[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2847 Reported in Senate (RS)]






                                                       Calendar No. 690
107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2847

                          [Report No. 107-302]

 To assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, 
 through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane 
  conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of 
countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2002

Mr. Feingold (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Voinovich) introduced 
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee 
                    on Environment and Public Works

                            October 8, 2002

              Reported by Mr. Jeffords, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, 
 through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane 
  conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of 
countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Crane Conservation Act of 
2002''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Congress finds that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) crane populations in many countries have 
        experienced serious decline in recent decades, a trend that, if 
        continued at the current rate, threatens the long-term survival 
        of the species in the wild in Africa and Asia;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) 5 species of Asian crane are listed as 
        endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered Species 
        Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) and appendix I of the Convention, 
        which species are--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the Siberian crane (Grus 
                leucogeranus);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the red-crowned crane (Grus 
                japonensis);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the white-naped crane (Grus 
                vipio);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the black-necked crane (Grus 
                nigricollis); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the hooded crane (Grus 
                monacha);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the Crane Action Plan of the International 
        Union for the Conservation of Nature considers 4 species of 
        cranes from Africa and 1 additional species of crane from Asia 
        to be seriously threatened, which species are--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the wattled crane (Bugeranus 
                carunculatus);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the blue crane (Anthropoides 
                paradisea);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the grey-crowned crane (Balearica 
                regulorum);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the black-crowned crane (Balearica 
                pavonina); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the sarus crane (Grus 
                antigone);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4)(A) the whooping crane (Grus americana) and the 
        Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) are listed 
        as endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered Species 
        Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (B) with fewer than 200 whooping cranes in the 
        only self-sustaining flock that migrates between Canada and the 
        United States, and approximately 100 Mississippi sandhill 
        cranes in the wild, both species remain vulnerable to 
        extinction;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) conservation resources have not been 
        sufficient to cope with the continued diminution of crane 
        populations from causes that include hunting and the continued 
        loss of habitat;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6)(A) cranes are flagship species for the 
        conservation of wetland, grassland, and agricultural landscapes 
        that border wetland and grassland; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (B) the establishment of crane conservation 
        programs would result in the provision of conservation benefits 
        to numerous other species of plants and animals, including many 
        endangered species;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) other threats to cranes include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the collection of eggs and 
                juveniles;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) poisoning from insecticides applied to 
                crops;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) collisions with power lines;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) disturbance from warfare and human 
                settlement; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the trapping of live birds for 
                sale;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) to reduce, remove, and otherwise effectively 
        address those threats to cranes in the wild, the joint 
        commitment and effort of countries in Africa, Asia, and North 
        America, other countries, and the private sector, are 
        required;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) cranes are excellent ambassadors to promote 
        goodwill among countries because they are well known and 
        migrate across continents;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) because the threats facing cranes and 
        habitats of cranes are similar on all 5 continents on which 
        cranes occur, conservation successes and methods developed in 1 
        region have wide applicability in other regions; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) conservationists in the United States have 
        much to teach and much to learn from colleagues working in 
        other countries in which, as in the United States, government 
        and private agencies cooperate to conserve threatened 
        cranes.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. PURPOSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The purposes of this Act are--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) to perpetuate healthy populations of 
        cranes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) to assist in the conservation and protection 
        of cranes by supporting--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) conservation programs in countries in 
                which endangered and threatened cranes occur; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the efforts of private organizations 
                committed to helping cranes; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) to provide financial resources for those 
        programs and efforts.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Conservation.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The term ``conservation'' 
                means the use of any method or procedure necessary to 
                ensure that the population of a species of crane in the 
                wild is sufficient to ensure that the species does not 
                become extinct, as determined by the 
                Secretary.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``conservation'' 
                includes the carrying out of any activity associated 
                with scientific resource management, such as--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) protection, restoration, 
