[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6312-H6315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEFENDING ECONOMIC LIVELIHOODS AND THREATENED ANIMALS ACT
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 4819) to promote inclusive economic growth through
conservation and biodiversity programs that facilitate transboundary
cooperation, improve natural resource management, and build local
capacity to protect and preserve threatened wildlife species in the
greater Okavango River Basin of southern Africa, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4819
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 ``Defending Economic
Livelihoods and Threatened Animals Act'' or the ``DELTA
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The greater Okavango River Basin, which ranges from the
highland plateau of Angola to northeastern Namibia and
northern Botswana, and also provides critical natural
resources that sustain wildlife in Zambia and Zimbabwe, is
the largest freshwater watershed in southern Africa.
(2) The greater Okavango River Basin is the main source of
water and livelihoods for over 1,000,000 people, and the
effective management and protection of this critical
watershed will help advance important conservation and
economic growth objectives for Angola, Botswana, Namibia,
local communities, and the broader region.
(3) The greater Okavango River Basin is home to the largest
remaining elephant population in the world, as well as other
threatened wildlife species.
(4) Poaching and trafficking of threatened wildlife species
in the greater Okavango River Basin has increased in recent
years, and has the potential to undermine regional stability
by disrupting local governance and management of resources,
and supplanting key economic opportunities for community
members.
(5) Governments in the region have taken important steps to
coordinate through existing conservation frameworks to combat
trafficking, ensure responsible resource management, support
local livelihoods, and protect threatened wildlife species.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that it is in the interest of
the United States to engage, as
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appropriate, with the Governments of Angola, Botswana,
Namibia, and neighboring countries, and in partnership with
donors, regional organizations, nongovernmental
organizations, local communities, and the private sector, to
advance conservation efforts and promote economic growth and
stability in the greater Okavango River Basin and neighboring
watersheds and conservation areas.
SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to promote inclusive
economic growth through conservation and biodiversity
programs that facilitate transboundary cooperation, improve
water and natural resource management, and build local
capacity to protect and preserve threatened wildlife species
in the greater Okavango River Basin and neighboring
watersheds and conservation areas.
SEC. 5. STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary and the Administrator, in
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall seek, as appropriate, to work with the
Governments of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and neighboring
countries, and in partnership with donors, regional
organizations, nongovernmental organizations, local
communities, and the private sector, to develop a strategy
to--
(1) create and advance a cooperative framework to promote
responsible natural resource, water, and wildlife management
practices in the greater Okavango River Basin;
(2) protect traditional migration routes of elephants and
other threatened wildlife species;
(3) combat wildlife poaching and trafficking;
(4) address human health and development needs of local
communities; and
(5) catalyze economic growth in such countries and across
the broader region.
(b) Elements.--The strategy established pursuant to
subsection (a) shall--
(1) promote cooperative and responsible water, natural
resource, and wildlife management policies and practices
within and among the countries of Angola, Botswana, and
Namibia, with a particular focus on the greater Okavango
River Basin and the critical headwaters located in Angola;
(2) protect and restore wildlife habitats and traditional
migratory patterns of elephants and other threatened species;
(3) combat wildlife poaching and trafficking in Angola,
Botswana, Namibia, and those areas of Zambia and Zimbabwe
that border Angola, Botswana, or Namibia, including within
regional and national parks and reserves, by building the
capacity of the governments of such countries, local law
enforcement, community leaders, and park rangers to detect,
disrupt, and prosecute poachers and traffickers;
(4) promote conservation as a foundation for inclusive
economic growth and development within a comprehensive
assistance strategy that places Angola, Botswana, and Namibia
on a trajectory toward graduation from the need for United
States foreign assistance;
(5) identify opportunities and mechanisms to leverage
regional organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and
public-private partnerships to contribute to support the
implementation of the strategy;
(6) establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms,
including measurable goals, objectives, and benchmarks of
success, that are included in grants, contracts, and
cooperative agreements to ensure the effective use of United
States foreign assistance; and
(7) coordinate with and build the capacity of regional
conservation frameworks in order to advance regional
conservation objectives.
