[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 16, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6799-H6803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H6799]]
CORAL REEF AND COASTAL MARINE CONSERVATION ACT OF 2001
Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2272) to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide
for debt relief to developing countries who take action to protect
critical coral reef habitats, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2272
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEBT REDUCTION FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WITH CORAL
REEFS AND OTHER COASTAL MARINE RESOURCES.
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``PART VI--DEBT REDUCTION FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WITH CORAL REEFS AND
OTHER COASTAL MARINE RESOURCES
``SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE.
``This part may be cited as the `Coral Reef and Coastal
Marine Conservation Act of 2001'.
``SEC. 902. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
``(1) It is the established policy of the United States to
support and seek the protection and restoration of natural
coastal marine areas, in particular coral reefs and other
critically imperiled coastal marine resources around the
world, as demonstrated by the establishment of the United
States Government's Coral Reef Task Force under Executive
Order 13089 (June 11, 1998) and by the emphasis given to
coral reefs at the Conference on Oceans held in Monterey,
California.
``(2) Coral reefs and other coastal marine resources
provide a wide range of benefits to mankind by--
``(A) harboring a major share of the world's marine
biological diversity, and by acting as seed-grounds and
nurseries for many deep-sea species; and
``(B) serving as the basis for major activities of critical
economic, social, and cultural importance, including fishing,
pharmaceutical research, recreation, tourism, and the natural
purification and recharge of waters.
``(3) International organizations and assistance programs
to conserve coral reefs and other coastal marine resources
have proliferated in recent years, but the rapid destruction
of these resources nonetheless continues in many countries.
``(4) Poverty and economic pressures on many developing
countries, including the burden of official debts, has
promoted inefficient, unsustainable over-exploitation of
coral reefs and other coastal marine resources, while also
denying necessary funds to protection efforts.
``(5) Reduction of official, government-to-government debts
can help reduce economic pressures for over-exploitation of
coral reefs and other coastal marine resources and can
mobilize additional resources for their protection.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this part are--
``(1) to recognize the values received by United States
citizens from protection of coral reefs and other coastal
marine resources;
``(2) to facilitate greater protection of remaining coral
reefs and other coastal marine resources, and the recovery of
damaged areas, by providing for the alleviation of debt in
countries where these resources are located, thus allowing
for the use of additional resources to protect and restore
such coral reefs and other coastal marine resources, and to
reduce economic pressures that have led to unsustainable
exploitation; and
``(3) to ensure that resources freed from debt in such
countries are rechanneled to protection of coral reefs and
other coastal marine resources.
``SEC. 903. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Administering body.--The term `administering body'
means the entity provided for in section 908(c).
``(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on International Relations and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;
and
``(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate.
``(3) Beneficiary country.--The term `beneficiary country'
means an eligible country with respect to which the authority
of section 906(a) or paragraph (1) or (2) of section 907(a)
of this part is exercised.
``(4) Board.--The term `Board' means the board referred to
in section 910.
``(5) Coral.--The term `coral' means species of the phylum
Cnidaria, including--
``(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black
corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Alcyonacea (soft
corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera (organpipe
corals and others), and Coenothecalia (blue coral), of the
class Anthozoa; and
``(B) all species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire corals
and hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.
``(6) Coral reef.--The term `coral reef' means any reef or
shoal composed primarily of corals.
``(7) Developing country with a coral reef or other coastal
marine resource.--The term `developing country with a coral
reef or other coastal marine resource' means--
``(A)(i) a country that has a per capita income of $725 or
less in 1994 United States dollars (commonly referred to as
`low-income country'), as determined and adjusted on an
annual basis by the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development in its World Development Report; or
``(ii) a country that has a per capita income of more than
$725 but less than $8,956 in 1994 United States dollars
(commonly referred to as `middle-income country'), as
determined and adjusted on an annual basis by the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in its
World Development Report; and
``(B) a country that contains at least one coral reef or
other coastal marine resource that is of conservation
concern.
``(8) Eligible country.--The term `eligible country' means
a country designated by the President in accordance with
section 905.
``(9) Coral reef and other coastal marine resources
agreement.--The term `Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine
Resources Agreement' or `Agreement' means an Coral Reef and
Other Coastal Marine Resources Agreement as provided for in
section 908.