                        acquisition, and management of 
                        habitat;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) research and monitoring of 
                        known populations;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) the provision of assistance 
                        in the development of management plans for 
                        managed crane ranges;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) enforcement of the 
                        Convention;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) law enforcement and habitat 
                        protection through community 
                        participation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) reintroduction of cranes to 
                        the wild;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) conflict resolution 
                        initiatives; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (viii) community outreach and 
                        education.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Convention.--The term ``Convention'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 3 of the Endangered Species 
        Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Crane 
        Conservation Fund established by section 6(a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of the Interior.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. CRANE CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations and in consultation with other appropriate Federal 
officials, the Secretary shall use amounts in the Fund to provide 
financial assistance for projects relating to the conservation of 
cranes for which project proposals are approved by the Secretary in 
accordance with this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Project Proposals.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Applicants.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--An applicant described in 
                subparagraph (B) that seeks to receive assistance under 
                this section to carry out a project relating to the 
                conservation of cranes shall submit to the Secretary a 
                project proposal that meets the requirements of this 
                section.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Eligible applicants.--An applicant 
                described in this subparagraph is--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) any relevant wildlife 
                        management authority of a country that--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) is located within the 
                                African, Asian, or North American range 
                                of a species of crane; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) carries out 1 or more 
                                activities that directly or indirectly 
                                affect crane populations;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the Secretariat of the 
                        Convention; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) any person or organization 
                        with demonstrated expertise in the conservation 
                        of cranes.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Required elements.--A project proposal 
        submitted under paragraph (1)(A) shall include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) a concise statement of the purpose of 
                the project;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B)(i) the name of each individual 
                responsible for conducting the project; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (ii) a description of the qualifications 
                of each of those individuals;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a concise description of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) methods to be used to 
                        implement and assess the outcome of the 
                        project;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) staff and community 
                        management for the project; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) the logistics of the 
                        project;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) an estimate of the funds and the 
                period of time required to complete the 
                project;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) evidence of support for the project by 
                appropriate government entities of countries in which 
                the project will be conducted, if the Secretary 
                determines that such support is required to ensure the 
                success of the project;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) information regarding the source and 
                amount of matching funding available for the project; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) any other information that the 
                Secretary considers to be necessary for evaluating the 
                eligibility of the project to receive assistance under 
                this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Project Review and Approval.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) not later than 30 days after receiving 
                a final project proposal, provide a copy of the 
                proposal to other appropriate Federal officials; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) review each project proposal in a 
                timely manner to determine whether the proposal meets 
                the criteria described in subsection (d).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Consultation; approval or disapproval.--Not 
        later than 180 days after receiving a project proposal, and 
        subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, 
        after consulting with other appropriate Federal officials, 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) consult on the proposal with the 
                government of each country in which the project is to 
                be carried out;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) after taking into consideration any 
                comments resulting from the consultation, approve or 
                disapprove the proposal; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) provide written notification of the 
                approval or disapproval to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the applicant that submitted 
                        the proposal;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) other appropriate Federal 
                        officials; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) each country described in 
                        subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a 
project proposal under this section if the Secretary determines that 
the proposed project will enhance programs for conservation of cranes 
by assisting efforts to--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) implement conservation programs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) address the conflicts between humans and 
        cranes that arise from competition for the same habitat or 
        resources;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) enhance compliance with the Convention and 
        other applicable laws that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) prohibit or regulate the taking or 
