16 USC 669 - Apportionment; certification to States and Secretary of the Treasury; acceptance by States; disposition of funds not accepted

Collapse to view only § 669d. Apportionment; certification to States and Secretary of the Treasury; acceptance by States; disposition of funds not accepted

§ 669. Cooperation of Secretary of the Interior with States; conditions
§ 669a. Definitions
§ 669b. Authorization of appropriations
§ 669b-1. Authorization of appropriation of accumulated unappropriated receipts
§ 669c. Allocation and apportionment of available amounts
§ 669d. Apportionment; certification to States and Secretary of the Treasury; acceptance by States; disposition of funds not accepted
§ 669e. Submission and approval of plans and projects
§ 669f. Payment of funds to States; laws governing construction and labor
§ 669g. Maintenance of projects; expenditures for management of wildlife areas and resources
§ 669g-1. Payment of funds to and cooperation with Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands
§ 669h. Requirements and restrictions concerning use of amounts for expenses for administration
§ 669h-1. Firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants
§ 669h-2. Multistate conservation grant program
§ 669i. Rules and regulations
§ 669j. Repealed.
§ 669k. Reports and certifications
§ 669l. Value of land

§ 669. Cooperation of Secretary of the Interior with States; conditions

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to cooperate with the States, through their respective State fish and game departments, in wildlife-restoration projects as hereinafter in this chapter set forth; but no money apportioned under this chapter to any State shall be expended therein until its legislature, or other State agency authorized by the State constitution to make laws governing the conservation of wildlife, shall have assented to the provision of this chapter and shall have passed laws for the conservation of wildlife which shall include a prohibition against the diversion of license fees paid by hunters for any other purpose than the administration of said State fish and game department, except that, until the final adjournment of the first regular session of the legislature held after September 2, 1937, the assent of the Governor of the State shall be sufficient. The Secretary of the Interior and the State fish and game department of each State accepting the benefits of this chapter, shall agree upon the wildlife-restoration projects to be aided in such State under the terms of this chapter and all projects shall conform to the standards fixed by the Secretary of the Interior. One of the purposes of this chapter is to provide financial and technical assistance to the States for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 1, 50 Stat. 917; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title V, § 501(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3191.)

§ 669a. DefinitionsAs used in this chapter—

(1) the term “conservation” means the use of methods and procedures necessary or desirable to sustain healthy populations of wildlife, including all activities associated with scientific resources management such as research, census, monitoring of populations, acquisition, improvement and management of habitat, live trapping and transplantation, wildlife damage management, and periodic or total protection of a species or population, as well as the taking of individuals within wildlife stock or population if permitted by applicable State and Federal law;

(2) for the purposes of determining the number of paid hunting-license holders in a State, the term “fiscal year” means the fiscal year or license year of the State;

(3) the term “hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment” means any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters, including by—

(A) outreach and communications as a means—

(i) to improve communications with hunters, recreational shooters, and the general public with respect to hunting and recreational shooting opportunities;

(ii) to reduce barriers to participation in these activities;

(iii) to advance the adoption of sound hunting and recreational shooting practices;

(iv) to promote conservation and the responsible use of the wildlife resources of the United States; and

(v) to further safety in hunting and recreational shooting;

(B) providing education, mentoring, and field demonstrations;

(D) providing education to the public about the role of hunting and recreational shooting in funding wildlife conservation;

(4) the term “public target range” means a specific location that—

(A) is identified by a governmental agency for recreational shooting;

(B) is open to the public;

(D) may accommodate archery or rifle, pistol, or shotgun shooting;

(5) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior;

(6) the term “State fish and game department” or “State fish and wildlife department” means any department or division of department of another name, or commission, or official or officials, of a State empowered under its laws to exercise the functions ordinarily exercised by a State fish and game department or State fish and wildlife department.1

1 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

(7) the term “wildlife” means any species of wild, free-ranging fauna including fish, and also fauna in captive breeding programs the object of which is to reintroduce individuals of a depleted indigenous species into previously occupied range;

(8) the term “wildlife-associated recreation” means projects intended to meet the demand for outdoor activities associated with wildlife including, but not limited to, hunting and fishing, wildlife observation and photography, such projects as construction or restoration of wildlife viewing areas, observation towers, blinds, platforms, land and water trails, water access, field trialing, trail heads, and access for such projects;

