[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.

                          ____________________