[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 82 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4071-H4073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CRANE CONSERVATION ACT OF 2008
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1771) 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 and the ecosystems of cranes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1771
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Crane Conservation Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. 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. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Conservation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``conservation'' means the use of
any method or procedure to improve the viability of crane
populations and the quality of the ecosystems and habitats on
which the crane populations depend to help the species
achieve sufficient populations in the wild to ensure the
long-term viability of the species.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``conservation'' includes the
carrying out of any activity associated with scientific
resource management, such as--
(i) protection, restoration, 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;
[[Page H4072]]
(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 5(a).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. 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) provide relevant training to, or support technical
exchanges involving, staff responsible for managing cranes or
habitats of cranes, to enhance capacity for effective
conservation; or
(8) reintroduce cranes successfully back into the wild,
including propagation of a sufficient number of cranes
required for this purpose.
(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.
SEC. 5. 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 (c); and
(2) amounts appropriated to the Fund under section 7.
(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 4.
(2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amounts in the Fund
available for each fiscal year, the Secretary may expend not
more than 3 percent, or $150,000, whichever is greater, to
pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this
Act.
(3) Limitation.--Not more than 20 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) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may accept and use donations
to provide assistance under section 4.
(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. 6. 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. 7. FUNDING.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013, to
remain available until expended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.
General Leave
Ms. BORDALLO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
[[Page H4073]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Guam?
There was no objection.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1771, the Crane Conservation Act, was introduced by our
colleague from Wisconsin, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. The overall
purpose of H.R. 1771 is to assist in the conservation of the world's 15
species of crane, such as the whooping crane and the sandhill crane in
North America. The bill would establish a new Crane Conservation Fund
to finance Federal matching grants supporting critical conservation
projects for endangered birds and their scarce and shrinking habitats
in Europe, Asia, South Asia, Africa, and North America.
Mr. Speaker, cranes play an important role in cultures around the
world. These birds are viewed as symbols of good fortune, happiness,
and peace, and I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this
noncontroversial bill that will help conserve this iconic family of
large endangered birds.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise too in support of H.R. 1771, the Crane
Conservation Act. This bill is a worthy addition to existing
multinational species conservation funds. They have demonstrated that
even a small amount of taxpayers' money can make a real difference in
saving flagship species from extinction around the globe, such as the
highly endangered cranes.
I urge an ``aye'' vote on H.R. 1771.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from Wisconsin
(Ms. Baldwin) such time as she may consume.
Ms. BALDWIN. Thank you, Chairwoman Bordallo, for recognizing me
today.
I rise today in support of the Crane Conservation Act of 2008,
legislation to help protect and preserve the world's 15 species of
cranes for generations to come. Cranes are the most endangered family
of birds in the world, with 11 of the world's 15 crane species at risk
of extinction. Their special characteristics and unique ability to
bring people together across cities, States, and international
boundaries places them in a class worthy of our conservation efforts.
Cranes are revered throughout the world for their beauty, grace, and
long-distance migrations, frequently spanning numerous countries. In
fact, their appeal is so vast that they figure prominently in the
culture, folklore, and art of many people around the world. They are
featured in the silks, sculpture, poetry, and folk tales of many
cultures. And, because of their long life spans, they have become
symbols of longevity and good fortune.
These magnificent birds have served as ambassadors of harmony and
peace in the international arena. Representatives from nations with
various political struggles have reached beyond the instability to
address the conservation of cranes. In fact, just about a year ago,
representatives from bordering nations, including India, China,
Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and others, met in an attempt to overcome
strained relations and send a message of goodwill for the sake of
protecting this threatened species. Similarly, African nations which
share troubled borders have also joined together in recent years to
stop the illegal trade of cranes.
In North America, the whooping crane is the rarest of the crane
species. Back in 1941, only 21 whooping cranes existed in the entire
world. Today, there are almost 400 birds in existence. The resurgence
is attributed to the birds' tenacity for survival and to the efforts of
conservationists in the United States and Canada. In fact, since 2001,
coordinated efforts have focused on encouraging young whooping cranes
to migrate from their breeding grounds in Wisconsin's Necedah National
Wildlife Refuge to their winter destination in Florida. In an effort to
reintroduce migratory flocks into their historic range in the eastern
United States, the recovery team used ultralight aircraft to train and
lead the young cranes on their spectacular journey stretching from city
to city and State to State. Fortunately, these efforts have been
successful, and the Crane Conservation Act would complement them, both
domestically and internationally.
The bill will provide the resources to support initiatives to protect
cranes and their habitats, which have deteriorated due to industrial
development, pollution, and other human disturbances, including wars.
The bill will also provide the means for the United States to fulfill
various international obligations and commitments, thus having a large
environmental and cultural impact across the globe. Additionally, the
Crane Conservation Act will provide resources for the United States to
bring people and governments around the world together to protect
ecosystems, develop adequate habitats, and encourage overall goodwill.
Specifically, the Crane Conservation Act will authorize up to $5
million per year to be distributed in the form of conservation project
grants to protect cranes and the wetlands and grassland ecosystems on
which they depend.
Congress has passed similar bills in support of globally significant
and endangered wildlife species, including tigers, rhinos, elephants,
and neotropical migratory birds. And just as these efforts took
significant steps in international wildlife conservation, the Crane
Conservation Act would play a similar and promising role in improving
endangered wildlife and their habitats.
I encourage my colleagues to support the Crane Conservation Act.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge Members to support this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1771, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
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.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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