,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ajje ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #bb1 #bjac ,mr4 ,portman 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,udall of ,new ,mexico1 and ,mr4 ,whitehouse7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to establish more efficient and effective policies and processes for departments and agencies engaged in or providing support to1 international conservation4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,conservation ,reform ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,developing country ,the term developing country means a country or area that is on the ,list of ,official ,development ,assistance ,recipients of the ,development ,assistance ,committee of the ,organization for ,economic ,cooperation and ,development4 7#c7 ,hotspot regions ,the term hotspot regions means regions of the developing world that contain an unusually high concentration of species found nowhere else and that have lost at least #gj percent of their original extent4 7#d7 ,natural resources or renewable natural resources ,the terms natural resources and renewable natural resources mean natural resources1 including soils1 forests1 animal and plant populations and products1 coral reefs1 and water1 but do not include nonrenewable natural resources such as minerals1 oil1 and other fossil fuels4 ,i ,assessing existing policies and programs #aja4 ,national academy of sciences study and government accountability office audit and report 7a7 ,study required ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state and the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies shall enter into an arrangement with the ,national ,academy of ,sciences to conduct a study of existing ,united ,states international conservation programs to determine the extent to which such programs are achieving the following objectives3 7#a7 ,advancing conservation in the world's most ecologically and economically important terrestrial and marine ecosystems and protecting distinct hotspot regions that provide a high level of economic benefit to human communities as well as a high concentration of genetic and other natural resources4 7#b7 ,enhancing and expanding partnerships throughout the international community to address natural resource challenges to ensure healthy and sustainable supplies of water1 wildlife habitat and populations1 fish stocks and habitat1 forests1 plants1 and other critical resources4 7#c7 ,integrating international conservation projects and activities to advance ,united ,states foreign policy priorities in areas such as security1 democratization1 sustainable food production1 and clean water4 7#d7 ,expanding and enhancing the economic and wildlife conservation benefits that derive from properly managed international hunting and angling tourism4 7#e7 ,addressing poaching1 illegal logging1 fishing1 and wildlife trafficking and the flow of funds to criminal gangs and terrorists4 7b7 ,report required ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,national ,academy of ,sciences shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the findings of the study conducted pursuant to subsection 7a74 7c7 ,,gao report ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall issue a report that includes-- 7#a7 a detailed description of key federally sponsored multilateral international conservation programs1 including-- 7,a7 the agencies associated with each program2 7,b7 the primary goals of each program2 7,c7 the extent to which executive branch agencies have established measures of performance and effectiveness for each program2 and 7,d7 the funds made available to each program in the previous fiscal year2 7#b7 an assessment on how well executive branch agencies are collaborating and coordinating on international conservation efforts2 7#c7 an assessment on the extent to which executive branch agencies have established strategic goals and performance measures2 7#d7 an assessment of agency processes to ensure conservation programs are administered effectively1 efficiently1 and with minimal expenditures for program administration2 7#e7 identification of conservation programs and policies currently being utilized abroad and evaluation of the potential for similar approaches to be adopted by the ,united ,states to further the purposes of this ,act2 7#f7 any recommendations that the ,comptroller ,general considers appropriate and useful to improve collaboration and coordination between executive branch agencies on international conservation efforts2 and 7#g7 any other analyses the ,comptroller ,general considers necessary or appropriate4 ,,ii ,policy planning and implementation #bja4 ,united ,states international conservation strategy 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president1 acting through the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,international ,conservation designated pursuant to section #bjb7;a71 shall establish and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive strategy 7hereafter referred to as the ,international ,conservation ,strategy7 to strengthen the capacity of the ,united ,states to collaborate with other countries1 international organizations1 the private sector1 and private voluntary organizations on a sustained international effort to conserve natural resources and enhance biodiversity in a manner