``(10) Coral reef and other coastal marine resources
facility.--The term `Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine
Resources Facility' or `Facility' means the Coral Reef and
Other Coastal Marine Resources Facility established in the
Department of the Treasury by section 904.
``(11) Coral reef and other coastal marine resources
fund.--The term `Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine
Resources Fund' or `Fund' means a Coral Reef and Other
Coastal Marine Resources Fund provided for in section 909.
``SEC. 904. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FACILITY.
There is established in the Department of the Treasury an
entity to be known as the `Coral Reef and Other Coastal
Marine Resources Facility' for the purpose of providing for
the administration of debt reduction in accordance with this
part.
``SEC. 905. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS.
``(a) In General.--To be eligible for benefits from the
Facility under this part, a country shall be a developing
country with a coral reef or other coastal marine resource--
``(1) the government of which meets the requirements
applicable to Latin American or Caribbean countries under
paragraphs (1) through (5) and (7) of section 703(a) of this
Act; and
``(2) that has established investment reforms, as evidenced
by the conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty with the
United States, implementation of an investment sector loan
with the Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank-
supported investment reforms, or other measures, as
appropriate.
``(b) Eligibility Determinations.--
``(1) In general.--Consistent with subsection (a), the
President shall determine whether a country is eligible to
receive benefits under this part.
``(2) Congressional notification.--The President shall
notify the appropriate congressional committees of the
intention of the President to designate a country as an
eligible country at least 15 days in advance of any formal
determination.
``SEC. 906. REDUCTION OF DEBT OWED TO THE UNITED STATES AS A
RESULT OF CONCESSIONAL LOANS UNDER THIS ACT.
``(a) Authority to Reduce Debt.--
``(1) Authority.--The President may reduce the amount owed
to the United States (or any agency of the United States)
that is outstanding as of January 1, 1999, as a result of
concessional loans made to an eligible country by the United
States under this Act or predecessor foreign economic
assistance legislation.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--For the cost (as
defined in section 502(5) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of
1990) for the reduction of any debt pursuant to this section,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the President
$10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2002 through 2005.
``(3) Certain prohibitions inapplicable.--
``(A) In general.--A reduction of debt pursuant to this
section shall not be considered assistance for purposes of
any provision of law limiting assistance to a country.
``(B) Additional requirement.--The authority of this
section may be exercised notwithstanding section 620(r) of
this Act or section 321 of the International Development and
Food Assistance Act of 1975.
``(b) Implementation of Debt Reduction.--
``(1) In general.--Any debt reduction pursuant to
subsection (a) shall be accomplished at the direction of the
Facility by the exchange of a new obligation for obligations
of the type referred to in subsection (a) outstanding as of
the date specified in subsection (a)(1).
``(2) Exchange of obligations.--
``(A) In general.--The Facility shall notify the United
States Agency for International Development of an agreement
entered into under paragraph (1) with an eligible country to
exchange a new obligation for outstanding obligations.
[[Page H6800]]
``(B) Additional requirement.--At the direction of the
Facility, the old obligations that are the subject of the
agreement shall be canceled and a new debt obligation for the
country shall be established relating to the agreement, and
the United States Agency for International Development shall
make an adjustment in its accounts to reflect the debt
reduction.
``(c) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The following
additional terms and conditions shall apply to the reduction
of debt under subsection (a)(1) in the same manner as such
terms and conditions apply to the reduction of debt under
section 704(a)(1) of this Act:
``(1) The provisions relating to repayment of principal
under section 705 of this Act.
``(2) The provisions relating to interest on new
obligations under section 706 of this Act.
``SEC. 907. AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE IN DEBT-FOR-NATURE SWAPS AND
DEBT BUYBACKS.
``(a) Loans and Credits Eligible For Sale, Reduction, or
Cancellation.--
``(1) Debt-for-nature swaps.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the President may, in accordance with this section, sell
to any eligible purchaser described in subparagraph (B) any
concessional loans described in section 906(a)(1), or on
receipt of payment from an eligible purchaser described in
subparagraph (B), reduce or cancel such loans or portion
thereof, only for the purpose of facilitating a debt-for-
nature swap to support eligible activities described in
section 908(d).