SEC. 6. UNITED STATES SUPPORT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary and the Administrator, in
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, are authorized to prioritize and advance ongoing
efforts to--
(1) promote inclusive economic growth and development
through responsible water and natural resource management and
wildlife protection activities in the greater Okavango River
Basin;
(2) provide technical assistance to governments and local
communities in Angola, Botswana, and Namibia to create a
policy-enabling environment for such responsible water and
natural resource management and wildlife protection
activities; and
(3) build the capacity of local law enforcement, park
rangers, and community leaders to combat wildlife poaching
and trafficking.
(b) Coordination and Integration With Regional Conservation
Frameworks.--The Secretary and the Administrator, in
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall coordinate assistance provided by Department
of State, the United States Agency for International
Development, and such other relevant Federal agencies with
existing regional conservation frameworks in order to ensure
regional integration of conservation, wildlife trafficking,
and water management initiatives, to prevent duplication of
efforts, and to advance regional conservation objectives.
(c) Coordination With Private Sector.--The Secretary and
the Administrator, in coordination with the heads of other
relevant Federal agencies, are authorized to work with the
private sector and nongovernmental organizations to leverage
public and private capital to promote responsible resource
management, combat wildlife poaching and trafficking, and
support inclusive economic growth and local livelihoods in
the greater Okavango River Basin.
(d) Monitoring and Evaluation.--The Secretary and the
Administrator shall establish monitoring and evaluation
mechanisms, to include measurable goals, objectives, and
benchmarks, to ensure the effective use of United States
foreign assistance to achieve the objectives of this section.
SEC. 7. REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the
Administrator, in coordination with the heads of other
relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the implementation of
this Act.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The report required under
subsection (a) shall include a description of the strategy
required by section 5, including--
(1) the monitoring and evaluation plans and indicators used
to measure performance under the strategy;
(2) any legislative impediments to meeting the objectives
of such strategy;
(3) the extent to which Angola, Botswana, and Namibia have
demonstrated a commitment and willingness to cooperate to
advance efforts described in section 5(b);
(4) progress made to date in meeting the objectives of such
strategy;
(5) efforts to coordinate, deconflict, and streamline
conservation programs in order to maximize resource
effectiveness;
(6) the extent to which Angola, Botswana, and Namibia and
other government in the region are investing resources to
advance conservation initiatives; and
(7) the extent to which other funding sources, including
through private sector investment and other investment by
Angola, Botswana, and Namibia, have been identified to
advance conservation initiatives.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs 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) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Okavango Delta supports the economic livelihood of a
million people in that region. It is in a desert, but the Okavango
River flows into that desert and makes a home to the largest remaining
population of elephants in the world.
This ecosystem spans three countries. It starts in the highlands of
Angola, and it flows through Namibia and Botswana. Like other regions
across Africa, there is a challenge here in the poaching and
trafficking of threatened species in the delta. That poaching of
elephant, black rhino, and hippo is increasing.
I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of poachers and
organized criminal networks across the continent. Wildlife trafficking
and profits from poaching provide a key funding source for
international criminal networks and for terrorists.
These deadly groups undermine regional stability. They spread
violence. They disrupt local governance. They have a devastating impact
on the economic opportunities for members of the community.
This legislation provided by our good friend here, Mr. Fortenberry,
H.R. 4819, is the Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened Animals
Act of 2018. This DELTA Act is an opportunity to be proactive and
protect this part of the world before it is too late. It strengthens
coordination among the Governments of the United States and Angola,
Botswana, and Namibia to address these poaching threats and to support
local communities in this greater Okavango River Basin.
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A few months ago, I led a bipartisan delegation to the region, and I
saw the critical need for these countries to work together to preserve
and protect this magnificent landscape. I had not been in Angola since
the beginning of that war, and to go back to see Angola today and have
an opportunity to meet with the chairman of the committee responsible
for conservation there--she is, in fact, herself a park ranger--and to
see how Angola has emerged from years of civil war and unrest and is
now looking to the international community for partnership and for
support is heartening.
