US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 777

Federal-State relationships

(a)

Cooperation between Federal Government and State fish and game departments; expenditure of funds

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to cooperate with the States through their respective State fish and game departments in fish restoration and management projects as hereinafter set forth: No money apportioned under this chapter to any State, except as hereinafter provided, shall be expended therein until its legislature, or other State agency authorized by the State constitution to make laws governing the conservation of fish, shall have assented to the provisions of this chapter and shall have passed laws for the conservation of fish, which shall include a prohibition against the diversion of license fees paid by fishermen 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 passage of this chapter, 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 fish restoration and management 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.

(b)

Allocation of amounts by coastal States between marine fish projects and freshwater fish projects

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), each coastal State, to the extent practicable, shall equitably allocate amounts apportioned to such State under this chapter between marine fish projects and freshwater fish projects in the same proportion as the estimated number of resident marine anglers and the estimated number of resident freshwater anglers, respectively, bear to the estimated number of all resident anglers in that State.

(2)

Preservation of freshwater project allocation at 1988 level

(A)
Subject to subparagraph (B), the amount allocated by a State pursuant to this subsection to freshwater fish projects for each fiscal year shall not be less than the amount allocated by such State to such projects for fiscal year 1988.
(B)
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a State with respect to any fiscal year for which the amount apportioned to the State under this chapter is less than the amount apportioned to the State under this chapter for fiscal year 1988.
(3)

“Coastal State” defined

As used in this subsection, the term “coastal State” means any one of the States of Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The term also includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 658, § 164 Stat. 430Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1014(a)(1)98 Stat. 1015Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095Pub. L. 100–448, § 6(c)(1)102 Stat. 1840(, ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 100–4481988—Subsec. (b). substituted “Allocation of amounts by coastal States between marine fish projects and freshwater fish projects” for “Allocation of funds by coastal States; formula; ‘coastal State’ defined” in heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Each coastal State, to the extent practicable, shall equitably allocate the following sums between marine fish projects and freshwater fish projects in the same proportion as the estimated number of resident marine anglers and the estimated number of resident freshwater anglers, respectively, bear to the estimated number of all resident anglers in that State:

section 4161(a) of title 26“(1) The additional sums apportioned to such State under this chapter as a result of the taxes imposed by the amendments made by section 1015 of the Tax Reform Act of 1984 on items not taxed under before .

“(2) The sums apportioned to such State under this chapter that are not attributable to any tax imposed by such section 4161(a).

As used in this subsection, the term ‘coastal State’ means any one of the States of Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The term also includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.”

Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (b)(1). substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.

Pub. L. 98–3691984— designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–448, § 6(e)102 Stat. 1841

lsection 13101 of Title 46section 13103 of Title 46“This section [enacting section 777 of this title, amending this section, sections 9503 and 9504 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, and sections 13102 and 13106 of Title 46, Shipping, enacting provisions set out as a note under , and repealing provisions set out as a note under ] shall take effect .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1014(b)98 Stat. 1016

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and sections 777b, 777c to 777e, 777g, and 777k of this title] shall take effect on , and shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date

Act Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 658, § 1364 Stat. 434Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 122(a)(1)114 Stat. 1772, , which provided that the effective date of this chapter was , was repealed by , , .

Short Title of 2012 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title IV, § 34001126 Stat. 841

section 777c of this title“This title [amending ] may be cited as the ‘Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2012’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 2005 Amendments

Pub. L. 109–74, § 1119 Stat. 2030

section 9504 of Title 26section 13106 of Title 46section 777b of this titlesection 9504 of Title 26section 777b of this title“This Act [amending sections 777c and 777n of this title, , Internal Revenue Code, and , Shipping, enacting provisions set out as notes under and , and repealing provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Amendments Act of 2005’.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 109–59, title X, § 10101119 Stat. 1926

Pub. L. 109–59section 777n of this titlesection 777b of this titlesection 1322 of Title 33“This subtitle [subtitle A (§§ 10101–10143) of title X of , enacting , amending sections 777b, 777c, 777g, 777g–1, 777h, 777k, and 777m of this title and sections 13102, 13104, and 13106 of Title 46, Shipping, enacting provisions set out as a note under , and amending provisions set out as a note under this section and , Navigation and Navigable Waters] may be cited as the ‘Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2005’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–178, title VII, § 7401(a)112 Stat. 482

