Sec. 5. Fish habitat partnerships
320 words·~1 min read·
/bill/113/s/2080/rs/section-5A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Board may approve and designate Fish Habitat Partnerships in accordance with this section. The purposes of a Partnership shall be— to coordinate the implementation of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan at a regional level; to identify strategic priorities for fish habitat conservation; to recommend to the Board fish habitat conservation projects that address a strategic priority of the Board; and to develop and carry out fish habitat conservation projects. An entity seeking to be designated as a Partnership shall submit to the Board an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Board may reasonably require.
The Board may approve an application for a Partnership submitted under subsection
(c)if the Board determines that the applicant— identifies representatives to provide support and technical assistance to the Partnership from a diverse group of public and private partners, which may include Federal, State, or local governments, nonprofit entities, Indian tribes, and private individuals, that are focused on conservation of fish habitats to achieve results across jurisdictional boundaries on public and private land; is organized to promote the health of important fish habitats and distinct geographical areas, important fish species, or system types, including reservoirs, natural lakes, coastal and marine environments, and estuaries; identifies strategic fish and fish habitat priorities for the Partnership area in the form of geographical focus areas or key stressors or impairments to facilitate strategic planning and decisionmaking; is able to address issues and priorities on a nationally significant scale; includes a governance structure that— reflects the range of all partners; and promotes joint strategic planning and decisionmaking by the applicant; demonstrates completion of, or significant progress toward the development of, a strategic plan to address the decline in fish populations, rather than simply treating symptoms in accordance with the National Fish Habitat Action Plan; and promotes collaboration in developing a strategic vision and implementation program that is scientifically sound and achievable.