``(B) Eligible purchaser described.--A loan may be sold,
reduced, or canceled under subparagraph (A) only to a
purchaser who presents plans satisfactory to the President
for using the loan for the purpose of engaging in debt-for-
nature swaps to support eligible activities described in
section 908(d).
``(C) Consultation requirement.--Before the sale under
subparagraph (A) to any eligible purchaser described in
subparagraph (B), or any reduction or cancellation under such
subparagraph (A), of any loan made to an eligible country,
the President shall consult with the country concerning the
amount of loans to be sold, reduced, or canceled and their
uses for debt-for-nature swaps to support eligible activities
described in section 908(d).
``(D) Authorization of appropriations.--For the cost (as
defined in section 502(5) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of
1990) for the reduction of any debt pursuant to subparagraph
(A), amounts authorized to be appropriated under section
906(a)(2) shall be made available for such reduction of debt
pursuant to subparagraph (A).
``(2) Debt buybacks.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the President may, in accordance with this section,
sell to any eligible country any concessional loans described
in section 906(a)(1), or on receipt of payment from an
eligible purchaser described in paragraph (1)(B), reduce or
cancel such loans or portion thereof, only for the purpose of
facilitating a debt buyback by an eligible country of its own
qualified debt, only if the eligible country uses an
additional amount of the local currency of the eligible
country, equal to not less than the lessor of 40 percent of
the price paid for such debt by such eligible country, or the
difference between the price paid for such debt and the face
value of such debt, to support eligible activities described
in section 908(d).
``(3) Limitation.--The authority provided by paragraphs (1)
and (2) shall be available only to the extent that
appropriations for the cost (as defined in section 502(5) of
the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990) of the modification of
any debt pursuant to such paragraphs are made in advance.
``(4) Terms and conditions.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the President shall, in accordance with
this section, establish the terms and conditions under which
loans may be sold, reduced, or canceled pursuant to this
section.
``(5) Administration.--
``(A) In general.--The Facility shall notify the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development of eligible purchasers described in paragraph
(1)(B) that the President has determined to be eligible under
paragraph (1), and shall direct such agency to carry out the
sale, reduction, or cancellation of a loan pursuant to such
paragraph.
``(B) Additional requirement.--Such agency shall make an
adjustment in its accounts to reflect the sale, reduction, or
cancellation of such a loan.
``(b) Deposit of Proceeds.--The proceeds from the sale,
reduction, or cancellation of any loan sold, reduced or
canceled pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the
United States Government account or accounts established for
the repayment of such loan.
``SEC. 908. CORAL REEF AND OTHER COASTAL MARINE RESOURCES
AGREEMENT.
``(a) Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of State is authorized, in
consultation with other appropriate officials of the Federal
Government, to enter into a Coral Reef and Other Coastal
Marine Resources Agreement with any eligible country
concerning the operation and use of the Fund for that
country.
``(2) Consultation.--In the negotiation of such an
Agreement, the Secretary shall consult with the Board in
accordance with section 910.
``(b) Contents of Agreement.--The requirements contained in
section 708(b) of this Act (relating to contents of an
agreement) shall apply to an Agreement in the same manner as
such requirements apply to an Americas Framework Agreement.
``(c) Administering Body.--
``(1) In general.--Amounts disbursed from the Fund in each
beneficiary country shall be administered by a body
constituted under the laws of that country.
``(2) Composition.--
``(A) In general.--The administering body shall consist
of--
``(i) one or more individuals appointed by the United
States Government;
``(ii) one or more individuals appointed by the government
of the beneficiary country; and
``(iii) individuals who represent a broad range of--
``(I) environmental non-governmental organizations of, or
active in, the beneficiary country;
``(II) local community development non-governmental
organizations of the beneficiary country; and
``(III) scientific, academic, or forestry organizations of
the beneficiary country.
``(B) Additional requirement.--A majority of the members of
the administering body shall be individuals described in
subparagraph (A)(iii).
``(3) Responsibilities.--The requirements contained in
section 708(c)(3) of this Act (relating to responsibilities
of the administering body) shall apply to an administering
body described in paragraph (1) in the same manner as such
requirements apply to an administering body described in
section 708(c)(1) of this Act.
