zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Program Act of 2007 - Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to establish in the Forest Service the Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Program, which shall provide cost-share grants to preserve private forest land, contain suburban sprawl, and support value-added forest product industries in states in which less than 25% of the land is owned by the United States. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize a requesting state to permit a qualifying organization to acquire one or more conservation easements to carry out the Forest Legacy Program in such state.

Date: 2007-04-17
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Polar Bear Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit issuing permits for the importation of polar bear parts taken in a sport hunt.

Date: 2007-05-16
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Wetlands Loan Act of 2007 - Amends the Wetlands Loan Act to increase and extend funding for conservation of migratory waterfowl and habitat essential to the preservation of such waterfowl for FY2009-FY2018. Requires such appropriated funds to be treated as advances to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which shall be repaid to the Treasury in annual amounts that are equal to the funds accruing to such Fund attributable to the portion of the price of migratory bird hunting stamps sold that year in excess of $15 per stamp. Declares that in any year for which funds are not appropriated pursuant to this Act and no amount remains to be repaid to the Treasury, such excess amount shall be deposited into the Fund.Amends the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to revise provisions concerning the price of stamps. Sets forth the price of each stamp for 2009 through 2015, 2016 through 2022, and 2023 and thereafter.Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to report to Congress on stamp price comparisons and the purchasing power of the revenue generated by the stamps.Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the funds generated pursuant to this Act should be used for preserving and increasing waterfowl populations in accordance with the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and should supplement current conservation funding; (2) fee title acquisitions under this Act should be managed for public access in accordance with the requirements of any waterfowl production area designated as a component of the National Wildlife Refuge System under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966; and (3) this Act should be implemented in a manner that helps private landowners achieve their long-term land use objectives in ways that enhance the conservation of wetlands and wildlife habitat.

Date: 2007-06-18
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, and the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 for FY2007-FY2012.

Date: 2007-07-19
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Combat Illegal Logging Act of 2007 - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to redefine the term "plant" to include products of plants and to exclude any common food crop or cultivar that is a species not listed: (1) in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; or (2) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Redefines the term "take" to include harvesting, cutting, logging, or removing a plant.Makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, possess, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce plants: (1) taken, transported, possessed, or sold in violation of specified foreign or state law; (2) taken, transported, or exported without the payment of royalties, taxes, or stumpage fees required by foreign or state law; or (3) exported or transshipped in violation of any limitation under foreign or state law.Makes it unlawful to import plants unless the importer files, when clearance is requested, a declaration that contains: (1) the scientific name of any plant contained in the importation; and (2) a description of the value of the importation, the quantity of the plant, and the name of the country from which the plant was taken. Sets forth requirements concerning the contents of a declaration. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations to limit the applicability of, or to modify, declaration requirements.

Date: 2007-08-01
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
100th Meridian Invasive Species State Revolving Loan Fund - Establishes the 100th Meridian Invasive Species Revolving Fund to provide loans to governors of eligible states for distribution to qualified organizations to prevent and remediate the impacts of invasive species on habitats and ecosystems. Requires the submission of specified reports.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Community Forestry Conservation Act of 2007- Provides for the treatment of qualified forest conservation bonds as tax-exempt facility bonds under the Internal Revenue Code. Defines "qualified forest conservation bonds" as bonds issued for certain forestry organizations within 36 months after the enactment of this Act. Requires 95 percent or more of the net proceeds of such bonds to be used for specified forestry project costs, including the acquisition of forest lands subject to a conservation restriction. Exempts from income tax income, gains, and other tax incidents generated by certain harvesting activity on forest lands purchased with qualified forest conservation bonds.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Taxation
Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Renames the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 as The Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act of 2007 (Act). (Sec. 3) Includes tropical forests and coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems within the scope of such Act. (Current law refers to tropical forests.) (Sec. 4) Renames the Tropical Forest Facility as the Conservation Facility. (Sec. 5) Makes developing countries with tropical forests or coral reefs eligible for benefits. (Current law refers to tropical forests.) (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) Eliminates the requirement that the Enterprise for the Americas Board be consulted in negotiating a Conservation Agreement. Requires U.S. government and beneficiary country government review of Conservation Fund grants in excess of $250,000. (Sec. 8) Renames: (1) the Tropical Forest Agreement as the Conservation Agreement; and (2) the Tropical Forest Fund as the Conservation Fund. (Sec. 9) Repeals Board authority to carry out activities under the Act. (Sec. 10) Revises certain reporting dates. (Sec. 11) Revises specified International Monetary Fund (IMF) criteria for country eligibility. (Sec. 12) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations. Increases obligations for program administration, monitoring, and auditing.

