
tem and non-Federal entities to promote public 
awareness of the resources of the System and public 
participation in the conservation of those resources. 
(3) To encourage donations and other contribu-
tions by individuals and organizations to the System. 
SEC. 3. GIFTS TO SYSTEM AND PARTICULAR NATIONAL 
FISH HATCHERIES. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF GIFTS, DEVISES, AND BE-
QUESTS FOR SYSTEM.—In furtherance of the purposes of 
this Act, the Secretary of the Interior may accept any 
gifts, devises, or bequests of real and personal property, 
or proceeds therefrom, or interests therein, for the benefit 
of the National Fish Hatchery System. Such acceptance 
may be subject to the terms of any restrictive or affirma-
tive covenant, or condition of servitude, if such terms are 
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deemed by the Secretary to be in accordance with law and 
compatible with the purpose for which acceptance is 
sought. 
(b) USE OF GIFTS, DEVISES, AND BEQUESTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any gifts and bequests of 
money and proceeds from the sales of other property 
received as gifts or bequests pursuant to this sub-
section shall be deposited in a separate account in 
the Treasury and may be expended without further 
appropriation by the Secretary for the benefit of the 
System programs administered by the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service. 
(2) GIFTS, DEVISES, AND BEQUESTS FOR PAR-
TICULAR FACILITIES.— 
(A) DISBURSAL.—Any gift, devise, or be-
quest made for the benefit of a facility of the 
System shall be disbursed only for the benefit 
of that facility and without further appropria-
tions. 
(B) MATCHING.—Subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations and the requirements 
of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 
U.S.C 661 et seq.) and other applicable law, the 
Secretary may provide funds to match gifts, de-
vises, and bequests made for the benefit of a fa-
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cility of the System. With respect to each gift, 
devise, or bequest, the amount of Federal funds 
may not exceed the amount (or, in the case of 
property or in-kind services, the fair market 
value) of the gift, devise, or bequest. 
SEC. 4. VOLUNTEER ENHANCEMENT PILOT PROJECTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations, the Secretary of the Interior shall carry out 
a pilot project at 1 or more facilities of the System. Each 
pilot project shall provide for a volunteer coordinator for 
the hatchery facility. The volunteer coordinator shall be 
responsible for recruiting, training, and supervising volun-
teers. The volunteer coordinator may be responsible for 
assisting partner organizations in developing projects and 
programs under cooperative agreements under section 
7(d) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 
742f(d)) and coordinating volunteer activities with partner 
organizations to carry out the projects and programs. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall a report 
to the Committee on Resources of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works of the Senate evaluating and making recommenda-
tions regarding the pilot projects. 
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