Title: National Fish Habitat Conservation Act
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
National Fish Habitat Conservation Act
This bill establishes the National Fish Habitat Board to: (1) promote, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of this bill and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP); (2) establish national goals and priorities for fish habitat conservation; and (3) review and make recommendations regarding fish habitat conservation projects.
The board may designate Fish Habitat Partnerships to coordinate implementation of the NFHAP at a regional level and develop and carry out fish habitat conservation projects.
The bill sets forth requirements for approval by the board of a fish habitat conservation project. Property acquired for a project must be open to the public for compatible fish and wildlife-dependent recreation and be closed only to protect public safety, the property, or the habitat.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must establish the National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Program with duties to include providing funding for the operational needs of the Fish Habitat Partnerships.
The USFWS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Geological Survey must provide technical and scientific assistance to the partnerships, the project participants, and the board.	The bill permits the head of each federal agency to coordinate with NOAA and the USFWS to promote healthy fish populations and fish habitats.
Any funds made available to carry out this bill may not be used for fish and wildlife mitigation purposes under any federal law or court settlement.


[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1436 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1436

 To conserve fish and aquatic communities in the United States through 
partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation, improve the quality 
of life for the people of the United States, enhance fish and wildlife-
             dependent recreation, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 26, 2017

 Mr. Crapo (for himself and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; 
 which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and 
                              Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To conserve fish and aquatic communities in the United States through 
partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation, improve the quality 
of life for the people of the United States, enhance fish and wildlife-
             dependent recreation, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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 ``National Fish 
Habitat Conservation Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. National Fish Habitat Board.
Sec. 5. Fish habitat partnerships.
Sec. 6. Fish habitat conservation projects.
Sec. 7. National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Program.
Sec. 8. Technical and scientific assistance.
Sec. 9. Conservation of fish habitat on Federal land.
Sec. 10. Coordination with States and Indian tribes.
Sec. 11. Accountability and reporting.
Sec. 12. Effect of Act.
Sec. 13. Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Sec. 14. Funding.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) healthy populations of fish depend on the conservation, 
        protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish habitats in 
        the United States;
            (2) fish habitats (including wetlands, streams, rivers, 
        lakes, estuaries, and coastal and marine habitats) perform 
        numerous valuable environmental functions that sustain 
        environmental, social, and cultural values, including recycling 
        nutrients, purifying water, attenuating floods, augmenting and 
        maintaining stream flows, recharging ground water, acting as 
        primary producers in the food chain, and providing essential 
        and significant habitat for plants, fish, wildlife, and other 
        dependent species;
            (3) the extensive and diverse fish habitat resources of the 
        United States are of enormous significance to the economy of 
        the United States, providing--
                    (A) recreation for 60,000,000 anglers;
                    (B) more than 828,000 jobs and approximately 
                $115,000,000,000 in economic impact each year relating 
                to recreational fishing; and
                    (C) approximately 575,000 jobs and an additional 
                $36,000,000,000 in economic impact each year relating 
                to commercial fishing;
            (4) at least 40 percent of all threatened species and 
        endangered species in the United States are directly dependent 
        on fish habitats;
            (5) certain fish species are considered to be ecological 
        indicators of fish habitat quality, such that the presence of 
        those species reflects high-quality habitat for fish species;
            (6) loss and degradation of fish habitat, riparian habitat, 
        water quality, and water volume caused by activities such as 
        alteration of watercourses, stream blockages, water withdrawals 
        and diversions, erosion, pollution, sedimentation, and 
        destruction or modification of wetlands have--
                    (A) caused significant declines in fish populations 
                throughout the United States, especially declines in 
                native fish populations; and
                    (B) resulted in economic losses to the United 
                States;
            (7)(A) providing for the conservation and sustainability of 
        fish populations has not been fully realized, despite federally 
        funded fish and wildlife restoration programs and other 
        activities intended to conserve fish habitat; and
            (B) conservation and sustainability may be significantly 
        advanced through a renewed commitment and sustained, 
        cooperative efforts that are complementary to existing fish and 
        wildlife restoration programs and clean water programs;
            (8) the National Fish Habitat Action Plan provides a 
        framework for maintaining and restoring fish habitats to 
        perpetuate populations of fish species;
            (9) the United States can achieve significant progress 
        toward providing fish habitats for the conservation and 
        restoration of fish species through a voluntary, nonregulatory 
        incentive program that is based on technical and financial 
        assistance provided by the Federal Government;
            (10) the creation of partnerships between local citizens, 
        Indian tribes, Alaska Native organizations, corporations, 
        nongovernmental organizations, and Federal, State, and tribal 
        agencies is critical to the success of activities to restore 
        fish habitats;
            (11) the Federal Government has numerous land and water 
        management agencies that are critical to the implementation of 
        the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, including--
                    (A) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
                    (B) the Bureau of Land Management;
                    (C) the National Park Service;
                    (D) the Bureau of Reclamation;
                    (E) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
                    (F) the National Marine Fisheries Service;
                    (G) the Forest Service;
                    (H) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and
                    (I) the Environmental Protection Agency;
            (12) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
        Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National 
        Marine Fisheries Service each play a vital role in--
                    (A) the protection, restoration, and enhancement of 
                the fish communities and fish habitats in the United 
                States; and
                    (B) the development, operation, and long-term 
                success of fish habitat partnerships and project 
                implementation;
            (13) the United States Geological Survey, the United States 
        Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries 
        Service each play a vital role in scientific evaluation, data 
        collection, and mapping for fishery resources in the United 
        States;
            (14) the State and territorial fish and wildlife agencies 
        play a vital role in--
                    (A) the protection, restoration, and enhancement of 
                the fish communities and fish habitats in their 
                respective States and territories; and
                    (B) the development, operation, and long-term 