Date: 2007-09-06
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for the suspension of each provision of the Act with respect to a federal or state agency that manages a federal river basin if the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Chief of Engineers) or the governor of the relevant state determines that: (1) a drought is in effect in the region in which the basin is located; and (2) such drought presents a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the region's population. Terminates such a suspension on the date the Secretary or governor determines the drought is no longer in effect.

Date: 2007-10-16
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Habitat and Land Conservation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for habitat conservation and restoration. Makes permanent the special rule allowing an enhanced tax deduction for individual and corporate charitable contributions of capital gain real property for conservation purposes. Allows certain landowners whose property contains the habitat of an endangered or threatened species and who enter into a habitat protection agreement a tax credit for costs and property losses relating to habitat protection easements and restoration. Places limits on the amount of such credit for each of calendar years 2008 through 2012. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of such credit.Allows a tax deduction for expenditures related to endangered species recovery plans approved under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Excludes from gross income certain payments under: (1) the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program authorized by the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act; and (2) the Landowner Incentive Program, the State Wildlife Grants Program, and the Private Stewardship Grants Program authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.Extends through 2010 the taxpayer election to expense (deduct in the current taxable year) expenditures made for environmental remediation (i.e., abatement or control of hazardous substances at contaminated sites).Allows tax-free exchanges of shares in certain mutual ditch, reservoir, or irrigation companies.Amends the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 to change the effective dates applicable to leases of tax-exempt use property to foreign entities.

Date: 2007-10-24
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Taxation
National Aquatic Animal Health Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish the General Advisory Committee for Oversight of National Aquatic Animal Health which shall make recommendations regarding the national aquatic animal health plan (developed by the National Aquatic Animal Health Task Force); and (2) establish an indemnification fund to compensate aquatic farmers for livestock or agricultural products lost in disease control measures or for related equipment disinfecting costs.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate a final rule to implement speed restrictions to reduce the threat of ships colliding with North Atlantic right whales. Requires that rule to provide the same or greater level of protection as provided by a specified proposed rule.

Date: 2008-02-15
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Teaming with Wildlife Act of 2008 - Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for deposit in the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account for each of FY2010-FY2015 specified funds from: (1) amounts received from rents, royalties, and other sums paid to the Secretary or the Secretary of the Navy under leases on the outer Continental Shelf; and (2) amounts received from sales, bonuses, and royalties collected under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 and from rentals of public lands under the Mineral Leasing Act and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.

Date: 2008-02-27
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from considering global climate change as a natural or manmade factor in the determination as to whether a species is threatened or endangered until the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notifies the Secretary that: (1) each major emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) (specifically including China, India, and the United States) has ratified an international agreement to reduce the quantity of GHGs emitted; and (2) any such emitter found to not to be in compliance with such agreement, in any year, becomes compliant. Makes this Act effective as of January 1, 2006.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Shark Conservation Act of 2008 - Amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to list a nation in the biennial report on international compliance if the nation's fishing vessels are or have been engaged in fishing activities that target or incidentally catch sharks and the nation has not adopted a shark conservation program that is comparable, taking into account different conditions, to that of the United States, including measures to prohibit removal any of the fins of a shark (including the tail) and discarding the carcass of the shark at sea. Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to make it a prohibited act to: (1) remove any shark fin (including the tail) at sea; (2) have a fin aboard a fishing vessel unless the fin is naturally attached to the carcass; (3) transfer a fin from one vessel to another or receive a fin unless it is naturally attached; or (4) land a fin that is not naturally attached or a carcass without fins naturally attached. Eliminates a rebuttable presumption that any shark fins landed from or found on a fishing vessel were taken, held, or landed in violation if the total weight of shark fins landed or found exceeds 5% of the total weight of shark carcasses landed or found on board.

