PUBLIC LAW 109–479—JAN. 12, 2007
120 STAT. 3601
‘‘(6) BID INVITATIONS.—Each program shall proceed by the Secretary issuing invitations to bid setting out the terms and conditions for participation consistent with the framework and implementing regulations. Each bid that the Secretary receives in response to the invitation to bid shall constitute an irrevocable offer from the bidder.’’. (b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Sections 116, 203, 204, 205, and 206 of the Sustainable Fisheries Act are deemed to have added sections 312, 402, 403, 404, and 405, respectively to the Act as of the date of enactment of the Sustainable Fisheries Act.
15 USC 1861a note.
SEC. 113. REGIONAL COASTAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE, TRANSITION, AND RECOVERY PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III (16 U.S.C. 1851 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘SEC. 315. REGIONAL COASTAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE, TRANSITION, AND RECOVERY PROGRAM.
16 USC 1864.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—When there is a catastrophic regional fishery disaster the Secretary may, upon the request of, and in consultation with, the Governors of affected States, establish a regional economic transition program to provide immediate disaster relief assistance to the fishermen, charter fishing operators, United States fish processors, and owners of related fishery infrastructure affected by the disaster. ‘‘(b) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the program shall provide funds or other economic assistance to affected entities, or to governmental entities for disbursement to affected entities, for— ‘‘(A) meeting immediate regional shoreside fishery infrastructure needs, including processing facilities, cold storage facilities, ice houses, docks, including temporary docks and storage facilities, and other related shoreside fishery support facilities and infrastructure while ensuring that those projects will not result in an increase or replacement of fishing capacity; ‘‘(B) financial assistance and job training assistance for fishermen who wish to remain in a fishery in the region that may be temporarily closed as a result of environmental or other effects associated with the disaster; ‘‘(C) funding, pursuant to the requirements of section 312(b), to fishermen who are willing to scrap a fishing vessel and permanently surrender permits for fisheries named on that vessel; and ‘‘(D) any other activities authorized under section 312 of this Act or section 308(d) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 4107(d)). ‘‘(2) JOB TRAINING.—Any fisherman who decides to scrap a fishing vessel under the program shall be eligible for job training assistance. ‘‘(3) STATE PARTICIPATION OBLIGATION.—The participation by a State in the program shall be conditioned upon a commitment by the appropriate State entity to ensure that the relevant State fishery meets the requirements of section 312(b) of this Act to ensure excess capacity does not re-enter the fishery. ‘‘(4) NO MATCHING REQUIRED.—The Secretary may waive the matching requirements of section 312 of this Act, section
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