``(d) Eligible Activities.--Amounts deposited in a Fund
shall be used only to provide grants to conserve, maintain,
and restore the coral reefs and other coastal marine
resources in the beneficiary country, through one or more of
the following activities:
``(1) Establishment, restoration, protection, and
maintenance of parks, protected areas, and reserves.
``(2) Development and implementation of scientifically
sound systems of natural resource management, including
`ridgeline to reef' and ecosystem management practices.
``(3) Training programs to increase the scientific,
technical, and managerial capacities of individuals and
organizations involved in conservation efforts.
``(4) Restoration, protection, or sustainable use of
diverse marine animal and plant species.
``(5) Development and support of the livelihoods of
individuals living near a coral reef or other coastal marine
resource, in a manner consistent with protecting those
resources.
``(e) Grant Recipients.--
``(1) In general.--Grants made from a Fund shall be made
to--
``(A) nongovernmental environmental, forestry,
conservation, and indigenous peoples organizations of, or
active in, the beneficiary country;
``(B) other appropriate local or regional entities of, or
active in, the beneficiary country; or
``(C) in exceptional circumstances, the government of the
beneficiary country.
``(2) Priority.--In providing grants under paragraph (1),
priority shall be given to projects that are run by
nongovernmental organizations and other private entities and
that involve local communities in their planning and
execution.
``(f) Review of Larger Grants.--Any grant of more than
$100,000 from a Fund shall be subject to veto by the
Government of the United States or the government of the
beneficiary country.
``(g) Eligibility Criteria.--In the event that a country
ceases to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in
section 905(a), as determined by the President pursuant to
section 905(b), then grants from the Fund for that country
may only be made to nongovernmental organizations until such
time as the President determines that such country meets the
eligibility requirements set forth in section 905(a).
``SEC. 909. CORAL REEF AND OTHER COASTAL MARINE RESOURCES
FUND.
``(a) Establishment.--Each beneficiary country that enters
into a Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine Resources
Agreement under section 908 shall be required to establish a
Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine Resources Fund to receive
payments of interest on new obligations undertaken by the
beneficiary country under this part.
``(b) Requirements Relating to Operation of Fund.--The
following terms and conditions shall apply to the Fund in the
same manner as such terms as conditions apply to an
Enterprise for the Americas Fund under section 707 of this
Act:
``(1) The provision relating to deposits under subsection
(b) of such section.
``(2) The provision relating to investments under
subsection (c) of such section.
``(3) The provision relating to disbursements under
subsection (d) of such section.
``SEC. 910. BOARD.
``(a) Enterprise for the Americas Board.--The Enterprise
for the Americas Board established under section 610(a) of
the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954
(7 U.S.C. 1738i(a)) shall, in addition to carrying out the
responsibilities of the Board under section 610(c) of such
Act, carry out the duties described in subsection (c) of this
section for the purposes of this part.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Initial membership.--Of the six members of the
Enterprise for the Americas
[[Page H6801]]
Board appointed by the President under section 610(b)(1)(A)
of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of
1954 (7 U.S.C. 1738i(b)(1)(A)), at least one shall be a
representative of the Department of State, at least one shall
be a representative of the Department of the Treasury, and at
least one shall be a representative of the Inter-American
Foundation.
``(2) Additional membership.--The Enterprise for the
Americas Board shall be composed of an additional four
members appointed by the President as follows:
``(A) Two representatives from the United States
Government, including a representative of the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and a
representative of the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
``(B) Two representatives from private nongovernmental
environmental, scientific, forestry, or academic
organizations with experience and expertise in preservation,
maintenance, sustainable uses, and restoration of coral reefs
and other coastal marine resources.
``(c) Duties.--The duties described in this subsection are
as follows:
``(1) Advise the Secretary of State on the negotiations of
Coral Reef and Other Coastal Marine Resources Agreements.
``(2) Ensure, in consultation with--
``(A) the government of the beneficiary country;
``(B) nongovernmental organizations of the beneficiary
country;
``(C) nongovernmental organizations of the region (if
appropriate);
``(D) environmental, scientific, oceanographic, and
academic leaders of the beneficiary country; and
``(E) environmental, scientific, oceanographic, and
academic leaders of the region (as appropriate),
that a suitable administering body is identified for each
Fund.