                success of fish habitat partnerships and project 
                implementation; and
            (15) many of the programs for conservation on private 
        farmland, ranchland, and forestland that are carried out by the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, including the Natural Resources 
        Conservation Service and the State and Private Forestry 
        programs of the Forest Service, are able to significantly 
        contribute to the implementation of the National Fish Habitat 
        Action Plan through the engagement of private landowners.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to encourage partnerships 
among public agencies and other interested parties consistent with the 
mission and goals of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan--
            (1) to promote intact and healthy fish habitats;
            (2) to improve the quality and quantity of fish habitats 
        and overall health of fish species;
            (3) to increase the quality and quantity of fish habitats 
        that support a broad natural diversity of fish and other 
        aquatic species;
            (4) to improve fish habitats in a manner that leads to 
        improvement of the annual economic output from recreational, 
        subsistence, and commercial fishing;
            (5) to enhance fish and wildlife-dependent recreation;
            (6) to coordinate and facilitate activities carried out by 
        Federal departments and agencies under the leadership of--
                    (A) the Director of the United States Fish and 
                Wildlife Service;
                    (B) the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of 
                the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 
                and
                    (C) the Director of the United States Geological 
                Survey; and
            (7) to achieve other purposes in accordance with the 
        mission and goals of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation and the Committee on Environment and 
                Public Works of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
                of Representatives.
            (2) Assistant administrator.--The term ``Assistant 
        Administrator'' means the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (3) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the National Fish 
        Habitat Board established by section 4(a)(1).
            (4) Conservation; conserve; manage; management.--The terms 
        ``conservation'', ``conserve'', ``manage'', and ``management'' 
        mean to maintain, sustain, and, where practicable, restore and 
        enhance, using methods and procedures associated with modern 
        scientific resource programs (including protection, research, 
        census, law enforcement, habitat management, propagation, live 
        trapping and transplantation, and the regulated harvesting of 
        fish)--
                    (A) a healthy population of fish;
                    (B) a habitat required to sustain fish and fish 
                populations; or
                    (C) a habitat required to sustain fish 
                productivity.
            (5) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
            (6) Fish.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``fish'' means any 
                freshwater, diadromous, estuarine, or marine finfish or 
                shellfish.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``fish'' includes the 
                egg, spawn, spat, larval, and other juvenile stages of 
                an organism described in subparagraph (A).
            (7) Fish and wildlife-dependent recreation.--The term 
        ``fish and wildlife-dependent recreation'' means a use 
        involving hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
        photography, or conservation education and interpretation.
            (8) Fish habitat.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``fish habitat'' means an 
                area on which fish depend to carry out the life 
                processes of the fish, including an area used by the 
                fish for spawning, incubation, nursery, rearing, growth 
                to maturity, food supply, or migration.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``fish habitat'' may 
                include--
                            (i) an area immediately adjacent to an 
                        aquatic environment, if the immediately 
                        adjacent area--
                                    (I) contributes to the quality and 
                                quantity of water sources; or
                                    (II) provides public access for the 
                                use of fishery resources; and
                            (ii) an area inhabited by saltwater and 
                        brackish fish, including an offshore artificial 
                        marine reef in the Gulf of Mexico.
            (9) Fish habitat conservation project.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``fish habitat 
                conservation project'' means a project that--
                            (i) is submitted to the Board by a 
                        Partnership and approved by the Secretary under 
                        section 6; and
                            (ii) provides for the conservation or 
                        management of a fish habitat.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``fish habitat 
                conservation project'' includes--
                            (i) the provision of technical assistance 
                        to a State, Indian tribe, or local community by 
                        the National Fish Habitat Conservation 
                        Partnership Program or any other agency to 
                        facilitate the development of strategies and 
                        priorities for the conservation of fish 
                        habitats; or
                            (ii) the voluntary obtaining of a real 
                        property interest in land or water, by a State, 
                        local government, or other non-Federal entity, 
                        including water rights, in accordance with 
                        terms and conditions that ensure that the real 
                        property will be administered for the long-term 
                        conservation of--
                                    (I) the land or water; and
                                    (II) the fish dependent on the land 
                                or water.
            (10) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (11) National fish habitat action plan.--The term 
        ``National Fish Habitat Action Plan'' means the National Fish 
        Habitat Action Plan dated April 24, 2006, and any subsequent 
        revisions or amendments to that plan.
            (12) Partnership.--The term ``Partnership'' means an entity 
        designated by the Board as a Fish Habitat Conservation 
        Partnership pursuant to section 5(a).
            (13) Real property interest.--The term ``real property 
        interest'' means an ownership interest in--
                    (A) land;
                    (B) water (including water rights); or
                    (C) a building or object that is permanently 
                affixed to land.
            (14) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (15) State.--The term ``State'' means--
                    (A) each of the several States;
                    (B) the District of Columbia;
                    (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
                    (D) Guam;
                    (E) the Virgin Islands; and
                    (F) any other territory or possession of the United 
                States.
            (16) State agency.--The term ``State agency'' means--
                    (A) the fish and wildlife agency of a State;
                    (B) any department or division of a department or 
                agency of a State that manages in the public trust the 
                inland or marine fishery resources or sustains the 
                habitat for those fishery resources of the State 
                pursuant to State law or the constitution of the State; 
                or
                    (C) the fish and wildlife agency of the 
                Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, 
                or any other territory or possession of the United 
                States.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) Fish habitat board.--There is established a board, to 
        be known as the ``National Fish Habitat Board'', whose duties 
        are--
                    (A) to promote, oversee, and coordinate the 