(9) the term “wildlife conservation and restoration program” means a program developed by a State fish and wildlife department and approved by the Secretary under section 669c(d) 2

2 See References in Text note below.

of this title, the projects that constitute such a program, which may be implemented in whole or part through grants and contracts by a State to other State, Federal, or local agencies (including those that gather, evaluate, and disseminate information on wildlife and their habitats), wildlife conservation organizations, and outdoor recreation and conservation education entities from funds apportioned under this chapter,2 and maintenance of such projects;

(10) the term “wildlife conservation education” means projects, including public outreach, intended to foster responsible natural resource stewardship; and

(11) the term “wildlife-restoration project” includes the wildlife conservation and restoration program and means the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of areas of land or water adaptable as feeding, resting, or breeding places for wildlife, including acquisition of such areas or estates or interests therein as are suitable or capable of being made suitable therefor, and the construction thereon or therein of such works as may be necessary to make them available for such purposes and also including such research into problems of wildlife management as may be necessary to efficient administration affecting wildlife resources, and such preliminary or incidental costs and expenses as may be incurred in and about such projects.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 2, 50 Stat. 917; July 2, 1956, ch. 489, § 1, 70 Stat. 473; Pub. L. 86–624, § 10, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title IX, § 902(c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–119; Pub. L. 116–17, § 4(a), May 10, 2019, 133 Stat. 867; Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title V, § 501(c), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3191.)

§ 669b. Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general

(1) An amount equal to all revenues accruing each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year 1975) from any tax imposed on specified articles by sections 4161(b) and 4181 of title 26, shall, subject to the exemptions in section 4182 of such title, be covered into the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury (hereinafter referred to as the “fund”) and is authorized to be appropriated and made available until expended to carry out the purposes of this chapter. So much of such appropriations apportioned to any State for any fiscal year as remains unexpended at the close thereof is authorized to be made available for expenditure in that State until the close of the succeeding fiscal year. Any amount apportioned to any State under the provisions of this chapter which is unexpended or unobligated at the end of the period during which it is available for expenditure on any project is authorized to be made available for expenditure by the Secretary of the Interior in carrying out the provisions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act [16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.].

(2) There is established in the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund a subaccount to be known as the “Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account”. There are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account $50,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 for apportionment in accordance with this chapter to carry out State wildlife conservation and restoration programs. Further, interest on amounts transferred shall be treated in a manner consistent with 16 U.S.C. 669(b)(1)).1

1 So in original. Probably should be “paragraph (1) of subsection (b)”.

(b) Investment of unexpended amounts

(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest in interest-bearing obligations of the United States such portion of the fund as is not, in his judgment, required for meeting a current year’s withdrawals. For purposes of such investment, the Secretary of the Treasury may—

(A) acquire obligations at the issue price and purchase outstanding obligations at the market price; and

(B) sell obligations held in the fund at the market price.

(2) The interest on obligations held in the fund—

(A) shall be credited to the fund;

(B) constitute the sums available for allocation by the Secretary under section 4407 of this title; and

(1) Amounts transferred to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account shall supplement, but not replace, existing funds available to the States from the sport fish restoration account and wildlife restoration account and shall be used for the development, revision, and implementation of wildlife conservation and restoration programs and should be used to address the unmet needs for a diverse array of wildlife and associated habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished, for wildlife conservation, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation projects. Such funds may be used for new programs and projects as well as to enhance existing programs and projects.

(2) Funds may be used by a State or an Indian tribe for the planning and implementation of its wildlife conservation and restoration program and wildlife conservation strategy, as provided in sections 669c(d) and (e) of this title, including wildlife conservation, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation projects. Such funds may be used for new programs and projects as well as to enhance existing programs and projects.

(3) Priority for funding from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account shall be for those species with the greatest conservation need as defined by the State wildlife conservation and restoration program.

(d) Obligation of amounts in State

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 3, 50 Stat. 917; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 101, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1097; Pub. L. 92–558, title I, § 101(a), Oct. 25, 1972, 86 Stat. 1172; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 101–233, § 7(a)(1), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1974; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title IX, § 902(d)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–120; Pub. L. 109–75, § 1, Sept. 29, 2005, 119 Stat. 2034; Pub. L. 114–113, div. G, title I, § 120, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2552.)