``(3) Review the programs, operations, and fiscal audits of
each administering body.
``SEC. 911. CONSULTATIONS WITH THE CONGRESS.
``The President shall consult with the appropriate
congressional committees on a periodic basis to review the
operation of the Facility under this part and the eligibility
of countries for benefits from the Facility under this part.
``SEC. 912. ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS.
``(a) In General.--Not later than December 31 of each year,
the President shall prepare and transmit to the Congress an
annual report concerning the operation of the Facility for
the prior fiscal year. Such report shall include--
``(1) a description of the activities undertaken by the
Facility during the previous fiscal year;
``(2) a description of any Agreement entered into under
this part;
``(3) a report on any Funds that have been established
under this part and on the operations of such Funds; and
``(4) a description of any grants that have been provided
by administering bodies pursuant to Agreements under this
part.
``(b) Supplemental Views in Annual Report.--Not later than
December 15 of each year, each member of the Board shall be
entitled to receive a copy of the report required under
subsection (a). Each member of the Board may prepare and
submit supplemental views to the President on the
implementation of this part by December 31 for inclusion in
the annual report when it is transmitted to Congress pursuant
to this section.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
General Leave
Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 2272, the Coral Reef
and Coastal Marine Conservation Act of 2001, a bill introduced by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) and cosponsored by the distinguished
chairman emeritus of the Committee on International Relations, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman); the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Smith), the vice chairman, and the gentleman from American Samoa
(Mr. Faleomavaega).
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2272 authorizes $10 million for each of the fiscal
years 2002 through 2005 to build upon the environmental and
conservation programs of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative and
the Tropical Forest Conservation Act that was recently marked up by the
Committee on International Relations, passed by Congress, and enacted
into law by the President.
In simple terms, Madam Speaker, the Coral Reef and Coastal Marine
Conservation Act helps to protect the world's dwindling coral reefs
through debt-for-nature swaps, debt buy-backs, or debt restructuring
instruments.
{time} 1500
This successful program, which is modeled on former President Bush's
innovative Enterprise for the Americas initiative, is another creative
example of how we can address developing country debt while helping to
protect our planet's environment.
Madam Speaker, this bill gives the President the authority to reduce
certain forms of debt owed to the United States in exchange for the
deposit by eligible developing countries of local currencies in a coral
reef facility to preserve, restore, and maintain coral reefs throughout
the developing world.
These funds are used by qualified non-governmental organizations
working to preserve the world's most endangered coral reefs.
This program is overseen by a board of directors in the United States
that is comprised of U.S. public and private officials; and the board,
in turn, annually reports to Congress on the progress made to implement
the program's objectives.
I am pleased that key U.S. Government agencies, including the State
and Treasury Departments, as well as the Inter-American Foundation, are
members of the Enterprise for America's board and charged with the
oversight of these programs.
In closing, I wish to commend the distinguished gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Kirk) for his leadership, vision, and dedication in
promoting and expanding conservation efforts in the developing world. I
urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2272.
I congratulate and appreciate the opportunity to work with the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) on this bill, as well as all
bills.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2272. First, I would
like to commend our colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk),
for introducing this important piece of legislation; our colleague, the
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for his leadership on
this issue; and the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) for moving
the bill so expeditiously through the legislative process.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 2272 will help provide vital protection to
valuable coral reefs and coastal marine resources around the globe. The
bill provides significant funding for the administration to pursue
actively debt swaps, buy-backs, and reduction and restructuring with
developing nations in return for concrete efforts to protect coral
reefs and sensitive coastal marine environments.
Coral reefs and coastal marine environments provide a host of
significant benefits to mankind. They harbor a major share of the
world's marine biological diversity, and act as vital nurseries and
seeding grounds for many sensitive deep sea species. They also provide
the foundation for critical economic, social, and cultural activities
of almost immeasurable value.
Coral reefs are extremely sensitive marine treasures. The shocking
reports of massive coral bleaching that has occurred around the globe
in recent years should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. Urgent
action is needed to help mitigate the contributions that human
activities are making to this problem.