                implementation of this Act and the National Fish 
                Habitat Action Plan;
                    (B) to establish national goals and priorities for 
                fish habitat conservation;
                    (C) to approve Partnerships; and
                    (D) to review and make recommendations regarding 
                fish habitat conservation projects.
            (2) Membership.--The Board shall be composed of 28 members, 
        of whom--
                    (A) 1 shall be the Director;
                    (B) 1 shall be the Assistant Administrator;
                    (C) 1 shall be the Chief of the Natural Resources 
                Conservation Service;
                    (D) 1 shall be the Chief of the Forest Service;
                    (E) 1 shall be the Assistant Administrator for 
                Water of the Environmental Protection Agency;
                    (F) 1 shall be the President of the Association of 
                Fish and Wildlife Agencies;
                    (G) 1 shall be the Secretary of the Board of 
                Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
                appointed pursuant to section 3(g)(2)(B) of the 
                National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act 
                (16 U.S.C. 3702(g)(2)(B));
                    (H) 4 shall be representatives of State agencies, 1 
                of whom shall be nominated by a regional association of 
                fish and wildlife agencies from each of the Northeast, 
                Southeast, Midwest, and Western regions of the United 
                States;
                    (I) 1 shall be a representative of the Commonwealth 
                of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, or any other 
                territory or possession of the United States;
                    (J) 1 shall be a representative of the American 
                Fisheries Society;
                    (K) 2 shall be representatives of Indian tribes, of 
                whom--
                            (i) 1 shall represent Indian tribes from 
                        the State of Alaska; and
                            (ii) 1 shall represent Indian tribes from 
                        the other States;
                    (L) 1 shall be a representative of the Regional 
                Fishery Management Councils established under section 
                302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
                Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852);
                    (M) 1 shall be a representative of the Marine 
                Fisheries Commissions, which is composed of--
                            (i) the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 
                        Commission;
                            (ii) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries 
                        Commission; and
                            (iii) the Pacific States Marine Fisheries 
                        Commission;
                    (N) 1 shall be a representative of the Sportfishing 
                and Boating Partnership Council; and
                    (O) 10 shall be representatives selected from each 
                of the following groups:
                            (i) The recreational sportfishing industry.
                            (ii) The commercial fishing industry.
                            (iii) Marine recreational anglers.
                            (iv) Freshwater recreational anglers.
                            (v) Terrestrial resource conservation 
                        organizations.
                            (vi) Aquatic resource conservation 
                        organizations.
                            (vii) The livestock and poultry production 
                        industry.
                            (viii) The land development industry.
                            (ix) The row crop industry.
                            (x) Natural resource commodity interests, 
                        such as petroleum or mineral extraction.
            (3) Compensation.--A member of the Board shall serve 
        without compensation.
            (4) Travel expenses.--A member of the Board may be allowed 
        travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at 
        rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter 
        I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
        the home or regular place of business of the member in the 
        performance of the duties of the Board.
    (b) Appointment and Terms.--
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        subsection, a member of the Board described in any of 
        subparagraphs (H) through (O) of subsection (a)(2) shall serve 
        for a term of 3 years.
            (2) Initial board membership.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the representatives of 
                the board established by the National Fish Habitat 
                Action Plan shall appoint the initial members of the 
                Board described in subparagraphs (H), (I), (J), (L), 
                (M), (N), and (O) of subsection (a)(2).
                    (B) Tribal representatives.--Not later than 180 
                days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
                shall provide to the board established by the National 
                Fish Habitat Action Plan a recommendation of not less 
                than 4 tribal representatives, from which that board 
                shall appoint 2 representatives pursuant to 
                subparagraph (K) of subsection (a)(2).
            (3) Transitional terms.--Of the members described in 
        subsection (a)(2)(O) initially appointed to the Board--
                    (A) 4 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;
                    (B) 4 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
                    (C) 3 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
            (4) Vacancies.--
                    (A) In general.--A vacancy of a member of the Board 
                described in subparagraphs (H), (I), (J), (L), (M), 
                (N), and (O) of subsection (a)(2) shall be filled by an 
                appointment made by the remaining members of the Board.
                    (B) Tribal representatives.--Following a vacancy of 
                a member of the Board described in subparagraph (K) of 
                subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall recommend to the 
                Board a list of not less than 4 tribal representatives, 
                from which the remaining members of the Board shall 
                appoint a representative to fill the vacancy.
            (5) Continuation of service.--An individual whose term of 
        service as a member of the Board expires may continue to serve 
        on the Board until a successor is appointed.
            (6) Removal.--If a member of the Board described in any of 
        subparagraphs (H) through (O) of subsection (a)(2) misses 3 
        consecutive regularly scheduled Board meetings, the members of 
        the Board may--
                    (A) vote to remove that member; and
                    (B) appoint another individual in accordance with 
                paragraph (4).
    (c) Chairperson.--
            (1) In general.--The Board shall elect a member of the 
        Board to serve as Chairperson of the Board.
            (2) Term.--The Chairperson of the Board shall serve for a 
        term of 3 years.
    (d) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Board shall meet--
                    (A) at the call of the Chairperson; but
                    (B) not less frequently than twice each calendar 
                year.
            (2) Public access.--All meetings of the Board shall be open 
        to the public.
    (e) Procedures.--
            (1) In general.--The Board shall establish procedures to 
        carry out the business of the Board, including--
                    (A) a requirement that a quorum of the members of 
                the Board be present to transact business;
                    (B) a requirement that no recommendations may be 
                adopted by the Board, except by the vote of \2/3\ of 
                all members;
                    (C) procedures for establishing national goals and 
                priorities for fish habitat conservation for the 
                purposes of this Act;
                    (D) procedures for designating Partnerships under 
                section 5; and
                    (E) procedures for reviewing, evaluating, and 
                making recommendations regarding fish habitat 
                conservation projects.
            (2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board shall 
        constitute a quorum.

