[House Report 118-366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
118th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 118-366
======================================================================
WILDLIFE INNOVATION AND LONGEVITY DRIVER REAUTHORIZATION ACT
_______
January 30, 2024.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Westerman, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 5009]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 5009) to reauthorize wildlife habitat and
conservation programs, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
Purpose of the Legislation
The purpose of H.R. 5009 is to reauthorize wildlife habitat
and conservation programs, and for other purposes.
Background and Need for Legislation
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (Partners
Program) ``provides free technical and financial assistance to
landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and
nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their
land.''\1\ The Partners Program was started by U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1987 and authorized by Congress in
2006 as a part of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act.\2\
The Partners Program is currently authorized at $75 million
annually, but has been funded by Congress at lower levels, with
Congress appropriating $60.2 million for the program in Fiscal
Year (FY) 2023.\3\ In FY 2022, there were 1,847 projects
completed across the country.\4\ Since its inception, the
Partners Program has restored more than 7 million acres of
habitat, while leveraging private dollars at a 4:1 ratio
compared to taxpayer dollars.\5\
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\1\``Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.'' U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/program/partners-fish-and-
wildlife.
\2\P.L. 109-294.
\3\U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
Justifications. https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/
fy2024-fws-greenbook.pdf-508.pdf.
\4\Id.
\5\Id.
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The Multinational Species Conservation Fund (MSCF) is made
up of five subaccounts: the African Elephant Conservation Fund,
the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund, the Rhinoceros and Tiger
Conservation Fund, the Great Ape Conservation Fund, and the
Marine Turtle Conservation Fund.\6\ The Rhinoceros and Tiger
Conservation Fund is authorized at $10 million each fiscal
year, with the other four funds each being authorized at $5
million per fiscal year.\7\ These programs also derive funding
from the Multinational Species Conservation Fund Semipostal
Stamp, with the sales proceeds from the stamp being divided
equally among the funds.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\Id.
\7\P.L. 116-9.
\8\U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
Justifications. https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/
fy2024-fws-greenbook.pdf-508.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From 2015 to 2022, these funds have provided over $92.5
million through grants and cooperative agreements for
conservation projects, leveraging $200 million in additional
funds.\9\ In FY 2023, Congress authorized $21 million combined
for the five funds and in FY 2024, the USFWS requested $22
million (a $200,000 increase for each fund).\10\ The USFWS'
stated intent for the requested increase is to fund more
projects that increase habitat, decrease human-conflict, and
reduce trafficking and poaching operations for the respective
species.\11\
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\9\Id.
\10\Id.
\11\Id.
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H.R. 5009 would reauthorize, at existing authorization of
appropriations levels, the Partners Program and the programs
that make up the MSCF through FY 2028. These programs expired
at the end of FY 2023.
Committee Action
H.R. 5009 was introduced on July 27, 2023, by Rep. David P.
Joyce (R-OH). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on
Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. On October 18, 2023, the
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a hearing on
the bill. On October 26, 2023, the Committee on Natural
Resources met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Water,
Wildlife and Fisheries was discharged from further
consideration of H.R. 5009 by unanimous consent. H.R. 5009 was
ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by
unanimous consent.
Hearings
For the purposes of clause 3(c)(6) of House rule XIII, the
following hearing was used to develop or consider this measure:
hearing by the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries
held on October 18, 2023.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 establishes the short title of the bill as the
``Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver reauthorization
Act'' or the ``WILD Act.''
Section 2. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act
Section 2 reauthorizes, at existing authorization levels,
the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act through FY 2028.
Section 3. African Elephant Conservation Act
Section 3 reauthorizes, at existing authorization levels,
the African Elephant Conservation Act through FY 2028.
Section 4. Asian Elephant Act of 1997
Section 4 reauthorizes, at existing authorization levels,
the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 through FY 2028.
Section 5. Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994
Section 5 reauthorizes, at existing authorization levels,
the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 through FY
2028.
Section 6. Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000
Section 6 reauthorizes, at existing authorization levels,
the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 through FY 2028.
