S2679 CDS
102d CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2679
To promote the recovery of Hawaii tropical forests, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 7 (legislative day, MARCH 26), 1992
Mr. AKAKA (for himself and Mr. INOUYE) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry
September 30, 1992
Committee discharged
A BILL
To promote the recovery of Hawaii tropical forests, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,

7e45c4ce748021f73c1424283f348df02565eea687ed2cbcd632ad5db56cd93e

This Act may be cited as the `Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act'.

03f3b8594e46a6de88d2e162375a21a96b32cb25ef320fb79c4dcd50a96cf1e8

(a) IN GENERAL- The International Forestry Cooperation Act of 1990 (Public
Law 101-513; 104 Stat. 2070) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 605, 606, and 607 as sections 615, 616,
and 617, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 604 the following new sections:
`SEC. 605. HAWAII TROPICAL FOREST RECOVERY TASK FORCE.
`(a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery
Task Force (hereafter in this section referred to as the `Task Force')
to advise the Secretary in carrying out this title.
`(b) ACTION PLAN- Not later than 1 year after the date of its first meeting,
the Task Force shall submit to the Committees referred to in subsection (k)
and to the Secretary of Agriculture an action plan that contains findings
and recommendations for rejuvenating Hawaii's tropical forests, including
findings and recommendations on--
`(1) the best methods of rejuvenating declining or degraded tropical
forest land;
`(2) compatible uses within tropical forests, particularly agroforestry
and the cultivation of scarce or valuable hardwoods once common in Hawaii's
tropical forests;
`(3) actions to encourage and accelerate the identification and
classification of unidentified plant and animal species;
`(4) actions to promote public awareness of tropical forest preservation,
protection of threatened and endangered species, and forest management
planning;
`(5) the benefits of fencing or other management activities for the
protection of Hawaii's native plants and animals from feral ungulates and
non-native species, including the identification and priorities for the
areas where these activities are appropriate;
`(6) traditional practices, uses, and needs of native Hawaiians in tropical
forests; and
`(7) such other issues relating to tropical forests in Hawaii as the Task
Force considers appropriate.
`(c) COMPOSITION- The Task Force shall be composed of 11 members, of which--
`(1) two members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture
as representatives of the United States Forest Service and the Soil
Conservation Service, respectively;
`(2) two members shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior as
representatives of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Park Service, respectively;
`(3) six members shall be appointed by the Governor of Hawaii, of which--
`(A) three members shall be private owners of tropical forest lands or
experts in the field of tropical forestry; and
`(B) three members shall be representatives of Hawaii environmental
organizations that have demonstrated expertise in the areas of tropical
forest management, habitat preservation, and alien species control; and
`(4) one member shall be the chairperson of the Department of Land and
Natural Resources, State of Hawaii, or the designated representative of
the chairperson.
`(d) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS- Appointments under section 605 to the Task
Force shall be made not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this section.
`(e) CHAIRPERSON- The Task Force shall select a Chairperson from among
its members.
`(f) VACANCIES- A vacancy on the Task Force shall not affect its powers
and shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
`(g) COMPENSATION-
`(1) IN GENERAL- A member of the Task Force shall not receive compensation
as a result of the performance of services for the Task Force.
`(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES- The members of the Task Force shall be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized
for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of services for the Task Force.
`(h)  MEETINGS- The Task Force shall meet within 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section and shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
`(i) VOTING- The Task Force shall act and advise by majority vote.
`(j) ASSISTANCE-
`(1) SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE- The Secretary of Agriculture shall support
the Task Force and ensure that the Task Force complies with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2).
`(2) SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR- The Secretary of the Interior shall provide
such assistance and support as are necessary to meet the objectives of
the Task Force.
`(k) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after its first meeting, the Task Force
shall submit a report on actions taken to carry out this section to--
`(1) the Committees on Agriculture and Interior of the House of
Representatives;
`(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
`(3) the Secretary of Agriculture; and
`(4) the Secretary of the Interior.
`(l) NONAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW- Sections 7(d), 10(f),
and 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) shall not
apply to the Task Force.
`(m) TERMINATION- The Task Force and authority to carry out this section
shall terminate 180 days after submitting the report required by subsection
(k).
`SEC. 606. HAWAII TROPICAL FORESTRY PLAN.
`(a) EXPANSION- The Secretary shall expand the capabilities of and construct
additional facilities at the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry and
at tropical forests in the State of Hawaii, as the Secretary determines
necessary to carry out this title, and as funds are appropriated for the
expansion and construction.
`(b) TROPICAL FORESTRY PLAN-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and to the Committees on
Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, a tropical
forestry plan for the expansion and construction of additional facilities
under subsection (a).
`(2) ELEMENTS- The plan shall provide for--
`(A) the establishment of a model center for research, demonstration,
education, and training activities suitable for transferring scientific,
technical, managerial, and administrative assistance to foreign governmental
and non-governmental institutions seeking to address problems associated
with tropical forests;
`(B) the acquisition or construction of facilities for housing and classroom
instruction near a tropical forest in the State of Hawaii;
`(C) the acquisition or construction of facilities for the study and
recovery of endangered tropical wildlife, fish, and plant species and the
restoration of their habitats;
`(D) achieving a better understanding of global climate change and the
significance of achieving a reduction of greenhouse gases through research
associated with the unique atmospheric conditions found in Hawaii and the
Pacific Ocean; and
`(E) the establishment of demonstration tropical forests in the State of
Hawaii where techniques of natural forest management, plantation forestry,
and agroforestry can be demonstrated.
`(3) CAPABILITY- In preparing elements of the plan that address paragraph
(2)(E), the Secretary shall identify the capability of the plan, within
proposed demonstration tropical forests--
`(A) to promote a greater understanding of tropical forest ecosystem
processes, conservation biology, and biodiversity management;
`(B) to demonstrate the various benefits of maintaining a tropical forest
reserve system;
`(C) to promote sound watershed and forest recreation management;
`(D) to develop compatible land uses adjacent to protected natural areas; and
`(E) to develop new methods of reclaiming degraded lands.
`SEC. 607. TROPICAL FOREST HEALTH ASSESSMENT.
`(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary is authorized to provide grants to State
foresters or their equivalents in States with tropical forests to--
`(1) establish a monitoring system in tropical forests to identify baseline
conditions and determine detrimental changes or improvements that occur
over time;
`(2) detect and appraise stresses affecting tropical forests caused by
insect infestations, diseases, feral ungulates, non-native animal and
plant species, and by the influence of people; and
`(3) determine the causes of changes that are detected through
experimentation, intensive monitoring, and data collection at affected
tropical forest sites.
`(b) ANNUAL REPORTS- The Secretary shall report annually on actions taken
to carry out this section to the Committees on Agriculture and Interior of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate.
`SEC. 608. HABITAT PRESERVATION AND SPECIES PROTECTION OR RECOVERY IN
TROPICAL FORESTS.
`The Secretary is authorized to provide matching Federal funds for State
and private tropical forest programs that promote habitat preservation
and species protection or recovery in tropical forests.
`SEC. 609. HAWAII HARDWOODS REVITALIZATION.
`The Secretary is authorized to provide grants to the State of Hawaii
and to private individuals or organizations to initiate agroforestry and
silviculture of hardwoods, including koa wood and sandalwood.
`SEC. 610. ALIEN SPECIES CONTROL.
`The Secretary is authorized to provide grants to State foresters or their
equivalents and to private individuals or organizations in States with
tropical forests for management activities, including the construction and
maintenance of fences, to protect indigenous plant and animal species and
essential watersheds from feral ungulates and other non-native animal and
plant species.
`SEC. 611. TROPICAL FOREST STEWARDSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARDS.
`The Secretary shall make Tropical Forest Stewardship Excellence Awards
to recognize the work, commitment, and achievements of individuals and
organizations in the preservation, restoration, or wise stewardship of
tropical forest ecosystems, resources, and watersheds.
`SEC. 612. ANNUAL REPORT ON INSTITUTES OF TROPICAL FORESTRY.
`Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the
Committees on Agriculture and Interior of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
a report on the progress, needs, and long-range plans of the Institutes
of Tropical Forestry in meeting the requirements of section 2407 of the
Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6706).
`SEC. 613. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.
`The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with State
governments, private individuals, and institutions in order to carry out this
title. The cooperative agreements may include tenancy arrangements for the
siting of facilities and the establishment of demonstration tropical forests.
`SEC. 614. DEFINITIONS.
`As used in this title (unless the context otherwise requires):
`(1) INSTITUTES OF TROPICAL FORESTRY- The term `Institutes of Tropical
Forestry' means the Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico and the
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry established under section 2407 of
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6706).
`(2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture.
`(3) STATE- The term `State' means each of the 50 States, Guam, American
Samoa, the Republic of Palau (until the Compact of Free Association enters
into effect), Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands.'.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 602(b) of the International Forestry
Cooperation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-513; 104 Stat. 2070) is amended
by striking `(hereinafter referred to in this title as the Secretary)'.

