16 U.S.C. § 4211 — Provision of assistance

(a) In general. The Secretary may give financial assistance from the Fund for approved projects involving African-elephant research, conservation, management, or protection. (b) Project proposal. An African government agency responsible for elephant conservation and protection, the CITES Secretariat, or an organization or individual experienced in that work may submit a proposal. It must state: (1) who will conduct the project; (2) the need for and purpose of the project; (3) the qualifications of the people conducting it; (4) the money and time needed; (5) evidence of support from governments in countries where it will occur, if that support may matter to success; and (6) other information the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate to decide whether the project qualifies for funding. (c) Project review and approval. The Secretary must review each proposal against subsection (d) and the other requirements for assistance. Within six months after receiving it, and if funds are available, the Secretary must approve or reject it and give written notice to the submitter. (d) Criteria for approval. The Secretary may approve a project that improves African-elephant research, conservation, management, or protection by: (1) developing usable, sound scientific information about habitat condition and carrying capacity, total numbers and population trends, or annual reproduction and mortality; or (2) helping efforts to (A) effectively control and monitor taking of elephants in the country, (B) carry out conservation programs for healthy, sustainable populations, or (C) improve compliance with the CITES Ivory Control System. (e) Project sustainability. As far as practical, the Secretary must favor projects that strengthen sustainable conservation programs for effective long-term conservation. (f) Project reporting. Each recipient must give the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service periodic reports the Director considers relevant and appropriate. Each report must contain the information the Director requests to evaluate progress and success. (g) Multiyear grants. (1) The Secretary may give an otherwise eligible person a grant lasting up to five years for a project the person shows is an effective long-term strategy for conserving African elephants and their habitat. (2) This does not prevent an annual grant.