H. R. 1420—8
‘‘(B) coordinate the development of the conservation plan
or revision with relevant State conservation plans for fish and
wildlife and their habitats.
‘‘(4)(A) In accordance with subparagraph (B), the Secretary
shall develop and implement a process to ensure an opportunity
for active public involvement in the preparation and revision of
comprehensive conservation plans under this subsection. At a mini-
mum, the Secretary shall require that publication of any final
plan shall include a summary of the comments made by States,
owners of adjacent or potentially affected land, local governments,
and any other affected persons, and a statement of the disposition
of concerns expressed in those comments.
‘‘(B) Prior to the adoption of each comprehensive conservation
plan under this subsection, the Secretary shall issue public notice
of the draft proposed plan, make copies of the plan available at
the affected field and regional offices of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, and provide opportunity for public comment.’’.
SEC. 8. EMERGENCY POWER; STATE AUTHORITY; WATER RIGHTS;
COORDINATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 668dd) is further
amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
‘‘(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the
Secretary may temporarily suspend, allow, or initiate any activity
in a refuge in the System if the Secretary determines it is necessary
to protect the health and safety of the public or any fish or wildlife
population.
‘‘(l) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the
Secretary to control or regulate hunting or fishing of fish and
resident wildlife on lands or waters that are not within the System.
‘‘(m) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the
authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the several States to
manage, control, or regulate fish and resident wildlife under State
law or regulations in any area within the System. Regulations
permitting hunting or fishing of fish and resident wildlife within
the System shall be, to the extent practicable, consistent with
State fish and wildlife laws, regulations, and management plans.
‘‘(n)(1) Nothing in this Act shall—
‘‘(A) create a reserved water right, express or implied,
in the United States for any purpose;
‘‘(B) affect any water right in existence on the date of
enactment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997; or
‘‘(C) affect any Federal or State law in existence on the
date of the enactment of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 regarding water quality or water
quantity.
‘‘(2) Nothing in this Act shall diminish or affect the ability
to join the United States in the adjudication of rights to the use
of water pursuant to the McCarran Act (43 U.S.C. 666).
‘‘(o) Coordination with State fish and wildlife agency personnel
or with personnel of other affected State agencies pursuant to
this Act shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.).’’.
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
4(c) 
(16 
U.S.C.
668dd(c)) is amended by striking the last sentence.
H. R. 1420—9
SEC. 9. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION WITH RESPECT TO ALASKA.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act is intended to affect—
(1) the provisions for subsistence uses in Alaska set forth
in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Public
Law 96–487), including those in titles III and VIII of that
Act;
(2) the provisions of section 102 of the Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act, the jurisdiction over subsist-
ence uses in Alaska, or any assertion of subsistence uses in
Alaska in the Federal courts; and
(3) the manner in which section 810 of the Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act is implemented in national
wildlife refuges in Alaska.
(b) CONFLICTS OF LAWS.—If any conflict arises between any
provision of this Act and any provision of the Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act, then the provision in the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act shall prevail.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.