CRS Report: 95-937 - Federal Agency Programs in Living Aquatic Resources and Aquatic Habitat Protection

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Agency for International Development (AID) provides project funding and technical assistance for fishery and aquaculture development and supporting research activities in less-developed nations under the Agency's jurisdiction. Both fishery management and aquaculture programs are supported by AID through training, research, and technology transfer initiatives. Emphasis is placed on more effective, sustain-able use of aquatic resources to improve incomes and to increase supplies of high protein foods. AID also supports the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), as part of its support to the Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research (CGIAR). Finally, building on initial efforts to assist nations in planning for development of their coastal zones and in recognition of the important environmental aspects of this development, the Agency has initiated several coastal zone projects focused on fisheries, coastal aquaculture, and coral reef protection.

Statutory Authority. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Fiscal year estimates have been calculated from listed projects.

Fiscal Year	Project Dollars	Fiscal Year	Project Dollars
1986	$14,188,000	1991	$13,379,000
1987	$21,560,000	1992	$12,159,000
1988	$19,260,000	1993	$11,484,500
1989	$17,080,000	1994	$11,124,500
1990	$9,342,500	1995	$10,287,000

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. AID had one direct hire Civil Service position in fisheries (GS-15) from 1988-1991. Currently, the Agency has one direct hire position in coastal zone management (GS-14). Since 1975, the Agency has held a Resource Services Support Agreement (RSSA) with NMFS/NOM (DOC). Most of the fishery and aquaculture activities since that time have been handled by personnel of that Agreement. Presently, the Agreement covers two fishery scientists (one GS-15 and one GS-14). A second RSSA with NOM is being established in FY1995 to provide two coastal zone specialists (both GS-14). Additional assistance has been obtained through personal services contracts (PSCs) for oversight of fishery activities in AID missions. Currently, there is one PSC in Oman and one in Fiji. In addition, coastal zone expertise is supplemented by AAAS Fellows (currently three). Some coastal activities are handled by Environmental Officers in AID missions, but these are currently minimal. Otherwise, all activities are handled through contracts, primarily with consulting firms or universities.

National Policy or Goals Studies. Available from Board of Ocean Science and Policy, National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20418.

a) International Cooperation in Marine Technology, Science, and Fisheries: The Future U.S. Role in Development. Proceedings of a workshop, La Jolla, CA, Jan. 18-22, 1981. Marine Technical Assistance Group, Ocean Policy Committee, Commission on International Relations, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

b) An Evaluation of Fishery and Aquaculture Programs of the Agency for International Development. Marine Technical Assistance Group, Ocean Policy Committee, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1982.

c) Marine Technical Assistance to Developing Countries: The U.S. Role. Marine Technical Assistance Group, Ocean Policy Committee, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1982.

d) Review of Fisheries and Aquaculture Activities. National Academy of Sciences Panel as advisory to the AID Research Advisory Committee, 1988.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. AID has an RSSA with DOC, whereby NOAA cooperates in planning, coordination, and consultation. This Agreement has been used as the legal basis for entering into IAs to provide long-term technical assistance services. A second RSSA is being established with NOAA to provide assistance in coastal zone planning and development.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Periodic and annual reports are generated by the individual projects, as sponsored either by central or AID mission mechanisms. A report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations responding to their request for a status report in the area of fisheries and aquaculture was completed in August 1993.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Water is concerned with protecting aquatic habitat quality from degradation by point and nonpoint pollutant sources. A wide variety of water pollution control programs are implemented by the Office including: issuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and monitoring of permit compliance; management of a Construction Grants/State Revolving Fund program which provides funds for building/improving municipal wastewater treatment plants to enhance water quality; determination and implementation of pollutant control levels; State management programs for controlling nonpoint pollution problems; monitoring, studies, demonstration projects, watershed management and ecosystem protection, and estuarine management plans conducted through the National Estuary program, the Chesapeake Bay program, the Gulf of Mexico program, the Great Lakes program, and protection of aquatic resources via the Ocean Disposal program. The Office of Water also administers both regulatory and non-regulatory programs for protecting our Nation's wetlands resources.

Statutory Authority Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.); Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.); Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (P.L. 101-508).

