The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission recently approved additions to the National Wildlife Refuge System as well as 35 conservation projects under the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund to help conserve migratory bird populations and habitats.
The Cabinet-level Commission, chaired by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, includes Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Representatives John Dingell of Michigan and Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.
At its March 8, 2006 meeting, the Commission approved more than $3 million to acquire 2,169 acres of wetlands and associated upland habitats for the National Wildlife Refuge System in Vermont, New Jersey, Louisiana, Texas, and California. Funding for these acquisitions comes primarily from the purchase of Federal Duck Stamps by hunters and other conservationists.
The Commission also approved more than $18.5 million from the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund for 35 conservation projects in 18 U.S. states and Mexico. U.S. partners in 19 of the projects will match that amount with nearly $65 million, enabling partners to restore more than 105,000 acres of wetlands, while partners in Mexico will add more than $3.8 million to conserve nearly 36,000 acres of habitat in that country. The Commission also approved nearly $370,000 to complete two previously approved projects that suffered hurricane damage.
"This is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to maintain and expand opportunities for Americans outdoors," said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. "Acre-by-acre, public and private partners are joining together to restore wetlands across the nation. Wetlands provide excellent habitat for wildlife and offer millions of Americans a broad range of outdoor recreational opportunities."
More than 2,400 partners have been involved in nearly 1,500 wetlands conservation projects throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico since 1990. Projects in all three countries focus on long-term protection, restoration, or enhancement of important wetland habitats. In Mexico, partners may also develop training, management, and environmental education programs and conduct studies on sustainable use. To date, more than $700 million in Act grants have been invested in the three countries, and partner contributions have topped $2 billion. Nearly 23 million acres of wetlands and associated uplands have in some way been enhanced through this program.
The Commission funds grants to states and other partners through provisions of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The grants are financed by congressional appropriation; fines, penalties and forfeitures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; interest accrued to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act; and excise taxes paid on small engine fuels through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Fund.
Refuge land acquisitions are funded by Duck Stamp sales and from import duties collected on arms and ammunition, right-of-way payments to the refuge system and receipts from National Wildlife Refuge entrance fees. Since its inception in 1934, the Federal duck stamp program has generated more than $700 million. That has been used to acquire more than 5.2 million acres for the refuge system.
New National Wildlife Refuge System acquisitions, all previously approved by the respective states, include:
California:
Purchase of easements on of 316 acres in the North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area across 11 counties to protect, restore and maintain wetlands for waterfowl and other migratory bird populations.Texas:
Acquisition of 1,802 acres to provide habitat for waterfowl at the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.New Jersey:
Acquisition of 31 acres at the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge for migratory bird resting habitat.New Jersey:
Acquisition of 19.69 acres to protect wintering and nesting waterfowl habitat, especially black ducks, at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.Vermont:
Acquisition of 10.1 acres for Missisquoi National Wildlife refuge to provide resting and feeding habitat for several waterfowl species as well as marsh birds and many species of songbirds.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-fws-
For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
visit our homepage at http://www.fws.gov