SEC. 5. FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Authority To Approve.--The Board may approve and designate Fish 
Habitat Partnerships in accordance with this section.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of a Partnership shall be--
            (1) to coordinate the implementation of the National Fish 
        Habitat Action Plan at a regional level;
            (2) to identify strategic priorities for fish habitat 
        conservation;
            (3) to recommend to the Board fish habitat conservation 
        projects that address a strategic priority of the Board; and
            (4) to develop and carry out fish habitat conservation 
        projects.
    (c) Applications.--An entity seeking to be designated as a 
Partnership shall submit to the Board an application at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Board may 
reasonably require.
    (d) Approval.--The Board may approve an application for a 
Partnership submitted under subsection (c) if the Board determines that 
the applicant--
            (1) identifies representatives to provide support and 
        technical assistance to the Partnership from a diverse group of 
        public and private partners, which may include Federal, State, 
        or local governments, nonprofit entities, Indian tribes, and 
        private individuals, that are focused on conservation of fish 
        habitats to achieve results across jurisdictional boundaries on 
        public and private land;
            (2) is organized to promote the health of important fish 
        habitats and distinct geographical areas, important fish 
        species, or system types, including reservoirs, natural lakes, 
        coastal and marine environments, and estuaries;
            (3) identifies strategic fish and fish habitat priorities 
        for the Partnership area in the form of geographical focus 
        areas or key stressors or impairments to facilitate strategic 
        planning and decisionmaking;
            (4) is able to address issues and priorities on a 
        nationally significant scale;
            (5) includes a governance structure that--
                    (A) reflects the range of all partners; and
                    (B) promotes joint strategic planning and 
                decisionmaking by the applicant;
            (6) demonstrates completion of, or significant progress 
        toward the development of, a strategic plan to address the 
        decline in fish populations, rather than simply treating 
        symptoms in accordance with the National Fish Habitat Action 
        Plan; and
            (7) promotes collaboration in developing a strategic vision 
        and implementation program that is scientifically sound and 
        achievable.

