Birdwatching is a popular activity in Michigan, and its increased popularity is reflected by an increase in tourist dollars being spent in small, rural communities. Healthy bird populations also prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses each year to farming and timber interests. They help control insect populations, thereby preventing crop failures and infestations.

   Despite the enormous benefits we derive from our bird populations, many of them are struggling to survive. Ninety species are listed as endangered or threatened in the United States. Another 124 species are of high conservation concern. In my own state we are working to bring the Kirtland's Warbler back from the brink of extinction. In recent years, the population of this distinctive bird has been estimated at approximately 200 nesting pairs. That number has recently increased to an estimated 800 nesting pairs, but this entire species spends half of the year in the Bahamas. Therefore, the significant efforts made by Michigan's Department of Natural Resources and concerned residents will not be enough to save this bird if its winter habitat is degraded or destroyed. Not surprisingly, the primary reason for most declines is the loss of bird habitat.

   This situation is not unique, among bird watchers' favorites, many neotropical birds are endangered or of high conservation concern. And several of the most popular neotropical species, including bluebirds, robins, goldfinches and orioles, migrate to and from the Caribbean and Latin America.

   Because neotropical migratory birds range across a number of international borders every year, we must work to establish safeguards at both ends of their migration routes, as well as at critical stopover areas along their way. Only in this way can conservation efforts prove successful.

   That is why Senator DASCHLE, Senator CHAFEE and I have introduced the ``Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act.'' This legislation will protect bird habitats across international boundaries by establishing partnerships between the

   business community, nongovernmental organizations and foreign nations. By teaming businesses with international organizations concerned to protect the environment we can combine capital with know-how. By partnering these entities with local organizations in countries where bird habitat is endangered we can see to it that local people receive the training they need to preserve this habitat and maintain this critical natural resource.

   This act establishes a three year demonstration project providing $8 million each year to help establish programs in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. The greater portion of these funds will be focused outside the U.S. Approved programs will manage and conserve neotropical migratory bird populations. Those eligible to participate will include national and international nongovernmental organizations and business interest, as well as U.S. government entities.

   The key to this act is cooperation among nongovernmental organizations. The federal share of each project's cost is never to exceed 33 percent. For grants awarded outside the U.S., the nonfederal match can be made with in-kind contributions. This will encourage volunteerism and local interest in communities that lack the financial resource to contribute currency. Since domestic organizations and communities are more financially secure, the matching portion of grants awarded within the U.S. will be required in cash.

   The approach taken by this legislation differs from that of current programs in that it is proactive and, by avoiding a crisis management approach, will prove significantly more cost effective. In addition, this legislation does not call for complicated and expensive bureaucratic structures such as councils, commissions or multi-tiered oversight structures. Further, this legislation will bring needed attention and expertise to areas now receiving relatively little attention in the area of environmental degradation.

   This legislation has the support of the National Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy and the Ornithological Council. These organizations agree with Senator DASCHLE, SENATOR CHAFEE and I that, by establishing partnerships between business, government and nongovernmental organizations both here and abroad we can greatly enhance the protection of migratory bird habitat.

   I urge my colleagues to support this bill and ask that a copy of the legislation be printed in the RECORD.

   There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

    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 ``Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act''.

   SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--

    (1) of the nearly 800 bird species known to occur in the United States, approximately 500 migrate among countries, and the large majority of those species, the neotropical migrants, winter in Latin America and the Caribbean;

    (2) neotropical migratory bird species provide invaluable environmental, economic, recreational, and aesthetic benefits to the United States, as well as to the Western Hemisphere;

    (3)(A) many neotropical migratory bird populations, once considered common, are in decline, and some have declined to the point that their long-term survival in the wild is in jeopardy; and

    (B) the primary reason for the decline in the populations of those species is habitat loss and degradation (including pollution and contamination) across the species' range; and

    (4)(A) because neotropical migratory birds range across numerous international borders each year, their conservation requires the commitment and effort of all countries along their migration routes; and

    (B) although numerous initiatives exist to conserve migratory birds and their habitat, those initiatives can be significantly strengthened and enhanced by increased coordination.

   SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--

    (1) to perpetuate healthy populations of neotropical migratory birds;

    (2) to assist in the conservation of neotropical migratory birds by supporting conservation initiatives in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and

    (3) to provide financial resources and to foster international cooperation for those initiatives.

   SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:

    (1) ACCOUNT.--The term ``Account'' means the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Account established by section 9(a).

    (2) CONSERVATION.--The term ``conservation'' means the use of methods and procedures necessary to bring a species of neotropical migratory bird to the point at which there are sufficient populations in the wild to ensure the long-term viability of the species, including--

    (A) protection and management of neotropical migratory bird populations;

    (B) maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of neotropical migratory bird habitat;

    (C) research and monitoring;

    (D) law enforcement; and

    (E) community outreach and education.

    (3) SECRETARY.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

   SEC. 5. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary shall establish a program to provide financial assistance for projects to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory birds.

    (b) PROJECT APPLICANTS.--A project proposal may be submitted by--

    (1) an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other private entity;

    (2) an officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, of any State, municipality, or political subdivision of a State, or of any foreign government;

    (3) a State, municipality, or political subdivision of a State;

    (4) any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or of any foreign country; and

    (5) an international organization (as defined in section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288)).

    (c) PROJECT PROPOSALS.--To be considered for financial assistance for a project under this Act, an applicant shall submit a project proposal that--

    (1) includes--

    (A) the name of the individual responsible for the project;

    (B) a succinct statement of the purposes of the project;

    (C) a description of the qualifications of individuals conducting the project; and

    (D) an estimate of the funds and time necessary to complete the project, including sources and amounts of matching funds;

[Page: S573]  GPO's PDF

    (2) demonstrates that the project will enhance the conservation of neotropical migratory bird species in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the United States;

    (3) includes mechanisms to ensure adequate local public participation in project development and implementation;

    (4) contains assurances that the project will be implemented in consultation with relevant wildlife management authorities and other appropriate government officials with jurisdiction over the resources addressed by the project;

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