Section 7. Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004
Section 7 reauthorizes, at existing authorization levels,
the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 through FY 2028.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII and Congressional
Budget Act
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
H.R. 5009 would reauthorize the appropriation of $75
million annually over the 2024-2028 period for the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to implement the Partners for Fish
and Wildlife Program. The program provides grants to landowners
to restore fish and wildlife habitats on private land. In 2023,
USFWS allocated $60 million for that program. The bill also
would reauthorize the appropriation of $30 million annually
over the 2024-2028 period to support international efforts to
conserve certain wild animals. In 2023, $21 million was
appropriated for those purposes. In addition, the bill would
allow USFWS to provide multiyear grants for up to five years
for those efforts. The costs of the multiyear grants would be
covered by the bill's authorized appropriations.
Using historical spending patterns for those programs and
assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates
that implementing H.R. 5009 would cost $483 million over the
2024-2028 period and $42 million after 2028.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall
within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 5009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2024-2028
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program:
Authorization....................................... 75 75 75 75 75 375
Estimated Outlays................................... 58 69 72 74 75 348
Species Conservation Programs:
Authorization....................................... 30 30 30 30 30 150
Estimated Outlays................................... 18 27 30 30 30 135
Total:
Authorization................................... 105 105 105 105 105 525
Estimated Outlays............................... 76 96 102 104 105 483
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 6, 2023, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S.
2395, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works on July 26, 2023. The two bills
are similar and CBO's estimates of their budgetary effects are
the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Lilia Ledezma.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to reauthorize wildlife habitat and
conservation programs, and for other purposes.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the rules of
the House of Representatives.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Statement
According to the Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 5009
contains no unfunded mandates as defined in the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Existing Programs
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the
U.S. Constitution.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act
not more than $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years [2019
through 2023] 2024 through 2028.
----------
AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
* * * * * * *
PART I--AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE
SEC. 2101. PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may provide financial
assistance under this part from the Fund for approved projects
for research, conservation, management, or protection of
African elephants.
(b) Project Proposal.--Any African government agency
responsible for African elephant conservation and protection,
the CITES Secretariat, and any organization or individual with
experience in African elephant conservation may submit to the
Secretary a project proposal under this section. Each such
proposal shall contain--
(1) the name of the person responsible for conducting
the project;
(2) a succinct statement of the need for and purposes
of the project;
(3) a description of the qualifications of the
individuals who will be conducting the project;
(4) an estimate of the funds and time required to
complete the project;
(5) evidence of support of the project by
governmental entities of countries within which the
project will be conducted, if such support may be
important for the success of the project; and
(6) any other information the Secretary considers to
be necessary or appropriate for evaluating the
eligibility of the project for funding under this
title.
(c) Project Review and Approval.--The Secretary shall review
each project proposal to determine if it meets the criteria set
forth in subsection (d) and otherwise merits assistance under
this title. Not later than six months after receiving a project
proposal, and subject to the availability of funds, the
Secretary shall approve or disapprove the proposal and provide
written notification to the person who submitted the proposal.
(d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a
project under this section if the project will enhance programs
for African elephant research, conservation, management, or
protection by--
(1) developing in a usable form sound scientific
information on African elephant habitat condition and
carrying capacity, total elephant numbers and
population trends, or annual reproduction and
mortality; or
(2) assisting efforts--
(A) to ensure that any taking of African
elephants in the country is effectively
controlled and monitored;
(B) to implement conservation programs to
provide for healthy, sustainable African
elephant populations; or
(C) to enhance compliance with the CITES
Ivory Control System.
(e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent practical,
in determining whether to approve project proposals under this
section, the Secretary shall give consideration to projects
that will enhance sustainable conservation programs to ensure
effective long-term conservation of African elephants.
(f) Project Reporting.--Each entity that receives assistance
under this section shall provide such periodic reports to the
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as the
Director considers relevant and appropriate. Each report shall
include all information requested by the Director for
evaluating the progress and success of the project.
(g) Multiyear Grants.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may award to a
person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this
section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out
a project that the person demonstrates is an effective,
long-term conservation strategy for African elephants
and the habitat of African elephants.
(2) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection precludes the
Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.