Fiscal Year	Workyears (FTEs)	Appropriated Funds (17)	Construction Grants
1986	2,147	$237,959,800	$2,374,000,000
1987	2,115	$266,028,800	$2,361,000,000
1988	2,154	$256,635,800	$2,304,000,000
1989	2,145	$280,805,100	$1,950,000,000
1990	2,133	$344,360,800	$1,991,700,000
1991	2,210	$408,237,900	$2,100,000,000
1992	2,235	$456,809,100	$2,400,000,000
1993	2,297	$426,185,200	$2,550,000,000
1994	2,199	$381,251,000	$2,455,000,000
1995 (18)	2,068	$395,739,200	$2,962,000,000

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Not separately identified.

a) Protecting America's Wetlands: A Fair, Flexible, and Effective Approach. (White House Office on Environmental Policy, August 24, 1993) Comprehensive plan developed by the Clinton Administration to significantly improve Federal wetlands policy. Includes legislative recommendations and administrative actions addressing both the Clean Water Act §404 regulatory program and non-regulatory protection approaches. Available from EPA Wetlands Hotline at (800) 832-7828.

b) Guidance for Water Quality-Based Decisions: The TMDL Process (April 1991). This guidance document explains the programmatic elements and requirements of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process as established by 6303(d) of the Clean Water Act and by EPA's Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations (40 CFR Part 139). A TMDL is a tool for implementing State water quality standards and is based on the relationship between pollution sources and in-stream water quality conditions. The TMDL established the controls necessary for a waterbody to meet water quality standards. Available from Don Brady at (202) 260-7074.

c) Nonpoint Source Guidance. On June 24, 1993, EPA published Guidance on the Award of Nonpoint Source Grants Under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act for FY1994 and Future Years. In January 1993, EPA published Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters, and jointly published, with NOAA, Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program: Program Development and Approval Guidance. Available from Dave Weitman at (202) 260-7088.

d) The Watershed Protection Approach: 1993/94 Activity Report. This report describes EPA's watershed protection approach, summarizes activities carried out in 1993 and 1994 to support watershed protection, and provides a short discussion on anticipated future directions. Summaries of watershed projects in which EPA is a stakeholder are included. Available from Janet Pawlukiewicz at (202) 260-9194.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. EPA uses MOUs and/or MOAs to coordinate its aquatic policies with the Corps of Engineers (for wetlands permitting and ocean dumping of dredged materials), NOAA (for research activities in the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, the New York Bight, and assorted estuaries), and the U.S. Coast Guard (for marine surveillance and enforcement activities). The Administrator of EPA convenes management conferences consisting of Federal, State, and local representatives to develop comprehensive conservation and management plans for protecting estuaries. Programs involving the Great Lakes are coordinated with the Canadian government through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1987, which is administered by an International Joint Commission. Agency activities in the Chesapeake Bay are coordinated with the States of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and several Federal agencies through the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1987. EPA's nonpoint source pollution control programs are coordinated with other Federal, State, and local agencies through the Interagency Nonpoint Source Task Force. Also, in October 1988, EPA signed an MOU with the USDA Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service) establishing responsibilities for coordinated implementation of the Agency's Nonpoint Source, Clean Lakes, National Estuary, and Water Toxic Control programs. In January 1994, four Federal agencies -- EPA, USDA, DOI, and the Department of the Army -- signed an MOA which recognizes the Natural Resources Conservation Service as the Federal agency for delineating wetlands on agricultural lands.

a) National Water Quality Inventory; 1992 Report to Congress. Biennial report to Congress prepared under §305(b) of the Clean Water Act. Summarizes assessments by States, Native American Tribes, Territories, and interstate agencies describing water quality conditions in their jurisdictions. Rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands, coastal waters, Great Lakes, and ground water are all covered in this report. Also contains information on public health and aquatic life concerns, water quality monitoring, and State and Federal water pollution control programs. Available from Barry Burgan at (202) 260-7060.

b) Needs Survey; 1992 Report to Congress. This report provides EPA's detailed estimate of the eligible capital costs to build publicly owned municipal wastewater treatment facilities and capital/program development costs for other eligible activities necessary to comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act, including stormwater, nonpoint source, and estuary programs. This report focuses on the expanded Clean Water Act funding eligibilities under the State Revolving Fund in the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act. Available from Len Fitch at (202) 260-5858.

c) Report to Congress on Administration of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as Amended (P.L. 92-632): 1987-1990. Available from John Lishman at (202) 260-1952.

d) Biennial Report to Congress on the National Estuary Program (§320 of the Clean Water Act) assessing the state and health of the Nation's estuarine zones, pollution problems and trends likely to affect estuaries, and an evaluation of pollution abatement activities implemented thus far. Available from Darrell Brown at (202) 260-6502.

