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. Refuges are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Included in the latter category is 1,598 acres of bottomland hardwoods for Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge in Liberty County, Texas. Funding comes from Duck Stamp sales, import duties on firearms and ammunition, and right-of-way payments to the refuge system.
Trinity refuge will acquire multiple tracts at its southern boundary from The Conservation Fund. The largest tract abuts the refuge and Picketts bayou, which flows out of Champion Lake. Stuart Marcus, the refuge manager, plans to offer outdoor recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating, limited to small motors. Deer, squirrels, alligators, wood ducks, mallards and gadwalls are some of the more common wildlife species found there. Migrating songbirds and ducks use the swamplands as a resting and feeding stopover on their trans-continental routes.
"The Conservation Fund has been a terrific partner in protecting significant wetland habitat for wildlife - they share our conservation goals," said Benjamin N. Tuggle, Regional Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "Their assistance has helped make this land purchase possible. We anticipate taking title before the end of the year and adding this important acreage to the National Wildlife Refuge system."
"The Conservation Fund has the highest regard for the work that the Service does and is proud to be a partner in conserving our nations most important habitats," said Andy Jones of The Conservation Fund. "We are honored to be able to assist in adding this new property to the refuge and to the nations heritage."
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.
"In the face of a changing climate, the Commissions work is increasingly important for our continents wetlands, and our waterfowl," said Secretary Kempthorne. "The Commissions 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 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.
Other refuges sharing in the funding 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.
- 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.