                trade of cranes; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) regulate the use and management of 
                crane habitat;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) develop sound scientific information on, or 
        methods for monitoring--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the condition of crane 
                habitat;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) crane population numbers and trends; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the current and projected threats to 
                crane habitat and population numbers and 
                trends;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) promote cooperative projects on the issues 
        described in paragraph (4) among--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) governmental entities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) affected local communities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) nongovernmental organizations; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) other persons in the private 
                sector;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) carry out necessary scientific research on 
        cranes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) reintroduce cranes successfully back into the 
        wild, including propagation of a sufficient number of cranes 
        required for this purpose; or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) provide relevant training to, or support 
        technical exchanges involving, staff responsible for managing 
        cranes or habitats of cranes, to enhance capacity for effective 
        conservation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Project Sustainability; Matching Funds.--To the 
maximum extent practicable, in determining whether to approve a project 
proposal under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to a 
proposed project--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) that is designed to ensure effective, long-
        term conservation of cranes and habitats of cranes; 
        or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) for which matching funds are 
        available.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Project Reporting.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Each person that receives 
        assistance under this section for a project shall submit to the 
        Secretary, at such periodic intervals as are determined by the 
        Secretary, reports that include all information that the 
        Secretary, after consulting with other appropriate government 
        officials, determines to be necessary to evaluate the progress 
        and success of the project for the purposes of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) ensuring positive results;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) assessing problems; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) fostering improvements.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Availability to the public.--Each report 
        submitted under paragraph (1), and any other documents relating 
        to a project for which financial assistance is provided under 
        this Act, shall be made available to the public.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Panel.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall 
convene a panel of experts, including specialists on cranes and 
wetland, to identify the greatest needs with respect to the 
conservation of cranes.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. CRANE CONSERVATION FUND.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
Multinational Species Conservation Fund established by the matter under 
the heading ``multinational species conservation fund'' in title I of 
the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
1999 (112 Stat. 2681-237; 16 U.S.C. 4246) a separate account to be 
known as the ``Crane Conservation Fund'', consisting of--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) amounts transferred to the Secretary of the 
        Treasury for deposit into the Fund under subsection 
        (e);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund under section 
        7; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) any interest earned on investment of amounts 
        in the Fund under subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Expenditures From Fund.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and 
        (3), upon request by the Secretary, the Secretary of the 
        Treasury shall transfer from the Fund to the Secretary, without 
        further appropriation, such amounts as the Secretary determines 
        are necessary to provide assistance under section 5.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amounts in 
        the Fund available for each fiscal year, the Secretary may 
        expend not more than 3 percent, or $80,000, whichever is 
        greater, to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry 
        out this Act.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Limitation.--Not more than 50 percent of the 
        amounts made available from the Fund for any fiscal year may be 
        used for projects relating to the conservation of North 
        American crane species.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Investments of Amounts.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
        shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the 
        judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet 
        current withdrawals. Investments may be made only in interest-
        bearing obligations of the United States.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Acquisition of obligations.--For the purpose 
        of investments under paragraph (1), obligations may be 
        acquired--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) on original issue at the issue price; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by purchase of outstanding obligations 
                at the market price.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired 
        by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the 
        market price.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Credits to fund.--The interest on, and the 
        proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held 
        in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the 
        Fund.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Transfers of Amounts.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The amounts required to be 
        transferred to the Fund under this section shall be transferred 
        at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the 
        Fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the 
        Treasury.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Adjustments.--Proper adjustment shall be made 
        in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior 
        estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts required 
        to be transferred.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary may accept and use 
        donations to provide assistance under section 5.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Transfer of donations.--Amounts received by 
        the Secretary in the form of donations shall be transferred to 
        the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the 
        Fund.</DELETED>