e) Biennial Report to Congress on Progress Made in Implementing the Interstate Management Plan Developed Pursuant to the Chesapeake Bay Program. Report is written by States in the program and submitted to EPA; EPA then submits to Congress with comments. Available from Peter Marx at (410) 267-5713.

f) Biennial Report to Congress on the Status of Water Quality in the Lakes of the United States (§314(a) of the Clean Water Act). Available from Susan Ratcliffe at (202) 260-5404.

h) Annual Report to Congress on Success of Projects Undertaken in the Clean Lakes Demonstration Program (§314(b) of the Clean Water Act), including recommendations for further measures to improve the water quality of the Nation's lakes. Available from Susan Ratcliffe at (202) 260-5404.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The International Trade Commission (ITC) conducts studies on trade and tariff issues including the impact of trade and competing foreign suppliers on domestic industries such as the fishery-related industries. These studies include fact-finding analyses and assessment of factors affecting the competitiveness of domestic industries in world trade. ITC also institutes investigations to determine whether segments of the U.S. fishing industry are being injured, are threatened with injury, or are likely to be injured by imports; and makes recommendations regarding relief. The Commission participated in the development of a uniform U.S. statistical data system for imports, exports, and domestic production of all commodities, including fishery products, and in the establishment of an international harmonized commodity code for all commodities.

Statutory Authority. Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.); Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.), as amended; Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Funding cannot be separately identified. However, from FY1980 through FY1994, 2.0 FTE have been assigned to work largely in fishery-related activities.

National Policy or Goals Studies. Available from: Secretary, U.S.I.T.C., Washington, DC 20436. Specific studies relate ITC policy and goals. Several recent studies are:

a) Certain Canned Tuna Fish. Investigation No. TA-201-53, USITC Publication 1558, August 1984.

b) Certain Dried Salted Codfish from Canada. Investigation No. 731-TA-199, USITC Publication 1571, September 1984.

c) Conditions of Competition Affecting the Northeastern U.S. Groundfish and Scallop Industries in Selected Markets. Investigation No. 332-173, USITC Publication 1622, December 1984.

d) Conditions of Competition Affecting the U.S. Gulf and South Atlantic Shrimp Industry. Investigation No. 332-201, USITC Publication No. 1738, August 1985.

e) Certain Fresh Atlantic Groundfish from Canada. Investigation No. 701-TA-257 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 1750, September 1985.

f) Certain Fresh Atlantic Groundfish from Canada. Investigation No. 701-TA-257 (Final), USITC Publication 1844, May 1986.

g) Competitive Conditions in the U.S. Tuna Industry. Investigation No. 332-224, USITC Publication 1912, October 1986.

h) Fresh and Chilled Atlantic Salmon from Norway. Investigation Nos. 701-TA-302 (Preliminary) and 731-TA-454 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 2272.1990.

i) Fresh and Chilled Atlantic Salmon From Norway. Investigation Nos. 701-TA-302 (Final) and 731-TA-454 (Final), USITC Publication 2371, 1991.

j) Tuna: Competitive Conditions Affecting the U.S. and European Tuna Industries in Domestic and Foreign Markets. Investigation No. 332-291, USITC Publication 2339, December 1990.

k) Tuna: Current Issues Affecting the U.S. Industry. Investigation No.332-313, USITC Publication 2547, August 1992.

l) Mackerel: Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry in Domestic and Foreign Markets. Investigation No. 332-333, USITC Publication 2649, June 1993.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. Generally direct contact (e.g., phone calls, visits, correspondence) between ITC staff and their counterparts in other Federal and State agencies is employed. Principal agencies with whom coordination is maintained include the Bureau of Census, the Customs Service, and NMFS.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Available from: Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436.

a) U.S. Trade Shifts in Selected Commodity Areas. Office of Industries, USITC.

b) Summary of Trade and Tariff Information. Office of Industries, USITC. (part of a series published to provide information on conditions of competition between domestic and foreign products, including several types of fishery commodities)

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) is responsible for maintaining an overview of all Federal activities affecting marine mammal conservation and protection. It also makes research and policy recommendations to Federal agencies on a variety of domestic and international marine mammal issues. These are fully discussed in the Commission's annual reports to Congress. The Commission devotes particular attention to protecting and encouraging the recovery of endangered and threatened species such as the West Indian manatee, the Hawaiian monk seal, the right whale, the humpback whale, and the California sea otter. Examples of the many issues to which the Commission commits significant resources are: assessing and determining how to mitigate the adverse impacts of marine mammal-fishery interactions; developing ecologically sound programs for managing marine mammal populations in Alaska and other States; providing guidance in the development of ecologically sound international agreements for activities affecting marine ecosystems; determining the nature and scope of environmental problems being caused by lost and discarded fishing gear and other types of persistent marine debris; and improving the effectiveness of international efforts to protect and conserve marine mammals and their habitats through organizations such as the International Whaling Commission and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Statutory Authority. Title II of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.).

