SAFE Pathways Act

This bill, titled the Safeguarding Aquatic Fisheries and Ecosystem Pathways Act or SAFE Pathways Act, amends the Federal Power Act to enhance environmental protections. It mandates that federal authorities consider the threat of invasive species when prescribing fishways for hydroelectric projects. Specifically, Section 18 of the Federal Power Act is modified to require the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the Interior to assess the risk of invasive species. This assessment must be performed in consultation with the State where the fishway is to be located. The aim is to prevent the spread of harmful non-native species through these aquatic pathways, thereby safeguarding native aquatic ecosystems.