Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 6.djvu/537

 PUBLIC LAW 102-587 —NOV. 4, 1992 106 STAT. 5095 systematic declines of 46.9 percent during a twenty-year study period. (7) There have been nationwide declines in frogs and other amphibians. (8) Over two htuidred and seventy-five of vertebrate fish and wildlife species in the United States are now officially classified as threatened or endangered by the Federal Government. (9) During the past decade, fish and wildlife species, including invertebrates, were added to the rapidly growing list of threatened and endangered species in North America at the average rate of over one per month. (10) Currently, eighty-two species of invertebrates in the United States are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and another nine hundred and fifty-one United States invertebrate species are candidates for listing under that Act. (11) Proper management of fish and wildlife, before species become threatened or endangered with extinction, is the key to reversing the increasingly desperate status of fish and wildlife. (12) Proper fish and wildlife conservation includes not only management of fish and wildlife species taken for recreation and protection of endangered and threatened species, but also management of the vast majority of species which fall into neither category. (13) Partnerships in fish and wildlife conservation, such as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act have benefitted greatly the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. (14) A program that encourages partnerships among Federal and State governments and private entities to carry out wildlife conservation and appreciation projects would benefit all species of fish and wildlife through such activities as management, research, and interagency coordination. (15) Many States, which are experiencing declining revenues, are finding it increasingly difilcult to carry out projects to conserve the entire array of diverse fish and wildlife species and to provide opportunities for the public to associate with, enjoy, and appreciate fish and wildlife through nonconsumptive activities. SEC. 7103 PURPOSES. 16 USC 3742. The purposes of this title are to establish a partnership among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, designated State agencies, and private organizations and individuals— (1) to carry out wildlife conservation and appreciation projects to conserve the entire array of diverse fish and wildlife species in the United States and to provide opportunities for the public to use and enjoy these fish and wildlife species through nonconsumptive activities; (2) to enable designated State agencies to respond more fully and utilize their statutory and administrative authorities by carrying out wildlife conservation and appreciation projects; and

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