Authorization of Appropriations 



Appropriations of funds were authorized for the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and the 

 Marine Mammal Commission to carry out their responsibilities 

 under the Act during Fiscal Years 1989-1993. In addition, a 

 separate authorization was made for the Department of Com- 

 merce to implement and administer the interim exemption program. 

 Although authorized, Congress has yet to appropriate funding 

 for the interim exemption program. 



Miscellaneous Amendments 



As noted in Chapter IV, other amendments directed the 

 Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study of the 1987-1988 

 die-off of bottlenose dolphins in the North Atlantic Ocean. 

 The legislation expanded the definition of fish products that 

 may be embargoed pursuant to the Pelly Amendment and authorized 

 additional funding for the Pribilof Islands trust funds. 



Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act 



Authorization for appropriations to implement the 

 Endangered Species Act expired on 30 September 1988. Efforts 

 to reauthorize the Act during 1985 and in subsequent years 

 were unsuccessful. However, the provisions of the law remained 

 in force and funds to carry out its functions were appropriated 

 for Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987. During 1988, Congress passed 

 legislation to reauthorize the Endangered Species Act and, on 

 7 October 1988, the President signed into law H.R. 1467, 

 reauthorizing the Act through 1992. This bill also amended 

 the Act in several respects. Those relevant to marine mammals 

 are discussed below. 



Among other things, the amendments established new 

 requirements for preparing and implementing recovery plans. 

 The amendments direct the Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service to give priority to those 

 endangered and threatened species, regardless of taxonomic 

 classification, that are most likely to benefit from such plans. 

 This requirement is to be applied with particular reference 

 to those species that are in conflict with development projects 

 or other forms of economic activity. Recovery plans must now 

 include: a description of site-specific management activities 

 to be undertaken; objective, measurable criteria which, when 

 met, would result in the delisting of the species; and estimated 

 time and cost requirements for carrying out the measures 

 specified in the recovery plan. In addition, the Services must 

 provide public notice and an opportunity for comment before 

 approving a new or revised recovery plan. The amendments 



14 



