National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998

National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to provide that any gift or bequest made for the benefit of a particular national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges shall be disbursed only for such refuge's or refuges' benefit. Authorizes Federal matching funds. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to conduct a volunteer coordinator pilot project in at least two refuges (but not more than 20 nationwide) in each United States Fish and Wildlife Service region. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce to provide volunteers in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with awards and recognition, including nominal cash awards. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a Senior Volunteer Corps. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with community partnership organizations (private, corporate, academic, or State or local) to implement refuge related programs. Authorizes Federal matching funds. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to develop guidance for, and programs of, refuge education. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations.

National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 1997 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to provide that any gift or bequest made for the benefit of a particular national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges shall be disbursed only for the benefit of that refuge or complex of refuges. Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to provide to volunteers in programs conducted by either Secretary through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: (1) awards and recognition; and (2) incidental expenses, such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, and subsistence, without regard to their place of residence. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a volunteer pilot project under which the Secretary shall employ a full-time volunteer coordinator for one refuge in each U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region. Authorizes the Secretary, subject to compatibility requirements, to enter into a cooperative agreement with any partner organization, academic institution, or State or local government organization (entity), to conduct a project on a refuge under which: (1) there will be provided enhanced opportunities for private citizens to volunteer with a refuge in their local communities and contribute to stewardship of the resources on that refuge; (2) such entity will develop, produce, publish, distribute, or sell approved educational materials and products pertaining to a refuge; (3) the entity will construct, maintain, operate, or improve a facility on a refuge necessary for the sale or distribution of products, programs, and services pertaining to refuges; (4) the entity will provide visitor services, facilities, or activities within a refuge under terms that require the net profits to be used exclusively for projects and programs that benefit the refuge and that are consistent with the purposes for which it was established; or (5) there will be carried out within a refuge, on a Federal or non-Federal cost sharing basis, habitat restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, research, public education and recreation, construction of facilities, or other projects. Limits the use of Federal project funds to: (1) expenses directly related to the project; and (2) operation and administration of a Federal entity. Bars an entity from receiving preferential treatment in any application process to provide visitor services, products, or facilities in a refuge. Makes any facility or permanent improvement constructed pursuant to this Act Federal property. Makes amounts attributable to activities at a particular refuge or complex of refuges available to the Secretary: (1) for materials, training, and other uses related to volunteer activities at the refuge or complex of refuges; or (2) to carry out cooperative agreements applicable to the refuge or complex of refuges. Defines partner organization as an organization: (1) whose mission is to promote understanding and conservation of the fish and wildlife, cultural, or historic resources of a particular national wildlife refuge or a complex of related national wildlife refuges; (2) that draws its members primarily from communities near that refuge or complex of related national wildlife refuges; and (3) that is a nonprofit organization. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for carrying out activities with respect to volunteer and community partnership enhancement and for pilot projects among U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions.

National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 1997 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to provide that any gift or bequest made for the benefit of a particular national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges shall be disbursed only for the benefit of that refuge or complex of refuges. Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to provide to volunteers in programs conducted by either Secretary through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: (1) awards and recognition; and (2) incidental expenses, such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, and subsistence, without regard to their place of residence. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a volunteer pilot project under which the Secretary shall employ a full-time volunteer coordinator for one refuge in each U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region. Authorizes the Secretary, subject to compatibility requirements, to enter into a cooperative agreement with any partner organization, academic institution, or State or local government organization (entity), to conduct a project on a refuge under which: (1) there will be provided enhanced opportunities for private citizens to volunteer with a refuge in their local communities and contribute to stewardship of the resources on that refuge; (2) such entity will develop, produce, publish, distribute, or sell approved educational materials and products pertaining to a refuge; (3) the entity will construct, maintain, operate, or improve a facility on a refuge necessary for the sale or distribution of products, programs, and services pertaining to refuges; (4) the entity will provide visitor services, facilities, or activities within a refuge under terms that require the net profits to be used exclusively for projects and programs that benefit the refuge and that are consistent with the purposes for which it was established; or (5) there will be carried out within a refuge, on a Federal or non-Federal cost sharing basis, habitat restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, research, public education and recreation, construction of facilities, or other projects. Limits the use of Federal project funds to: (1) expenses directly related to the project; and (2) operation and administration of a Federal entity. Bars an entity from receiving preferential treatment in any application process to provide visitor services, products, or facilities in a refuge. Makes any facility or permanent improvement constructed pursuant to this Act Federal property. Makes amounts attributable to activities at a particular refuge or complex of refuges available to the Secretary: (1) for materials, training, and other uses related to volunteer activities at the refuge or complex of refuges; or (2) to carry out cooperative agreements applicable to the refuge or complex of refuges. Defines partner organization as an organization: (1) whose mission is to promote understanding and conservation of the fish and wildlife, cultural, or historic resources of a particular national wildlife refuge or a complex of related national wildlife refuges; (2) that draws its members primarily from communities near that refuge or complex of related national wildlife refuges; and (3) that is a nonprofit organization. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003 for carrying out activities with respect to volunteer and community partnership enhancement and for pilot projects among U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions.

Volunteers for Wildlife Act of 1997 - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a volunteer pilot project at one national wildlife refuge in each U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region, under which the Secretary shall employ a volunteer coordinator for the refuge. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish an account for each national wildlife refuge at which a pilot project is conducted; (2) deposit into the account entrance fees, donations, and user fees generated at the refuge; (3) expend amounts in the account for materials, training, and other uses to enhance volunteer activities at the refuge. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to appoint a national volunteer coordinator for the National Wildlife Refuge System.