With Angola's immense natural resources, we are already seeing,
unfortunately, foreign governments--for example, Beijing--pushing
unwise development that threatens to siphon off this critical water
source. Obviously, to siphon off this water source, it would devastate
the river basin. This is why we must act now to protect the animals and
communities that call the region home.
Animals and poachers, of course, know no boundaries. The water
doesn't know any boundaries. In order for conservation efforts to be
successful, we must take a transboundary approach.
I was proud to be the author of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership
Act some years ago. I think it was in 2004 that it was passed. We saw
how increased coordination across national borders can be successful in
protecting critical landscapes and combating poaching threats.
This DELTA Act looks to build on these proven successes, which have
set up national parks now in seven landscapes across Africa. This
legislation strengthens the coordination among the Governments, as I
said, of the United States, Angola, Botswana, and Namibia. It does that
by leveraging partnerships with the private sector, with nongovernment
organizations, and with regional bodies. It prioritizes wildlife
trafficking and anti-poaching programs in this greater Okavango River
Basin. And it promotes responsible economic growth for local
communities through responsible natural resource management.
Again, I thank the bill's author, Representative Fortenberry, and our
fellow co-chairs of the House International Conservation Caucus,
Representatives McCollum and Cuellar, for their leadership and
steadfast efforts to keep conservation and anti-poaching efforts alive
here in Congress and to help us drive these efforts.
I want to thank Ranking Member Engel and, of course, from New York,
Joe Crowley, for their work on this legislation. It is deeply
appreciated, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4819, the
DELTA Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr.
Fortenberry) for his initiative in putting forward this legislation to
help protect one of Africa's most important ecosystems. I am pleased to
cosponsor this measure. I also want to commend Chairman Royce and
Ranking Member Engel for their leadership on international conservation
issues, particularly the fight against wildlife trafficking.
The Okavango River Basin in Angola, Botswana, and Namibia supports an
amazing array of wildlife, including the largest remaining
concentration of elephants in Africa. It is also home to more than a
million people.
The DELTA Act requires the development of a strategy to encourage
sustainable management of natural resources in the river basin,
including the protection of wildlife. This strategy will require input
from a wide range of stakeholders, including national governments,
local communities, nongovernmental organizations, and the private
sector.
The goal is to support economic development for the residents of the
region while preserving unique ecosystems and protecting wildlife.
The DELTA Act has the support of key conservation organizations,
including the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Conservation
Society.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan legislation,
which passed our committee by unanimous voice vote, and I urge my
colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), a member of the Committee on
Appropriations and the author of this landmark legislation.
Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, before I begin my remarks, let me thank
Chairman Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for
his extraordinary leadership, not only on this bill, but on a whole
array of conservation and security initiatives. I thank the gentleman
for his chairmanship and for his long service in Congress.
Mr. Speaker, let me thank Ranking Member Engel for his support of
this legislation and Congressman Sherman for his kind and generous
remarks. They are very much appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, the greater Okavango River Basin is the largest
freshwater wetland in southern Africa. Not only is it the main source
of water and livelihood for more than 1 million people, as we have
heard, it is home to the largest remaining elephant population in the
entire world.
The pathway for habitat along the three-country waterway is essential
for sustaining this majestic animal and other species. As a creative
approach to conservation, to foster an ecosystem of well-being for
communities and for the purpose of international stability and
security, as so well stated by Chairman Royce, given the scourge of
wildlife trafficking and the nexus that it creates to terrorist network
financing, we introduced this bipartisan bill, a transnational
conservation initiative linking the natural habitat of the three
nations, Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, to ensure the survival of this
pristine ecosystem that is essential for the future of conservation,
species, as well as the communities and people who live there.
When we consider past conflicts that existed in parts of this region,
it is truly heartwarming to work with the leaders of these countries to
support their vision for the flourishing of animals and people, for the
sake of the environment, and for the sake of their economies.
This is imaginative foreign policy. It moves us from a singular,
traditional type of solution to addressing challenges in a
comprehensive, multinational, multisectoral strategy that mirrors the
complexity of nature itself, beyond human-defined borders. This bill is
a unique opportunity to help save and enhance one of the most beautiful
and delicate ecosystems in the entire world before other international
actors ruin it.