SEC. 6. FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION PROJECTS.

    (a) Submission to Board.--Not later than March 31 of each calendar 
year, each Partnership shall submit to the Board a list of fish habitat 
conservation projects recommended by the Partnership for annual funding 
under this Act.
    (b) Recommendations by Board.--Not later than July 1 of each 
calendar year, the Board shall submit to the Secretary a description, 
including estimated costs, of each fish habitat conservation project 
that the Board recommends that the Secretary approve and fund under 
this Act, in order of priority, for the following fiscal year.
    (c) Considerations.--The Board shall select each fish habitat 
conservation project to be recommended to the Secretary under 
subsection (b)--
            (1) based on a recommendation of the Partnership that is, 
        or will be, participating actively in carrying out the fish 
        habitat conservation project; and
            (2) after taking into consideration--
                    (A) the extent to which the fish habitat 
                conservation project fulfills a purpose of this Act or 
                a goal of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan;
                    (B) the extent to which the fish habitat 
                conservation project addresses the national priorities 
                established by the Board;
                    (C) the availability of sufficient non-Federal 
                funds to match Federal contributions for the fish 
                habitat conservation project, as required by subsection 
                (e);
                    (D) the extent to which the fish habitat 
                conservation project--
                            (i) increases recreational fishing 
                        opportunities for the public;
                            (ii) will be carried out through a 
                        cooperative agreement among Federal, State, and 
                        local governments, Indian tribes, and private 
                        entities;
                            (iii) increases public access to land or 
                        water for fish and wildlife-dependent 
                        recreational opportunities;
                            (iv) advances the conservation of fish and 
                        wildlife species that have been identified by 
                        the States as species in greatest need of 
                        conservation;
                            (v) where appropriate, advances the 
                        conservation of fish and fish habitats under 
                        the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
                        Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), other 
                        relevant Federal law, and State wildlife action 
                        plans; and
                            (vi) promotes strong and healthy fish 
                        habitats such that desired biological 
                        communities are able to persist and adapt; and
                    (E) the substantiality of the character and design 
                of the fish habitat conservation project.
    (d) Limitations.--
            (1) Requirements for evaluation.--No fish habitat 
        conservation project may be recommended by the Board under 
        subsection (b) or provided financial assistance under this Act 
        unless the fish habitat conservation project includes an 
        evaluation plan designed--
                    (A) to appropriately assess the biological, 
                ecological, or other results of the habitat protection, 
                restoration, or enhancement activities carried out 
                using the assistance;
                    (B) to reflect appropriate changes to the fish 
                habitat conservation project if the assessment 
                substantiates that the fish habitat conservation 
                project objectives are not being met;
                    (C) to identify improvements to existing 
                recreational fishing opportunities and the overall 
                economic benefits for the local community of the fish 
                habitat conservation project; and
                    (D) to require the submission to the Board of a 
                report describing the findings of the assessment.
            (2) Acquisition of real property interests.--
                    (A) Acquisition of real property interests.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), a 
                        State, local government, or other non-Federal 
                        entity shall be eligible to receive funds under 
                        this Act for the acquisition of real property.
                            (ii) Restriction.--No fish habitat 
                        conservation project that will result in the 
                        acquisition by a State, local government, or 
                        other non-Federal entity, in whole or in part, 
                        of any real property interest may be 
                        recommended by the Board under subsection (b) 
                        or provided financial assistance under this Act 
                        unless the project meets the requirements of 
                        subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Requirements.--
                            (i) In general.--A real property interest 
                        may not be acquired pursuant to a fish habitat 
                        conservation project by a State, local 
                        government, or other non-Federal entity 
                        unless--
                                    (I) the Secretary determines that 
                                the State, local government, or other 
                                non-Federal entity is obligated to 
                                undertake the management of the real 
                                property being acquired in accordance 
                                with the purposes of this Act; and
                                    (II) the owner of the real property 
                                authorizes the State, local government, 
                                or other non-Federal entity to acquire 
                                the real property.
                            (ii) Additional conditions.--Any real 
                        property interest acquired by a State, local 
                        government, or other non-Federal entity 
                        pursuant to a fish habitat conservation project 
                        shall be subject to terms and conditions 
                        established by the Secretary providing for the 
                        long-term conservation and management of the 
                        fish habitat and the fish and wildlife 
                        dependent on that habitat.
                            (iii) Public access.--
                                    (I) In general.--Any acquisition of 
                                fee title to real property by a State, 
                                local government, or non-Federal entity 
                                pursuant to this Act shall, where 
                                applicable and consistent with State 
                                laws and regulations, provide public 
                                access to that real property for 
                                compatible fish and wildlife-dependent 
                                recreation.
                                    (II) Public access.--Public access 
                                to real property described in subclause 
                                (I) shall be closed only for purposes 
                                of protecting public safety, the 
                                property, or habitat.
                            (iv) State agency approval.--
                                    (I) In general.--Any real property 
                                interest acquired by a State, local 
                                government, or other non-Federal entity 
                                under this Act shall be approved by the 
                                applicable State agency in the State in 
                                which the fish habitat conservation 
                                project is carried out.
                                    (II) Administration.--The Board 
                                shall not recommend, and the Secretary 
                                shall not provide any funding under 
                                this Act for, the acquisition of any 
                                real property interest described in 
                                subclause (I) that has not been 
                                approved by the applicable State 
                                agency.
                            (v) Violation.--If the State, local 
                        government, or other non-Federal entity 
                        violates any term or condition established by 
                        the Secretary under clause (ii), the Secretary 
                        may require the State, local government, or 
                        other non-Federal entity to refund all or part 
                        of any payments received under this Act, with 
                        interest on the payments as determined 
                        appropriate by the Secretary.
    (e) Non-Federal Contributions.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no 
        fish habitat conservation project may be recommended by the 
        Board under subsection (b) or provided financial assistance 
        under this Act unless at least 50 percent of the cost of the 
        fish habitat conservation project will be funded with non-
        Federal funds.
            (2) Projects on federal land or water.--Notwithstanding 
        paragraph (1), Federal funds may be used for payment of 100 
        percent of the costs of a fish habitat conservation project 
        located on Federal land or water.
            (3) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost 
        of a fish habitat conservation project--
                    (A) may not be derived from a Federal grant 
                program; but
                    (B) may include in-kind contributions and cash.
            (4) Special rule for indian tribes.--Notwithstanding 
        paragraph (1) or any other provision of law, any funds made 
        available to an Indian tribe pursuant to this Act may be 
        considered to be non-Federal funds for the purpose of paragraph 
        (1).
    (f) Approval.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        receipt of the recommendations of the Board for fish habitat 
        conservation projects under subsection (b), subject to the 
        limitations under subsection (d), and based, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, on the criteria described in subsection 
        (c)--
                    (A) the Secretary shall approve, reject, or reorder 
                the priority of any fish habitat conservation project 
                recommended by the Board that is not within a marine or 
                estuarine habitat; and
                    (B) the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce 
                shall jointly approve, reject, or reorder the priority 
                of any fish habitat conservation project recommended by 
                the Board that is within a marine or estuarine habitat.
            (2) Funding.--If a fish habitat conservation project under 
        paragraph (1) is approved by the Secretary, or the Secretary 
        and the Secretary of Commerce jointly, the Secretary, or the 
        Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce jointly, as applicable, 
        shall use amounts made available to carry out this Act to 
        provide funds to carry out the fish habitat conservation 
        project.
            (3) Notification.--If the priority of any fish habitat 
        conservation project recommended by the Board under subsection 
        (b) is rejected or reordered by the Secretary, or the Secretary 
        and the Secretary of Commerce jointly, the Secretary, or the 
        Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce jointly, shall, not 
        later than 180 days after the date of receipt of the 
        recommendations, provide to the Board, the appropriate 
        Partnership, and the appropriate congressional committees a 
        written statement of the Secretary, or the Secretary and the 
        Secretary of Commerce jointly, as applicable, detailing the 
        reasons why the Secretary or the Secretary and the Secretary of 
        Commerce jointly rejected or reordered the priority of the fish 
        habitat conservation project.

