WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission recently approved more than $18 million in federal funding for the protection and management of nearly 175,000 acres of wetlands and associated habitats that will benefit ducks and waterfowl nationwide under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Composed of members of Congress and federal cabinet secretaries, and chaired by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, the Commission also approved $6.8 million under NAWCA to protect and manage more than 4.1 million acres of wetlands in Canada and nearly $10 million for the purchase of 4,542 acres of wetlands for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
"In the face of a changing climate, the Commissions work is increasingly important for our continents wetlands, and our waterfowl," said Secretary Kempthorne." The Commission’s support of North American Wetlands Conservation Act projects and refuge acquisition efforts continue to provide important habitat that will stand as a bulwark against the changing habitat conditions faced by wetland-dependent species."
The $6.8 million approved for NAWCAs Canadian Grants Program will support 13 conservation projects in 12 Canadian provinces. Combined with matching partner funds, these projects will secure more than 16,500 acres of wetlands and associated uplands, enhance more than 19,000 acres, and manage more than 4 million acres of wetlands.
The Commissions approval of more than $18 million will support 21 projects in 16 states under NAWCAs U.S. Standard Grants Program. Partners in these projects will contribute an additional $36.9 million in matching funds to help conserve nearly 175,000 acres of habitat. The grants are funded by annual Congressional appropriations, fines, penalties and forfeitures levied under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, interest accrued on funds under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, and excise taxes paid on small engine fuels through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Fund.
The Commissions approval of refuge acquisitions secured resting and feeding habitat at eight National Wildlife Refuges located in six states. In addition, the Commission approved the acquisition of a permanent easement of the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area in California. The fund receives revenue from Duck Stamp sales, import duties on firearms and ammunition, and right-of-way payments to the refuge system. Refuges that will secure additional wetlands include:
- Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts - Acquisition of 72 acres of wooded swamp and freshwater marsh will provide feeding and breeding areas for waterfowl and migratory birds.
- Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, Merced County, California - A permanent easement of 255 acres will promote and enhance wintering waterfowl habitat for a number of waterfowl species.
- Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Coos County, New Hampshire - Acquisition of 727 acres of forested wetlands for waterfowl migration and breeding habitat.
- Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Richmond County, Virginia - Acquisition of 174 acres of marsh and adjoining uplands for waterfowl migration and wintering.
- Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Liberty County, Texas - Acquisition of 1,598 acres of bottomland hardwoods for migrating, wintering and breeding waterfowl.
- Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Woodruff County, Arkansas - Acquisition of 1,140 acres of mature bottomland hardwood forest and tupelo/cypress swamp for wintering waterfowl.
- Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Yazoo County, Mississippi - Acquisition of 404 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat for wintering waterfowl.
- Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Hampshire County, Massachusetts - Acquisition of 31 acres of wooded wetlands and floodplain forest for black duck nesting habitat and other migratory species.
- Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, Crittenden County, Arkansas - Acquisition of 141 acres of habitat for wintering migratory waterfowl and breeding for resident wood ducks.
The Commission meets three times a year and includes Senators Thad Cochran and Blanche Lincoln, Representative John Dingell, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne serving as Chairman.
Additional information about the Act can be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/index.shtm.
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 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 548 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 69 fishery resources 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 and Native American tribal 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.