§ 669b–1. Authorization of appropriation of accumulated unappropriated receipts

There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund established by the Act entitled “An Act to provide that the United States shall aid the States in wildlife-restoration projects, and for other purposes”, approved September 2, 1937, as amended (16 U.S.C., secs. 669–669i), for the 1956 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to 20 per centum of the accumulated unappropriated receipts in such fund on August 12, 1955, until the accumulated unappropriated receipts in such fund on such date have been appropriated and expended. Funds appropriated under the authority of this section shall be made available to the States in accordance with the provisions of, and under the apportionment formula set forth in, such Act of September 2, 1937, and shall be in addition to the funds appropriated under section 3 of such Act [16 U.S.C. 669b].

(Aug. 12, 1955, ch. 861, § 1, 69 Stat. 698.)

§ 669c. Allocation and apportionment of available amounts

(a) Set-aside for expenses for administration of this chapter

(1) In general

(A) Set-aside

(B) Available amountsThe available amount referred to in subparagraph (A) is—

(i) for the fiscal year that includes November 15, 2021, the product obtained by multiplying—(I) $12,786,434; and(II) the change, relative to the preceding fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor; and

(ii) for each fiscal year thereafter, the sum obtained by adding—(I) the available amount specified in this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year; and(II) the product obtained by multiplying—(aa) the available amount specified in this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year; and(bb) the change, relative to the preceding fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.

(2) Period of availability; apportionment of unobligated amounts

(A) Period of availability

(B) Apportionment of unobligated amounts

(i) In general

(ii) Requirement

(b) Apportionment to States

(1) In general

(2) Condition

(3) Population determination

(4) Use of funds

(d) Apportionment of Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account

(1) The Secretary of the Interior shall make the following apportionment from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account:

(A) to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than one-half of 1 percent thereof.

(B) to Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, each a sum equal to not more than one-fourth of 1 percent thereof.

(2)

(A) The Secretary of the Interior, after making the apportionment under paragraph (1), shall apportion the remaining amount in the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account for each fiscal year among the States in the following manner:

(i) one-third of which is based on the ratio to which the land area of such State bears to the total land area of all such States; and

(ii) two-thirds of which is based on the ratio to which the population of such State bears to the total population of all such States.

(B) The amounts apportioned under this paragraph shall be adjusted equitably so that no such State shall be apportioned a sum which is less than one percent of the amount available for apportionment under this paragraph for any fiscal year or more than five percent of such amount.

(3) Of the amounts transferred to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account, not to exceed 3 percent shall be available for any Federal expenses incurred in the administration and execution of programs carried out with such amounts.

(e) Wildlife conservation and restoration programs

(1) Any State, through its fish and wildlife department, may apply to the Secretary of the Interior for approval of a wildlife conservation and restoration program, or for funds from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account, to develop a program. To apply, a State shall submit a comprehensive plan that includes—

(A) provisions vesting in the fish and wildlife department of the State overall responsibility and accountability for the program;

(B) provisions for the development and implementation of—

(i) wildlife conservation projects that expand and support existing wildlife programs, giving appropriate consideration to all wildlife;

(ii) wildlife-associated recreation projects; and

(iii) wildlife conservation education projects pursuant to programs under section 669g(a) of this title; and

(C) provisions to ensure public participation in the development, revision, and implementation of projects and programs required under this paragraph.

(D)Wildlife conservation strategy.—Within five years of the date of the initial apportionment, develop and begin implementation of a wildlife conservation strategy based upon the best available and appropriate scientific information and data that—

(i) uses such information on the distribution and abundance of species of wildlife, including low population and declining species as the State fish and wildlife department deems appropriate, that are indicative of the diversity and health of wildlife of the State;

(ii) identifies the extent and condition of wildlife habitats and community types essential to conservation of species identified under paragraph (1);

(iii) identifies the problems which may adversely affect the species identified under paragraph (1) or their habitats, and provides for priority research and surveys to identify factors which may assist in restoration and more effective conservation of such species and their habitats;

(iv) determines those actions which should be taken to conserve the species identified under paragraph (1) and their habitats and establishes priorities for implementing such conservation actions;

(v) provides for periodic monitoring of species identified under paragraph (1) and their habitats and the effectiveness of the conservation actions determined under paragraph (4), and for adapting conservation actions as appropriate to respond to new information or changing conditions;

(vi) provides for the review of the State wildlife conservation strategy and, if appropriate, revision at intervals of not more than ten years;

(vii) provides for coordination to the extent feasible the State fish and wildlife department, during the development, implementation, review, and revision of the wildlife conservation strategy, with Federal, State, and local agencies and Indian tribes that manage significant areas of land or water within the State, or administer programs that significantly affect the conservation of species identified under paragraph (1) or their habitats.

