Description:
S. 659 would amend and reauthorize various programs conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) related to the conservation of wetlands, certain species, and fish habitats. The bill also would authorize funding for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a nonprofit corporation established by federal law to provide grants for activities related to conserving and managing fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources.
Based on information provided by the USFWS, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $505 million over the 2016-2021 period and $95 million after 2021, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. Because enacting S. 659 would not affect direct spending or revenues, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO also estimates that enacting S. 659 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
S. 659 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would benefit state, local, and tribal governments.
S. 659 would impose a private-sector mandate as defined in UMRA by eliminating the ability of plaintiffs to seek judicial review of rules to remove certain gray wolves from the endangered species list. CBO estimates that the cost of the mandate would fall well below the annual threshold established in UMRA for private-sector mandates ($154 million in 2016, adjusted annually for inflation).