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Funding figures represent the total amount appropriated to the Commission by fiscal year. Number of employees represents the maximum staff size by fiscal year. The latter number does not include the three Commissioners or nine members of its Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals who serve on a part-time basis.

Fiscal Year	Appropriation	Number of Staff Employees
1985	$929,000	10
1986	$861,000	10
1987	$900,000	9
1988	$953,000	9
1989	$953,000	-
1990	$960,000	11
1991	$1,153,000	11
1992	$1,250,000	11
1993	$1,260,000	10
1994	$1,290,000	10

Five- Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Not separately identified.

National Policy or Goals Studies. The national policy objectives and goals of the Commission are set forth in the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. The Commission coordinates with, provides guidance, and makes formal recommendations for action to other agencies whose activities bear on marine mammal conservation. This process is continuous throughout the year and includes invited participation of other agencies in formal meetings of the Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Available from: Marine Mammal Commission, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 512, Washington, DC 20009.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports basic research and education in the sciences and engineering which includes some projects related to fishery resources, aquaculture, natural freshwater and coastal habitats, and freshwater and marine biodiversity. This research includes limnology, stream ecology, estuarine and marine ecosystems, marine biology, and biological oceanography. Emphasis varies from year to year, but tends to focus on the interaction between living organisms and their environment.

In addition, NSF's Small Business Innovative Research Program supports some projects in aquaculture development.

Statutory Authority. National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S. C. 1861 et seq . ) .

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Funding cannot be separately identified. No Federal employee positions are directly related to living aquatic resources.

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. No Federal employee positions are directly related to living aquatic resources.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. NSF staff maintain regular contacts with other agencies and interests in this area. Joint programs have been developed with NOAA and EPA. The U.S. Global Oceans Ecosystems Dynamics Research Program (GLOBEC), a joint NSF-NOAA program, supports research to assess the impact of global changes on marine ecosystems, specifically mechanisms that determine the variability of marine animal populations.

The NSF/EPA Partnership for Environmental Research provides opportunities for research in water and watersheds to improve our understanding of the natural and anthropogenic processes that govern the quantity, quality, and availability of water resources in natural and human-dominated systems. This program also supports research on understanding the structure, function, and dynamics of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that comprise watersheds.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Available upon request from: Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Peace Corps conducts aquaculture and fishery programs staffed by approximately 146 Peace Corps Volunteers (FY1994 figures) in twelve developing nations. Freshwater culture is the largest Peace Corps program in this resource area with 60 Volunteers. followed by aquaculture (39 Volunteers), integrated agriculture (26 Volunteers), fish extension (17 Volunteers), and marine fisheries (4 Volunteers). The major emphasis of these various programs has been disseminating fish culture technology at the grassroots level, modernizing fishing techniques on inland bodies of freshwater, modernizing existing or potential marine fishing enterprises, and producing or increasing production of marine organisms.

The numbers mentioned above reflect only the "formal" program areas and Volunteer numbers. It is estimated that there are 15 countries where Volunteers formally assigned to other sectors carry out fishery projects as a secondary activity and/or for income generation or nutritional purposes. The Fisheries Sector is felt to be a continuing need by many countries, and the Peace Corps continues to explore new ways to fund the fishery activities as these activities have important ramifications to the health, water/sanitation, and environment sectors.

Peace Corps fishery programs are managed out of the Agriculture Sector of the Office of Training and Program Support (OTAPS).

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Not separately identified.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. There has been, and continues to be, much cooperation between the Peace Corps and a number of Federal agencies involved in aquaculture.

Periodic or Annual Reports. The Fisheries Sector activities are highlighted in the Agriculture Sector Report from OTAPS at Peace Corps.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loans to qualifying commercial fisheries and supporting shore operations. In addition, such businesses are able to receive disaster assistance in the event they have been damaged by a declared catastrophic event. Also the Fishing Industry Loan Restructuring Initiative (FILRI) has been implemented in SBA Regions I, IV, VI, A, and X. This initiative uses SBA's guarantee loan program by allowing the restructuring of an applicant's existing debt that is currently financed without an SBA guarantee. The program enhances the small business concerns' ability to survive.