SEC. 7. NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a program, to be 
known as the ``National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership 
Program'', within the Division of Fish and Aquatic Conservation of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
    (b) Functions.--The National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership 
Program shall--
            (1) provide funding for the operational needs of the 
        Partnerships, including funding for activities such as 
        planning, project development and implementation, coordination, 
        monitoring, evaluation, communication, and outreach;
            (2) provide funding to support the detail of State and 
        tribal fish and wildlife staff to the Program;
            (3) facilitate the cooperative development and approval of 
        Partnerships;
            (4) assist the Secretary and the Board in carrying out this 
        Act;
            (5) assist the Secretary in carrying out the requirements 
        of sections 8 and 10;
            (6) facilitate communication, cohesiveness, and efficient 
        operations for the benefit of Partnerships and the Board;
            (7) facilitate, with assistance from the Director, the 
        Assistant Administrator, and the President of the Association 
        of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the consideration of fish 
        habitat conservation projects by the Board;
            (8) provide support to the Director regarding the 
        development and implementation of the interagency operational 
        plan under subsection (c);
            (9) coordinate technical and scientific reporting as 
        required by section 11;
            (10) facilitate the efficient use of resources and 
        activities of Federal departments and agencies to carry out 
        this Act in an efficient manner; and
            (11) provide support to the Board for national 
        communication and outreach efforts that promote public 
        awareness of fish habitat conservation.
    (c) Interagency Operational Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the 
Director, in cooperation with the Assistant Administrator and the heads 
of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall develop an 
interagency operational plan for the National Fish Habitat Conservation 
Partnership Program that describes--
            (1) the functional, operational, technical, scientific, and 
        general staff, administrative, and material needs of the 
        Program; and
            (2) any interagency agreements between or among Federal 
        departments and agencies to address those needs.
    (d) Staff and Support.--
            (1) Departments of interior and commerce.--The Director and 
        the Assistant Administrator shall each provide appropriate 
        staff to support the National Fish Habitat Conservation 
        Partnership Program, subject to the availability of funds under 
        section 14.
            (2) States and indian tribes.--Each State and Indian tribe 
        is encouraged to provide staff to support the National Fish 
        Habitat Conservation Partnership Program.
            (3) Detailees and contractors.--The National Fish Habitat 
        Conservation Partnership Program may accept staff or other 
        administrative support from other entities--
                    (A) through interagency details; or
                    (B) as contractors.
            (4) Qualifications.--The staff of the National Fish Habitat 
        Conservation Partnership Program shall include members with 
        education and experience relating to the principles of fish, 
        wildlife, and habitat conservation.
    (e) Reports.--Not less frequently than once each year, the Director 
shall provide to the Board a report describing the activities of the 
National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Program.

