CONTENTS 



Page 



The Problem 3 



Interventions To Maintain Biological Diversity 6 



The Role of Congress 8 



Strengthen the National Commitment To Maintain 



Biological Diversity 8 



Option: Establish a National Biological Diversity Act 11 



Option: Develop a National Conservation Strategy 12 



Option: Amend Legislation of Federal Agencies 12 



Option: Establish a National Conservation Education Act 14 



Option: Amend the International Security and Development Act 14 



Increase the Nation's Ability to Maintain Diversity 15 



Option: Direct the National Science Foundation To Establish a 



Conservation Biology Program 16 



Option: Establish a National Endowment for Biological Diversity 17 



Option: Provide Sufficient Funding to Existing Programs 18 



Option: Amend Legislation To Improve Onsite and Offsite 



Program Links 18 



Option: Establish New Programs To Fill Specific Gaps 19 



Enhance the Knowledge Base 19 



Option: Establish a Small Clearinghouse for Biological Data 20 



Option: Fund Existing Network of Natural Heritage Conservation Data 



Centers 21 



Support International Initiatives to Maintain Biological Diversity 22 



Option: Increase Support of International Programs 23 



Option: Continue To Encourage Multilateral Development Banks to 



Develop and Implement Environmental Policies 23 



Option: Examine U.S. Options on the Issue of International 



Exchange of Genetic Resources 25 



Option: Amend the Export Administration Act 26 



Address Loss of Biological Diversity in Developing Countries 27 



Option: Restructure Conservation-Related Sections of the Foreign 



Assistance Act 28 



Option: Direct AID To Adopt Strategic Approach 29 



Option: Direct AID To Acquire Greater Access to Conservation 



Expertise 30 



Option: Establish a New Funding Account for Conservation 



Initiatives 31 



Option: Apply More Public Law 480 Funds To Promote Diversity 



Conservation 31 



Tables 



Table No. Page 



1-1. Examples of Management Systems To Maintain Biological Diversity. . . 6 



1-2. Management Systems and Conservation Objectives 6 



1-3. Federal Laws Relating to Biological Diversity Maintenance 9 



1-4. Summary of Policy Issues and Options for Congressional Action 



Related to Biological Diversity Maintenance 10 



Bex 



Box No. Page 



1-A. What Is Biological Diversity? 3 