Date: 2008-07-08
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide under the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Grant Program or the REPAIR Program (established by this Act): (1) a grant to any eligible applicant to carry out a qualified plant control project to control harmful nonnative species; and (2) a grant to any state to carry out an assessment project to identify harmful nonnative plant and animal species, assess the needs to restore, manage, or enhance native fish, wildlife, and habitats, identify priorities, and identify mechanisms to increase capacity building for native fish, wildlife, and habitats. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for not more than three fiscal years to enable an immediate response to outbreaks of harmful nonnative plant species that threaten or may negatively impact refuge resources that are at a stage at which rapid eradication or control is possible, and to ensure eradication or immediate control of such species. Directs the Secretary, consistent with the National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998, to establish a cooperative volunteer monitoring and control program to administer and coordinate projects implemented by partner organizations concerned with national wildlife refuges to address harmful nonnative species that threaten national wildlife refuges or adjacent lands.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for FY2010 and to authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015.

Date: 2008-09-15
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
National Fish Habitat Conservation Act - Establishes a National Fish Habitat Board to promote, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of this Act and the existing National Fish Habitat Action Plan and to review and recommend fish habitat conservation projects. Authorizes the Board to designate Fish Habitat Conservation Partnerships to coordinate Plan implementation at a regional level and develop and carry out fish habitat conservation projects. Sets forth Partnership approval criteria, including that a Partnership: (1) have representatives of a diverse group of public and private partners that are focused on conservation of aquatic habitats to achieve results across jurisdictional boundaries and public and private lands; and (2) is able to address issues and priorities at a nationally significant scale. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to fund, from amounts appropriated under this Act, up to 50% of the cost of approved fish habitat conservation projects. Requires the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: (1) create the National Fish Habitat Conservation Partnership Office within such Service; and (2) develop the Office's interagency operational plan and its technical and scientific assistance program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into a cooperative agreement or contract with a Partnership for fish habitat conservation, restoration, and enhancement projects; and (2) enter into an agreement with a charitable organization to solicit private donations to carry out the this Act.