beneficial to the economic well-being and security of the ,united ,states and other participating countries4 7b7 ,goals and benchmarks ,the ,international ,conservation ,strategy established pursuant to subsection 7a7 shall provide a plan of action that identifies specific and measurable goals1 benchmarks1 and time frames for-- 7#a7 advancing conservation in the world's most ecologically and economically important terrestrial and marine ecosystems2 7#b7 supporting distinct hotspot regions that provide a high level of economic benefit to human communities as well as a high concentration of genetic and other natural resources2 7#c7 helping developing countries address illegal1 unreported1 and unregulated industrial fishing where economies are negatively impacted by depleted fish stocks2 7#d7 safeguarding natural areas that provide fresh water to developing countries2 7#e7 supporting enforcement efforts against illegal logging in centers of the illegal logging trade2 7#f7 supporting enforcement efforts against poaching and unlawful wildlife trafficking operations2 7#g7 facilitating and leveraging the economic and conservation benefits that derive from properly managed international hunting1 angling1 and wildlife observation tourism2 7#h7 stabilizing or reversing renewable natural resource scarcity and degradation trends in regions that are vulnerable to conflict1 instability1 or mass migration from natural resource depletion and wildlife trafficking2 7#i7 expanding substantially the amount of economically and ecologically significant forest in developing countries2 and 7#aj7 reducing the rate of erosion and desertification in developing countries where soil loss is resulting in severe impacts to the economy1 food security1 or stability4 7c7 ,coordination and leverage ,the ,international ,conservation ,strategy shall coordinate and leverage the participation of relevant executive branch agencies1 other countries1 the private sector1 and private voluntary organizations in ways that-- 7#a7 reflect ,government-wide policy that encompasses the programs of1 and reduces duplication among1 executive branch agencies that influence1 engage in1 or support international conservation2 7#b7 provide a plan to identify and improve ,united ,states policies that could be undermining the conservation of critical natural resources and biodiversity abroad2 and 7#c7 seek to encourage and leverage participation from governments of developing countries and other governments1 the private sector1 private voluntary organizations1 and international organizations to implement the ,strategy4 7d7 ,assessing and improving effectiveness ,the ,international ,conservation ,strategy shall include a description of the performance and efficiency measures developed pursuant to section #bjb7;a77#b77;,c7 and a process for their utilization4 7e7 ,country ownership ,in preparing the ,international ,conservation ,strategy1 the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,international ,conservation shall ensure that the ,strategy is appropriate to local needs and conditions and incorporates the views of partner countries1 and describes a means for local citizens to participate in the implementation and the setting of priorities of such programs in the field4 ,the ,international ,conservation ,strategy should build upon partner country development plans and regional strategies4 7f7 ,revision ,not later than #d years after the ,international ,conservation ,strategy is established1 and every #d years thereafter1 the ,strategy shall be revised to reflect-- 7#a7 new information collected pursuant to the implementation of the ,strategy2 and 7#b7 advances in the understanding of biological diversity and the economic and security impacts of renewable natural resource degradation4 #bjb4 ,policy implementation 7a7 ,interagency working group on international conservation 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall establish the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,international ,conservation 7hereafter referred to as the working group71 which shall include the participation of the executive branch agencies that affect1 oversee1 or implement programs that conduct or support international conservation activities or affect the ability of the ,united ,states to achieve the goals of the ,international ,conservation ,strategy4 7#b7 ,duties ,the working group shall-- 7,a7 develop1 through utilization of the report completed pursuant to section #aja7;b7 and appropriate public and agency input1 the ,international ,conservation ,strategy established pursuant to section #bja7;a72 7,b7 identify measures to enhance program and policy coordination among the relevant executive branch agencies in implementing the ,strategy by ensuring that each relevant executive branch agency undertakes programs primarily in those areas where each such agency has the greatest expertise1 technical capabilities1 and potential for success1 and ensuring that agencies avoid duplication of effort2 7,c7 work with the ,office of ,management and ,budget to evaluate the effectiveness of the international conservation programs of the relevant executive branch agencies in meeting the goals of the ,strategy by developing and applying specific performance measurements1 including assessments of-- 7i7 program effectiveness2 7ii7 program efficiency and cost-effectiveness2 7iii7 program