Pub. L. 91-503, tit. II, sec. 202

Sec. 202. Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (16 U.S.C. 777e–777g) are amended to read as follows: “Sec. 6. (a) Any State desiring to avail itself of the benefits of this Act shall, by its State fish and game department, submit programs or projects for fish 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 Inferior. 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 Act from funds apportioned under this Act upon his approval of an annual agreement submitted to him. “(2) A State may elect to avail itself of the benefits of this Act by its State fish and game department submitting to the Secretary of the Interior full and detailed statements of any fish restoration and management 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 appropriation as represents the share of the United States payable under this Act 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 fishery plan or projects and if otherwise applied they shall be replaced by the State before it may participate in any further apportionment under this Act. No payment of any money apportioned under this Act shall be made on any comprehensive fishery plan or project until an agreement to participate therein shall have been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of the Interior. “(b) If the State elects to avail itself of the benefits of this Act by preparing a comprehensive fish and wildlife plan under option (1) of subsection (a) of this section, then the term ‘project’ may be defined for the purpose of this Act as a fishery program, all other definitions notwithstanding. 84 Stat. 1103 “(c) Administrative costs in the form of overhead or indirect costs for services provided by State central service activities outside of the State fish and game department charged against programs or projects supported by funds made available under this Act shall not exceed in any one fiscal year 3 per centum of the annual apportionment to the State. “Sec. 7. (a) When the Secretary of the Interior shall find that any project approved by him has been completed or, if involving research relating to fish, 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 Act by preparing a comprehensive fish and wildlife plan as provided for under option (1) of subsection (a) of section 6 of this Act, 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 the rules and regulations made pursuant to this Act. 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 Act. Such payments shall be made against the said appropriation 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. “Sec. 8. To maintain fish-restoration and management projects established under the provisions of this Act shall be the duty of the States according to their respective laws. Beginning July 1, 1953, maintenance of projects heretofore completed under the provisions of this Act may be considered as projects under this Act. Title to any real or personal property acquired by any State, and to improvements placed on State-owned lands through the use of funds paid to the State under the provisions of this Act, shall be vested in such State.”