Date: 2008-09-24
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Pacific Salmon Stronghold Conservation Act of 2008 - Establishes the Salmon Stronghold Partnership Board with members from federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations, and other entities with significant resources regionally dedicated to the protection of wild salmon ecosystems, including representatives of specified organizations and Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Alaska.Requires the Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out specific information and assessment functions associated with the network of salmon strongholds.Provides for: (1) the establishment of a salmon stronghold watershed grants and technical assistance program; and (2) agency coordination.Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) conditions relating to salmon stronghold conservation projects; (2) project funding; and (3) project accountability.Prohibits acquiring private property without the owner's consent.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Captive Primate Safety Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to add nonhuman primates to the definition of "prohibited wildlife species" for purposes of the prohibition against the sale or purchase of such species in interstate or foreign commerce.Makes it unlawful for a person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase a live animal of any prohibited wildlife species in interstate or foreign commerce (i.e., for pet trade purposes). Sets forth exceptions to such prohibition, including, under certain conditions, for: (1) transporting a nonhuman primate to or from a veterinarian; (2) transporting a nonhuman primate to a legally designated caregiver as a result of the death of the preceding owner; and (3) transporting a single primate of the genus Cebus that was obtained from and trained by a charitable organization to assist a permanently disabled individual with a severe mobility impairment. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out such prohibition for FY2010-FY2014.Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for FY2010 to hire additional law enforcement personnel of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act - Declares that it is U.S. policy to protect and preserve living and other resources of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Farallones NMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Cordell Bank NMS) marine environments. Makes certain adjustments to expand the boundaries of the Farallones NMS and the Cordell NMS. Prohibits the issuance of a lease or permit authorizing mineral or hydrocarbon exploration, development, production, or transportation by pipeline within the boundaries of the sanctuaries, as modified by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to complete: (1) a draft supplemental management plan for each of the sanctuaries that focuses on management in the areas added by this Act; and (2) a revised management plan for each of the sanctuaries. Directs the Secretary to carry out an assessment of necessary revisions to the regulations for the sanctuaries, including considering regulations regarding the deposit or release of introduced species and the alteration of stream and river drainage into the sanctuaries.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Crane Conservation Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for approved projects relating to the conservation of cranes, using amounts in the Crane Conservation Fund established by this Act. Allows a project proposal to be submitted by: (1) any wildlife management authority of a country located in the African, Asian, European, or North American range of a species of crane that carries out at least one activity that affects crane populations; (2) the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; and (3) any person or organization with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of cranes. Establishes the Crane Conservation Fund in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund.Authorizes the Secretary to convene an advisory group representing public and private organizations actively involved in the conservation of cranes to assist in carrying out this Act.Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
National Landscape Conservation System Act - Establishes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the National Landscape Conservation System (thus, enacting into law the National Landscape Conservation System [NLCS] created by BLM in 2000) in order to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2009 - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance for projects for the conservation of rare felids and rare canids. Restricts the use of such assistance for captive breeding or display purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to convene an advisory group consisting of individuals representing public and private organizations actively involved in felid and canid conservation to assist in carrying out this Act. (Sec. 5) Establishes in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund as a separate account the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Fund. Defines "rare canid" to: (1) mean any of the canid species dhole, gray wolf, Ethiopian wolf, bush dog, African wild dog, maned wolf, and Darwin's fox, including any subspecies or population of such a species; and (2) exclude any subspecies or population that is native to the area comprised of the United States and Canada or the European Union. Defines "rare felid" to: (1) mean any of the felid species lion, leopard, jaguar, snow leopard, clouded leopard, cheetah, Iberian lynx, and Borneo bay cat, including any subspecies or population of such a species; and (2) exclude any species, subspecies, or population that is native to the United States and any tiger. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to initiate a study of felid and canid species listed under the IUCN Red List (the Red List of Threatened Species Maintained by the World Conservation Union) that are not rare canids and rare felids (as defined in this Act), to determine: (1) the conservation status of the species in the wild, including identification of those that are critically endangered or endangered; and (2) any such species that should be made eligible for project assistance. Requires a report to Congress. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Prohibits amounts provided as a grant under this Act from being used for any project conducted in Iran, Syria, Cuba, Sudan, or North Korea.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2009 - Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a specified segment of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) analyze any potential impacts on the possession or use of a weapon, trap, or net, including a concealed weapon, on the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers or on lands adjacent to that area; (2) include in the study an assessment of any effect a wild and scenic designation in the study area is likely to have on energy production, transmission, or conveyance; and (3) analyze the potential impact of the designation on private lands within the Rivers or adjacent to that area.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to repeal the long-term goal of reducing to zero the incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in commercial fishing operations. Makes reduction of such incidental mortality and serious injury (but not to any specified percentage) the long-term goal.

Date: 2009-02-03
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2009 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to require the collection and updating of existing practices and procedures for rescuing and rehabilitating stranded or entangled (under current law, only stranded) marine mammals. Authorizes entanglement response agreements. Authorizes appropriations (at an increased annual level) through FY2013 to carry out the existing John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program. Authorizes cooperative agreements, contracts, or other agreements or arrangements to address stranding events requiring emergency assistance. Authorizes appropriations through FY2013 to the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event Fund.