* * * * * * *
PART III--MISCELLANEOUS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Fund and to the Secretary a total of not to exceed
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years [2019 through 2023] 2024
through 2028 to carry out this title, to remain available until
expended.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each
fiscal year to carry out this title, the Secretary may expend
not more than 3 percent or $100,000, whichever is greater, to
pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this
title.
----------
ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT OF 1997
* * * * * * *
SEC. 5. ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability
of funds and in consultation with the Administrator, shall use
amounts in the Fund to provide financial assistance for
projects for the conservation of Asian elephants for which
final project proposals are approved by the Secretary in
accordance with this section.
(b) Project Proposal.--Any relevant wildlife management
authority of a nation within the range of Asian elephants whose
activities directly or indirectly affect Asian elephant
populations, the CITES Secretariat, or any person with
demonstrated expertise in the conservation of Asian elephants,
may submit to the Secretary a project proposal under this
section. Each proposal shall include the following:
(1) The name of the individual responsible for
conducting the project.
(2) A succinct statement of the purposes of the
project.
(3) A description of the qualifications of the
individuals who will conduct the project.
(4) An estimate of the funds and time required to
complete the project.
(5) Evidence of support of the project by appropriate
governmental entities of countries in which the project
will be conducted, if the Secretary determines that the
support is required for the success of the project.
(6) Information regarding the source and amount of
matching funding available to the applicant.
(7) Any other information the Secretary considers to
be necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the
project for funding under this Act.
(c) Project Review and Approval.--
(1) In general.--Within 30 days after receiving a
final project proposal, the Secretary shall provide a
copy of the proposal to the Administrator. The
Secretary shall review each final project proposal to
determine if it meets the criteria set forth in
subsection (d).
(2) Consultation; approval or disapproval.--Not later
than 6 months after receiving a final project proposal,
and subject to the availability of funds, the
Secretary, after consulting with the Administrator,
shall--
(A) request written comments on the proposal
from each country within which the project is
to be conducted;
(B) after requesting those comments, approve
or disapprove the proposal; and
(C) provide written notification of that
approval or disapproval to the person who
submitted the proposal and the Administrator.
(d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a final
project proposal under this section if the project will enhance
programs for conservation of Asian elephants by assisting
efforts to--
(1) implement conservation programs;
(2) address the conflicts between humans and
elephants that arise from competition for the same
habitat;
(3) enhance compliance with provisions of CITES and
laws of the United States or a foreign country that
prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of Asian
elephants or regulate the use and management of Asian
elephant habitat;
(4) develop sound scientific information on the
condition of Asian elephant habitat, Asian elephant
population numbers and trends, or the threats to such
habitat, numbers, or trends; or
(5) promote cooperative projects on those topics with
other foreign governments, affected local communities,
nongovernmental organizations, or others in the private
sector.
(e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent practical,
in determining whether to approve project proposals under this
section, the Secretary shall give consideration to projects
which will enhance sustainable integrated conservation
development programs to ensure effective, long-term
conservation of Asian elephants.
(f) Project Reporting.--Each person who receives assistance
under this section for a project shall provide periodic
reports, as the Secretary considers necessary, to the Secretary
and the Administrator. Each report shall include all
information required by the Secretary, after consulting with
the Administrator, for evaluating the progress and success of
the project.
(g) Matching Funds.--In determining whether to approve
project proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give
priority to those projects for which there exists some measure
of matching funds.
(h) Limitation on Use for Captive Breeding.--Amounts provided
as a grant under this Act may not be used for captive breeding
of Asian elephants other than for release in the wild.
(i) Multiyear Grants.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may award to a
person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this
section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out
a project that the person demonstrates is an effective,
long-term conservation strategy for Asian elephants and
the habitat of Asian elephants.
(2) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection precludes the
Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Fund $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years [2019 through
2023] 2024 through 2028 to carry out this Act, which may remain
available until expended.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each
fiscal year to carry out this Act, the Secretary may expend not
more than 3 percent or $100,000, whichever is greater, to pay
the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this Act.
----------
RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION ACT OF 1994
* * * * * * *
SEC. 5. RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability
of appropriations and in consultation with the Administrator,
shall use amounts in the Fund to provide financial assistance
for projects for the conservation of rhinoceros and tigers.
(b) Project Proposal.--A country whose activities directly or
indirectly affect rhinoceros or tiger populations, the CITES
Secretariat, or any other person may submit to the Secretary a
project proposal under this section. Each proposal shall--
(1) name the individual responsible for conducting
the project;
(2) state the purposes of the project succinctly;
(3) describe the qualifications of the individuals
who will conduct the project;
(4) estimate the funds and time required to complete
the project;
(5) provide evidence of support of the project by
appropriate governmental entities of countries in which
the project will be conducted, if the Secretary
determines that the support is required for the success
of the project; and
(6) provide any other information the Secretary
considers to be necessary for evaluating the
eligibility of the project for funding under this Act.
(c) Project Review and Approval.--Within 30 days of receiving
a final project proposal, the Secretary shall provide a copy of
the proposal to the Administrator. The Secretary shall review
each final project proposal to determine if it meets the
criteria set forth in subsection (d). Not later than 6 months
after receiving a final project proposal, and subject to the
availability of funds, the Secretary, after consulting with the
Administrator, shall approve or disapprove the proposal and
provide written notification to the person who submitted the
proposal and to the Administrator.
(d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a
project under this section if the project will enhance programs
for conservation of rhinoceros or tigers by assisting efforts
to--
(1) implement conservation programs;
(2) enhance compliance with provisions of CITES and
laws of the United States or a foreign country that
prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros
or tigers or the use of rhinoceros or tiger habitat; or
(3) develop sound scientific information on that
species' habitat condition and carrying capacity, total
numbers and population trends, or annual reproduction
and mortality.
(e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent practical,
in determining whether to approve project proposals under this
section, the Secretary shall give consideration to projects
which will enhance sustainable conservation programs to ensure
effective long-term conservation of rhinoceros and tigers.
(f) Project Reporting.--Each person that receives assistance
under this section for a project shall provide periodic
reports, as the Secretary considers necessary, to the Secretary
and the Administrator. Each report shall include all
information requested by the Secretary, after consulting with
the Administrator, for evaluating the progress and success of
the project.
(g) Multiyear Grants.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may award to a
person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this
section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out
a project that the person demonstrates is an effective,
long-term conservation strategy for rhinoceroses or
tigers and the habitat of rhinoceroses or tigers.
(2) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection precludes the
Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Fund $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years [2019 through
2023] 2024 through 2028 to carry out this Act, to remain
available until expended.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each
fiscal year to carry out this Act, the Secretary may expend not
more than 3 percent or $100,000, whichever is greater, to pay
the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this Act.
----------
GREAT APE CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000
* * * * * * *
SEC. 4. GREAT APE CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General. Subject to the availability of funds and in
consultation with other appropriate Federal officials, the
Secretary shall use amounts in the Fund to provide financial
assistance for projects for the conservation of great apes for
which project proposals are approved by the Secretary in
accordance with this section.
(b) Project Proposals.--
(1) Eligible applicants.--A proposal for a project
for the conservation of great apes may be submitted to
the Secretary by--
(A) any wildlife management authority of a
country that has within its boundaries any part
of the range of a great ape if the activities
of the authority directly or indirectly affect
a great ape population;
(B) the CITES Secretariat; or
(C) any person or group with the demonstrated
expertise required for the conservation of
great apes.
(2) Required elements.--A project proposal shall
include--
(A) a concise statement of the purposes of
the project;
(B) the name of the individual responsible
for conducting the project;
(C) a description of the qualifications of
the individuals who will conduct the project;
(D) a concise description of--
(i) methods for project
implementation and outcome assessment;
(ii) staff and community management
for the project; and
(iii) the logistics of the project;
(E) an estimate of the funds and time
required to complete the project;
(F) evidence of support for the project by
appropriate governmental entities of the
countries in which the project will be
conducted, if the Secretary determines that
such support is required for the success of the
project;
(G) information regarding the source and
amount of matching funding available for the
project; and
(H) any other information that the Secretary
considers to be necessary for evaluating the
eligibility of the project for funding under
this Act.
(c) Project Review and Approval.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
(A) not later than 30 days after receiving a
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 if the proposal meets the
criteria specified in subsection (d).
(2) Consultation; approval or disapproval.--Not later
than 180 days after receiving a project proposal, and
subject to the availability of funds, 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 conducted;
(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 the person who
submitted the proposal, other appropriate
Federal officials, and each country described
in subparagraph (A).
(d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a
project proposal under this section if the project will enhance
programs for conservation of great apes by assisting efforts
to--
(1) implement conservation programs;
(2) address the conflicts between humans and great
apes that arise from competition for the same habitat;
(3) enhance compliance with CITES and other
applicable laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or
trade of great apes or regulate the use and management
of great ape habitat;
(4) develop sound scientific information on, or
methods for monitoring--
(A) the condition and health of great ape
habitat;
(B) great ape population numbers and trends;
or
(C) the current and projected threats to the
habitat, current and projected numbers, or
current and projected trends;
(5) promote cooperative projects on the issues
described in paragraph (4) among government entities,
affected local communities, nongovernmental
organizations, or other persons in the private sector;
or
(6) address root causes of threats to great apes in
range states, including illegal bushmeat trade,
diseases, lack of regional or local capacity for
conservation, and habitat loss due to natural
disasters.
(e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent
practicable, in determining whether to approve project
proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give
preference to conservation projects that are designed to ensure
effective, long-term conservation of great apes and their
habitats.
(f) Matching Funds.--In determining whether to approve
project proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give
preference to projects for which matching funds are available.
(g) Project Reporting.--
(1) In general.--Each person that receives assistance
under this section for a project shall submit to the
Secretary periodic reports (at such intervals as the
Secretary considers necessary) that include all
information that the Secretary, after consultation with
other appropriate government officials, determines is
necessary to evaluate the progress and success of the
project for the purposes of ensuring positive results,
assessing problems, and fostering improvements.
(2) Availability to the public.--Reports under
paragraph (1), and any other documents relating to
projects for which financial assistance is provided
under this Act, shall be made available to the public.
(h) Limitations on Use for Captive Breeding.--Amounts
provided as a grant under this Act--
(1) may not be used for captive breeding of great
apes other than for captive breeding for release into
the wild; and
(2) may be used for captive breeding of a species for
release into the wild only if no other conservation
method for the species is biologically feasible.
(i) Panel.--
(1) Convention.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act, and every 5 years
thereafter, the Secretary may convene a panel of
experts on great apes to identify the greatest needs
and priorities for the conservation of great apes.
(2) Composition.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
panel referred to in paragraph (1) includes, to the
maximum extent practicable, 1 or more representatives--
(A) from each country that comprises the
natural range of great apes; and
(B) with expertise in great ape conservation.
(3) Conservation plans.--In identifying the
conservation needs and priorities under paragraph (1),
the panel referred to in that paragraph shall consider
any relevant great ape conservation plan or strategy,
including scientific research and findings relating
to--
(A) the conservation needs and priorities of
great apes;
(B) any regional or species-specific action
plan or strategy;
(C) any applicable strategy developed or
initiated by the Secretary; and
(D) any other applicable conservation plan or
strategy.
(4) Funds.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary may use amounts available
to the Secretary to pay for the costs of convening and
facilitating any meeting of the panel referred to in
paragraph (1).
(5) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united
states code.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code
shall not apply to a panel convened under paragraph
(1).
(j) Multiyear Grants.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may award to a
person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this
section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out
a project that the person demonstrates is an effective,
long-term conservation strategy for great apes and the
habitat of great apes.
(2) Effect of subsection.--Nothing in this subsection
precludes the Secretary from awarding a grant on an
annual basis.
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SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years [2019 through 2023] 2024
through 2028.
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MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION ACT OF 2004
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SEC. 4. CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of funds and in
consultation with other Federal officials, the Secretary shall
use amounts in the Fund to provide financial assistance for
projects for the conservation of marine turtles, freshwater
turtles, or tortoises for which project proposals are approved
by the Secretary in accordance with this section.
(b) Project Proposals.--
(1) Eligible applicants.--A proposal for a project
for the conservation of marine turtles, freshwater
turtles, or tortoises may be submitted to the Secretary
by--
(A) any wildlife management authority of a
foreign country or territory of the United
States that has within its boundaries marine
turtle, freshwater turtle, or tortoise habitat,
if the activities of the authority directly or
indirectly affect marine turtle, freshwater
turtle, or tortoise conservation; or
(B) any other person or group with the
demonstrated expertise required for the
conservation of marine turtles, freshwater
turtles, or tortoises.
(2) Required elements.--A project proposal shall
include--
(A) a statement of the purposes of the
project;
(B) the name of the individual with overall
responsibility for the project;
(C) a description of the qualifications of
the individuals that will conduct the project;
(D) a description of--
(i) methods for project
implementation and outcome assessment;
(ii) staff and community management
for the project; and
(iii) the logistics of the project;
(E) an estimate of the funds and time
required to complete the project;
(F) evidence of support for the project by
appropriate governmental entities of the
countries in which the project will be
conducted, if the Secretary determines that
such support is required for the success of the
project;
(G) information regarding the source and
amount of matching funding available for the
project; and
(H) any other information that the Secretary
considers to be necessary for evaluating the
eligibility of the project for funding under
this Act.
(c) Project Review and Approval.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
(A) not later than 30 days after receiving a
project proposal, provide a copy of the
proposal to other Federal officials, as
appropriate; and
(B) review each project proposal in a timely
manner to determine whether the proposal meets
the criteria specified in subsection (d).
(2) Consultation; approval or disapproval.--Not later
than 180 days after receiving a project proposal, and
subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary,
after consulting with other Federal officials, as
appropriate, shall--
(A) consult on the proposal with the
government of each country and territory of the
United States in which the project is to be
conducted;
(B) after taking into consideration any
comments resulting from the consultation,
approve or disapprove the project proposal; and
(C) provide written notification of the
approval or disapproval to the person that
submitted the project proposal, other Federal
officials, and each country and territory of
the United States described in subparagraph
(A).
(d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a
project proposal under this section if the Secretary determines
that the project will help to restore, recover, and sustain a
viable population of marine turtles, freshwater turtles, or
tortoises in the wild by assisting efforts in a foreign country
or territory of the United States to implement a marine turtle,
freshwater turtle, or tortoise conservation program.
(e) Project Sustainability.--To the maximum extent
practicable, in determining whether to approve project
proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give
preference to conservation projects that are designed to ensure
effective, long-term conservation of marine turtles, freshwater
turtles, or tortoises and the habitats of marine turtles,
freshwater turtles, or tortoises.
(f) Matching Funds.--In determining whether to approve
project proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give
preference to projects for which matching funds are available.
(g) Project Reporting.--
(1) In general.--Each person that receives assistance
under this section for a project shall submit to the
Secretary periodic reports (at such intervals as the
Secretary may require) that include all information
that the Secretary, after consultation with other
government officials, determines is necessary to
evaluate the progress and success of the project for
the purposes of ensuring positive results, assessing
problems, and fostering improvements.
(2) Availability to the public.--Reports under
paragraph (1), and any other documents relating to
projects for which financial assistance is provided
under this Act, shall be made available to the public.
(h) Multiyear Grants.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may award to a
person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this
section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out
a project that the person demonstrates is an effective,
long-term conservation strategy for marine turtles,
freshwater turtles, or tortoises and the habitat of
marine turtles, freshwater turtles, or tortoises.
(2) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection precludes the
Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Fund $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years [2019 through
2023] 2024 through 2028.
(b) Allocation.--Of the amounts made available for each
fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a)--
(1) not less than $1,510,000 shall be used by the
Secretary for marine turtle conservation purposes in
accordance with this Act; and
(2) of the amounts in excess of the amount described
in paragraph (1), not less than 40 percent shall be
used by the Secretary for freshwater turtle and
tortoise conservation purposes in accordance with this
Act.
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