Thus, the demands of the American public for 

 wiser use and better administration of the national fish 

 and wildlife resources and increased economic and 

 recreational pressures have brought expansion each 

 year in the Service's activities. The period since 

 1940, when the Fish and Wildlife Service was created, 

 has been one of tremendous growth in the field of 

 natural-resource conservation. 



Reorganization in 1956 



To expand and improve national programs con- 

 cerned with the conservation of our fishery and wild- 

 life resources and to strengthen these important 

 segments of our national economy, the Fish and Wild- 

 life Act of 1956 was passed by the 84th Congress at 

 its second session. It was signed into law by President 

 Eisenhower on August 8, 1956. 



This act established a new national policy for 

 the development, protection, and wise use of the 

 country's fish and wildlife resources, as this brief 

 quotation from the "Declaration of Policy" indi- 

 cates: 



The Congress hereby declares that the fish, 

 shellfish, and wildlife resources of the Nation make 

 a material contribution to our national economy 

 and food supply, as well as a material contribu- 

 tion to the health, recreation, and well-being of 

 our citizens. 



Among other provisions, the new law called for a 

 complete reorganization of the fishery and wildlife 

 activities of the United States Department of the 

 Interior. The Fish and Wildlife Service, as it had 

 previously existed, was replaced by a United States 

 Fish and Wildlife Service that was increased in stature 

 by the creation of two new administrative posts- -an 

 Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and a Com- 

 missioner of Fish and Wildlife. Two bureaus were 

 established as components of the new Service, the 

 Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and the Bureau of 

 Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, realining the functions 

 of the earlier Service. This reorganization, prescribed 

 by law, became effective on November 6, 1956, and 

 was completed in 1959. 



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