Date: 2009-02-03
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act - Expands, notwithstanding any provision of law or regulation, the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in Lake Huron.

Date: 2009-02-04
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Exempts a public or private development project that is to be carried out within three years (other than a project for which a permit for the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters at specified disposal sites is required under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or that is to be carried out on wetland as defined by the Food Security Act of 1985) from any requirement for a review, statement, or analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior, on a state governor's declaration of an emergency, to temporarily exempt from the prohibition against taking and the prohibition against the adverse modification of critical habitat under such Act any action that is reasonably necessary to avoid or ameliorate the impact of the emergency, including the operation of any water supply or flood control project by a federal agency.Gives the United States District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes and claims that arise from any covered energy project. Defines a "covered energy project" as any action or decision by a federal official regarding: (1) the leasing of federal land (including submerged land) for the exploration, development, production, processing, or transmission of oil, natural gas, or any other source or form of energy; or (2) any action under such a lease. Sets forth deadlines for filing and resolving such claims.

Date: 2009-02-11
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Rural Colorado Water Infrastructure Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to establish a pilot program to provide environmental assistance to non-federal interests in Colorado, which may be provided in the form of design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. Requires projects to be publicly owned as a prerequisite for assistance. Directs the Secretary to enter into local cooperation agreements with non-federal interests for project design and construction. Sets the federal share of project costs under local cooperation agreements at 75%. Sets the non-federal share of operation and maintenance costs for projects constructed with assistance under this Act at 100%.

Date: 2009-02-11
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Water resources development
Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2009 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Chesapeake Executive Council, the chief executive of each Chesapeake Bay state, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission, to submit to Congress a financial report containing: (1) an interagency crosscut budget for restoration activities that protect, conserve, or restore living resources, habitat, water resources, or water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; (2) an accounting of funds received and obligated by all federal agencies for restoration activities; (3) an accounting from each state of all funds received and obligated from a federal agency for restoration activities; and (4) a description of each of the proposed federal and state restoration activities. Requires: (1) such report to describe only federal restoration activities that have funding amounts of at least $100,000 and state restoration activities that have funding amounts of at least $50,000; and (2) the Director to submit the report no later than 30 days after the submission of the President's annual budget to Congress. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and update every three years an adaptive management plan for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay waterhsed that includes: (1) a definition of specific and measurable objectives to improve water quality, habitat, and fisheries; (2) a process for stakeholder participation; (3) monitoring, modeling, experimentation, and other research and evaluation practices; (4) a process for modification of restoration activities that have not attained or will not attain such objectives; and (5) a process for prioritizing restoration activities and programs to which adaptive management shall be applied. Sets forth reporting requirements. Requires the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the Plan. Requires an Independent Evaluator for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, who shall review and report to Congress every three years on restoration activities and the use of adaptive management in such activities. Requires the Evaluator to be appointed by the Administrator from among nominees submitted by the Chesapeake Executive Council.

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of polar bear parts taken in a sport hunt in Canada, if legally harvested before: (1) February 18, 1997; or (2) May 15, 2008, from a bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Restoration of the U.S.-Russia Polar Bear Conservation Fund Act of 2009 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the importation of polar bear parts taken legally in sport hunts in Canada.

