Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-345
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2009-01-29 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Foreign loans and debt
Forests, forestry, trees
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-29
text: 
Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Renames the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 as The Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act of 2009.

Includes tropical forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems within the scope of such Act.

Renames the Tropical Forest Facility as the Conservation Facility.

Authorizes U.S. government representation on the administering body that oversees the implementation of grants from a debt-for-nature swap or debt buy-back regardless of whether the United States is a party to any agreement between the eligible purchaser and the government of the beneficiary country.

Requires U.S. government and beneficiary country government review of Conservation Fund grants in excess of $250,000.

Repeals Enterprise of the Americas Board authority to carry out activities under the Act.

action_date: 2009-07-16
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Renames the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 as The Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act of 2009.
 
(3) Includes tropical forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems within the scope of such Act.
 
Defines &quot;coral&quot; as species of the phylum Cnidaria, including: (1) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Alcyonacea (soft corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera (organpipe corals and others), and Coenothecalia (blue coral), of the class Anthoza; and (2) all species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire corals and hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.
 
Defines &quot;associated coastal marine ecosystem&quot; as any coastal marine ecosystem surrounding, or directly related to, a coral reef and important to maintaining the ecological integrity of that coral reef, such as seagrasses, mangroves, sandy seabed communities, and immediately adjacent coastal areas.
 
 
(Sec. 4) Renames the Tropical Forest Facility as the Conservation Facility.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes U.S. government representation on the administering body that oversees the implementation of grants from a debt-for-nature swap or debt buy-back regardless of whether the United States is a party to any agreement between the eligible purchaser and the government of the beneficiary country.
 
(Sec. 7) Requires U.S. government and beneficiary country government review of Conservation Fund grants in excess of $250,000.
 
(Sec. 9) Repeals Enterprise of the Americas Board authority to carry out activities under the Act.
 
(Sec. 10) Changes the due date for the annual Facility report to Congress from December 31 to April 15.
 
(Sec. 11) Revises country eligibility criteria.
 
(Sec. 12) Authorizes FY2009-FY2012 appropriations for debt reduction.
 
Increases annual funds available for program audits and evaluation, and makes such funds available for program monitoring and administration.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 111.
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment. With written report No. 111-49.
action_date: 2009-07-16
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment. With written report No. 111-49.
action_date: 2009-05-05
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2009-01-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1062-1063)
action_date: 2009-01-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1061-1062)
action_date: 2009-01-29
text: Introduced in Senate