Fur Seal Act Amendments of 1983

Summary

Amends the Fur Seal Act of 1966 to define specified terms for purposes of such Act, including "Native of the Pribilof Islands" and "Pribilof Islands". Defines "Secretary" as the Secretary of Commerce. (Current law divides the duties under such Act between the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Treasury). Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations with respect to the taking of fur seals on the Pribilof Islands and on lands subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with any agency or person in order to carry out the Interim Convention on the Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals and the Fur Seal Act of 1966. Directs the Secretary to give preference to the village corporations of Saint Paul and Saint George Islands for the taking and processing of fur seals on the village corporations' respective islands. Requires that the proceeds from the fur seal harvest shall be deposited into a separate fund in the Treasury. Authorizes any person who is authorized to enforce the Fur Seal Act of 1966 to board and search vessels outfitted for the harvesting of live marine resources and subject to the jurisdiction of any of the parties to the Convention if the enforcement official has reasonable cause to believe the vessel is violating provisions of article III of the Convention, unless the vessel is within areas in which another State exercises fisheries jurisdiction. Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to administer the enforcement provisions. Directs the Secretary to administer the fur seal rookeries and other Federal property of the Pribilof Islands and, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to ensure that activities on the Pribilof Islands are consistent with the purposes of conserving, managing and protecting the North Pacific fur seals and other wildlife. Deletes the provision which gives the Secretary the right to enter into leases, contracts, agreements, or permits for the use of Government-owned property. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) operate, maintain, and repair such Government-owned property; and (2) provide Federal employees, at reasonable rates, with necessary facilities, services, and equipment, including food, fuel, shelter, and transportation. Declares that Alaska shall meet the educational needs of the citizens of the Pribilof Islands. Authorizes the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, to convey all Federal property interest held by the Secretary on the Pribilof Islands specified in a document to be submitted to Congress on or before September 30, 1983. Incorporates such document into the Fur Seal Act of 1966. Directs the Secretary to grant $20,000,000 to a nonprofit corporation established and operated by the natives of the Pribilof Islands. Declares that the purposes of the grant shall be to defray community expenses, to foster a stable economy following termination of Federal management of the islands, and to pay necessary corporate administrative expenses. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements, contracts, or leases with, or to issue permits to, agencies or persons to carry out the provisions of the Convention or the Fur Seal Act of 1966. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out the administration of the Pribilof Islands. Deletes the provisions of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 dealing with the protection of seal otters on the high seas. Declares that enforcement of the Fur Seal Act of 1966 is the joint responsibility of the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. Sets forth penalties for violations of such Act. Authorizes appropriations to the operations, research, and facilities account of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: (1) to pay for scientific research on fur seal resources of the North Pacific Ocean; and (2) to reimburse the civil service retirement and disability fund for payments made by such fund to certain natives of the Pribilof Islands.

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Documents

7 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 15 October 1983

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• House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment

  summary · EN · 26 September 1983

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• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 4 August 1983

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 3 August 1983

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 23 May 1983

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• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 23 May 1983

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 28 April 1983

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