As a co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus with Chairman
Royce and with my good friends Congressman Cuellar from Texas and
Congresswoman McCollum from Minnesota, I am very grateful for their
hard work to help ensure the proper stewardship of natural resources in
our own great country, as well as around the world.
This bill offers the opportunity to continue to build authentic
relations with the countries of Angola, Botswana, and Namibia, as well
as local communities and the private sector, to develop effective
strategies to promote sustainable resource management, combat wildlife
trafficking, and stimulate economic regeneration in this part of the
world.
Mr. Speaker, again, I greatly appreciate Chairman Royce's
cosponsorship, active support, and leadership in moving the DELTA Act
through the committee, and I urge my colleagues to support this
innovative, imaginative, and important initiative.
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Cuellar).
Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Sherman for yielding
and for the leadership that he has provided on this issue. Certainly, I
want to thank the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from
California, Mr. Ed Royce, who has been working on this issue for so
many years. I want to thank him and the ranking member of the
committee, Mr. Engel, for all of the work that they have done.
In particular, I want to thank my co-chair, Mr. Fortenberry, for his
leadership. I remember talking about this particular bill at the very
beginning, and here we are about to pass very important legislation.
Certainly, I want
[[Page H6315]]
to join Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Ed Royce, Mr. Engel, myself, Ms. McCollum,
and the rest of the cosponsors on this bipartisan bill that promotes
sustainable economic development, combats wildlife trafficking in
Africa's critical Okavango River Basin, which supports more than a
million people in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and which is home to
several threatened wildlife species, including the largest remaining
elephant population in the world.
{time} 1630
Today, that region is at a near breaking point due to the not very
well thought of development activities, and we have got to make sure
that we act together.
Specifically, this bill will protect the vital Okavango River Basin
by strengthening coordination between the United States, Angola,
Botswana, and Namibia, and leveraging partnerships with the private
sector, nongovernmental organizations, and regional bodies;
prioritizing wildlife trafficking to make sure that we stop these
poaching programs that have really affected this particular area;
promoting sustainable economic growth for local communities through
responsible natural resource management; and, more importantly, helping
to stop the extinction of these majestic animals, these elephants and
other endangered species.
So it is important that we all work together as lawmakers in a
bipartisan way and also partner with nations to build international
political support for sustainable development while protecting the
world's most sensitive ecosystems. In today's global community, it is
crucial that we assist our international partners and make sure that we
find a better way to protect our world.
In conclusion, I would say that we only have one world to live in. It
is up to us to ensure that we promote sustainable development so our
children and grandchildren have a better world to live in.
I want to thank the International Conservation Caucus Foundation, my
colleagues, our co-chairs, and all of the Members on both sides that
have worked so hard for this bipartisan support of this particular
bill. So I thank my Members and colleagues for bringing this important
matter to the U.S. Congress' attention, and I urge the support of this
bill.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate the
importance of conservation in combating the scourge of wildlife
trafficking around the world. This bill reaffirms our commitment to
these goals and will result in a strategy to encourage sustainable
management of natural resources in the Okavango River Basin located in
Angola, Botswana, and Namibia.
I thank Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Cuellar, and, of course, Chairman Royce
and Ranking Member Engel for their work. This bill passed our committee
by unanimous, bipartisan voice vote. I strongly support it, and I urge
my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the greater Okavango River Basin is home to the largest
remaining elephant population on this planet, but like other regions
across Africa, we know that poaching and trafficking of threatened
species is increasing. We know that greater transboundary cooperation
is essential to protect the basin in order to combat poaching threats
and, obviously, to encourage the responsible management of water
resources.
The U.S. currently supports programs in Africa to combat poaching
threats and promote economic growth, but greater coordination and
diplomatic engagement with these governments, these governments working
together to streamline these programs and galvanize support from
partner countries also in the region, is essential.
We do this not only to protect these threatened species, but also
because it is in our national security interest to do so. I urge all of
my colleagues to support this important measure.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4819, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________