CHAPTER 62 —AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
SUBCHAPTER I—AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE
SUBCHAPTER II—MORATORIA AND PROHIBITED ACTS
SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS
§4201. Statement of purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to perpetuate healthy populations of African elephants.
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2007 Amendment
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Short Title of 1998 Amendment
Short Title
§4202. Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Elephant populations in Africa have declined at an alarming rate since the mid-1970's.
(2) The large illegal trade in African elephant ivory is the major cause of this decline and threatens the continued existence of the African elephant.
(3) The African elephant is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (
(4) Because African elephant ivory is indistinguishable from Asian elephant ivory, there is a need to ensure that the trade in African elephant ivory does not further endanger the Asian elephant, which is listed as endangered under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (
(5) In response to the significant illegal trade in African elephant ivory, the parties to CITES established the CITES Ivory Control System to curtail the illegal trade and to encourage African countries to manage, conserve, and protect their African elephant populations.
(6) The CITES Ivory Control System entered into force recently and should be allowed to continue in force for a reasonable period of time to assess its effectiveness in curtailing the illegal trade in African elephant ivory.
(7) Although some African countries have effective African elephant conservation programs, many do not have sufficient resources to properly manage, conserve, and protect their elephant populations.
(8) The United States, as a party to CITES and a large market for worked ivory, shares responsibility for supporting and implementing measures to stop the illegal trade in African elephant ivory and to provide for the conservation of the African elephant.
(9) There is no evidence that sport hunting is part of the poaching that contributes to the illegal trade in African elephant ivory, and there is evidence that the proper utilization of well-managed elephant populations provides an important source of funding for African elephant conservation programs.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in par. (3), is
§4203. Statement of policy
It is the policy of the United States—
(1) to assist in the conservation and protection of the African elephant by supporting the conservation programs of African countries and the CITES Secretariat; and
(2) to provide financial resources for those programs.
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SUBCHAPTER I—AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE
§4211. Provision of assistance
(a) In general
The Secretary may provide financial assistance under this subchapter 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 chapter.
(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 chapter. 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.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2007—Subsec. (c).
2002—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
§4212. Acceptance and use of donations
The Secretary may accept and use donations of funds to provide assistance under this subchapter. Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of such donations shall be transferred by the Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit into the Fund.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2002—
§4213. Omitted
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section,
§4214. Advisory group
(a) In general
To assist in carrying out this chapter, the Secretary may convene an advisory group consisting of individuals representing public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation of African elephants.
(b) Public participation
(1) Meetings
The Advisory Group 1 shall—
(A) ensure that each meeting of the advisory group is open to the public; and
(B) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for interested persons to present oral or written statements concerning items on the agenda.
(2) Notice
The Secretary shall provide to the public timely notice of each meeting of the advisory group.
(3) Minutes
Minutes of each meeting of the advisory group shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be made available to the public.
(c) Exemption from chapter 10 of title 5
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (c).
2002—Subsec. (a).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
1 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
SUBCHAPTER II—MORATORIA AND PROHIBITED ACTS
§4221. Review of African elephant conservation programs
(a) In general
Within one month after October 7, 1988, the Secretary shall issue a call for information on the African elephant conservation program of each ivory producing country by—
(1) publishing a notice in the Federal Register requesting submission of such information to the Secretary by all interested parties; and
(2) submitting a written request for such information through the Secretary of State to each ivory producing country.
(b) Review and determination
(1) In general
The Secretary shall review the African elephant conservation program of each ivory producing country and, not later than one year after October 7, 1988, shall issue and publish in the Federal Register a determination of whether or not the country meets the following criteria:
(A) The country is a party to CITES and adheres to the CITES Ivory Control System.
(B) The country's elephant conservation program is based on the best available information, and the country is making expeditious progress in compiling information on the elephant habitat condition and carrying capacity, total population and population trends, and the annual reproduction and mortality of the elephant populations within the country.
(C) The taking of elephants in the country is effectively controlled and monitored.
(D) The country's ivory quota is determined on the basis of information referred to in subparagraph (B) and reflects the amount of ivory which is confiscated or consumed domestically by the country.
(E) The country has not authorized or allowed the export of amounts of raw ivory which exceed its ivory quota under the CITES Ivory Control System.
(2) Delay in issuing determination
If the Secretary finds within one year after October 7, 1988, that there is insufficient information upon which to make the determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary may delay issuing the determination until no later than December 31, 1989. The Secretary shall issue and publish in the Federal Register at the time of the finding a statement explaining the reasons for any such delay.
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§4222. Moratoria
(a) Ivory producing countries
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a moratorium on the importation of raw and worked ivory from an ivory producing country immediately upon making a determination that the country does not meet all the criteria set forth in
(2) Later establishment
With regard to any ivory producing country for which the Secretary has insufficient information to make a determination pursuant to
(b) Intermediary countries
The Secretary shall establish a moratorium on the importation of raw and worked ivory from an intermediary country immediately upon making a determination that the country—
(1) is not a party to CITES;
(2) does not adhere to the CITES Ivory Control System;
(3) imports raw ivory from a country that is not an ivory producing country;
(4) imports raw or worked ivory from a country that is not a party to CITES;
(5) imports raw or worked ivory that originates in an ivory producing country in violation of the laws of that ivory producing country;
(6) substantially increases its imports of raw or worked ivory from a country that is subject to a moratorium under this chapter during the first three months of that moratorium; or
(7) imports raw or worked ivory from a country that is subject to a moratorium under this chapter after the first three months of that moratorium, unless the ivory is imported by vessel during the first six months of that moratorium and is accompanied by shipping documents which show that it was exported before the establishment of the moratorium.
