CHAPTER 80—NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

        

§6101. 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 but breed in Canada and the United States;

(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.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §2, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 593; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2075.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Par. (1). Pub. L. 109–363 inserted "but breed in Canada and the United States" after "the Caribbean".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2024 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–51, §1, Apr. 24, 2024, 138 Stat. 1005, provided that: "This Act [amending sections 6103, 6104, 6106, and 6109 of this title] may be cited as the 'Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023'."

Short Title of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §301, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2075, provided that: "This title [amending this section and sections 6102 to 6104 and 6106 to 6109 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 6106 and 6108 of this title] may be cited as the 'Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act of 2006'."

Short Title

Pub. L. 106–247, §1, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 593, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act'."

§6102. Purposes

The purposes of this chapter 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, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and

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

(Pub. L. 106–247, §3, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 593; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2075.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Par. (2). Pub. L. 109–363 inserted "Canada," after "United States,".

§6103. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Caribbean

The term "Caribbean" includes Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

(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) Fund

The term "Fund" means the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund established by section 6108(a) of this title.

(4) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §4, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 593; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(c), (h)(3)(A), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2075, 2076; Pub. L. 118–51, §2(d)(1), Apr. 24, 2024, 138 Stat. 1005.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–51 redesignated pars. (2) to (5) as (1) to (4), respectively, and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text of par. (1) read as follows: "The term 'Fund' means the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund established by section 6108(a) of this title."

2006—Par. (1). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(h)(3)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Text read as follows: "The term 'Account' means the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Account established by section 6108(a) of this title."

Pars. (2) to (5). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(c), added pars. (2) and (4) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (5), respectively.

§6104. 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 288 of title 22).

(c) Project proposals

To be considered for financial assistance for a project under this chapter, 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;

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

(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;

(5) demonstrates sensitivity to local historic and cultural resources and complies with applicable laws;

(6) describes how the project will promote sustainable, effective, long-term programs to conserve neotropical migratory birds; and

(7) provides any other information that the Secretary considers to be necessary for evaluating the proposal.

(d) Project reporting

Each recipient of assistance for a project under this chapter shall submit to the Secretary such periodic reports as the Secretary considers to be necessary. Each report shall include all information required by the Secretary for evaluating the progress and outcome of the project.

(e) Cost sharing

(1) Federal share

The Federal share of the cost of each project shall be not greater than 33.3 percent.

(2) Non-Federal share

(A) Source

The non-Federal share required to be paid for a project shall not be derived from any Federal grant program.

(B) Form of payment

(i) Projects in the United States and Canada

The non-Federal share required to be paid for a project carried out in the United States or Canada shall be paid in cash.

(ii) Projects in Latin America and the Caribbean

The non-Federal share required to be paid for a project carried out in Latin America or the Caribbean may be paid in cash or in kind.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §5, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(d), (e), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 118–51, §2(a), Apr. 24, 2024, 138 Stat. 1005.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 118–51 substituted "33.3 percent" for "25 percent".

2006—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(d), inserted "Canada," after "United States,".

Subsec. (e)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(e), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(i) Projects in the united states.—The non-Federal share required to be paid for a project carried out in the United States shall be paid in cash.

"(ii) Projects in foreign countries.—The non-Federal share required to be paid for a project carried out in a foreign country may be paid in cash or in kind."

§6105. Duties of the Secretary

In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall—

(1) develop guidelines for the solicitation of proposals for projects eligible for financial assistance under section 6104 of this title;

(2) encourage submission of proposals for projects eligible for financial assistance under section 6104 of this title, particularly proposals from relevant wildlife management authorities;

(3) select proposals for financial assistance that satisfy the requirements of section 6104 of this title, giving preference to proposals that address conservation needs not adequately addressed by existing efforts and that are supported by relevant wildlife management authorities; and

(4) generally implement this chapter in accordance with its purposes.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §6, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 595.)

§6106. Cooperation

(a) In general

In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall—

(1) support and coordinate existing efforts to conserve neotropical migratory bird species, through—

(A) facilitating meetings among persons involved in such efforts;

(B) promoting the exchange of information among such persons;

(C) developing and entering into agreements with other Federal agencies, foreign, State, and local governmental agencies, and nongovernmental organizations; and

(D) conducting such other activities as the Secretary considers to be appropriate; and

(2) coordinate activities and projects under this chapter with existing efforts in order to enhance conservation of neotropical migratory bird species.

