Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act”.
Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act
A BILL
To amend title 54, United States Code, to require State approval before the Secretary of the Interior restricts access to waters under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service for recreational or commercial fishing.
Sec. 2 Requirement of State approval of restriction of recreational or commercial fishing access to certain State or territorial waters under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service
In general— Chapter 1049 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“104908. Requirement of State approval of restriction of recreational or commercial fishing access to certain State or territorial waters under the jurisdiction of the Service
“(a) Definition of marine waters—In this section, the term marine waters includes coastal waters and estuaries.
“(b) Approval required—The Secretary shall not restrict recreational or commercial fishing access to any State or territorial marine waters or Great Lakes waters under the jurisdiction of the Service unless the restrictions are developed in coordination with, and approved by, the fish and wildlife management agency of the State or territory that has fisheries management authority over the marine waters.”
Clerical amendment— The analysis for chapter 1049 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 104907 the following: