Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 84 Part 2.djvu/141

 84 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 91-559-DEC. 19, 1970

1471

the rate of compeiisation necessary to encourage owners or operators of wetlands to participate in the water bank program. The rate or rates of annual payments as determined hereunder shall be increased, by an amount determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, in relation to the benefit to the general public of the use of the wetland areas, together with designated adjacent areas, if the owner or operator agrees to permit, without other compensation, access to such acreage by the general public, during the agreement period, for hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking, subject to applicable State and Federal regulations. Agreement SEC. 6, Any agreement may be renewed or extended at the end of the r e n e w a l. agreement period for an additional period of ten years by mutual agreement of the Secretary and the owner or operator, subject to any rate redetermination by the Secretary. If during the agreement period the owner or operator sells or otherwise divests himself of the ownership or right of occupancy of such land, the new owner or operator may continue such agreement under the same terms or conditions, or enter into a new agreement in accordance with the jjro vis ions of this Act, including the provisions for renewal and adjustment of payment rates, or he may choose not to participate in such program. SEC. 7. The Secretary may terminate any agreement by mutual agree- Termination. ment with the owner or operator if the Secretary determines that such termination would be in the public interest, and may agree to such modification of agreements as he may determine to be desirable to carry out the purposes of the program or facilitate its administration. and SEC. 8. I n carrying out the program, the Secretary may utilize the f a Services utili2:acilities, services of local, county, and State committees established under sec- tion, tion 8 of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended. The Secretary is authorized to utilize the facilities and serv- 49 Stat, 1149. ices of the Commodity Credit (Corporation in discharging his functions 16 USC 590h. and responsibilities under this program. SEC. 9. The Secretary may, without regard to the civil service laws, Advisory Board. appoint an Advisory Board to advise and consult on matters relating to his functions under this Act as he deems appropriate. The Board shall consist of persons chosen from members of organizations such as wildlife organizations, land-grant colleges, farm organizations. State game and fish departments, soil and water conservation district associations, water management organizations, and representatives of the general public. Members of such an Advisory Board who are not regular full-time employees of the United States shall be entitled to reimbursement on an actual expense basis for attendance at Advisory Board meetings. SEC. 10. The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of the In- Program coorterior and take appropriate measures to insure that the program car- d i n a t i o n. ried out pursuant to this Act is in harmony with wetlands programs administered by the Secretary of the Interior. H e shall also, insofar as practicable, consult with and utilize the technical and related services of appropriate local, State, Federal, and private conservation agencies to assure coordination of the program with programs of such agencies and a solid technical foundation for the program. SEC. 11. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated without Appropriation. fiscal year limitation, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program authorized by this Act. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall not enter into agreements with owners and operators which would require payments to owners or operators in any calendar year under such agreements in excess of $10,000,000. SEC. 12. The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as he deter- R e g u l a t i o n s. mines necessary and desirable to carry out the provisions of this Act. Approved December 19, 1970.

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