(c) Suspension of moratorium
The Secretary shall suspend a moratorium established under this section if, after notice and public comment, the Secretary determines that the reasons for establishing the moratorium no longer exist.
(d) Petition
(1) In general
Any person may at any time submit a petition in writing requesting that the Secretary establish or suspend a moratorium under this section. Such a petition shall include such substantial information as may be necessary to demonstrate the need for the action requested by the petition.
(2) Consideration and ruling
The Secretary shall publish a notice of receipt of a petition under this subsection in the Federal Register and shall provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the petition. The Secretary shall rule on such petition not later than 90 days after the close of the public comment period.
(e) Sport-hunted trophies
Individuals may import sport-hunted elephant trophies that they have legally taken in an ivory producing country that has submitted an ivory quota. The Secretary shall not establish any moratorium under this section, pursuant to a petition or otherwise, which prohibits the importation into the United States of sport-hunted trophies from elephants that are legally taken by the importer or the importer's principal in an ivory producing country that has submitted an ivory quota.
(f) Confiscated ivory
Trade in raw or worked ivory that is confiscated by an ivory producing country or an intermediary country and is disposed of pursuant to the CITES Ivory Control System shall not be the sole cause for the establishment of a moratorium under this subchapter if all proceeds from the disposal of the confiscated ivory are used solely to enhance wildlife conservation programs or conservation purposes of CITES. With respect to any country that was not a party to CITES at the time of such confiscation, this subsection shall not apply until such country develops appropriate measures to assure that persons with a history of illegal dealings in ivory shall not benefit from the disposal of confiscated ivory.
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§4223. Prohibited acts
Except as provided in
(1) to import raw ivory from any country other than an ivory producing country;
(2) to export raw ivory from the United States;
(3) to import raw or worked ivory that was exported from an ivory producing country in violation of that country's laws or of the CITES Ivory Control System;
(4) to import worked ivory, other than personal effects, from any country unless that country has certified that such ivory was derived from legal sources; or
(5) to import raw or worked ivory from a country for which a moratorium is in effect under
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§4224. Penalties and enforcement
(a) Criminal violations
Whoever knowingly violates
(b) Civil violations
Whoever violates
(c) Procedures for assessment of civil penalty
Proceedings for the assessment of a civil penalty under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures provided for in
(d) Use of penalties
Subject to appropriations, penalties collected under this section may be used by the Secretary of the Treasury to pay rewards under
(e) Enforcement
The Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall enforce this subchapter in the same manner such Secretaries carry out enforcement activities under
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Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
§4225. Rewards
(a) In general
Upon the recommendation of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury may pay a reward to any person who furnishes information which leads to a civil penalty or a criminal conviction under this chapter.
(b) Amount
The amount of a reward under this section shall be equal to not more than one-half of any criminal or civil penalty or fine with respect to which the reward is paid, or $25,000, whichever is less.
(c) Limitation on eligibility
An officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his or her official duties shall not be eligible for a reward under this section.
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SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS
§4241. Relationship to Endangered Species Act of 1973
The authority of the Secretary under this chapter is in addition to and shall not affect the authority of the Secretary under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in text, is
The Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, referred to in text, is
§4242. Certification under Pelly amendment
If the Secretary finds in administering this chapter that a country does not adhere to the CITES Ivory Control System, that country is deemed, for purposes of
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§4243. Repealed. Pub. L. 107–111, §6(a)(3), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2096
Section,
§4244. Definitions
In this chapter—
(1) the term "African elephant" means any animal of the species loxodonta africana;
(2) the term "CITES" means the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;
(3) the term "CITES Ivory Control System" means the ivory quota and marking system established by CITES to curtail illegal trade in African elephant ivory;
(4) the term "Fund" means the account established by division A, section 101(e), title I of
(5) the terms "import" and "importation" have the meanings such terms have in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (
(6) the term "intermediary country" means a country that exports raw or worked ivory that does not originate in that country;
(7) the term "ivory producing country" means any African country within which is located any part of the range of a population of African elephants;
(8) the term "ivory quota" means a quota submitted by an ivory producing country to the CITES Secretariat in accordance with the CITES Ivory Control System;
(9) the term "personal effects" means articles which are not intended for sale and are part of a shipment of the household effects of a person who is moving his or her residence to or from the United States, or are included in personal accompanying baggage;
(10) the term "raw ivory" means any African elephant tusk, and any piece thereof, the surface of which, polished or unpolished, is unaltered or minimally carved;
(11) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior;
(12) the term "United States" means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States; and
(13) the term "worked ivory" means any African elephant tusk, and any piece thereof, which is not raw ivory.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
Division A, section 101(e), title I of
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in par. (5), is
Amendments
2002—Par. (4).
§4245. 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 to carry out this chapter, to remain available until expended.
(b) Administrative expenses
Of amounts available each fiscal year to carry out this chapter, 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 chapter.
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Editorial Notes
Amendments
2019—Subsec. (a).
2007—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
2002—Subsec. (b).
1998—
1992—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
§4246. Multinational Species Conservation Fund
In fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, donations to provide assistance under
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The African Elephant Conservation Act, referred to in text, is title II of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, and also as part of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, and not as part of the African Elephant Conservation Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2002—