<DELETED> SEC. 7. FUNDING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Fund $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 
through 2007, to remain available until expended.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Offset.--Of the funds made available for projects 
under the clean coal technology program of the Department of Energy for 
obligation in fiscal years before fiscal year 2002 that are carried 
over for use in subsequent fiscal years under section 305 of Public Law 
107-66 (115 Stat. 509), but that are not obligated for those projects--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) $9,000,000 shall be available for transfer 
        under subsection (d) only after September 30, 2003; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) $9,000,000 shall be available for transfer 
        under subsection (d) only after September 30, 2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Ongoing Projects.--Nothing in subsection (b) affects 
any funds made available for any fiscal year that are obligated for a 
new or ongoing project under the clean coal technology program of the 
Department of Energy.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Transfer of Funds.--Amounts made available under 
subsection (b) shall be transferred to the Secretary for use in 
carrying out sections 5 and 6.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Availability.--Any funds transferred under subsection 
(d) shall remain available until September 30, 2007.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Crane Conservation Act of 2002''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) crane populations in many countries have experienced 
        serious decline in recent decades, a trend that, if continued 
        at the current rate, threatens the long-term survival of the 
        species in the wild in Africa, Asia, and Europe;
            (2) 5 species of Asian crane are listed as endangered 
        species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
        (16 U.S.C. 1533) and appendix I of the Convention, which 
        species are--
                    (A) the Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus);
                    (B) the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis);
                    (C) the white-naped crane (Grus vipio);
                    (D) the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis); and
                    (E) the hooded crane (Grus monacha);
            (3) the Crane Action Plan of the International Union for 
        the Conservation of Nature considers 4 species of cranes from 
        Africa and 1 additional species of crane from Asia to be 
        seriously threatened, which species are--
                    (A) the wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus);
                    (B) the blue crane (Anthropoides paradisea);
                    (C) the grey-crowned crane (Balearica regulorum);
                    (D) the black-crowned crane (Balearica pavonina); 
                and
                    (E) the sarus crane (Grus antigone);
            (4)(A) the whooping crane (Grus americana) and the 
        Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) are listed 
        as endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered Species 
        Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); and
            (B) with fewer than 200 whooping cranes in the only self-
        sustaining flock that migrates between Canada and the United 
        States, and approximately 100 Mississippi sandhill cranes in 
        the wild, both species remain vulnerable to extinction;
            (5) conservation resources have not been sufficient to cope 
        with the continued diminution of crane populations from causes 
        that include hunting and the continued loss of habitat;
            (6)(A) cranes are flagship species for the conservation of 
        wetland, grassland, and agricultural landscapes that border 
        wetland and grassland; and
            (B) the establishment of crane conservation programs would 
        result in the provision of conservation benefits to numerous 
        other species of plants and animals, including many endangered 
        species;
            (7) other threats to cranes include--
                    (A) the collection of eggs and juveniles;
                    (B) poisoning from insecticides applied to crops;
                    (C) collisions with power lines;
                    (D) disturbance from warfare and human settlement; 
                and
                    (E) the trapping of live birds for sale;
            (8) to reduce, remove, and otherwise effectively address 
        those threats to cranes in the wild, the joint commitment and 
        effort of countries in Africa, Asia, and North America, other 
        countries, and the private sector, are required;
            (9) cranes are excellent ambassadors to promote goodwill 
        among countries because they are well known and migrate across 
        continents;
            (10) because the threats facing cranes and habitats of 
        cranes are similar on all 5 continents on which cranes occur, 
        conservation successes and methods developed in 1 region have 
        wide applicability in other regions; and
            (11) conservationists in the United States have much to 
        teach and much to learn from colleagues working in other 
        countries in which, as in the United States, government and 
        private agencies cooperate to conserve threatened cranes.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to perpetuate healthy populations of cranes;
            (2) to assist in the conservation and protection of cranes 
        by supporting--
                    (A) conservation programs in countries in which 
                endangered and threatened cranes occur; and
                    (B) the efforts of private organizations committed 
                to helping cranes; and
            (3) to provide financial resources for those programs and 
        efforts.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Conservation.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``conservation'' means 
                the use of any method or procedure necessary to ensure 
                that the population of a species of crane in the wild 
                is sufficient to ensure that the species does not 
                become extinct, as determined by the Secretary.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``conservation'' includes 
                the carrying out of any activity associated with 
                scientific resource management, such as--
                            (i) protection, restoration, acquisition, 
                        and management of habitat;
                            (ii) research and monitoring of known 
                        populations;
                            (iii) the provision of assistance in the 
                        development of management plans for managed 
                        crane ranges;
                            (iv) enforcement of the Convention;
                            (v) law enforcement and habitat protection 
                        through community participation;
                            (vi) reintroduction of cranes to the wild;
                            (vii) conflict resolution initiatives; and
                            (viii) community outreach and education.
            (2) Convention.--The term ``Convention'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 
        1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532).
            (3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Crane Conservation 
        Fund established by section 6(a).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.

