Rep. Calvert Reintroduces the FISH ACT
Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) reintroduced the Federally Integrated Species Health (FISH) Act, H.R. 1894, to consolidate the management and regulation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with respect to anadromous species, within the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Currently, ESA authority is split between FWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
“The FISH Act will benefit species and Americans trying to comply with the Endangered Species Act by having a single federal agency manage all species,” said Rep. Calvert. “Consolidating the management of our endangered species and our rivers will translate into better results for species and those trying to comply with ESA regulations. The FISH Act will provide stakeholders and our habitats a more uniform approach to managing threatened and endangered species.”
“California’s water delivery system and its fisheries would benefit from having a single federal agency responsible for anadromous species management to help avoid conflicting regulations from multiple agencies,” said Deven Upadhyay General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California appreciates Representative Calvert introducing this legislation and looks forward to its passage.”
“There is a concerted and holistic effort in California’s Sacramento Valley to help recover Chinook salmon while ensuring safe drinking water for our communities; reliable water supplies for our farms, hydropower, and recreation that serve as the economic engine for the region; and water to improve conditions for other fish and wildlife,” said David Guy, President, Northern California Water. “To continue our important recovery partnerships with federal and state agencies in an effective and affordable manner, having the federal fish and wildlife agencies within a unified federal agency will provide for better communications, streamline decision-making, and help Californians advance the holistic approach needed to improve conditions for our amazing salmon.”
"We commend Representative Ken Calvert for his unwavering commitment to advancing the FISH Act,” said Roger Cornwell, Board President, Sacramento River Settlement Contractors. “By consolidating authority within the Department of Interior, the FISH Act will enhance our ability to implement effective conservation measures and balance the needs of all species in our watersheds. This approach aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to recover winter-run Chinook salmon and other iconic fish populations in the Sacramento River basin while maintaining the environmental and economic vitality of our region. The FISH Act is a testament to the need for a more coordinated federal response to the complex challenges of promoting salmon recovery.”
“We applaud Representative Calvert for his leadership in working to resolve a longstanding issue that has led to inefficient and sometimes conflicting implementation of the Endangered Species Act,” said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. “The FISH Act will improve ESA implementation by giving a single agency the responsibility of implementing the Act, minimizing duplication and potential conflicts like those experienced in prior years in California when Reclamation was ordered to release water out of Shasta Reservoir for smelt by the Fish and Wildlife Service at the same time that NOAA Fisheries directed Reclamation to hold that same water in Shasta to improve temperature management for salmonid species.”
“The Federally Integrated Species Health (FISH) Act is a groundbreaking step forward, bringing much-needed clarity to our regional water management approach," said Mauricio Guardado, General Manager of United Water Conservation District . "By resolving the long-standing confusion between federal agencies, it saves taxpayers millions and ensures that science-based, experience-driven decisions are at the heart of our habitat preservation efforts. For too long, the National Marine Fisheries Service has managed species in areas outside its core expertise—territories where the Fish and Wildlife Service has extensive knowledge and understanding. This shift in responsibility aligns the right expertise with the right habitats, empowering water agencies, businesses, and families, while strengthening the ecosystems that support us all. The FISH Act brings balance, progress, and a future where every decision benefits the greater good. United Water Conservation District has been a proud partner in this joint effort, contributing additional language to the bill that reflects the unique needs of water agencies. We deeply appreciate Representative Calvert's collaborative approach in crafting the FISH Act, which exemplifies a common-sense solution to complex issues.”
The ESA is currently administered by FWS and the Commerce Department’s NMFS. The FWS has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine wildlife such as whales and anadromous fish, such as salmon. The Federally Integrated Species Health Act would transfer the NMFS’ ESA responsibilities for management of anadromous and catadromous species to the FWS.
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