States that this Act authorizes the establishment of a cooperative program involving the United States, the State of Washington, the Treaty Tribes, and other appropriate parties to: (1) encourage stability in commercial and charter fishing industries; and (2) improve the quality of and opportunity for salmon and steelhead recreational fishing.
Title I: Coordination - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide grants for the preparation of programs under this Act and to promote research and coordinated management of salmon and steelhead resources. Makes such grants available to the State, the Treaty Tribes, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, or any joint entity undertaking such research program.
Title II: Resource Enhancement and Habitat Maintenance - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to provide grants for projects for the enhancement of the salmon and steelhead resources in the conservation area. Provides that such plan must be a comprehensive plan developed and agreed to by the State and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, and approved by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce. Declares that such plan shall describe all enhancement projects anticipated by the State and the Commission for a period of at least five years. Sets forth standards to be included in such plan and conditions for approval by the Secretary. Provides for review, modification, amendments, or revisions of any such plan, with the approval of the Secretary.
Sets forth requirements to be included in project proposals submitted to the Secretary by the State and the Commission after approval of a comprehensive plan. Authorizes the Secretary to approve any project consistent with such plan and to provide funding for such project as directed by provisions in this Act.
Directs the Secretary to establish a system to monitor and evaluate approved enhancement projects.
Title III: Commercial Fishing Fleet Adjustment- - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to distribute Federal funds to the States for the purchase of commercial fishing and charter vessels, gear, and licenses. Directs the Secretary to establish standards for the fleet adjustment program relative to reducing the fishing effort on the salmon resources in the conservation area. Sets forth conditions under which the Secretary may approve the State program and directs the Secretary to continually review such program's operations.
Title IV: Tribal Fishery Development Program - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide loans to Treaty Tribes or Treaty Tribe fishing corporations for projects to modernize and develop such tribe's salmon and steelhead fishing operations. Declares such loans to be for projects which are in accordance with the comprehensive plan approved by the Secretary. Provides that such loans shall be for projects for the: (1) purchase, replacement, or modernization of salmon and steelhead fishing vessels; or (2) construction, rental, purchase, or improvement of fishing facilities other than processing facilities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a continuing review of any such tribal program.
Creates a revolving fund within the Treasury for Treaty Tribal fishery development and sets forth the operating procedure of such fund.
Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the appropriate Secretary to promulgate necessary regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the State and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission to report annually to such Secretary on the status of any authorized program under such Act.
Declares that nothing in this Act should be construed to diminish appropriate jurisdiction in the field of resource enhancement and management or supersede or modify applicable existing law.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
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