16 U.S.C. § 8206 — Technical and scientific assistance

(a) In general. The Director (of the Fish and Wildlife Service), the NOAA Assistant Administrator, the EPA Assistant Administrator, and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey — working with the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and other relevant federal agencies — may give scientific and technical help to Partnerships, people working on fish habitat conservation projects, and the Board. (b) Inclusions. This assistance can include (1) helping states, Indian Tribes, regions, local communities, and nonprofits build and run Partnerships; (2) helping Partnerships assess habitat, plan strategically, and set priorities; (3) supporting projects the Partnerships and Board have flagged as high priorities; (4) supporting and recommending science-based monitoring and assessment methods for Partnerships to use; (5) supporting and recommending approaches for a national fish habitat assessment; (6) making sure experts are available to help evaluate and report on project results scientifically; and (7) providing resources so state agencies can offer their own scientific and technical help to Partnerships, project participants, and the Board.