National Fish Hatcheries: Authority Needed to Better Align Operations With Priorities
RCED-00-151
Published: Jun 14, 2000. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2000.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) national fish hatcheries, focusing on whether: (1) the activities carried out at the national fish hatcheries are consistent with their statutory authorizations; and (2) changes in existing laws would be appropriate to provide better direction to FWS on which programs to emphasize and to authorize FWS to make changes in how it manages the hatcheries.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| To assist FWS in accommodating the variety of laws that it implements in its management of the hatchery program, Congress may wish to provide direction on which programs it wants the hatcheries to emphasize. | Congress did not address this issue. | |
| To allow FWS to more efficiently and effectively align its operations with congressionally directed priorities, Congress may wish to authorize the FWS to open, close, change, move, and consolidate hatcheries. | Congress did not address this issue. | |
| To provide an additional source of funding for hatchery operations that mitigate the impacts of federal water development projects that benefit third parties, such as water users or electric power recipients, Congress may wish to provide FWS with clear authority to seek reimbursement from federal water development agencies and project beneficiaries for all hatchery operation and maintenance expenses associated with such projects. | Congress did not address this issue. |
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Endangered speciesFishesStatutory lawWildlife conservationWildlifeFishConstructionWater projectsFish hatcheriesDams