[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S3786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lieberman, 
        Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Nelson, of Florida):
  S. 690. A bill to amend the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation 
Act to reauthorize the Act; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Neotropical 
Migratory Bird Conservation Act with the support of my colleagues, Mr. 
Crapo, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Nelson. This 
bill supports habitat protection, education, research, monitoring, and 
capacity building to provide for the long-term protection of 
neotropical migratory birds. It does this by providing grants to 
countries in Latin America and the Caribbean for the conservation of 
these birds, through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service competitive 
matching grants program. Up to one-quarter of the annual grants can 
also be used for projects in the United States. Projects include 
activities that benefit bird populations, such as habitat restoration, 
research and monitoring, law enforcement, and outreach and education.
  Neotropical migratory birds breed in Canada and the U.S. during our 
summer and spend our winters in Latin America and the Caribbean. There 
are nearly 500 species of these birds, and they face a range of 
threats, including development pressures, invasive species, climate 
change, and avian diseases. Protecting these birds requires 
international cooperation.
  The NMBCA program has a proven track record of reversing habitat loss 
and advancing conservation strategies for the broad range of 
neotropical birds that populate the United States and the rest of the 
Western hemisphere. The public-private partnerships and international 
collaboration provided by this program are integral to preserving 
vulnerable bird populations. Just as importantly, this Federal program 
is a good value for taxpayers, leveraging over four dollars in partner 
contributions for every one that we spend.
  Migratory birds are not only beautiful creatures eagerly welcomed by 
millions of Americans into their backyards every year; they help 
generate $2.7 billion annually for the U.S. economy through wildlife 
watching activities, and they help our farmers by consuming billions of 
harmful insect pests. Bird watchers include over 48 million Americans, 
20 million of whom take annual trips to watch birds. In 2006, 20 
million American wildlife watchers spent $12.8 billion on trip-related 
expenditures. Americans spend $3.3 billion each year on bird food. 16 
million Americans spend $790 million each year on bird houses, nest 
boxes, feeders, and baths.
  The Baltimore Oriole, the state bird of my state of Maryland, 
migrates in flocks to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern 
South America. The Oriole has recently been threatened by destruction 
of breeding habitat and tropical winter habitat, and by toxic 
pesticides ingested by the insects which constitute the Oriole's main 
diet. This legislation will help ensure that the broad range of 
migratory birds, from the Cerulean Warbler to the Baltimore Oriole, 
will have the healthy habitat they need on both ends of their annual 
migration routes so they can continue to play their vital biological, 
recreational, and economic roles.
  Congress passed the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 
2000 and it became public law 106-527. It authorized an annual $5 
million for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005. Since 2002, the 
U.S. has invested more than $25 million in 262 projects in 44 U.S. 
states, Canada, and 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries, and 
leveraged an additional $112 million in partner funds to support these 
projects. The reauthorization legislation would authorize $8 million 
for fiscal year 2010, gradually escalating to $20 million for fiscal 
year 2015, in order to meet expanding funding needs.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 690

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

     SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD 
                   CONSERVATION ACT.

       Section 10 of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 6109) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended--
       ``(1) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
       ``(2) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
       ``(3) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
       ``(4) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2013;
       ``(5) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
       ``(6) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--Of the amounts made available under 
     subsection (a) for each fiscal year, not less than 75 percent 
     shall be expended for projects carried out at a location 
     outside of the United States.''.
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