I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1652
To establish the Yukon River Salmon Advisory Panel.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 29, 1999
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself and Mr. SAXTON) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources
A BILL
To establish the Yukon River Salmon Advisory Panel.
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 ‘‘Yukon River Salmon
Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. YUKON RIVER SALMON PANEL.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—There shall be a Yukon
River Salmon Panel (in this Act referred to as the
‘‘Panel’’).
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Panel shall—
(A) advise the Secretary of State regarding
the negotiation of any international agreement
with Canada relating to management of salmon
stocks originating from the Yukon River in
Canada;
(B) advise the Secretary of the Interior re-
garding restoration and enhancement of such
salmon stocks; and
(C) perform other functions relating to
conservation and management of such salmon
stocks as authorized by this or any other Act.
(3) DESIGNATION
AS
UNITED
STATES
REP-
RESENTATIVES
ON
BILATERAL
BODY.—The Sec-
retary of State may designate the members of the
Panel to be the United States representatives on any
successor to the panel established by the interim
agreement for the conservation of salmon stocks
originating from the Yukon River in Canada agreed
to through an exchange of notes between the Gov-
ernment of the United States and the Government
of Canada on February 3, 1995, if authorized by the
agreement establishing such successor.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Panel shall be com-
prised of six members, as follows:
(A) One member who is an official of the
United States Government with expertise in
salmon conservation and management, who
shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.
(B) One member who is an official of the
State of Alaska with expertise in salmon con-
servation and management, who shall be ap-
pointed by the Governor of Alaska.
(C) Four members who are knowledgeable
and experienced with regard to the salmon fish-
eries on the Yukon River, who shall be ap-
pointed by the Secretary of State in accordance
with paragraph (2).
(2) APPOINTEES FROM ALASKA.—(A) The Sec-
retary of State shall appoint the members under
paragraph (1)(C) from a list of at least 3 individuals
nominated for each position by the Governor of
Alaska.
(B) In making the nominations, the Governor
of Alaska may consider suggestions for nominations
provided by organizations with expertise in Yukon
River salmon fisheries.
(C) The Governor of Alaska may make appro-
priate nominations to allow for appointment of, and
the Secretary of State shall appoint, under para-
graph (1)(C)—
(i) at least one member who is qualified to
represent the interests of Lower Yukon River
fishing districts; and
(ii) at least one member who is qualified to
represent the interests of Upper Yukon River
fishing districts.
(D) At least one of the members appointed
under paragraph (1)(C) shall be an Alaska Native.
(3) ALTERNATES.—(A) The Secretary of State
may designate an alternate Panel member for each
Panel member the Secretary appoints under para-
graphs (1) (A) and (C), who meets the same quali-
fications, to serve in the absence of the Panel mem-
ber.
(B) The Governor of the State of Alaska may
designate an alternative Panel member for the Panel
member appointed under subsection (b)(1)(B), who
meets the same qualifications, to serve in the ab-
sence of that Panel member.
(c) TERM LENGTH.—Panel members and alternate
Panel members shall serve four-year terms. Any individual
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration
of any term shall be appointed for the remainder of that
term.
(d) REAPPOINTMENT.—Panel members and alternate
Panel members shall be eligible for reappointment.
(e) DECISIONS.—Decisions of the Panel shall be
made by the consensus of the Panel members appointed
under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (b)(1).
(f) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out their functions,
Panel members may consult with such other interested
parties as they consider appropriate.
SEC. 3. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) APPOINTMENTS.—The Governor of Alaska may
establish and appoint an advisory committee of not less
than 8, but not more than 12, individuals who are knowl-
edgeable and experienced with regard to the salmon fish-
eries on the Yukon River. At least 2 of the advisory com-
mittee members shall be Alaska Natives. Members of the
advisory committee may attend all meetings of the Panel,
and shall be given the opportunity to examine and be
heard on any matter under consideration by the Panel.
(b) COMPENSATION.—The members of such advisory
committee shall receive no compensation for their services.
(c) TERM LENGTH.—Members of such advisory com-
mittee shall serve two-year terms. Any individual ap-
pointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration
of any term shall be appointed for the remainder of that
term.
(d) REAPPOINTMENT.—Members of such advisory
committee shall be eligible for reappointment.
SEC. 4. EXEMPTION.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)
shall not apply to the Panel or to an advisory committee
established under section 3.
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
(a) RESPONSIBLE
MANAGEMENT
ENTITY.—The
State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game shall be
the responsible management entity for the United States
for the purposes of any agreement with Canada regarding
management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon
River in Canada.
(b) EFFECT
OF DESIGNATION.—The designation
under subsection (a) shall not be considered to expand,
diminish, or otherwise change the management authority
of the State of Alaska or the Federal Government with
respect to fishery resources.
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS OF PANEL.—In addition to
recommendations made by the Panel to the responsible
management entities in accordance with any agreement
with Canada regarding management of salmon stocks
originating from the Yukon River in Canada, the Panel
may make recommendations concerning the conservation
and management of salmon originating in the Yukon River
to the Department of the Interior, the Department of
Commerce, the Department of State, the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council, and other Federal or State
entities as appropriate. Recommendations by the Panel
shall be advisory in nature.
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
(a) COMPENSATION.—Panel members and alternate
Panel members who are not State or Federal employees
shall receive compensation at the daily rate of GS–15 of
the General Schedule when engaged in the actual perform-
ance of duties.
(b) TRAVEL AND OTHER NECESSARY EXPENSES.—
Travel and other necessary expenses shall be paid by the
Secretary of the Interior for all Panel members, alternate
Panel members, and members of any advisory committee
established under section 3 when engaged in the actual
performance of duties.
(c) TREATMENT AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Except
for officials of the United States Government, all Panel
members, alternate Panel members, and members of any
advisory committee established under section 3 shall not
be considered to be Federal employees while engaged in
the actual performance of duties, except for the purposes