Our bill provides just the kind of intelligent, targeted, and
mutually beneficial assistance that is required; and I urge all of our
colleagues to support H.R. 2272.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
learned gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).
Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me; and I also thank our ranking Democrat member, leader, and original
cosponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos); the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman); and the
[[Page H6802]]
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for helping out on
this crucial piece of legislation.
I also want to thank one of the intellectual authors of this
legislation, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), for his leadership
on the debt-for-nature swap initiative.
The Coral Reef and Coastal Marine Conservation Act of 2001 will
credit qualified developing nations for each dollar spent on a
comprehensive reef preservation or management program designed to
protect these unique ecosystems from degradation. This bill builds on
the model of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, expanding it to
include coral reefs.
Madam Speaker, it is said that coral reefs are the rainforests of the
ocean. Although they occupy less than one-quarter of 1 percent of the
marine environment, coral reefs are home to more than one-quarter of
all known marine fish species.
Coral reefs are among the most biologically rich ecosystems on Earth.
About 4,000 species of fish and 800 species of reef-building corals
have already been identified. However, scientists have barely begun to
catalogue the total number of species found within these habitats.
Their scientific value cannot be underestimated. Yet, they are
disappearing at an alarming rate.
According to a 1998 study conducted by the United Nations and various
international environmental organizations, 58 percent of the world's
reefs are potentially threatened by human activity. These activities
include coastal development, overfishing, marine pollution, and runoff
from inland deforestation and farming.
More than one-quarter of the world's reefs are at risk. Predictions
made in 1992 were that 10 to 20 years from now, another 30 percent of
the world's coral reefs could be effectively destroyed, adding to the
10 percent that already were destroyed.
While these numbers sound alarmist, figures today show that they are
conservative. Most Caribbean and South Pacific mangroves have
disappeared, while India, Southeast Asia, and West Africa have each
lost about one-half of their mangroves.
Almost a half a billion people, 8 percent of the world's population,
live within 100 kilometers of a coral reef. A decline in the health of
coral reefs has implications for the lives of millions of people who
depend upon them.
The burden of foreign debt falls especially hard on the smallest
nations, such as island nations in the Caribbean and Pacific. With few
natural resources, these nations often resort to harvesting or
otherwise exploiting coral reefs and other marine habitats to earn hard
currency to service foreign debt. At least 40 countries lack any marine
protected areas for their coral reef systems.
This legislation will make available resources for environmental
stewardship that would otherwise be the lowest priority in a developing
country. It will reduce debt by investing locally in programs that will
strengthen indigenous economies by creating long-term management
policies that will preserve the natural resources upon which local
commerce is based.
The Tropical Forest Conservation Act has set a path for debt-for-
nature swaps, and the United States has an important role to play in
assisting in the protection of the world's natural resources. This bill
extends the support from forests to the oceans, and critical countries
like Jamaica, Belize, Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and Thailand
could benefit from this legislation.
I urge all of my colleagues to support the legislation and take an
important step to helping preserve one of the world's largest, most
precious, and most threatened resources.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good
friend and colleague, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega), one of the leaders in this field of legislation.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
bipartisan bill, which enhances international efforts to protect
critical coral reef habitats, and commend the author, my good friend,
the gentleman from Illinois, and also the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Portman), for introducing this piece of legislation.
I say this especially because one does not have to come from an
island to have a sense of appreciation what coral reefs are all about.
I know there are a lot of reefs in Illinois and Ohio. But certainly, I
want to really commend not only our chairman of the Committee on
International Relations, but also our ranking senior Democratic member,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), for their leadership in
bringing this measure to the floor. Indeed, I am honored to be an
original cosponsor of this legislation.
Madam Speaker, coral reefs and the marine life they support are the
world's most biologically diverse marine ecosystems. Yet, it is only
recently we have begun to appreciate how important coral reefs are to
local, regional, and national interests, especially the economies of
several countries.
For example, coral reefs provide fisheries for food and raw materials
for new medicines and pharmaceuticals. Tourism and recreation flourish
along coral reef tracts and provide jobs and real income for coastal
residents. They also provide effective shore protection, shielding
coastal communities and harbors from violent storms and erosion.
