Fish and Wildlife Act
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| Enacted by | the 84th United States Congress |
|---|---|
| Effective | August 8, 1956 |
| Legislative history | |
| |
Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (ch. 1036, 70
United States of America establishes "a comprehensive national fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources policy with emphasis on the commercial fishing industry but also with a direction to administer the Act with regard to the inherent right of every citizen and resident to fish for pleasure, enjoyment, and betterment and to maintain and increase public opportunities for recreational use of fish and wildlife resources."[1]
Among other things, it directs a program of continuing research, extension, and information services on fish and wildlife matters, both domestically and internationally.
It confirmed the position of Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and a Department of the Interior
, and established a Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and a Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.
Amendments
Reorganization Plan No. IV, October 3, 1970 (84 Stat. 2090), abolished the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and transferred functions related to commercial fisheries and marine sport fisheries, except Great Lakes fishery research and certain other fishery related activities, to the
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
.
Pub. L. 92–502, approved October 28, 1972 (86 Stat. 905) added to the 1956 Act a new section 13 (16 U.S.C. 742j-1), which is commonly referred to as the Airborne Hunting Act or Shooting from Aircraft Act.[2]
Effective July 1, 1974, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and the position of Commissioner were abolished by
Pub. L. 93–271, approved April 22, 1974 (88 Stat. 92). This amendment to the 1956 Act vested responsibilities of the Bureau in a redesignated United States Fish and Wildlife Service to be administered by a Director under the supervision of an assistant director of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife. This amendment also specified qualifications of the Director of the Service and established method of appointment.[3]
Pub. L. 95–616 (92 Stat. 3110) amended the 1956 law to allow the Service to accept donations of both real and personal property. It also facilitates the use of volunteers for Service projects and authorized appropriations to carry out a volunteer program.[4]
Pub. L. 98–498 (98 Stat. 2310; 16 U.S.C. 742c), approved October 19, 1984, extended until December 1, 1986, the authority and authorization of appropriations for the volunteer programs under the Act. It also requires fishing vessels to be reconstructed or reconditioned in the United States in order to receive funds.[5]
National Refuge System
in order to promote science and improve scientific literacy through both formal and informal education programs.
A 2013
amendment to the bill extended through FY2017 "the authorization of appropriations for volunteer services for programs conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), community partnership projects for national wildlife refuges, and refuge education programs".[7]
References
- ^ "Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956". Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956". Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956". Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956". Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956". Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956". Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "H.R.1300 summary". Retrieved 14 March 2014.
External links
- Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (PDF/details) as amended in the GPO Statute Compilations collection
