(3) includes mechanisms to ensure adequate local
public participation in project development and im-
plementation;
(4) contains assurances that the project will be
implemented in consultation with relevant wildlife
management authorities and other appropriate gov-
ernment 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 sus-
tainable, effective, long-term programs to conserve
neotropical migratory birds;
(7) provides any other information that the Sec-
retary considers to be necessary for evaluating the
proposal; and
(8) provides assurances of the financial viability
of the applicant and the project by providing finan-
cial information to prove the applicant’s ability to
complete the project.
(d) PROJECT REPORTING.—Each recipient of assist-
ance for a project under this Act shall submit to the Sec-
retary such periodic reports as the Secretary considers to
be necessary. Each report shall include all information re-
quired by the Secretary for evaluating the progress and out-
come of the project.
(e) COST SHARING.—
(1) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the
cost of each project shall be not greater than 33 per-
cent.
(2) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—
(A) SOURCE.—The non-Federal share re-
quired to be paid for a project shall not be de-
rived from any Federal grant program.
(B) FORM OF PAYMENT.—The non-Federal
share of the costs of a project carried out with
assistance under this Act may be paid in cash
or in kind.
(f) PURCHASE OF LAND ONLY FROM WILLING SELL-
ERS.—Amounts of financial assistance provided under this
Act shall not be used to acquire any land or interest in
land except from a willing seller.
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1) develop guidelines for the solicitation of pro-
posals for projects eligible for financial assistance
under section 5;
(2) encourage submission of proposals for
projects eligible for financial assistance under section
5, particularly proposals from relevant wildlife man-
agement authorities;
(3) select proposals for financial assistance that
satisfy the requirements of section 5, giving priority
to proposals that address conservation needs not ade-
quately addressed by existing efforts and that are sup-
ported by relevant wildlife management authorities;
and
(4) generally implement this Act in accordance
with its purposes.
SEC. 7. COOPERATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this Act, the Sec-
retary shall—
(1) support and coordinate existing efforts to
conserve 
neotropical 
migratory 
bird 
species,
through—
(A) facilitating meetings among persons in-
volved 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 nongovern-
mental organizations; and
(D) conducting such other activities as the
Secretary considers to be appropriate; and
(2) coordinate activities and projects under this
Act with existing efforts in order to enhance conserva-
tion of neotropical migratory bird species.
(b) ADVISORY GROUP.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may establish
an advisory group in accordance with this subsection
to advise the Secretary regarding the implementation
of this Act.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—An advisory group estab-
lished under this subsection shall consist of individ-
uals who represent public and private organizations
that are actively involved in the conservation of
neotropical migratory birds.
(3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—
(A) MEETINGS.—An advisory group estab-
lished under this subsection shall—
(i) ensure that each meeting of the ad-
visory group is open to the public; and
(ii) provide, at each meeting of the ad-
visory group, an opportunity for interested
persons to present oral or written state-
ments concerning items on the agenda for
the meeting.
(B) NOTICE.—The Secretary shall provide
to the public timely notice of each meeting of the
advisory group.
(C) MINUTES.—The Secretary shall keep
and make available to the public minutes of each
meeting of the advisory group.
(4) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to the es-
tablishment and activities of an advisory group in
accordance with this subsection.
SEC. 8. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than October 1, 2002, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to Congress a report on the results and effectiveness of
the program carried out under this Act, including rec-
ommendations concerning how the Act might be improved
and whether the program should be continued in the future.
SEC. 9. NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION
ACCOUNT.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Mul-
tinational Species Conservation Fund of the Treasury a
separate account to be known as the ‘‘Neotropical Migratory
Bird Conservation Account’’, which shall consist of amounts
deposited into the Account by the Secretary of the Treasury
under subsection (b).
(b) DEPOSITS INTO THE ACCOUNT.—The Secretary of
the Treasury shall deposit into the Account—
(1) all amounts received by the Secretary in the
form of donations under subsection (d); and
(2) other amounts appropriated to the Account.
(c) USE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary may use amounts in the Account, without
further Act of appropriation, to carry out this Act.
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Of amounts in
the Account available for each fiscal year, the Sec-
retary may expend not more than 6 percent to pay
the administrative expenses necessary to carry out
this Act.
(d) ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF DONATIONS.—The Sec-
retary may accept and use donations to carry out this Act.
Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of donations
shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for de-
posit into the Account.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Account
to carry out this Act $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000
through 2002, to remain available until expended.