Program Evaluations

The Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council has prepared numerous publications that are primarily focused on assessments and evaluations of federal boating and fishing programs. These publications have been influential with the development of programs and policies that affect our nation’s aquatic resource conservation and recreation programs. A brief description of each publication is included below.

Please note: these historical documents are not currently accessible. To request a Section 508 compliant copy of any of the documents listed below, please contact Tom McCann, Designated Federal Officer.

Programmatic Assessment of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation: FY2013-2015

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s implementation of the National Outreach and Communication Program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The report constitutes the Council’s fifth review of the Foundation. 73 pages.

Programmatic Assessment of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation: FY2010-2012

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s implementation of the National Outreach and Communication Program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The report constitutes the Council’s fourth review of the Foundation.  76 pages.

Strategic Vision for Fish and Aquatic Resource Conservation in the Fish and Wildlife Service: A Partnership Perspective

This report provides the Council’s recommendations on a new strategy for the conservation of fish and aquatic resources in the United States.  118 pages

Twenty-five Years of Providing Access for Boaters: An Assessment of the Boating Access Provisions of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, 1984 – 2009

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the boating access component of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state fish and wildlife agencies use of these funds.  58 pages.

Programmatic Evaluation: Activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program FY 2005-2009 

This report provides the Council’s finding and recommendations regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fisheries Program.  The report includes 14 specific recommendations for the program that are focused on seven general themes.  232 pages.

Programmatic Assessment of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation: FY 2007-2009

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s implementation of the National Outreach and Communication Program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The report constitutes the Council’s third review of the Foundation. 203 pages.

Boaters Investment in Clean Water: A Review of the Clean Vessel Act

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the Clean Vessel Act Grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 44 pages.

Programmatic Assessment of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation: FY 2003-2006

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s implementation of the National Outreach and Communication Program through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The report constitutes the Council’s second review of the Foundation. 95 pages.

An Investment in Boating’s Future: A Review of the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program 2000-2003

This report provides the Council’s findings and recommendations regarding the Boating Infrastructure Grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 49 pages.

Programmatic Evaluation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program FY 2004

This report is an independent evaluation of the USFWS Fisheries program, as required by the Office of Management and Budget's Program Assessment Rating Tool process. The report contains an evaluation of 12 questions and 23 recommendations. 54 pages.

A Partnership Agenda for Fisheries Conservation - 2002

This report provides the Council’s recommendations for a new direction for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fisheries Program. 31 pages.

Saving A System In Peril - 2000

This report provides the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council’s findings and recommendations on the roles, responsibilities and strategic funding policies for the national fish hatchery system. The report was prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in response to a request from the General Accounting Office’s review of the system. 52 pages.

Strategic Plan for the National Outreach and Communication Program: As required by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998

This report provides the Council’s recommendations for the implementation of the National Outreach and Communications Program. The report is the final product of the Council’s national consensus-building effort among user groups to identify problems affecting fishing and boating participation, set objectives and devise strategies for the National Outreach and Communication Program. 90 pages.

Factors Influencing Recreational Fishing and Boating Participation - 1998

This report summarizes research findings on factors that influence recreational fishing and boating participation. The report was prepared for the Council by its Technical Review Group comprised of human dimensions researchers. 35 pages.

Annual Evaluation and Recommendations for Improving Performance Under the President’s Executive Order 12962 

This report provides the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council’s recommendations to the National Recreational Fisheries Council on ways that federal agencies can improve their performance in implementing Executive Order 12962. The report provides specific recommendations to 15 federal agencies and identifies six broad recommendations on ways federal agencies could improve their implementation of the Executive Order. 10 pages.

Second Annual Evaluation Report 1995 Executive Order for Recreational Fisheries (No. 12962): To the National Recreational Fisheries Coordination Council

This report provides the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council’s assessment of agency-specific plans that were developed for the Recreational Fishery Resource Conservation Plan. Additionally, the Council’s assessment of the “Policy for Conserving Species Listed or Proposed for Listing Under the Endangered Species Act While Providing and Enhancing Recreational Fisheries Opportunities” report is included. 90 pages.

First Annual Evaluation Report: 1995 Executive Order for Recreational Fisheries - 1996

This report provides the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council’s assessment of agency-specific plans that were developed for the Recreational Fishery Resource Conservation Plan. 9 pages.

The Impact of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade on the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program

This report provides detailed information concerning actual import duties levied on tackle and boating items as part of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program and examines the effect of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) on these revenue sources. The report recommends that the Service maintain and improve its relationship with several federal tax agencies in order to insure that taxes are deposited into the Aquatic Resources Trust Fun in a timely and accurate manner. 42 pages.

Recreational Fisheries Stewardship Initiative

This report summarizes the status of federal agencies fisheries programs and provides recommendations to the agencies and others on how to make improvements to the aquatic resources. One of the report’s recommendations is the issuance of an Executive Order that establishes a national policy for aquatic resources. 19 pages.