An Act to extend until the close of 1983 the period in which appropriations are authorized to be appropriated for the acquisition of wetlands, and to increase the maximum amount of such authorization, and for other purposes.
PL 94-215 (H.R.5608), enacted 02/17/1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-215—FEB. 17, 1976 
90 STAT. 189 
Public Law 94-215 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To extend until the close of 1983 the period in which appropriations are author-
ized to be appropriated for the acquisition of wetlands, to increase the maxi-
mum amount of such authorization, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assemhled^ That this Act may 
be cited as the "Wetlands Loan Extension Act of 1976". 
SEC. 2. (a) The first section of the Act entitled "An Act to promote 
the conservation of migratory waterfowl by the acquisition of wet-
lands and other essential waterfowl habitat, and for other purposes", 
approved October 4, 19^1 (16 U.S.C. 7l5k-3) is amended by striking 
out "fifteen-year period beginning with fiscal year 1962, not to exceed 
$105,000,000." and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "period 
beginning on July 1, 1961, and ending at the close of September 30, 
1983, not to exceed $200,000,000.". 
(b) Section 3 of such Act of October 4, 1961 (16 U.S.C. 71ok-5) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking out "with fiscal year 1977," and inserting in 
lieu thereof |'on October 1, 1983,"; 
(2) by striking out "prior to the end of the aforesaid fifteen-
year period," and inserting in lieu thereof "before October 1, 
1983,"; and 
(3) by striking out "year: Provided further^ That no" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "year. No". 
SEC. 3. (a) The first section of the Act entitled "An Act to supple-
ment and support the Migratory Bird Conservation Act by providing 
funds for the acquisition of areas for use as migratory-bird sanctuaries, 
refuges, and breeding grounds, for developing and administering such 
areas, for the protection of certain migratory birds, for the enforce-
ment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and regulations thereunder, 
and for other purposes", api)roved March 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 718a; 
commonly known as the "Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act") is 
amended by inserting after "hunting" in the first sentence the Avords 
"and conservation". 
(b) The first sentence of section 2 of such Act of March 16, 1934 
(16 U.S.C. 718b) is amended to read as follows: "The stamps required 
by section 1 of this Act shall be issued and sold by the Postal Service 
and may be sold by the Department of the Interior, pursuant to regu-
lations prescribed jointly by the Postal Service and the Secretary of 
the Interior, at (1) each post office of the first- and second-class, and 
(2) any establishment, facility, or location as the Postal Service and 
the Secretary of the Interior shall direct or authorize. The funds 
received from tlie sale of such stamps by the Department of the Interior 
shall be deposited in the migratory bird conservation fund in accord-
ance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act.". 
(c) The fifth sentence of section 2 of such Act of March 16, 1934 
(16 U.S.C. 718b), is amended to read as follows: "The Postal Service, 
pursuant to regulations prescribed by it, shall provide for the redemp-
tion, on or before the 30th day of September of each fiscal year, of 
blocks composed of two or more attached unused stamps issued for 
such year (A) that were sold on consignment to any person, including, 
Feb. 17. 1976 
[H.R. 5608] 
Wetlands Loan 
Extension Act of 
1976. 
16 use 715k-8 
note. 
Migratory bird 
hunting and 
conservation 
stamp. 
90 STAT. 190 
PUBLIC LAW 94-215—FEB. 17, 1976 
Land and water, 
rental or 
purchase. 
Property, 
exchange or cash 
equalization. 
but not limited to, retail dealers for resale to their customers, and 
(B) that have not been resold hj any such person.". 
(d) The first sentence of section 4 of such Act of March 16, 1934 
(16 U.S.C. 718d), is amended by inserting immediately after "Postal 
Service" the following: "or the Department of the Interior, whichever 
is appropriate,". 
SEC. 4. Section 2 of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 
715a) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new 
sentence: "For purposes of this Act, the purchase or rental of any 
area of land, water, or land and water includes the purchase or rental 
of any interest in any such area of land, water, or land and water.". 
SEC. 5. Paragraph (3) of section 4(b) of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(b) (3)) 
is amended to read as follows: 
"(3) to acquire lands or interests therein by exchange (A) for 
acquired lands or public lands, or for interests in acquired or 
public lands, under his jurisdiction which he finds to be suitable 
for disposition, or (B) for the right to remove, in accordance with 
such terms and conditions as he may prescribe, products from the 
acquired or public lands within the System. The values of the 
properties so exchanged either shall be approximately equal, or if 
they are not approximately equal the valuas shall be equalized by 
the payment of cash to the grantor or to the Secretary as the cir-
cumstances require.". 
Approved February 17, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 94-335 (Comm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
SENATE REPORT No. 94-594 (Comm. on Commerce). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 121 (1975): July 8, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 122 (1976): Jan. 29, considered ancf passed Senate, amended. 
Feb. 3, House concurred in Senate amendments with amend-
ments. 
Feb. 4, Senate concurred in House amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS: 
Vol. 12, No. 8 (1976): Feb. 17, Presidential statement.