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Managing America: Environment & Resources

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Week Ending March 23, 2006

H.R.1006 To amend the provisions of law relating to the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and for other purposes.

Marine animals are sometimes entangled in various marine debris and then become stranded dead or alive. A network of those who try to save those animals and the John H. Prescott Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program exists to provide funding.

This bill expands the current 1972 law to include the definition of  entanglement to mean ‘an event in which a living or dead marine mammal has gear, rope, line, net or other material wrapped around or attached to it and is on a beach or shore of the US or is in US jurisdiction waters.

The Prescott Program is funded at $13 million yearly. 6% or $80,000, whichever is greatest, is authorized for administrative fees.

The grants can be made and the Secretary of Interior can enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or other arrangements the Secretary deems appropriate to address stranding events requiring emergency assistance.

The money can be spent to pay for an event that is not an unusual mortality event or leads to an immediate increase in required costs for response, recovery or rehabilitation in excess of regularly scheduled costs.

The Secretary may accept gifts to support his program.

Sponsor:  Rep. Don Young (R-AK)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote March 20, 3007.

Cost to the taxpayers: $13 million yearly.

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this resolution.

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