SEC. 5. CRANE CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations and 
in consultation with other appropriate Federal officials, the Secretary 
shall use amounts in the Fund to provide financial assistance for 
projects relating to the conservation of cranes for which project 
proposals are approved by the Secretary in accordance with this 
section.
    (b) Project Proposals.--
            (1) Applicants.--
                    (A) In general.--An applicant described in 
                subparagraph (B) that seeks to receive assistance under 
                this section to carry out a project relating to the 
                conservation of cranes shall submit to the Secretary a 
                project proposal that meets the requirements of this 
                section.
                    (B) Eligible applicants.--An applicant described in 
                this subparagraph is--
                            (i) any relevant wildlife management 
                        authority of a country that--
                                    (I) is located within the African, 
                                Asian, European, or North American 
                                range of a species of crane; and
                                    (II) carries out 1 or more 
                                activities that directly or indirectly 
                                affect crane populations;
                            (ii) the Secretariat of the Convention; and
                            (iii) any person or organization with 
                        demonstrated expertise in the conservation of 
                        cranes.
            (2) Required elements.--A project proposal submitted under 
        paragraph (1)(A) shall include--
                    (A) a concise statement of the purpose of the 
                project;
                    (B)(i) the name of each individual responsible for 
                conducting the project; and
                    (ii) a description of the qualifications of each of 
                those individuals;
                    (C) a concise description of--
                            (i) methods to be used to implement and 
                        assess the outcome of the project;
                            (ii) staff and community management for the 
                        project; and
                            (iii) the logistics of the project;
                    (D) an estimate of the funds and the period of time 
                required to complete the project;
                    (E) evidence of support for the project by 
                appropriate government entities of countries in which 
                the project will be conducted, if the Secretary 
                determines that such support is required to ensure the 
                success of the project;
                    (F) information regarding the source and amount of 
                matching funding available for the project; and
                    (G) any other information that the Secretary 
                considers to be necessary for evaluating the 
                eligibility of the project to receive assistance under 
                this Act.
    (c) Project Review and Approval.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                    (A) not later than 30 days after receiving a final 
                project proposal, provide a copy of the proposal to 
                other appropriate Federal officials; and
                    (B) review each project proposal in a timely manner 
                to determine whether the proposal meets the criteria 
                described in subsection (d).
            (2) Consultation; approval or disapproval.--Not later than 
        180 days after receiving a project proposal, and subject to the 
        availability of appropriations, the Secretary, after consulting 
        with other appropriate Federal officials, shall--
                    (A) consult on the proposal with the government of 
                each country in which the project is to be carried out;
                    (B) after taking into consideration any comments 
                resulting from the consultation, approve or disapprove 
                the proposal; and
                    (C) provide written notification of the approval or 
                disapproval to--
                            (i) the applicant that submitted the 
                        proposal;
                            (ii) other appropriate Federal officials; 
                        and
                            (iii) each country described in 
                        subparagraph (A).
    (d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a project 
proposal under this section if the Secretary determines that the 
proposed project will enhance programs for conservation of cranes by 
assisting efforts to--
            (1) implement conservation programs;
            (2) address the conflicts between humans and cranes that 
        arise from competition for the same habitat or resources;
            (3) enhance compliance with the Convention and other 
        applicable laws that--
                    (A) prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of 
                cranes; or
                    (B) regulate the use and management of crane 
                habitat;
            (4) develop sound scientific information on, or methods for 
        monitoring--
                    (A) the condition of crane habitat;
                    (B) crane population numbers and trends; or
                    (C) the current and projected threats to crane 
                habitat and population numbers and trends;
            (5) promote cooperative projects on the issues described in 
        paragraph (4) among--
                    (A) governmental entities;
                    (B) affected local communities;
                    (C) nongovernmental organizations; or
                    (D) other persons in the private sector;
            (6) carry out necessary scientific research on cranes;
            (7) reintroduce cranes successfully back into the wild, 
        including propagation of a sufficient number of cranes required 
        for this purpose; or
            (8) provide relevant training to, or support technical 
        exchanges involving, staff responsible for managing cranes or 
        habitats of cranes, to enhance capacity for effective 
        conservation.
    (e) Project Sustainability; Matching Funds.--To the maximum extent 
practicable, in determining whether to approve a project proposal under 
this section, the Secretary shall give preference to a proposed 
project--
            (1) that is designed to ensure effective, long-term 
        conservation of cranes and habitats of cranes; or
            (2) for which matching funds are available.
    (f) Project Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--Each person that receives assistance under 
        this section for a project shall submit to the Secretary, at 
        such periodic intervals as are determined by the Secretary, 
        reports that include all information that the Secretary, after 
        consulting with other appropriate government officials, 
        determines to be necessary to evaluate the progress and success 
        of the project for the purposes of--
                    (A) ensuring positive results;
                    (B) assessing problems; and
                    (C) fostering improvements.
            (2) Availability to the public.--Each report submitted 
        under paragraph (1), and any other documents relating to a 
        project for which financial assistance is provided under this 
        Act, shall be made available to the public.
    (g) Panel.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall convene a 
panel of experts, including specialists on cranes and wetland, to 
identify the greatest needs with respect to the conservation of cranes.

