The Act sets forth the procedures for carrying out programs under the Convention including: 1) appointment and compensation of commissioners and an advisory committee, 2) acquisition of real property, 3) construction, operation and maintenance of sea lamprey control works, and 4) coordination and consultation with States and other Federal agencies. It also provides authority for the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Convention and the Act.
Public Law 99-659, approved November 14, 1986, (70 Stat. 242) increased the number of Commissioners from 3 to 4 by adding an additional one from a Great Lakes state, established six-year terms for non-Federal Commissioners, and required the President to appoint an alternate.