Statutory Authority. SBA's regular lending authority is §7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.); SBA's disaster assistance authority is §7(b) of the Small Business Act.

Ten-Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Funding cannot be separately identified. Robert Sedgwick is the contact for SBA's Fishing Industry Loan Restructuring Initiative. His telephone number is (617) 451-2027.

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Not separately identified.

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. One MOU (October 1, 1974) between SBA and NMFS sets forth the policies and procedures to be followed in connection with loan applicants from the commercial fishing industry. Also, arrangements have been made with NMFS to assist SBA loan officers with evaluation of fishery management plans on individual small businesses.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. Activities related to living aquatic resources are centered in three Smithsonian bureaus: the National Museum of Natural History (in the Departments of Botany, Invertebrate Zoology, and Vertebrate Zoology; the Marine Station in Fort Pierce, Florida; the Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Program in Belize; and the Marine Systems Laboratory); the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the Republic of Panama (at its marine facilities at Noas Island, Galeta Point, San Blas Field Station, Panama and Los Cochinos, Honduras); and the National Zoological Park. Aquatic habitat protection is among the concerns of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center at Edgewater, Maryland, along with the National Zoological Park and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. Not separately identified

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. Collections of the Institution and of its field research sites are used by scientists from Federal agencies including NMFS, FWS, NOM, NSF, and the Marine Mammal Commission. In addition, data and publications are shared widely with Federal and State agencies and international organizations which have interests or responsibilities in the area of living aquatic resources. Collections by other agencies may be deposited in the Smithsonian Institution.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Research results are reported in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, monographs, and the Contribution Series of the Institution. Basic overview information is also provided through the Smithsonian's Annual Report.

Activities Related to Living Aquatic Resources. The Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) aquatic resource and habitat activities are: TVA power plant assessments; specific reservoir improvement projects; angler assistance and education at Land Between The Lakes; aquaculture and wetlands research; and management of aquatic plants and insect pests on TVA waters. Major efforts are to identify where aquatic resources are being affected, eliminate these effects, and restore both the affected habitats and resources. Where TVA programs have caused problems, the agency seeks to restore and improve quality. Where other parties are responsible, TVA helps identify the problem and works with appropriate agencies to effect corrective action. Emphasis is placed on research, development, demonstration, and evaluation of scientifically sound management methods for transfer to State and Federal agencies with regulatory authority.

Aquatic resource activities (funded by appropriations) include: reduced dependency on pesticides within Tennessee Valley watersheds; a cost-effective biological monitoring network to measure health of the Valley's aquatic resources; assessment of specific aquatic life problems; shoreline revegetation for improved fish spawning and erosion control; and investigation of water-level manipulations to enhance resource quality and use. TVA's aquatic plant and insect pest control programs include operations to maintain satisfactory levels of control and research on cost-effective, environmentally acceptable strategies for integrated pest management. An evaluation of grass carp for controlling aquatic vegetation is funded by both appropriations and power revenues. Activities related to specific reservoir improvement projects include efforts to improve the quality of releases from 16 TVA dams by increasing dissolved oxygen levels and sustaining minimum flows. Aeration and minimum flow systems are being implemented as part of the Lake Improvement Plan (LIP) approved in 1991. Plans are to complete all capital improvements and additions in FY1996. These improvements will increase dissolved oxygen levels in more than 300 miles of rivers in the Tennessee Valley and help in the recovery of more than 180 miles of aquatic habitat lost to intermittent drying of the riverbed.

Statutory Authority. Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended (16 U.S.C. 831-831dd).

Ten- Year History of Budget and Personnel Levels. Power program expenditures shown below (in thousands of dollars) are funded from TVA's self-financing power program. All other expenditures are funded with appropriations.