(2) A State shall provide an opportunity for public participation in the development of the comprehensive plan required under paragraph (1).

(3) If the Secretary finds that the comprehensive plan submitted by a State complies with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall approve the wildlife conservation and restoration program of the State and set aside from the apportionment to the State made pursuant to subsection (d), as redesignated 1

1 See References in Text note below.

an amount that shall not exceed 75 percent of the estimated cost of developing and implementing the program.

(4)

(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), after the Secretary approves a State’s wildlife conservation and restoration program, the Secretary may make payments on a project that is a segment of the State’s wildlife conservation and restoration program as the project progresses. Such payments, including previous payments on the project, if any, shall not be more than the United States pro rata share of such project. The Secretary, under such regulations as he may prescribe, may advance funds representing the United States pro rata share of a project that is a segment of a wildlife conservation and restoration program, including funds to develop such program.

(B) Not more than 10 percent of the amounts apportioned to each State under this section for a State’s wildlife conservation and restoration program may be used for wildlife-associated recreation.

(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term “State” shall include the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 4, 50 Stat. 918; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; July 24, 1946, ch. 605, § 1, 60 Stat. 656; Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1098; Pub. L. 92–558, title I, § 101(b), Oct. 25, 1972, 86 Stat. 1172; Pub. L. 94–273, § 4(1), Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 377; Pub. L. 99–396, § 8(b), Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 839; Pub. L. 101–233, § 7(a)(2), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1975; Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 111(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1763; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title IX, § 902(e)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–121; Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title V, § 501(d), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3192; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title VIII, § 28001(b)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 887; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11324(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4095.)

§ 669d. Apportionment; certification to States and Secretary of the Treasury; acceptance by States; disposition of funds not accepted

For each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Interior shall certify, at the time at which a deduction or apportionment is made, to the Secretary of the Treasury and to each State fish and game department the sum which he has estimated to be deducted for administering this chapter and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act [16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.] and the sum which he has apportioned to each State. Any State desiring to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter shall notify the Secretary of the Interior to this effect within sixty days after it has received the certification referred to in this section. The sum apportioned to any State which fails to notify the Secretary of the Interior as herein provided is authorized to be made available for expenditure by the Secretary of the Interior in carrying out the provisions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 5, 50 Stat. 918; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1098; Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 114, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1769.)

§ 669e. Submission and approval of plans and projects

(a) Setting aside funds

Any State desiring to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter shall, by its State fish and game department, submit programs or projects for wildlife restoration in either of the following two ways:

(1) The State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Interior a comprehensive fish and wildlife resource management plan which shall insure the perpetuation of these resources for the economic, scientific, and recreational enrichment of the people. Such plan shall be for a period of not less than five years and be based on projections of desires and needs of the people for a period of not less than fifteen years. It shall include provisions for updating at intervals of not more than three years and be provided in a format as may be required by the Secretary of the Interior. If the Secretary of the Interior finds that such plans conform to standards established by him and approves such plans, he may finance up to 75 per centum of the cost of implementing segments of those plans meeting the purposes of this chapter from funds apportioned under this chapter upon his approval of an annual agreement submitted to him.

(2) A State may elect to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter by its State fish and game department submitting to the Secretary of the Interior full and detailed statements of any wildlife-restoration project proposed for that State. If the Secretary of the Interior finds that such project meets with the standards set by him and approves said project, the State fish and game department shall furnish to him such surveys, plans, specifications, and estimates therefor as he may require. If the Secretary of the Interior approves the plans, specifications, and estimates for the project, he shall notify the State fish and game department and immediately set aside so much of said fund as represents the share of the United States payable under this chapter on account of such project, which sum so set aside shall not exceed 75 per centum of the total estimated cost thereof.

The Secretary of the Interior shall approve only such comprehensive plans or projects as may be substantial in character and design and the expenditure of funds hereby authorized shall be applied only to such approved comprehensive wildlife plans or projects and if otherwise applied they shall be replaced by the State before it may participate in any further apportionment under this chapter. No payment of any money apportioned under this chapter shall be made on any comprehensive wildlife plan or project until an agreement to participate therein shall have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) “Project” defined

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 6, 50 Stat. 918; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1099.)

