Section 18 of the US Federal Power Act assigns to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the responsibility to require hydroelectric licensees to construct, maintain, and operate at their expense fishways prescribed by the Secretaries of Interior or Commerce. The Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986 strengthened the position of the U.S. fish and wildlife agencies by requiring FERC to include conditions in licenses to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife resources.