accessibility and transparency2 and 7iv7 agency overhead or project administration costs for programs operating in the field2 7,d7 submit to the heads of the ,united ,states ,government departments and agencies represented on the working group programmatic recommendations that are consistent with the priorities of the ,strategy and policy recommendations to ensure that the polices of such departments and agencies advance the interests of the ,united ,states in conserving critical natural resources and biodiversity2 7,e7 submit to such heads recommendations for facilitating coordination and continuity across the departments and agencies in the implementation of international conservation policies subject to interagency or multi-agency jurisdiction2 7,f7 identify innovative conservation projects1 policies1 and initiatives that contribute to achieving multiple foreign policy goals simultaneously1 including-- 7i7 reducing poverty2 7ii7 expanding access to food and water2 7iii7 addressing health threats through natural resources conservation2 7iv7 expanding the access of women to sustainably managed natural resources and to techniques for improved natural resource management2 7v7 addressing poaching1 unlawful fishing1 illegal logging1 and wildlife trafficking2 7vi7 reducing natural resource scarcities or degradation that could increase inter- and intra-state tensions2 and 7vii7 conserving biological diversity2 7,g7 identify measures to address obstacles to achieving the goals of the ,strategy1 including policies that might limit the conservation benefits from properly managed international hunting and angling tourism2 7,h7 develop recommendations for expanding the role of the private sector in ,united ,states international conservation programs by expanding and leveraging private sector contributions2 7,i7 identify measures that further the goals of the ,strategy1 including regulatory actions that facilitate the importation process for wildlife species with a legitimate scientific purpose or to directly or indirectly benefit the recovery of the species or its habitat through the support of conservation programs in foreign countries2 7,j7 recommend diplomatic mechanisms1 relevant international institutions and agreements1 and other appropriate mechanisms to engage other countries to work jointly with the ,united ,states to achieve the goals and actions of the ,international ,conservation ,strategy2 7,k7 identify successful conservation programs and policies currently being utilized abroad and evaluate the potential for similar approaches to be adopted or expanded by the ,united ,states to further the goals of the ,strategy2 7,l7 identify underperforming and unsuccessful projects and programs and make recommendations to improve performance and terminate programs and projects in a manner consistent with furthering the goals of the ,strategy2 7,m7 identify natural resource conservation needs not currently being met by existing policies and programs and make recommendations for addressing such needs2 7,n7 recommend mechanisms to facilitate mutually beneficial international conservation partnerships between such departments and agencies1 nongovernmental organizations1 and the private sector2 and 7,o7 meet regularly to review progress on the objectives described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,n74 7#c7 ,working group leadership ,the ,president shall designate an individual in the executive branch to serve as the chair of the working group 7hereafter referred to as the chair71 the duties of whom shall include-- 7,a7 convening and leading meetings of the working group2 7,b7 taking steps to ensure the development and implementation of the ,international ,conservation ,strategy2 7,c7 ensuring the goals and purposes of the working group are met in accordance with paragraph 7#b72 and 7,d7 ensuring public input into the development and implementation of the ,international ,conservation ,strategy by convening the ,international ,conservation ,public ,advisory ,board established under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,international ,conservation ,public ,advisory ,board 7#a7 ,establishment ,there is hereby established a ,international ,conservation ,public ,advisory ,board 7hereafter referred to as the ,advisory ,board71 whose purpose shall be to advise the working group on matters related to the international conservation policies and programs of the ,united ,states and the development and implementation of the ,international ,conservation ,strategy1 and to ensure that the best scientific1 policy1 economic security1 and business expertise are reflected in the international conservation strategies and policies of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,duties ,it shall be the duty of the ,advisory ,board to advise the working group on matters related to carrying out the duties described in subsection 7a77#b71 including on matters submitted to it for consideration by the working group1 as well as matters identified by the ,advisory ,board4 7c7 ,membership ,the ,advisory ,board shall be comprised of not more than #ae persons appointed from among citizens of the ,united ,states who support sustainable-use conservation1 and shall have outstanding expertise in one or more of the following fields3 7#a7 ,international conservation4 7#b7 ,international diplomacy4 7#c7 ,international business4 