§ 669f. Payment of funds to States; laws governing construction and labor

(a) When the Secretary of the Interior shall find that any project approved by him has been completed or, if involving research relating to wildlife, is being conducted, in compliance with said plans and specifications, he shall cause to be paid to the proper authority of said State the amount set aside for said project. The Secretary of the Interior may, in his discretion, from time to time, make payments on said project as the same progresses; but these payments, including previous payments, if any, shall not be more than the United States pro rata share of the project in conformity with said plans and specifications. If a State has elected to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter by preparing a comprehensive fish and wildlife plan as provided for under option (1) of subsection (a) of section 669e of this title, and this plan has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, then the Secretary may, in his discretion, and under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, advance funds to the State for financing the United States pro rata share agreed upon between the State fish and game department and the Secretary.

(b) Any construction work and labor in each State shall be performed in accordance with its laws and under the direct supervision of the State fish and game department, subject to the inspection and approval of the Secretary of the Interior and in accordance with rules and regulations made pursuant to this chapter. The Secretary of the Interior and the State fish and game department of each State may jointly determine at what times and in what amounts payments shall be made under this chapter. Such payments shall be made by the Secretary of the Treasury, on warrants drawn by the Secretary of the Interior against the said fund to such official or officials, or depository, as may be designated by the State fish and game department and authorized under the laws of the State to receive public funds of the State.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 7, 50 Stat. 919; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1100.)

§ 669g. Maintenance of projects; expenditures for management of wildlife areas and resources

(a) Maintenance of wildlife-restoration projects established under the provisions of this chapter shall be the duty of the States in accordance with their respective laws. Beginning July 1, 1945, the term “wildlife-restoration project”, as defined in section 669a of this title, shall include maintenance of completed projects. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, funds apportioned to a State under this chapter may be expended by the State for management (exclusive of law enforcement) of wildlife areas and resources. Funds from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account may be used for a wildlife conservation education program, except that no such funds may be used for education efforts, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of wildlife.

(b)Expenditures for Management of Wildlife Areas and Resources.—

(1)In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), each State may use the funds apportioned to it under section 669c(c) of this title to pay up to 75 per centum of the costs of a hunter safety program and the operation and maintenance of public target ranges.

(2)Exception.—Notwithstanding the limitation described in paragraph (1), a State may pay up to 90 percent of the cost of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range.

(3)Non-federal share.—The non-Federal share of such costs may be derived from license fees paid by hunters, but not from other Federal grant programs.

(4)Regulations.—The Secretary shall issue not later than the 120th day after the effective date of this subsection such regulations as he deems advisable relative to the criteria for the establishment of hunter safety programs and public target ranges under this subsection.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 8, 50 Stat. 919; July 24, 1946, ch. 605, § 2, 60 Stat. 656; Aug. 12, 1955, ch. 861, § 2, 69 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1100; Pub. L. 92–558, title I, § 102(a), Oct. 25, 1972, 86 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 111(c), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1766; Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title IX, § 902(g)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–124; Pub. L. 116–17, § 4(b), May 10, 2019, 133 Stat. 867; Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title V, § 501(e), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3193.)

§ 669g–1. Payment of funds to and cooperation with Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, the Governor of Guam, the Governor of American Samoa, the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Governor of the Virgin Islands, in the conduct of wildlife-restoration projects, as defined in section 669a of this title, and hunter safety programs as provided by section 669g(b) of this title, upon such terms and conditions as he shall deem fair, just, and equitable, and is authorized to apportion to Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands, out of the money available for apportionment under this chapter, such sums as he shall determine, not exceeding for Puerto Rico one-half of 1 per centum, for Guam one-sixth of 1 per centum, for American Samoa one-sixth of one per centum, for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands one-sixth of 1 per centum, and for the Virgin Islands one-sixth of 1 per centum of the total amount apportioned, in any one year, but the Secretary shall in no event require any of said cooperating agencies to pay an amount which will exceed 25 per centum of the cost of any project. Any unexpended or unobligated balance of any apportionment made pursuant to this section shall be available for expenditure in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands, as the case may be, in the succeeding year, on any approved project, and if unexpended or unobligated at the end of such year is authorized to be made available for expenditure by the Secretary of the Interior in carrying out the provisions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act [16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.].