d14966964d73462bf9e98d0badaa30a06a8436ad8d0a28be51eee5ee6ce42b85

(a) FOCUS OF ACTIVITIES- Section 602(a) of the International Forestry
Cooperation Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-513; 104 Stat. 2070) is amended by
adding at the end the following new sentence: `In carrying out this authority
with respect to tropical forests, the Secretary may carry out research,
demonstration, education, and training activities at the Institutes of
Tropical Forestry.'.
(b) AUTHORITY FOR ACTIVITIES- Section 602(b)(3) of such Act is amended--
(1) by inserting `(A)' after `(3)';
(2) by inserting `and' at the end of the paragraph; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(B) in the case of information or technologies with respect to tropical
forests, carry out subparagraph (A) through foreign assistance or through
research, demonstration, education, or training activities conducted at
the Institutes of Tropical Forestry;'.
(c) SCIENTIFIC EXCHANGE AND COOPERATIVE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES- Section 602(b)
of such Act is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following
new paragraph:
`(4)(A) engage in scientific exchange and cooperative research with foreign
governmental, educational, technical, and research institutions; and
`(B) in the case of exchange or research with respect to tropical forests,
use the Institutes of Tropical Forestry to carry out the exchange or
research with the foreign institutions; and'.

9934d932e3d6476734b9cab46a67abb25e18e09b3d909ea94d5c2ce348a09eff

Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act

Other Sections

Want the full experience?