Pub. L. 105–178section 777g–1 of this title“This subtitle [subtitle D (§§ 7401–7405) of title VII of , enacting and amending sections 777a, 777c, and 777g of this title and sections 13104 and 13106 of Title 46, Shipping] may be cited as the ‘Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–503, title II, § 20484 Stat. 1104

“This title [amending sections 777c, 777e to 777g, and 777k of this title] may be cited as the ‘Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act Amendments of 1970’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title

Act Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 658, § 15Pub. L. 106–408, title I, § 101(c)114 Stat. 1763Pub. L. 109–59, title X, § 10119119 Stat. 1929Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title X, § 10001(g)(2)129 Stat. 1621

“This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act’.”
, formerly § 16, formerly § 15, as added by , , ; renumbered § 16, , , ; renumbered § 15, , , , provided that:

Act Aug. 9, 1950, ch. 658, as amended, is also popularly known as the “Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act” and the “Fish Restoration and Management Projects Act”.

Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation

Pub. L. 106–502114 Stat. 2294Pub. L. 111–11, title XIII, § 13002123 Stat. 1447Pub. L. 114–322, title III, § 4010(b)(7)130 Stat. 1874

“SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE.

“This Act may be cited as the ‘Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act of 2000’.

“SEC. 2.

DEFINITIONS.

“In this Act:
“(1)

Pacific ocean drainage area .—

The term ‘Pacific Ocean drainage area’ means the area comprised of portions of the States of Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and California from which water drains into the Pacific Ocean.
“(2)

Program .—

The term ‘Program’ means the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Program established by section 3(a).
“(3)

Secretary .—

The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
“SEC. 3.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROGRAM.

“(a)

Establishment .—

There is established the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Program within the Department of the Interior.
“(b)

Goals .—

The goals of the Program are—
“(1)
to decrease fish mortality associated with the withdrawal of water for irrigation and other purposes without impairing the continued withdrawal of water for those purposes; and
“(2)
to decrease the incidence of juvenile and adult fish entering water supply systems.
“(c)

Impacts on Fisheries.—

“(1)

In general .—

Under the Program, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate agencies, shall develop and implement projects to mitigate impacts to fisheries resulting from the construction and operation of water diversions by local governmental entities (including soil and water conservation districts) in the Pacific Ocean drainage area.
“(2)

Types of projects .—

Projects eligible under the Program may include—
“(A)
the development, improvement, or installation of—
“(i)
fish screens;
“(ii)
fish passage devices; and
“(iii)
other related features agreed to by non-Federal interests, relevant Federal and tribal agencies, and affected States; and
“(B)
inventories by the States on the need and priority for projects described in clauses (i) through (iii).
“(3)

Priority .—

The Secretary shall give priority to any project that has a total cost of less than $2,500,000.
“SEC. 4.

PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM.

“(a)

Non-Federal.—

“(1)

In general .—

Non-Federal participation in the Program shall be voluntary.
“(2)

Federal action .—

The Secretary shall take no action that would result in any non-Federal entity being held financially responsible for any action under the Program, unless the entity applies to participate in the Program.
“(b)

Federal .—

Development and implementation of projects under the Program on land or facilities owned by the United States shall be nonreimbursable Federal expenditures.
“SEC. 5.

EVALUATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF PROJECTS.

“Evaluation and prioritization of projects for development under the Program shall be conducted on the basis of—
“(1)
benefits to fish species native to the project area, particularly to species that are listed as being, or considered by Federal or State authorities to be, endangered, threatened, or sensitive;
“(2)
the size and type of water diversion;
“(3)
the availability of other funding sources;
“(4)
cost effectiveness; and
“(5)
additional opportunities for biological or water delivery system benefits.
“SEC. 6.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

“(a)

In General .—

A project carried out under the Program shall not be eligible for funding unless—
“(1)
the project meets the requirements of the Secretary, as applicable, and any applicable State requirements; and
“(2)
the project is agreed to by all Federal and non-Federal entities with authority and responsibility for the project.
“(b)

Determination of Eligibility .—

In determining the eligibility of a project under this Act, the Secretary shall—
“(1)
consult with other Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies; and
“(2)
make maximum use of all available data.
“SEC. 7.

COST SHARING.