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Great Ape Protection Act of 2009 - Prohibits: (1) conducting invasive research on great apes; (2) knowingly breeding, possessing, renting, loaning, donating, purchasing, selling, housing, maintaining, leasing, borrowing, transporting, moving, delivering, or receiving a great ape for the purpose of conducting such research; or (3) using federal funds to conduct such research. Defines "invasive research" as research that may cause death, bodily injury, pain, distress, fear, injury, or trauma to great apes, including drug testing or exposure to a substance that may be detrimental to the ape's health or psychological well-being. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other appropriate federal authorities to provide for the permanent retirement of all great apes that are owned or under the control of the federal government and that are being maintained in any facility for the purpose of breeding for, holding for, or conducting invasive research. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Date: 2009-03-05
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 - Requires the United States Postal Service to issue and sell, at a premium, a Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp. Requires the use of such a stamp to be voluntary on the part of postal patrons. Requires proceeds from the sale of such stamp to be: (1) transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to help fund the operations supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds; and (2) divided equally among the African Elephant Conservation Fund, the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund, the Great Ape Conservation Fund, the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund, and other international wildlife conservation funds authorized by Congress after the date of this Act's enactment. Prohibits such proceeds from being taken into account in any decision relating to the level of appropriations or other federal funding to be furnished to the USFWS or such Funds. Requires the stamp to be made available to the public for at least two years. Prohibits such proceeds from being used to fund or support the Wildlife Without Borders Program or to supplement funds made available for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act to define "Northwest Straits" as the marine waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and of Puget Sound from the Canadian border to the south end of Snohomish County, Washington. Sets forth the membership of the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to appoint an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to serve as a liaison between the Commission and the Department of Commerce and to attend the Commission's meetings and events as a nonvoting participant. States the goal of the Commission as the protection and restoration of the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region in Washington to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use. Enumerates the duties of the Commission and establishes benchmarks for its work. Requires the Commission to submit annual reports to Congress and the Under Secretary on its activities and its progress in achieving specified benchmarks. Authorizes the Manager of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program of Washington's Department of Ecology, upon the recommendation of the Commission and the Director of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, to appoint and terminate a Director of the Commission. Requires the Director to be confirmed by the Commission. Provides for the establishment of marine resources committees in specified counties of Washington. Authorizes the Director of the Commission and the Director of the State of Washington Department of Ecology to establish the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation as a nonprofit foundation to support the Commission and the marine resources committees established by this Act.

Date: 2009-03-23
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions by individuals and corporations of real property interests for conservation purposes.

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to provide specified funding for water supply infrastructure improvements for Big Bear Lake, California (in lieu of funding for water reclamation and distribution infrastructure for the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency).

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Water resources development
Directs the Secretary of the Army to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study of the water management, needs, and conservation of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System. Requires that the study include: (1) a summary of the existing body of scientific knowledge on the ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, and biogeochemistry of the Apalachicola River and the greater River System, the ecosystem services provided by that River, the impact of variation in freshwater flow on the ecology of the river and downstream coastal ecosystems, and how to restore the natural hydraulic function of the System; (2) assessments of models that serve as the basis for the master manuals of the System, of water availability, supply options, demand-management alternatives, and socioeconomic factors that influence uses in the System, and of policies, regulations, and other factors that affect federal water project operations; and (3) recommendations for an approach to determine water limits that recognize the needs of all water users along the System and for additional measures to address the long-term watershed management needs of the System.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Water resources development
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for the suspension of each provision of the Act with respect to a federal or state agency that manages a federal river basin if the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Chief of Engineers) or the governor of the relevant state determines that: (1) a drought is in effect in the region in which the basin is located; and (2) such drought presents a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the region's population. Terminates such a suspension on the date the Secretary or governor determines the drought is no longer in effect.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act - Amends the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (commonly known as the Duck Stamp Act) to: (1) increase the price of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to $25 for any of hunting years 2010-2016 and $35 per stamp for any hunting year after 2020; and (2) authorize sale of the stamp by official distributors designated by the Secretary of the Interior.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Pacific Salmon Stronghold Conservation Act of 2009 - Establishes the Salmon Stronghold Partnership as a cooperative, incentive-based, public-private partnership working across political boundaries and land ownerships to identify and conserve salmon strongholds. Requires that its board include representatives of Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington state, as well as representatives from specified entities. Requires the Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out specific information and assessment functions associated with salmon strongholds. Establishes a salmon stronghold watershed grants and technical assistance program. Authorizes the sharing of status and trends data, innovative conservation strategies, conservation planning methodologies, and other information with North Pacific countries, including Canada, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, and appropriate international entities to promote salmon conservation and habitat. Prohibits acquiring private property without the owner's consent.