Yet, because corals depend on light and require clear water for
growth, they are remarkably fragile. Recent evidence indicates that
coral reefs are deteriorating worldwide, and many are highly at risk.
Symptoms include the loss of coral diversity, an increased abundance of
algae, an increased frequency in outbreaks of coral bleaching and other
diseases, such as black band disease.
Scientists and managers still lack critical information about the
causes, but evidence suggests that a variety of human forces, including
shoreline development, increased sediments and pollutants in the water,
ship groundings, and overfishing, including destructive fishing
practices such as the use of dynamite and cyanide, have all contributed
to the decline of healthy coral reef ecosystems.
Madam Speaker, the destruction of coral reefs is particularly
profound in developing nations in the tropics. Legislation before us
addresses this problem, and is specifically targeted to encourage coral
reef resource protection in these developing countries.
By authorizing the administration to sell, reduce, or cancel loans
owed by these nations to the United States in an amount equivalent to
what these countries spend on coral conservation programs, we promote
the economic growth while significantly enhancing international efforts
to protect and restore coral reefs and coastal marine resources.
Madam Speaker, this is a very worthwhile initiative and piece of
legislation. I again commend my good friend, the gentleman from
Illinois, for his authorship of this bill; and I strongly urge my
colleagues to support this piece of legislation.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to my good
friend, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), an indefatigable
guardian of the environment.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding
time to me. I appreciate his courtesy and leadership, as with our chair
of the full committee, and my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Kirk).
Madam Speaker, I think it is important that we take a step back and
look at this legislation today because as we have heard, there is a
crying need for this type of protection.
Coral reefs are indeed among the most diverse and productive
communities on our world. They are home to nearly a quarter of all
marine plants and animals.
We have heard a lot of numbers here on the floor today, but there are
nearly 1 million species of fish, crab, eel, sponges, worms, grasses,
all of these organisms that live on the reefs or depend directly on
them.
We find that the coral provides a natural filtration system for
seawater. It, as we have heard, protects coastal landscapes,
maintaining coastal quality of water. There are millions of people on
the coastal areas who receive important protections from storms, wave
damage, and erosion, to say nothing of economic opportunities dealing
with fishing and tourism.
[[Page H6803]]
Madam Speaker, we have heard each speaker use slightly different
statistics to talk about the alarming rate of destruction. Sadly, all
of the information we have received is true. There may be different
statistics, but they are all bad. We have more than 10 percent of the
inventory of coral reefs already destroyed; and if we take the big
view, because what we are doing today in the United States and around
the world, we are taking steps that are going to have a profound impact
over the next generation, and 70 percent of the coral reefs at risk
could be gone in the next 40 years.
Madam Speaker, the legislation before us is an important extension of
the protections that we have had for the rain forests. It will provide
the administration to be able to actively pursue debt swaps and buy-
backs. It is going to help give those developing countries the tools
that they need and would otherwise not be available.
But we on this floor ought to be clear that this is just the
beginning, because we are in a situation now where we are in the United
States only investing $1 in oceanographic research for every $13 that
we put in outer space, when the world's fishery industry are now
costing $1.33 to harvest each $1 of fish, producing dramatic
overharvest, and we are going to have to step up and put serious money
on the table, negotiate serious trade agreements, to provide for the
protection of these important resources.
Madam Speaker, I think this legislation is important. It is a step in
the right direction. It is relatively painless. But I do hope we in
this Congress will be willing to do our part, because the stakes are
high. We are going to have to do more, and we are going to have to do
it soon.
{time} 1515
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Before yielding back our time, I just would like to make an
observation. It speaks to the strength of this body and this Nation
that in the midst of a war we take time to pass important environmental
legislation, as we are about to do; that we have taken time to
recognize the historic continuity of the friendship between two
democracies, Australia and the United States; and that we have had the
creativity and courage to move with respect to Pakistan as it aligned
itself with the United States in the fight against terrorism.
This is a fine day for Congress and for the American people, and it
is a message to our enemies that we shall prevail.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I should very much like to associate myself
with the trenchant remarks of the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos).
Madam Speaker, having no more speakers, I yield back the balance of
our time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2272, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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