SEC. 8. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--The Director, the Assistant Administrator, and the 
Director of the United States Geological Survey, in coordination with 
the Forest Service and other appropriate Federal departments and 
agencies, shall provide scientific and technical assistance to the 
Partnerships, participants in fish habitat conservation projects, and 
the Board.
    (b) Inclusions.--Scientific and technical assistance provided 
pursuant to subsection (a) may include--
            (1) providing technical and scientific assistance to 
        States, Indian tribes, regions, local communities, and 
        nongovernmental organizations in the development and 
        implementation of Partnerships;
            (2) providing technical and scientific assistance to 
        Partnerships for habitat assessment, strategic planning, and 
        prioritization;
            (3) supporting the development and implementation of fish 
        habitat conservation projects that are identified as high 
        priorities by Partnerships and the Board;
            (4) supporting and providing recommendations regarding the 
        development of science-based monitoring and assessment 
        approaches for implementation through Partnerships;
            (5) supporting and providing recommendations for a national 
        fish habitat assessment;
            (6) ensuring the availability of experts to conduct 
        scientifically based evaluation and reporting of the results of 
        fish habitat conservation projects; and
            (7) providing resources to secure State agency scientific 
        and technical assistance to support Partnerships, participants 
        in fish habitat conservation projects, and the Board.

SEC. 9. CONSERVATION OF FISH HABITAT ON FEDERAL LAND.

    To the extent consistent with the mission and authority of the 
applicable department or agency, the head of each Federal department 
and agency may coordinate with the Assistant Administrator and the 
Director to promote healthy fish populations and fish habitats.

SEC. 10. COORDINATION WITH STATES AND INDIAN TRIBES.

    The Secretary shall provide a notice to, and cooperate with, the 
appropriate State agency or tribal agency, as applicable, of each State 
and Indian tribe within the boundaries of which an activity is planned 
to be carried out pursuant to this Act, including notification, by not 
later than 30 days before the date on which the activity is 
implemented.

SEC. 11. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING.

    (a) Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Board 
        shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
        report describing the progress of--
                    (A) this Act; and
                    (B) the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include--
                    (A) an estimate of the number of acres, stream 
                miles, or acre-feet (or other suitable measure) of fish 
                habitat that was maintained or improved under the 
                National Fish Habitat Action Plan by Federal, State, or 
                local governments, Indian tribes, or other entities in 
                the United States during the 2-year period ending on 
                the date of submission of the report;
                    (B) a description of the public access to fish 
                habitats established or improved under the National 
                Fish Habitat Action Plan during that 2-year period;
                    (C) a description of the opportunities for public 
                recreational fishing established under the National 
                Fish Habitat Action Plan during that period; and
                    (D) an assessment of the status of fish habitat 
                conservation projects carried out with funds provided 
                under this Act during that period, disaggregated by 
                year, including--
                            (i) a description of the fish habitat 
                        conservation projects recommended by the Board 
                        under section 6(b);
                            (ii) a description of each fish habitat 
                        conservation project approved by the Secretary 
                        under section 6(f), in order of priority for 
                        funding;
                            (iii) a justification for--
                                    (I) the approval of each fish 
                                habitat conservation project; and
                                    (II) the order of priority for 
                                funding of each fish habitat 
                                conservation project;
                            (iv) a justification for any rejection or 
                        reordering of the priority of each fish habitat 
                        conservation project recommended by the Board 
                        under section 6(b) that was based on a factor 
                        other than the criteria described in section 
                        6(c); and
                            (v) an accounting of expenditures by 
                        Federal, State, or local governments, Indian 
                        tribes, or other entities to carry out fish 
                        habitat conservation projects.
    (b) Status and Trends Report.--Not later than December 31, 2018, 
and every 5 years thereafter, the Board shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report describing the status of fish 
habitats in the United States.
    (c) Revisions.--Not later than December 31, 2018, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the Board shall revise the goals and other elements of the 
National Fish Habitat Action Plan, after consideration of each report 
required by subsection (b).

SEC. 12. EFFECT OF ACT.