Date: 2009-04-22
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to subject a person who kills or wounds any migratory bird in an aggravated manner in violation of such Act, in lieu of any penalty for such violation, to: (1) a fine and/or imprisonment for no more than a year for the first violation; and (2) a fine and/or imprisonment for no more than two years for subsequent violations. Defines "aggravated manner" to mean deliberately and in a manner that: (1) demonstrates indifference to the pain and suffering of the bird; or (2) involves actions that would shock a reasonable person. Grants the Secretary of the Interior authority provided for undercover or enforcement operations under the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 to detect and prosecute violations of this Act, including the authority to use funds for payments for information, rewards, or evidence concerning such violations.

Date: 2009-04-23
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Border Security and Responsibility Act 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary), the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with tribal, state, and local officials, to submit to Congress a border protection strategy for the international land borders of the United States. Specifies strategy elements. Amends the the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to revise international land border security provisions, including: (1) eliminating existing southwest border fencing requirements; (2) requiring that border control actions be in accordance with the border strategy required under this Act; and (3) giving priority to the use of remote cameras, sensors, removal of nonnative vegetation, incorporation of natural barriers, additional manpower, unmanned aerial vehicles, or other low impact border enforcement techniques. Prohibits construction of border fencing, physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, sensors, or other tactical infrastructure prior to 90 days after such border strategy's submission to Congress. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of appropriate state and tribal wildlife agencies, to implement a comprehensive monitoring and mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of security infrastructure and activities along the international land borders of the United States. Specifies plan requirements.

Date: 2009-04-23
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Immigration
Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2010 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2023 to provide for the annual base funding for the intergovernmental recovery implementation program for the endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado River and the San Juan River, above and beyond the continued use of power revenues collected under the Colorado River Storage Project Act to fund the operation and maintenance of capital projects and monitoring.

Date: 2009-05-06
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Animals
Making Opportunities Via Efficient and More Effective National Transportation Act of 2009 or the MOVEMENT Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a National Goods Movement Improvement Program to provide funding for projects to improve the movement of goods in interstate commerce, to provide security for such goods in transit, and to mitigate environmental damage caused by the movement of goods. Terminates such program after FY2018. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish the National Goods Movement Improvement Fund to finance the projects authorized by this Act; and (2) impose the harbor maintenance excise tax on commercial cargo entering the customs territory of the United States other than by port use following foreign port use.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Whale Conservation and Protection Study Act to rename it as the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009. Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), in cooperation with the Secretary of State, to: (1) restate strong U.S. opposition to commercial whaling and to refuse to engage in any negotiation or reinterpretation of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling that would weaken the moratorium on commercial whaling, create new categories of whaling, condone lethal scientific whaling, or weaken whale conservation and protection; and (2) support subsistence whaling and the development of the Aboriginal Whaling Management Scheme. Sets forth provisions concerning the International Whaling Commission. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard, to: (1) pursue the establishment of guidelines for minimizing the introduction of incidental noise from commercial shipping operations into marine environments to reduce the potential adverse affects on whales and other marine life; and (2) promote the use of areas to be avoided by commercial vessels and other navigational measures to minimize the threat of injury to whales. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to encourage nations that hold any reservations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to the great whales listed in Appendix I to withdraw such reservations and terminate commercial trade in whale meat and products. Provides for international cooperation and compliance with regulations governing trade in or takings of whales. Requires the Secretary to: (1) negotiate with the government of Canada with the goal of concluding a North Atlantic Whale Conservation Agreement within 18 months; (2) develop international action plans to reduce threats to whales and other cetaceans through the establishment of new International Marine Protected Areas (IMAs) and IMA networks; and (3) establish whale research initiatives to enhance whale conservation efforts. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of State to support efforts to study and reduce the adverse effects of anthropogenic noise on whales and other marine life.

Date: 2009-05-18
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: International affairs