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 8A, formerly § 8(a), as added Aug. 18, 1941, ch. 367, 55 Stat. 632; amended Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 523, 64 Stat. 399; July 2, 1956, ch. 489, § 2, 70 Stat. 473; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 852, § 7, 70 Stat. 908; Pub. L. 86–70, § 15, June 25, 1959, 73 Stat. 143; renumbered § 8A and amended Pub. L. 91–503, title I, § 102, Oct. 23, 1970, 84 Stat. 1101; Pub. L. 96–597, title III, § 302(b), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3478; Pub. L. 98–347, § 2(a), July 9, 1984, 98 Stat. 321; Pub. L. 99–396, § 8(a), Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 839.)

§ 669h. Requirements and restrictions concerning use of amounts for expenses for administration

(a) Authorized expenses for administrationExcept as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary of the Interior may use available amounts under section 669c(a)(1) of this title only for expenses for administration that directly support the implementation of this chapter that consist of—

(1) personnel costs of employees for the work hours of each employee spent directly administering this chapter, as those hours are certified by the supervisor of the employee;

(2) support costs directly associated with personnel costs authorized under paragraph (1), excluding costs associated with staffing and operation of regional offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior other than for the purposes of this chapter;

(3) costs of determining under section 669e(a) of this title whether State comprehensive plans and projects are substantial in character and design;

(4) overhead costs, including the costs of general administrative services, that are directly attributable to administration of this chapter and are based on—

(A) actual costs, as determined by a direct cost allocation methodology approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for use by Federal agencies; and

(B) in the case of costs that are not determinable under subparagraph (A), an amount per employee authorized under paragraph (1) that does not exceed the amount charged or assessed for costs per full-time equivalent employee for any other division or program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

(5) costs incurred in auditing, every 5 years, the wildlife and sport fish activities of each State fish and game department and the use of funds under

(6) costs of audits under subsection (d);

(7) costs of necessary training of Federal and State personnel who administer this chapter to improve administration of this chapter;

(8) costs of travel to States, territories, and Canada by personnel who—

(A) administer this chapter for purposes directly related to administration of State programs or projects; or

(B) administer grants under section 669e, 669h–1, or 669h–2 of this title;

(9) costs of travel outside the United States (except travel to Canada), by personnel who administer this chapter, for purposes that directly relate to administration of this chapter and that are approved directly by the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks;

(10) relocation expenses for personnel who, after relocation, will administer this chapter on a full-time or part-time basis for at least 1 year, as certified by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at the time at which the relocation expenses are incurred, subject to the condition that the percentage of the relocation expenses paid with funds made available pursuant to this chapter may not exceed the percentage of the work hours of the employee that are spent administering this chapter; and

(11) costs to audit, evaluate, approve, disapprove, and advise concerning grants under sections 669e, 669h–1, and 669h–2 of this title.

(b) Reporting of other uses

(1) In generalSubject to paragraph (2), if the Secretary of the Interior determines that available amounts under section 669c(a)(1) of this title should be used for an expense for administration other than an expense for administration described in subsection (a), the Secretary—

(A) shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the expense for administration and stating the amount of the expense; and

(B) may use any such available amounts for the expense for administration only after the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of submission of the report under subparagraph (A).

(2) Maximum amount

(d) Audit requirement

(1) In general

(2) Auditor

(A) In general

(B) Supervision of auditor

(3) Report to CongressThe Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall promptly submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate—

(A) a report on the results of each audit under this subsection; and

(B) a copy of each audit under this subsection.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 9, 50 Stat. 919; Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 111(b), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1764; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title VIII, § 28001(b)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 888; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXIII, § 11324(b)(2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4095.)

§ 669h–1. Firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants

(a) In general

(1) GrantsOf the revenues covered into the fund, $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002, and $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be apportioned among the States in the manner specified in section 669c(c) of this title by the Secretary of the Interior and used to make grants to the States to be used for—

(A) in the case of a State that has not used all of the funds apportioned to the State under section 669c(c) of this title for the fiscal year in the manner described in section 669g(b) of this title—

(i) the enhancement of hunter education programs, hunter and sporting firearm safety programs, and hunter development programs;

(ii) the enhancement of interstate coordination and development of hunter education and shooting range programs;

(iii) the enhancement of bow hunter and archery education, safety, and development programs;

(iv) the enhancement of construction or development of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges, and the updating of safety features of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges; and

(v) the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment; and

(B) in the case of a State that has used all of the funds apportioned to the State under section 669c(c) of this title for the fiscal year in the manner described in section 669g(b) of this title, any use authorized by this chapter (including hunter safety programs and the construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges).

