US Fish and Wildlife Service Grant: Supporting the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for Yukon River Salmon Panel Activities

PURPOSE

This grant agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter referred to as the Service) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (hereinafter referred to as the Department) is entered into under the authority of the Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-450, Title II, Section 205-208, Nov. 7, 2000), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 16 USC 661- 667(e) (1970).

The Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000 (Act) establishes a Yukon River Salmon Panel to advise the Secretary of State regarding the negotiation of any international agreement with Canada relating to the management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada; advise the Secretary of the Interior regarding restoration and enhancement of such salmon stocks; and to perform other functions relating to the conservation and management of such salmon stocks. The Act authorizes funds for travel expenses of Panel members and their alternates, U.S. members of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), and members of the Advisory committee; and funds for the U.S. share of expenses incurred by the JTC and any panel established by an agreement between the U.S. and Canada for restoration and enhancement of salmon originating in Canada.

OBJECTIVES

The U.S. Section of the Panel designated the Department to provide support functions to the Yukon River Salmon Agreement, the JTC, and the Panel. This Grant Agreement puts into place arrangements for reimbursement by the Service for non-Federal government employees travel, lodging, meal expenses, and for expenses for meeting facility fees, meeting materials, photocopying and other agreed upon expenses incurred by the Department and U.S. public members of the Panel, Advisory committee, and JTC associated with Panel process.

REASON FOR SINGLE SOURCE

(1) Legislative Intent – Because the Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000 identifies that the ADF and G shall be the responsible management entity for the purposes of the Yukon River Salmon Agreement and because the ADF and G chairs the U.S. section of the Panel and Joint Technical Committee, they are the only identifiable and logical recipient for this Federal assistance award.

(2) Continuation The activity for which this agreement will support is necessary for the continuation of Service and ADF and G responsibilities pursuant to the Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000. Since 2001, when the Yukon River Salmon Agreement was signed, the Service has had cooperative assistance agreements with ADF and G to support travel needs of the Yukon River Salmon Panel. The most recent agreement expired on January 31, 2012 and continuation of Service financial support to ADF and G is necessary in order to sustain the work of the Panel and ADF and G responsibilities under the Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000 and the Agreement (2001). Competition would have a significant adverse effect on continuation of this legislatively directed activity.