FY	Fish Resource/ Bio. Monit	Power Program	Land Between the Lakes	Aquacult. Wetlands Research	Lake Imrpovmt. Plan	Cumberlandian Mollusks	Reservoir Ecology	Totals	Aquatic Employ.
86	$622	$3,321	$75	$307	0	$159	$2,256	$6,740	109
87	$560	$2,506	$55	$307	0	$78	$2,267	$5,773	106
88	$560	$2,611	$30	$307	0	$50	$2,941	$6,499	94
89	$265	$2,211	$30	$307	0	$50	$3,447	$6,310	54
90	$826	$2,909	$30	$400	0	$20	$5,719	$9,904	58
91	$866	$3,404	$40	$400	$2,600	$10	$5,866	$13,186	74
92	$1,075	$2,888	$40	$400	$8,100	$10	$5,256	$17,769	90
93	$1,249	$3,752	$30	$400	$12,500	$5	$5,307	$23,243	111
94	$1,698	$3,700	$20	$400	$15,500	$5	$4,054	$25,377	118
95 (est.)	$1,600	$3,600	$20	$1,400	$17,500	$5	$3,003	$27,128	118

Five-Year History of Personnel by Civil Service Grade. In accordance with the TVA Act, TVA employees are not part of the Civil Service System.

TVA Schedule	FY 1991	FY1992	FY1993	FY1994	FY1995
Administrative (SA)	2	2	2	2	2
Clerical and General Services (SB)	6	8	9	10	10
Engineering and Computer (SC)	16	22	31	33	33
Scientific and Program (SD)	22	26	30	31	32
Aide and Technician (SE)	19	20	22	24	24
Management and Specialist (M)	9	12	17	18	17

Totals	74	90	111	118	118

Interagency and State-Federal Coordination Mechanisms. The TVA is a fullmember agency of the "Interagency Research Coordination Conference." The purpose of the Conference is to achieve coordination of research activities and transfer technology among those Federal agencies primarily involved in water resources, hydropower development, and flood control. Other member agencies include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Bonneville Power Administration, and Western Area Power Administration.

TVA works with Federal and State fish and game and water quality agencies to improve aquatic resources and fishing opportunities. Formal MOUs provide the basis for cooperation with each of the Valley State fish and game agencies. Separate MOUs provide coordination between the Land Between The Lakes demonstration area and the fish and game agencies of Kentucky and Tennessee. TVA and State biologists regularly confer and work together on aquatic resources management issues affecting both agencies. Aquaculture is coordinated through the Southern Regional Research Committee on Aquaculture and through membership in the USDA Aquaculture Interagency Task Force. TVA coordinates closely with FWS to avoid duplication. From time to time, TVA provides expertise on threatened and endangered mollusks to FWS through contractual arrangements.

TVA cooperates on special studies with the Army Corps of Engineers, jointly funding projects of common interest. TVA is also under contract to provide the Corps special expertise on various aquatic resource projects including mollusk surveys, hydroacoustical surveys, and aquatic vegetation control.

Insect pest and vector control activities are coordinated with the Armed Forces Pest Management Board and the USDA. Aquatic plant management is coordinated through the federal Interagency Aquatic Plant Management Working group.

Periodic or Annual Reports. Annual reports are prepared for TVA's aquatic plant management and insect control programs and for a variety of power plant assessment projects. Periodic reports are completed for other studies and assessment projects.

l. Damian V. Preziosi, Master's degree candidate at Bucknell University, contacted agencies and researched material for the draft of this report under the supervision of Eugene H. Buck, Senior Analyst in Natural Resources Policy.

3. The State CESs are funded from combined Federal, State, and county sources, with 40 percent or less Federal funding.

4. Above data include only permanent employees in the 482 (fisheries biology) occupational series. These data do not include other personnel such as wildlife biologists, ecologists, biological technicians, and temporary employees, who may have also worked in fisheries activities

5. Includes only programmatic funds at the Division level; no agency overheads are included. Sums come from the appropriation to NOAA Operations, Research & Facilities for the Ocean & Coastal Management sub-activity.

9. Includes only programmatic funds at the Division level; no agency overheads are included. Sums come from the appropriation to NOAA Operations, Research & Facilities for the Ocean & Coastal Management sub-activity.

11. Includes $2.6 million authorized by the NOAA Comptroller for the Damage Assessment Center.

14. Note that fishery research component was transferred to the National Biological Service in FY1994.

16. Increases in funding for FY1992-1994 reflect a rebalancing of resources from other Coast Guard programs to fisheries law enforcement.

17. "Appropriated Funds" include all research and development; abatement and control; and enforcement function resources to carry out EPA's Water Quality Program. These figures represent a summation of all appropriated resources from the Office of Water, Office of Research and Development, and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

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Federal Agency Programs in Living Aquatic Resources and Aquatic Habitat Protection

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES