[Senate Report 110-211]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 322
110th Congress Report
SENATE
1st Session 110-211
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MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUNDS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007
_______
October 29, 2007.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mrs. Boxer, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 50]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred a bill (H.R. 50) to reauthorize the African Elephant
Conservation Act and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act
of 1994, having considered the same reports favorably thereon
without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
General Statement and Background
H.R. 50, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds
Reauthorization Act of 2007, would amend and reauthorize
through 2012 the African Elephant Conservation Act and the
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act. These acts provide for
the conservation of the rhinoceros, tiger and African elephant,
three wildlife species listed on Appendix I of the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES) which prohibits any international trade of these
endangered species. Some sub-populations of these species may
be stable or recovering, but most remain extremely vulnerable
in the wild.
Rhinoceros--Between 1979 and 1992, black rhinoceros
declined 96 percent across Asia and Africa, shrinking from over
1 million animals to approximately 2,300. Sumatran rhinos have
continued to decline in the past 18 years with only an
estimated 300 surviving in Malaysia and Indonesia. White rhino,
however, whose population once declined to about 100 animals,
is now thought to have recovered to an estimated population of
11,000. All five rhino species remain subjected to intense
poaching to supply the illegal global black market for rhino
horn used mostly in Asian medicine.
Tiger--Once abundant throughout Asia, wild tigers now
number between 5,000 to 7,000 animals and live in fragmented
groups, mostly in protected forests, refuges and national
parks. Recent surveys indicate that the South China Tiger may
become extinct. Tiger populations remain subject to severe
poaching pressure and illegal hunting to fuel a lucrative
international trade in tiger and tiger parts, mostly in Asia
for traditional medicines.
African Elephant--Populations plummeted from an estimated
10 million to approximately 500,000 between 1900 and 1990.
Central and East African populations remain highly stressed due
to increased poaching for ``bushmeat'' and illegal ivory
markets, civil war and habitat loss. Southern populations have
stabilized or even recovered. This has heightened hostile
elephant/human interactions and increased interest within some
range states to downlist specific populations to CITES Appendix
II which would allow for permitted trade if it is not
detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.
H.R. 50 would reauthorize through 2012 two international
wildlife conservation acts, providing matching grants to non-
federal conservation partners. This funding will support field
conservation projects, such as scientific research, habitat
enhancement, law enforcement, monitoring and local community
outreach and education benefiting African elephants, rhinos,
tigers and their habitats. Continued funding is considered
essential because future survival in the wild of these
charismatic species remains tenuous due to increased poaching,
escalation in illegal trade, spotty local law enforcement,
habitat loss, political instability and civil strife within
regions where these animals range. Despite achievements made
under both programs, current conservation efforts could
collapse with the cessation of U.S. financial involvement.
Below is a table describing total funding, grants awarded,
funds used for administration and total non-federal matching
amounts for both Acts since their enactments.
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African
Elephant Rhino & Tiger Total
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Total number of grant proposals received........................ 428 744 1,172
Total number of grant awards.................................... 281 321 602
Percentage of countries with relevant species that receive 100% 82% 94%
grants.........................................................
Total amount appropriated by U.S. Congress...................... $17,383,350 $9,497,141 $26,880,491
Total funds distributed through grants.......................... $16,812,798 $9,304,209 $26,117,007
Total funds spent on administration of grants................... $733,833 $488,335 $1,222,168
Total matching/in-kind funds leveraged through grants........... $71,729,121 $19,377,873 $91,106,994
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Objectives of the Legislation
H.R. 50 reauthorizes the African Elephant Conservation Act
and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 by
amending several provisions under current law and extending
through fiscal year 2011 the authorization of appropriations to
the African Elephant Conservation Fund and the Rhinoceros and
Tiger Conservation Fund.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
This section states that the bill may be cited as the
``Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act
of 2007.''
Section 2. Reauthorization and amendment of African Elephant
Conservation Act
This section amends the African Elephant Conservation Act
to increase funding available to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to administer the program from $80,000 to $100,000 per
year. The section also revises notice requirements for grants
approved by the Secretary of the Interior to eliminate
unnecessary notices to the countries in which the grant
activity will be conducted. The section also amends the act to
reauthorize existing funding levels through fiscal year 2012.
Section 3. Reauthorization and amendment of Rhinoceros and Tiger
Conservation Act of 1994
This section amends the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation
Act to make corresponding changes identical to those described
in section 2.
Legislative History
On July 24, 2007, after favorable action by the House
Committee on Natural Resources and the House of
Representatives, the bill was received, read twice and referred
to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The
committee met on July 31, 2007, to consider the bill. H.R. 50
was ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Hearings
No committee hearings were held on H.R. 50.
Rollcall Votes
The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to
consider H.R. 50 on July 31, 2007. The bill was ordered
favorably reported by voice vote. No roll call votes were
taken.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that H.R. 50
does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it
cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of
individuals.
Mandates Assessment
In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-4), the committee finds that H.R. 50 imposes no
Federal intergovernmental mandates on State, local or tribal
governments.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Summary: H.R. 50 would reauthorize appropriations for
projects carried out under the African Elephant Conservation
Act of 1988 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of
1994. Specifically, the act would authorize appropriations
through 2012 for such projects at the existing authorization
level of up to $15 million annually. The current authorization
expires at the end of fiscal year 2007. The Secretary of the
Interior uses this fund primarily to help finance research and
conservation programs overseas.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 50 would result in additional
spending of $68 million over the 2008-2012 period. (An
additional $7 million would be spent after 2012.) Enacting the
legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues.
H.R. 50 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 50 is shown in the following table.
The cost of this legislation falls within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment). For this estimate, CBO
assumes that the entire amounts authorized by the act would be
appropriated for each fiscal year. Outlay estimates are based
on recent spending patterns for this program.
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By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
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SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Spending Under Current Law for Multinational Species
Conservation Funds:
Budget Authority...................................... 3 0 0 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays:.................................... 3 0 0 0 0 0
Proposed Changes:
Authorization Level................................... 0 15 15 15 15 15
Estimated Outlays..................................... 0 9 14 15 15 15
Spending Under H.R. 50 for Multinational Species
Conservation Funds:
Estimated Authorization Level......................... 15 15 15 15 15 15
Estimated Outlays..................................... 15 9 14 15 15 15
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Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 50
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state,
local, or tribal governments.
Previous CBO cost estimate: On July 18, 2007, CBO
transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 50 as ordered reported by
the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 28, 2007. The
two versions of the legislation are identical, as are the CBO
cost estimates.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis and David
Reynolds; Impact on state, local, and tribal governments: Leo
Lex; Impact on the private sector: Justin Hall,
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, 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 italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown
in roman:
* * * * * * *
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AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2101. PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--* * *
* * * * * * *
(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 [and to each country within which the
project is proposed to be conducted].
* * * * * * *
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 [2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, and 2007]2007 through 2012 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 [$80,000]$100,000, whichever is
greater, to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry
out this title.
* * * * * * *
RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION ACT OF 1994
* * * * * * *
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 5. RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--* * *
* * * * * * *
(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[, to the Administrator, and to each
country within which the project is to be conducted]and to the
Administrator.
* * * * * * *
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 [2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007]2007 through 2012 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 [$80,000]$100,000, whichever is greater,
to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this
Act.
* * * * * * *