“(a)

Non-Federal Share .—

The non-Federal share of the cost of development and implementation of any project under the Program on land or at a facility that is not owned by the United States shall be 35 percent.
“(b)

Non-Federal Contributions .—

The non-Federal participants in any project under the Program on land or at a facility that is not owned by the United States shall provide all land, easements, rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and relocations necessary for the project.
“(c)

Credit for Contributions.—

“(1)

In general .—

The value of land, easements, rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and relocations provided under subsection (b) for a project shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of the costs of the project.
“(2)

Bonneville Power Administration.—

“(A)

In general .—

The Secretary may, without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation, accept any amounts provided to the Secretary by the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration.
“(B)

Non-federal share .—

Any amounts provided by the Bonneville Power Administration directly or through a grant to another entity for a project carried under the Program shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of the costs of the project.
“(d)

Additional Costs.—

“(1)

Non-federal responsibilities .—

The non-Federal participants in any project carried out under the Program on land or at a facility that is not owned by the United States shall be responsible for all costs associated with operating, maintaining, repairing, rehabilitating, and replacing the project.
“(2)

Federal responsibility .—

The Federal Government shall be responsible for costs referred to in paragraph (1) for projects carried out on Federal land or at a Federal facility.
“SEC. 8.

LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING.

“A project that receives funds under this Act shall be ineligible to receive Federal funds from any other source for the same purpose.

“SEC. 9.

REPORT.

“On the expiration of the third fiscal year for which any amounts are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall, after partnering with local governmental entities and the States in the Pacific Ocean drainage area, submit to Congress a report describing—
“(1)
the projects that have been completed under this Act;
“(2)
the projects that will be completed with amounts made available under this Act during the remaining fiscal years for which amounts are authorized to be appropriated under section 10; and
“(3)
recommended changes to the Program as a result of projects that have been carried out under this Act.
“SEC. 10.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

“(a)

In General .—

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $15 million through 2021.
“(b)

Limitations.—

“(1)

Single state.—

“(A)

In general .—

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 25 percent of the total amount of funds made available under this section may be used for one or more projects in any single State.
“(B)

Waiver .—

On notification to Congress, the Secretary may waive the limitation under subparagraph (A) if a State is unable to use the entire amount of funding made available to the State under this Act.
“(2)

Administrative expenses.—

“(A)

Definition of administrative expense .—

In this paragraph, the term ‘administrative expense’ means, except as provided in subparagraph (B)(iii)(II), any expenditure relating to—
“(i)
staffing and overhead, such as the rental of office space and the acquisition of office equipment; and
“(ii)
the review, processing, and provision of applications for funding under the Program.
“(B)

Limitation.—

“(i)

In general .—

Not more than 6 percent of amounts made available to carry out this Act for each fiscal year may be used for Federal and State administrative expenses of carrying out this Act.
“(ii)

Federal and state shares .—

To the maximum extent practicable, of the amounts made available for administrative expenses under clause (i)—
     “(I)
50 percent shall be provided to the State agencies provided assistance under the Program; and
     “(II)
an amount equal to the cost of 1 full-time equivalent Federal employee, as determined by the Secretary, shall be provided to the Federal agency carrying out the Program.
“(iii)

State expenses .—

Amounts made available to States for administrative expenses under clause (i)—
     “(I)
shall be divided evenly among all States provided assistance under the Program; and
     “(II)
may be used by a State to provide technical assistance relating to the program, including any staffing expenditures (including staff travel expenses) associated with—
“(aa)
arranging meetings to promote the Program to potential applicants;
“(bb)
assisting applicants with the preparation of applications for funding under the Program; and
“(cc)
visiting construction sites to provide technical assistance, if requested by the applicant.”
, , , as amended by , , ; , , , provided that:

Pub. L. 114–322, title III, § 4010(b)(7)(A)130 Stat. 1874section 10(a) of Pub. L. 106–502[, , , which directed the amendment of , set out above, by substituting “$15 million through 2021” for “$25 million for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2015”, was executed by making the substitution for “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2015” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.]

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

84 Stat. 2090Transfer of functions to Secretary of Commerce from Secretary of the Interior in view of: creation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Department of Commerce and Office of Administrator of such Administration; abolition of Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in Department of the Interior and Office of Director of such Bureau; transfers of functions, including functions formerly vested by law in Secretary of the Interior or Department of the Interior which were administered through Bureau of Commercial Fisheries or were primarily related to such Bureau, exclusive of certain enumerated functions with respect to Great Lakes fishery research, Missouri River Reservoir research, Gulf-Breeze Biological Laboratory, and Trans-Alaska pipeline investigations; and transfer of marine sport fish program of Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. , 35 F.R. 15627, , set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.