SEC. 6. CRANE CONSERVATION FUND.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Multinational 
Species Conservation Fund established by the matter under the heading 
``multinational species conservation fund'' in title I of the 
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
1999 (112 Stat. 2681-237; 16 U.S.C. 4246) a separate account to be 
known as the ``Crane Conservation Fund'', consisting of--
            (1) amounts transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury 
        for deposit into the Fund under subsection (e);
            (2) amounts appropriated to the Fund under section 7; and
            (3) any interest earned on investment of amounts in the 
        Fund under subsection (c).
    (b) Expenditures From Fund.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), upon 
        request by the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
        transfer from the Fund to the Secretary, without further 
        appropriation, such amounts as the Secretary determines are 
        necessary to provide assistance under section 5.
            (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amounts in the Fund 
        available for each fiscal year, the Secretary may expend not 
        more than 3 percent, or $80,000, whichever is greater, to pay 
        the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this Act.
            (3) Limitation.--Not more than 50 percent of the amounts 
        made available from the Fund for any fiscal year may be used 
        for projects relating to the conservation of North American 
        crane species.
    (c) Investments of Amounts.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest 
        such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the 
        Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current 
        withdrawals. Investments may be made only in interest-bearing 
        obligations of the United States.
            (2) Acquisition of obligations.--For the purpose of 
        investments under paragraph (1), obligations may be acquired--
                    (A) on original issue at the issue price; or
                    (B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the 
                market price.
            (3) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired by the 
        Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market 
        price.
            (4) Credits to fund.--The interest on, and the proceeds 
        from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the 
        Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Fund.
    (d) Transfers of Amounts.--
            (1) In general.--The amounts required to be transferred to 
        the Fund under this section shall be transferred at least 
        monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Fund on 
        the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury.
            (2) Adjustments.--Proper adjustment shall be made in 
        amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates 
        were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be 
        transferred.
    (e) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may accept and use donations 
        to provide assistance under section 5.
            (2) Transfer of donations.--Amounts received by the 
        Secretary in the form of donations shall be transferred to the 
        Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the Fund.

SEC. 7. ADVISORY GROUP.

    (a) In General.--To assist in carrying out this Act, the Secretary 
may convene an advisory group consisting of individuals representing 
public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation 
of cranes.
    (b) Public Participation.--
            (1) Meetings.--The advisory group shall--
                    (A) ensure that each meeting of the advisory group 
                is open to the public; and
                    (B) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for 
                interested persons to present oral or written 
                statements concerning items on the agenda.
            (2) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide to the public 
        timely notice of each meeting of the advisory group.
            (3) Minutes.--Minutes of each meeting of the advisory group 
        shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be made available to 
        the public.
    (c) Exemption From Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the advisory 
group.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $3,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007, to remain available until 
expended.




                                                       Calendar No. 690

107th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2847

                          [Report No. 107-302]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, 
 through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane 
  conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of 
countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            October 8, 2002

                       Reported with an amendment