(2) Limitation on use

(3) Allocation of additional amounts

(b) Cost sharing

(1) In general

(2) Public target range construction or expansion

(1) Period of availability

(A) In general

(B) Exception

(2) Reapportionment

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 10, as added Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 112(2), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1766; amended Pub. L. 116–17, § 4(c), May 10, 2019, 133 Stat. 867; Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title V, § 501(f), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3193.)

§ 669h–2. Multistate conservation grant program

(a) In general

(1) Amount for grants

(A) In general

(B) Availability for hunter and recreational shooter grants

(2) Period of availability; apportionment

(A) Period of availability

(B) Apportionment

(b) Selection of projects

(1) States or entities to be benefitedA project shall not be eligible for a grant under this section unless the project will benefit—

(A) at least 26 States;

(B) a majority of the States in a region of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; or

(2) Use of submitted priority list of projects

(3) Priority list of projectsA priority list referred to in paragraph (2) is a priority list of wildlife restoration projects that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—

(A) prepares through a committee comprised of the heads of State fish and game departments (or their designees), in consultation with—

(i) nongovernmental organizations that represent conservation organizations;

(ii) sportsmen organizations; and

(iii) industries that support or promote hunting, trapping, recreational shooting, bow hunting, or archery;

(B) approves by vote of a majority of the heads of State fish and game departments (or their designees); and

(C) not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, submits to the Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs.

(4) Publication

(1) In generalThe Secretary of the Interior may make a grant under this section only to—

(A) a State or group of States;

(B) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or a State or group of States, for the purpose of carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; and

(2) Nongovernmental organizations

(A) In generalAny nongovernmental organization that applies for a grant under this section shall submit with the application to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies a certification that the organization—

(i) will not use the grant funds to fund, in whole or in part, any activity of the organization that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife or to recreational shooting activities; and

(ii) will use the grant funds in compliance with subsection (d).

(B) Penalties for certain activities

(d) Use of grants

(e) Nonapplicability of chapter 10 of title 5

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 11, as added Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 113, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1767; amended Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title V, § 501(g)(1), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3193; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(101), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4316.)

§ 669i. Rules and regulations

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 12, formerly § 10, 50 Stat. 919; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(f), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; renumbered § 12, Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 112(1), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1766.)

§ 669j. Repealed. Aug. 7, 1946, ch. 770, § 1(14), 60 Stat. 867

§ 669k. Reports and certifications

(a) Implementation report

(1) In general

(2) Contents

The report under paragraph (1) shall describe—

(A) the extent to which compliance with this title 1 and the amendments made by this title 1 has required a reduction in the number of personnel assigned to administer, manage, and oversee the Federal Assistance Program for State Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration;

(B) any revisions to this title 1 or the amendments made by this title 1 that would be desirable in order for the Secretary of the Interior to adequately administer the Program and ensure that funds provided to State agencies are properly used; and

(C) any other information concerning the implementation of this title 1 and the amendments made by this title 1 that the Secretary of the Interior considers appropriate.

(b) Projected spending report

Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Interior shall certify and report in writing to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate—

(1) the amounts, broken down by category, that were used for the fiscal year under section 4(a)(1) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c(a)(1)) and section 4(d)(1) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(d)(1)); 1

(2) the amounts apportioned to States for the fiscal year under section 4(a)(2) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c(a)(2)) and section 4(d)(2)(A) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(d)(2)(A)); 1

(3) the results of the audits performed under section 9(d) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h(d) 2

2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a second closing parenthesis.

and section 9(d) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777h(d));

(4) that all amounts used for the fiscal year under section 4(a)(1) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c(a)(1)) and section 4(d)(1) of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777c(d)(1)) 1 were necessary for expenses for administration incurred in implementation of those Acts;

(5) that all amounts used for the fiscal year to administer those Acts by agency headquarters and by regional offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service were used in accordance with those Acts; and

(6) that the Secretary of the Interior, the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs each properly discharged their duties under those Acts.

(d) Certifications by States

(1) In general

(2) Transmission to Congress

(e) Limitation on delegation

(Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 133, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1775.)

§ 669l. Value of land

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any institution eligible to receive Federal funds under the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.) shall be allowed to use the value of any land owned by the institution as an in-kind match to satisfy any cost sharing requirement under this chapter.

(Sept. 2, 1937, ch. 899, § 13, as added Pub. L. 116–188, title III, § 303(2), Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 941.)