§8203 National Fish Habitat Board

Summary

Creates a 28-member National Fish Habitat Board to lead and coordinate fish habitat conservation. The Board must set national goals and priorities, recommend groups to Congress for formal partnership status, and review and advise on habitat projects. Its members include specific federal agency representatives (2 from Interior including Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management, 1 from the US Geological Survey, 1 from Commerce, and 1 from Agriculture), 1 from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 4 state agency reps (one from each Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Western regional association), 2 Tribal reps (one from Alaska and one from other States), 2 from Regional Fishery Management Councils or Marine Fisheries Commissions, 1 from the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, 7 people from fishing and habitat-related industries and organizations (covering recreational and commercial fishing, marine and freshwater anglers, habitat groups, and science groups), 1 national private landowner rep, 1 agricultural production rep, 1 local government rep involved in habitat work, 2 reps from different corporate sectors (such as natural resource or user industries), and 1 private-sector leader from an active partnership. Board members serve without pay but may receive travel expenses and per diem at federal employee rates. Most non-federal members serve 3-year terms. The initial Board starts with the federal and early members, and the remaining seats (H–O) must be filled within 60 days after October 30, 2020. The Secretary must, within that same 60-day period, give the Board at least three Tribal nominees so the Board can pick the Tribal representative. Of the seven industry/organization seats, initial terms are staggered: two for 1 year, two for 2 years, and three for 3 years. Vacancies are filled by the Board (and Tribal vacancies from a Secretary’s list of at least three nominees). Members may stay until a successor is chosen. Missing three regular meetings can lead to removal and replacement. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ representative is Chair for a 3-year term. The Board must meet when the Chair calls it but at least twice a year, hold all meetings openly to the public, use written procedures for business, require a majority for a quorum, and require a two-thirds vote of members present to adopt recommendations.