§ 539c — Cooperative Fisheries Planning; Report To Congress

(a) The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to implement a cooperative planning process for the enhancement of fisheries resources through fish hatchery and aquaculture facilities and activities in the Tongass National Forest. Participation in this process shall include but not be limited to the State of Alaska and appropriate nonprofit aquaculture corporations. The Secretary may contract with private, nonprofit associations for services in such planning. (b) Each subsequent revision of National Forest management plans under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 [16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.] and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 shall contain a report on the status of the planning process undertaken under this paragraph, including, but not limited to, a description of current hatchery and aquaculture projects, an analysis of the success of these projects, and a prioritized list of projects anticipated for the duration of the management plan. The report shall be submitted by the Secretary to the Congress with recommendations for any legislative action which the Secretary may deem necessary to implement the proposed hatchery and aquaculture projects.