[108th Congress Public Law 327] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office] [DOCID: f:publ327.108] [[Page 118 STAT. 1271]] Public Law 108-327 108th Congress An Act To amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize volunteer programs and community partnerships for national wildlife refuges, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Oct. 16, 2004 - [H.R. 2408]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Act of 2004. 16 USC 742a note.>> SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Act of 2004''. SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS UNDER FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT OF 1956. Section 7(f) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f(f)) is amended to read as follows: ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009.''. SEC. 3. <<NOTE: 16 USC 742f-1.>> AUTHORIZATION OF PROJECTS UNDER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1998. Section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 742f note) is amended-- (1) in the heading by striking ``Pilot''; (2) by striking ``pilot project'' each place it appears and inserting ``project''; (3) in paragraph (1) by striking ``, but not more than 20 pilot projects nationwide''; (4) in paragraph (3)-- (A) by striking ``pilot projects'' and inserting ``projects''; and (B) by striking ``after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``after the date of the enactment of the National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Act of 2004, and every 3 years thereafter''; and (5) in paragraph (4) by striking ``each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2009''. SEC. 4. CLARIFICATION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AUTHORITY. Section 7(d)(2)(A) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f(d)(2)(A)) is amended to read as follows: [[Page 118 STAT. 1272]] ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of the Interior may negotiate and enter into a cooperative agreement with a partner organization, academic institution, State or local government agency, or other person to implement one or more projects or programs for a refuge or complex of geographically related refuges in accordance with the purposes of this subsection and in compliance with the policies of other relevant authorities, regulations, and policy guidance.''. Approved October 16, 2004. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2408: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108-385 (Comm. on Resources). SENATE REPORTS: No. 108-315 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004): Mar. 23, considered and passed House. Sept. 30, considered and passed Senate. <all>