Overview
Title
To establish the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 1917 is like giving $5 million every year to help put little tags on baby fish that are released into the Great Lakes, so that scientists know how many there are and can protect them better, but it needs more clear rules to make sure the money is spent well.
Summary AI
H.R. 1917 aims to create the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This program is designed to track hatchery-produced fish by marking them before releasing them into the Great Lakes, aiding in the effective management and restoration of fish populations. It promotes collaboration among federal, state, and tribal agencies to ensure the balance between wild and hatchery fish and supports economic stability through recreational and commercial fishing. The bill authorizes a funding allocation of $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The "Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025" aims to enhance fisheries management in the Great Lakes region, a vital ecological and economic resource. The bill proposes establishing a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mark hatchery-produced fish. This initiative is in response to ecological changes in the lakes and aims to balance these fish with wild populations, supporting both the environment and the local economy. The program would involve collaboration between federal, state, and tribal agencies, leveraging tagged data to improve management decisions and restoration efforts. Additionally, the bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.
Summary of Significant Issues
Lack of Clarity and Context: The bill's definitions section does not provide detailed scope or implementation specifics for the program, creating ambiguity about how it will be executed. This lack of detail raises concerns about potential favoritism or bias.
Financial Oversight: The authorization of $5 million annually lacks detailed allocation plans. Without clear guidelines, there is a risk of financial mismanagement or inadequate funding for critical components, which may impact the program's objectives.
Accountability and Oversight: While the bill emphasizes collaboration, it does not specify mechanisms for accountability or oversight in program execution. This absence might lead to inefficient use of resources and might not hold agencies fully responsible for outcomes.
Impact on the Public
The bill's intent to strengthen the management of fish populations in the Great Lakes could positively affect the environment and regional economy. Healthier fish populations could benefit recreational fishing industries and tourism, sustaining jobs and bolstering the local economy. Additionally, improved ecological balance in the lakes supports biodiversity, which benefits the surrounding ecosystem and the people who depend on it.
However, without clear guidelines and accountability, there could be public concern over how effectively the financial resources are utilized. Taxpayers might be wary of potential waste if the funds are not managed transparently and effectively.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Fisheries and Economies: State and tribal fish management agencies stand to benefit significantly from the program. By having access to better data on fish populations, they can make more informed decisions that improve fishery outcomes, potentially leading to more stable commercial and recreational fishing sectors.
Tribal Communities: Tribal communities with vested interests in the Great Lakes fisheries may find this program enhances their ability to manage and sustain fish populations, aligning with cultural and economic objectives. However, if collaboration within the program lacks adequate inclusion of tribal perspectives, their interests might not be fully addressed.
Environmental Organizations: Groups focused on environmental conservation might see this program as a positive step toward restoring ecological balance in the Great Lakes. Nevertheless, they may also advocate for stringent oversight to ensure appropriations are used effectively and the ecological goals are prioritized.
In conclusion, while the "Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025" aims to bolster fisheries management and economic stability in the Great Lakes region, it necessitates additional clarity, accountability, and financial oversight to assure its success and to earn public trust.
Financial Assessment
The bill H.R. 1917 introduces the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program with a financial allocation of $5,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2030. This budget is earmarked to establish and operate the program under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The objective is to tag hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the fish populations and supporting effective management practices.
Financial Summary
The annual allocation of $5 million over five years underscores a substantial investment aimed at enhancing the ecological balance within the Great Lakes. This funding is intended to cover costs associated with purchasing equipment, tagging fish, and hiring additional personnel necessary to execute the program effectively.
Financial Issues
However, the bill raises several concerns related to the financial provisions:
Lack of Detailed Financial Planning: The bill authorizes a total appropriation without specifying a breakdown of how funds will be allocated across different components of the program. This lack of detail creates uncertainty about whether the funding is sufficient to meet the program's objectives or if certain areas might be overfunded or underfunded.
Potential for Financial Mismanagement: Without explicit guidelines on how the money will be spent or mechanisms for oversight, there is a risk of financial mismanagement. The issues identified hint at the potential misuse or misappropriation of the allocated funds, primarily due to the absence of clear responsibilities and accountability measures within the program’s framework.
