Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 118.djvu/3965

 118 STAT. 3935 PUBLIC LAW 108–486—DEC. 23, 2004 1973, and, in 1995, was removed from the ‘‘endangered’’ species list and upgraded to the less imperiled ‘‘threatened’’ status under such Act. (9) The administration is likely to officially delist the bald eagle from both the ‘‘endangered’’ and ‘‘threatened’’ species lists under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by no later than 2008. (10) The initial recovery of the bald eagle population in the United States was accomplished by the vigilant efforts of numerous caring agencies, corporations, organizations, and citizens. (11) The continued caring and concern of the American people and the further restoration and protection of the bald eagle and its habitat is necessary to guarantee the full recovery and survival of this precious national treasure for future generations. (12) Since the Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires that delisted species be administratively monitored for a 5- year period, the bald eagle nests in 49 States will require continual monitoring after the bald eagle is removed from the protection of such Act; and such efforts will require substantial funding to the Federal and State agencies and private organiza- tions that will conduct such monitoring. (13) Due to Federal and State budget cutting and balancing trends, funding for on-going bald eagle care, restoration, moni- toring, protection, and enhancement programs has diminished annually. (14) In anticipation of the nationwide observance of the official removal, by 2008, of the bald eagle from the ‘‘threatened’’ species list under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the 35th anniversary, in 2008, of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the designation of the bald eagle as an ‘‘endan- gered’’ species under such Act, Congress wishes to offer the opportunity for all persons to voluntarily participate in raising funds for future bald eagle recovery, monitoring, and preserva- tion efforts and to contribute to a special American Eagle Fund endowment managed by the not-for-profit American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee in the United States, in cooperation with fund management experts. (15) It is appropriate for Congress to authorize coins— (A) celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the living symbol of freedom in the United States, to America’s lands, waterways, and skies; (B) commemorating the removal of the bald eagle from the ‘‘endangered’’ and ‘‘threatened’’ species lists under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and (C) commemorating the 35th anniversary of the enact- ment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the des- ignation of the bald eagle as an ‘‘endangered’’ species under such Act. SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS. (a) DENOMINATIONS.—In celebration of the recovery of the bald eagle, the national living symbol of freedom, to America’s lands, waterways, and skies and in commemoration of the 35th anniver- sary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the placement of the bald eagle on the endangered species VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:54 Nov 10, 2005 Jkt 029194 PO 00000 Frm 00469 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 C:\STATUTES\2004\29194PT4.001 APPS10 PsN: 29194PT4

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