To amend the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 to promote environmental sustainability in the implementation of programs and activities carried out under such Act, and for other purposes.

September 27, 2005

Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota (for herself, Mr. BLUMENAUER, and Mr. HINCHEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

To amend the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 to promote environmental sustainability in the implementation of programs and activities carried out under such Act, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Millennium Challenge Environmental Accountability Act'.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.

Section 605 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7704) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection:

`(f) Applicability of USAID Environmental Procedures and Other Requirements-

`(1) ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEDURES- The environmental procedures applicable to programs, projects, and activities of the United States Agency for International Development pursuant to part 216 of chapter II of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on September 30, 2005), shall apply to the provision of assistance under this section.

`(2) OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Assistance under this section shall be provided in a manner consistent with the requirements applicable to the provision of assistance under sections 117 (relating to environment and natural resources), 118 (relating to tropical forests), and 119 (relating to endangered species) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151p, 2151p-1, and 2151q). In addition, assistance under this section may not be provided for any program or activity that is likely to have an adverse impact on the indigenous peoples of a country.'.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE COMPACT.

(a) Elements- Section 609(b) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7708(b)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1)--

(A) in subparagraph (J), by striking `and' at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

`(L) a plan to promote environmental sustainability, including to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for the potential adverse impact on natural resources in the implementation of programs and activities funded under the Compact.'; and

(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting `conservation and environmental organizations, indigenous peoples,' after `women's and student organizations,'.

(b) Local Input- Section 609(d)(2) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7708(d)(2)) is amended by inserting `nongovernmental organizations,' after `private and voluntary organizations,'.

(c) Assistance for Development and Implementation of Compact- Section 609(g) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7708(g)) is amended--

(1) in the heading, by inserting `and Implementation' after `Development'; and

(2) by adding at the end before the period the following: `, including institutional capacity building for sustainable management of natural resources, protection of the environment, and protection of biological diversity in carrying out the Compact, as appropriate'.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO ANNUAL REPORT.

(a) Contents- Section 613(b)(2) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7712(b)(2)) is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `and' at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(C) the progress made during each year toward implementing the country's plan to promote environmental sustainability, including to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for the potential adverse impact on natural resources in the implementation of programs and activities funded under the Compact.'.

(b) Public Notification- Section 613 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7712) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(c) Public Notification- The Board, acting through the Chief Executive Officer, shall publish the report required by this section in the Federal Register and make the report available on the Internet website of the Corporation.'.

END