(b) Advisory group

(1) 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 neotropical migratory birds. The advisory group as a whole shall have expertise in the methods and procedures set forth in section 6103(2) of this title in each country and region of the Western Hemisphere.

(2) Public participation

(A) Meetings

The advisory group shall—

(i) ensure that each meeting of the advisory group is open to the public; and

(ii) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for interested persons to present oral or written statements concerning items on the agenda.

(B) Notice

The Secretary shall provide to the public timely notice of each meeting of the advisory group.

(C) Minutes

Minutes of each meeting of the advisory group shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be made available to the public.

(3) Exemption from chapter 10 of title 5

Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to the advisory group.

(c) Report to Congress

Not later than 180 days after April 24, 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the implementation of subsection (b) by the Secretary, which shall include, if applicable, a description of the composition of the advisory group convened under paragraph (1) of that subsection.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §7, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 595; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(f)(1), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(128), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4319; Pub. L. 118–51, §2(b), (d)(2), Apr. 24, 2024, 138 Stat. 1005, 1006.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–51, §2(d)(2), inserted period at end.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–51, §2(b), added subsec. (c).

2022—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "chapter 10 of title 5" for "Federal Advisory Committee Act" in heading and "Chapter 10 of title 5" for "The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)" in text.

2006—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–363 inserted at end "The advisory group as a whole shall have expertise in the methods and procedures set forth in section 6103(2) of this title in each country and region of the Western Hemisphere".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Encouragement To Convene

Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(f)(2), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2076, provided that: "The Secretary of the Interior is encouraged to convene an advisory group under section 7(b)(1) of such Act [Pub. L. 106–247, subsec. (b)(1) of this section] by not later than 6 months after the effective date of this Act [Oct. 17, 2006]. This paragraph shall not be considered to authorize delay of the schedule previously established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the submission, judging, and awarding of grants."

§6107. Report to Congress

Not later than 2 years after October 17, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results and effectiveness of the program carried out under this chapter, including recommendations concerning how the chapter might be improved and whether the program should be continued.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §8, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 596; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(g), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2076.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–363 substituted "2 years after October 17, 2006," for "October 1, 2002,".

§6108. Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund

(a) Establishment

There is established in the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the "Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund". The Fund shall consist of amounts deposited into the Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (b).

(b) Deposits into the Fund

The Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit into the Fund—

(1) all amounts received by the Secretary in the form of donations under subsection (d); and

(2) other amounts appropriated to the Fund.

(c) Use

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may use amounts in the Account,¹ without further Act of appropriation, to carry out this chapter.

(2) Administrative expenses

Of amounts in the Account ¹ available for each fiscal year, the Secretary may expend not more than 3 percent or up to $100,000, whichever is greater, to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out this chapter.

(d) Acceptance and use of donations

The Secretary may accept and use donations to carry out this chapter. Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of donations shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit into the Fund.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §9, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 596; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(h)(1), (2), (3)(B), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2076, 2077.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–363, §302(h)(1), substituted "Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund" for "Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Account" in section catchline.

Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(h)(1), added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which related to the establishment of and deposits into the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Account.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(h)(2), substituted "$100,000" for "$80,000".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–363, §302(h)(3)(B), substituted "Fund" for "Account".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Funds

Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(h)(4), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2077, provided that: "The Secretary of the Treasury may transfer to the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund amounts that were in the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Account immediately before the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2006]."

¹ So in original. Probably should be "Fund".

§6109. Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this chapter $6,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2028.

(b) Use of funds

Of the amounts made available under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, not less than 75 percent shall be expended for projects carried out at a location outside of the United States.

(Pub. L. 106–247, §10, July 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 597; Pub. L. 109–363, title III, §302(i), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2077; Pub. L. 116–9, title VII, §7002, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 801; Pub. L. 118–51, §2(c), Apr. 24, 2024, 138 Stat. 1005.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–51 substituted "2028" for "2023".

2019—Pub. L. 116–9 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to approriations for fiscal years 2006 through 2010.

2006—Pub. L. 109–363 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, substituted "for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010 the amount specified for that fiscal year in subsection (b)" for "$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005", and added subsecs. (b) to (d).