113 



3 



1 (5) Projects to restore and maintain aquatic 



2 ecosystems will provide both skilled and unskilled 



3 jobs to all regions of the country. After these 



4 ecosystems are restored, jobs dependent on these 



5 ecosystems will return, including fishing, hunting, 



6 recreation, resource protection and maintenance, and 



7 tourism jobs, and societal costs can be minimized 



8 with adequate maintenance of these ecosystems. 



9 (6) A proactive approach to reverse the deg- 

 10 radation of aquatic ecosystems will reverse the de- 

 ll cline of certain aquatic habitat-dependent species 



12 and reduce the likelihood that these species will be- 



13 come so diminished as to become an impediment to 



14 sustainable development activities. 



15 (7) Creation of partnerships between local citi- 



16 zens, tribal organizations, corporations, and State 



17 and Federal agencies is often critical to the success 



18 of aquatic ecosystem restoration activities. 



19 (b) Purposes. — The purposes of this Act are the 



20 following: 



21 (1) To provide a comprehensive and integrated 



22 framework to direct long-term national aquatic eco- 



23 system restoration activities. 



24 (2) To coordinate existing Federal programs 



25 and policies relating to aquatic ecosystem restoration 



•HR 4481 IH 