7#d7 ,economic development and poverty alleviation4 7#e7 ,food security and water access4 7#f7 ,natural resource scarcity and degradation and related conflict and security issues4 7#g7 ,the economic and conservation benefits of international hunting and angling tourism4 7#h7 ,international laws concerning illegal wildlife trafficking and illegal fishing4 7#i7 ,wildlife biology and zoology4 7d7 ,appointment ,members of the ,advisory ,board shall be appointed by the ,president with the advice of the ,chairman and ,ranking ,member of the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,chairman and ,ranking ,member of the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 on a staggered basis for a term not to exceed #d years1 except that with respect to the initial members of the ,advisory ,board1 #a_/c shall be appointed for a term of #b years1 #a_/c shall be appointed for a term of #c years1 and #a_/c shall be appointed for a term of #d years4 7e7 ,chairman ,a member of the ,advisory ,board shall be elected by a vote of the majority of the ,board to serve as ,chairman for a #b-year term4 7f7 ,meetings ,the ,advisory ,board shall convene at the call of the ,chairman to consider a specific agenda of issues1 as determined by the ,chairman in consultation with the working group and other members of the ,advisory ,board4 7g7 ,reporting ,the ,advisory ,board shall report to the working group chair designated in accordance with subsection 7a77#c7 on its deliberations1 conclusions1 and recommendations4 7h7 ,applicability of ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act ,the ,advisory ,board shall be exempt from the provisions of the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 #bjc4 ,reporting 7a7 ,government accountability office report ,not later than #d years after the ,international ,conservation ,strategy is established under section #bja1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct an audit to consider the progress made to achieve the objectives1 goals1 and benchmarks described in section #bja7;b71 and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the development and implementation of the ,international ,conservation ,strategy4 ,the report shall-- 7#a7 assess progress made in accomplishing the goals and benchmarks described in section #bja7;b72 7#b7 assess the extent to which the executive branch agencies have identified conservation programs and projects that have the potential for replication or adaptation1 particularly at low cost1 in other ,united ,states international conservation efforts2 7#c7 assess the extent to which agencies have increased the efficiency and effectiveness of ,united ,states international conservation programs and reducing executive branch agency overhead or project administration costs for conservation programs implemented abroad2 7#d7 assess the extent to which agencies have identified unsuccessful projects and programs and the actions taken to improve performance or terminate such projects and programs2 7#e7 assess the extent to which agencies have quantified the economic benefits that resulted from investments in international conservation programs and activities called for in the ,strategy1 and an accounting of the measures utilized to calculate such benefits2 7#f7 assess the security benefits to the ,united ,states and friends and allies from better management of natural resources and reduction of poaching and wildlife trafficking2 7#g7 include policy analyses and outline options for congressional consideration2 and 7#h7 include any other analyses the ,comptroller ,general considers necessary or appropriate4 #bjd4 ,wildlife dependent recreation and uses of wildlife 7a7 ,wildlife dependent recreation ,no provision in this ,act shall be construed as restricting1 limiting1 or otherwise impairing properly managed recreational hunting and angling4 7b7 ,regulated uses of wildlife ,no provision in this ,act shall be construed as restricting1 limiting1 or otherwise impairing the ability of any foreign jurisdiction or authority to authorize regulated programs supporting wildlife for local consumption and commercialization4 ,,iii ,support and resources from other countries #cja4 ,diplomatic goals and venues 7a7 ,goals ,congress urges the ,president to work with the world's major foreign assistance donor countries to-- 7#a7 develop a comprehensive and coordinated international conservation assistance strategy consistent with the priorities identified in the ,united ,states ,international ,conservation ,strategy established pursuant to section #bja7;a72 7#b7 identify innovative and efficient multilateral mechanisms that can be used to coordinate international action by all participating donor countries1 identify and reduce duplication of efforts among such donors1 achieve the most cost effective investments1 and leverage international foreign assistance with meaningful financial and other commitments in recipient countries2 and 7#c7 agree on a timetable for achieving the goals of the ,united ,states ,international ,conservation ,strategy4 7b7 ,venues ,congress urges the ,president to explore opportunities for achieving the goals identified in this section within the context of ,united ,states bilateral diplomacy with other important international donor countries1 bilateral diplomacy with newly emerging donor countries1 and all appropriate multilateral venues4