GLIN==> Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act

Congressman Kirk and Congressman Kildee are seeking additional co-sponsors for H.R. 4953, legislation to reauthorize and improve the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA). Companion legislation passed the Senate on Tuesday by unanimous consent with minor, non-controversial changes. Both members are actively working to see this legislation reported out of the Resources Committee before the August recess.

Attached, please find the original Dear Colleague for this bill. Congressional offices are asked to contact Adri Jayaratne in Rep. Kildee's office at 5-3611 or Andria Hoffman in Rep. Kirk's office at 5-4835 with any questions or to add their bosses as co-sponsors.

Great Lakes Fish And Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006

Bill Summary

Summary: This bill would reauthorize the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, a program first enacted in 1990 and again in 1998. This bill ensures that wildlife is included throughout the bill and ensures that this Act is consistent with the goals of Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.

Fish & Wildlife Grants: The bill reauthorizes the state and tribal grant program. Under this bill, grants will be used to restore fish and now wildlife in the Great Lakes. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service would award grants based on the recommendations of the Great Lakes states and tribes. Grants must be consistent with water quality, fisheries, and wildlife agreements as well as the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. The grants would be authorized to receive up to $5.25 million per year.

Fish & Wildlife Regional Projects: The bill authorizes up to $3.5 million each year for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to undertake projects that have a regional benefit to fish and wildlife. Under this new authority, the Service would undertake projects based on the recommendations of states and tribes.

Studies and Reports:

The Fish & Wildlife Service will submit a report to Congress in 2011 that describe the fish and wildlife grants that have been awarded and the results of those grants.
Under this bill, the Service will also report annually to the states and tribes on what grants have been awarded, priorities proposed for funding in the budget, and actions taken in support of Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.
The Service, in consultation with the states and tribes, would conduct a comprehensive study of the status and needs of the fish and wildlife resources of the Great Lakes Basin.
The bill calls upon the Service to complete the 2002 Report on actions taken under this Act, which was called for under existing law, to be released by June of 2006.

Fishery Resource Offices: Maintains Fish & Wildlife Services Offices, which were authorized in 1990, and the Offices have the same operational duties.

Elizabeth W. Mark

Legislative Director

Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition

Co-Chairs Congressman LaTourette and Congressman Meehan

2453 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone - 202-226-5181

Fax - 202-225-3307