Need for Accountability and Oversight: Section 4 of the bill, which outlines authorized actions and collaborations, does not include accountability measures or oversight mechanisms. Without these checks in place, it may be challenging to ensure that the funds are used effectively and that the program meets its intended goals.
Absence of Financial Clarity in Definitions: The definitions provided in Section 3 lack context on financial responsibilities within the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, which may lead to ambiguity and disagreements among stakeholders. As a result, there could be financial implications if roles and responsibilities are not clearly delineated.
In summary, while the bill establishes an annual financial commitment to foster environmental and economic benefits in the Great Lakes region, it also necessitates further clarity and oversight mechanisms to safeguard the effective and transparent utilization of the funds. Addressing these financial issues would likely strengthen the bill's implementation and ensure that financial resources are directed appropriately and efficiently.
Issues
The definitions provided in Section 3 lack clarity and context regarding the detailed scope and implementation process for the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program. This makes it difficult to evaluate if any particular organization or individual might be unfairly favored or disadvantaged by the legislation.
Section 3 does not contain any financial details that could indicate potential wasteful spending or favoritism towards a particular organization or individual. However, the lack of specificity around the roles and responsibilities within the 'Great Lakes Mass Marking Program' necessitates careful scrutiny to prevent any misuse or misappropriation of resources.
The definition section in this bill doesn't seem to address potential legal implications or conflicts of interest among stakeholders involved in the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, which could leave room for legal disputes or ethical concerns.
Section 4 outlines the authorized actions and collaboration efforts but doesn't specify mechanisms for accountability or oversight in executing the program, raising concerns about the effective use of appropriated budgets and resources.
Section 5 authorizes $5,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2030 without detailing the specific allocation of funds, creating a potential risk of financial mismanagement or insufficient funding for critical components of the program.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act states that the official name of the law is the "Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025."
2. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress acknowledges that rapid changes in the Great Lakes, caused by invasive species and other factors, necessitate a science-based management program to maintain fish populations and habitats. The collaborative effort between States, Indian Tribes, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service includes a mass marking program for fish, which began in 2010, to track and balance hatchery-produced and wild fish, supporting both environmental and economic goals related to the Great Lakes.
Money References
- Congress finds that— (1) the Great Lakes have experienced rapid changes in recent years due to— (A) the introduction of multiple aquatic invasive species; (B) alterations in the food web; and (C) decreases in the abundance of prey species; (2) due to rapid biological change in the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes need a collaborative, science-based program to assist in making management actions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration; (3) the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin and Indian Tribes in those States, working through the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have identified that mass marking is— (A) a precise tool to keep hatchery-produced fish in balance with wild fish; and (B) essential to achieving fishery management and research objectives through producing a better understanding of— (i) the quantity of hatchery produced fish compared to wild fish in the Great Lakes; (ii) the effectiveness of hatchery operations; and (iii) the effectiveness of fishery management actions; (4) the mass marking program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes— (A) was initiated in 2010 on a limited scale; (B) annually tags approximately 9,000,000 to 11,000,000 of the hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes; (C) is a basinwide cooperative effort among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Indian Tribes, and State management agencies; and (D) produces data used by State and Tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries; (5) annually, Federal, State, and Tribal agencies stock approximately 21,000,000 hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes to support— (A) native species recovery; and (B) recreational and commercial fishing; (6) mass marking of hatchery-produced fish, using automated technology, is an efficient method of implementing a collaborative, science-based fishery program; and (7) the Great Lakes are an important and valued resource that— (A) supports a robust regional economy valued at more than $7,000,000,000; and (B) provides stability to the economy of the United States.
3. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section of the bill, two key terms are defined: the "Director" refers to the leader of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the "Program" refers to the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program set up by this bill.
4. Great Lakes mass marking program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program is established within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help assess hatchery operations and fisheries management in the Great Lakes. The program involves tagging hatchery fish, and requires collaboration with relevant management agencies, with the collected data being shared to enhance fishery outcomes and support Great Lakes restoration efforts.
5. Authorization of appropriations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section authorizes $5,000,000 to be allocated each year from 2026 to 2030 for funding the Program.
Money References
- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.