    (a) Water Rights.--Nothing in this Act--
            (1) establishes any express or implied reserved water right 
        in the United States for any purpose;
            (2) affects any water right in existence on the date of 
        enactment of this Act;
            (3) preempts or affects any State water law or interstate 
        compact governing water; or
            (4) affects any Federal or State law in existence on the 
        date of enactment of this Act regarding water quality or water 
        quantity.
    (b) Authority To Acquire Water Rights or Rights to Property.--In 
carrying out section 6(d)(2), only a State, local government, or other 
non-Federal entity may acquire, in accordance with applicable State 
law, water rights or rights to property pursuant to a fish habitat 
conservation projected funded under this Act.
    (c) State Authority.--Nothing in this Act--
            (1) affects the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility 
        of a State to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife 
        under the laws and regulations of the State; or
            (2) authorizes the Secretary to control or regulate within 
        a State the fishing or hunting of fish and wildlife.
    (d) Effect on Indian Tribes.--Nothing in this Act abrogates, 
abridges, affects, modifies, supersedes, or alters any right of an 
Indian tribe recognized by treaty or any other means, including--
            (1) an agreement between the Indian tribe and the United 
        States;
            (2) Federal law (including regulations);
            (3) an Executive order; or
            (4) a judicial decree.
    (e) Adjudication of Water Rights.--Nothing in this Act diminishes 
or affects the ability of the Secretary to join an adjudication of 
rights to the use of water pursuant to subsection (a), (b), or (c) of 
section 208 of the Department of Justice Appropriation Act, 1953 (43 
U.S.C. 666).
    (f) Department of Commerce Authority.--Nothing in this Act affects 
the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the Department of 
Commerce to manage, control, or regulate fish or fish habitats under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.).
    (g) Effect on Other Authorities.--
            (1) Private property protection.--Nothing in this Act 
        permits the use of funds made available to carry out this Act 
        to acquire real property or a real property interest without 
        the written consent of each owner of the real property or real 
        property interest.
            (2) Mitigation.--Nothing in this Act permits the use of 
        funds made available to carry out this Act for fish and 
        wildlife mitigation purposes under--
                    (A) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
                U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);
                    (B) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 
                U.S.C. 661 et seq.);
                    (C) the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 
                (Public Law 99-662; 100 Stat. 4082); or
                    (D) any other Federal law or court settlement.
            (3) Clean water act.--Nothing in this Act affects or alters 
        any provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
        U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), including any definition in that Act.

SEC. 13. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.

    The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to--
            (1) the Board; or
            (2) any Partnership.

SEC. 14. FUNDING.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) Fish habitat conservation projects.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $7,200,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022 to provide funds for 
        fish habitat conservation projects approved under section 6(f), 
        of which 5 percent shall be made available for each fiscal year 
        for projects carried out by Indian tribes.
            (2) National fish habitat conservation partnership 
        program.--
                    (A) In general.--There is authorized to be 
                appropriated to the Secretary for each of fiscal years 
                2018 through 2022 for the National Fish Habitat 
                Conservation Partnership Program, and to carry out 
                section 11, an amount equal to 5 percent of the amount 
                appropriated for the applicable fiscal year pursuant to 
                paragraph (1).
                    (B) Required transfers.--The Secretary shall 
                annually transfer to other Federal departments and 
                agencies such percentage of the amounts made available 
                pursuant to subparagraph (A) as is required to support 
                participation by those departments and agencies in the 
                National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Program 
                pursuant to the interagency operational plan under 
                section 7(c).
            (3) Technical and scientific assistance.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2018 
        through 2022 to carry out, and provide technical and scientific 
        assistance under, section 8--
                    (A) $500,000 to the Secretary for use by the United 
                States Fish and Wildlife Service;
                    (B) $500,000 to the Assistant Administrator for use 
                by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 
                and
                    (C) $500,000 to the Secretary for use by the United 
                States Geological Survey.
            (4) Planning and administrative expenses.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for each of 
        fiscal years 2018 through 2022 for use by the Board, the 
        Director, and the Assistant Administrator for planning and 
        administrative expenses an amount equal to 3 percent of the 
        amount appropriated for the applicable fiscal year pursuant to 
        paragraph (1).
    (b) Agreements and Grants.--The Secretary may--
            (1) on the recommendation of the Board, and notwithstanding 
        sections 6304 and 6305 of title 31, United States Code, and the 
        Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 
        (31 U.S.C. 6101 note; Public Law 106-107), enter into a grant 
        agreement, cooperative agreement, or contract with a 
        Partnership or other entity for a fish habitat conservation 
        project or restoration or enhancement project;
            (2) apply for, accept, and use a grant from any individual 
        or entity to carry out the purposes of this Act; and
            (3) make funds available to any Federal department or 
        agency for use by that department or agency to provide grants 
        for any fish habitat protection project, restoration project, 
        or enhancement project that the Secretary determines to be 
        consistent with this Act.
    (c) Donations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may--
                    (A) enter into an agreement with any organization 
                described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 
                501(a) of that Code to solicit private donations to 
                carry out the purposes of this Act; and
                    (B) accept donations of funds, property, and 
                services to carry out the purposes of this Act.
            (2) Treatment.--A donation accepted under this section--
                    (A) shall be considered to be a gift or bequest to, 
                or otherwise for the use of, the United States; and
                    (B) may be--
                            (i) used directly by the Secretary; or
                            (ii) provided to another Federal department 
                        or agency through an interagency agreement.
                                 <all>