Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/2089

 120 STAT. 2058

PUBLIC LAW 109–360—OCT. 16, 2006

Public Law 109–360 109th Congress An Act Oct. 16, 2006 [H.R. 5381]

National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act of 2006. 16 USC 760aa note. 16 USC 760aa.

To enhance an existing volunteer program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and promote community partnerships for the benefit of national fish hatcheries and fisheries program offices.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Fish Hatchery System Volunteer Act of 2006’’. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: (1) The National Fish Hatchery System (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘System’’)— (A) consists of more than 60 hatcheries, seven fish technology centers, 9 fish health centers, and other fisheries program offices; (B) plays an integral role in the recovery of more than 50 threatened species and endangered species and the restoration of over 100 native species; (C) provides healthy fish populations that support recreational fishing opportunities, many of which are related to Federal water control structures; and (D) works with over 250 partners to help mitigate the impacts of aquatic habitat loss and invasive species. (2) The System faces many challenges, including aging facilities, some of which date back to the late 1800s, and maintenance of intensive infrastructures such as wells, pumps, valves, pipes, filters, heaters, chillers, and treatment systems that must keep clean water moving 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (3) By encouraging volunteer programs and donations and fostering non-Federal partnerships with hatchery facilities, Federal funding for the hatcheries can be supplemented. (4) By encouraging hatchery educational programs, public awareness of the resources of the System and public participation in the conservation of aquatic resources can be promoted. (b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are the following: (1) To encourage the use of volunteers to assist the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the management of hatcheries within the System. (2) To facilitate partnerships between the System and nonFederal entities to promote public awareness of the resources

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