March 14, 2024
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) for advancing the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024, S 3791, with a favorable report. The bill, which will ensure continuation of some of the nation’s most successful conservation programs including the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, was advanced through EPW this week via voice vote.
“We thank Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership to ensure this bipartisan legislation moved with unanimous support,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association. “The programs reauthorized in this bill are essential for responsible stewardship of our natural resources, and we urge swift, unanimous passage of the legislation through the full Senate.”
Guided by the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, NFHP’s 20 regional partnerships work to conserve, restore and enhance the nation's fish and aquatic communities by designing and implementing fish habitat conservation projects.
“We would like to thank the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee for the expedient mark-up of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act during their business meeting,” said Robert Boyles, Chair of the National Fish Habitat Partnership and Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. “We are grateful for the strong support for the National Fish Habitat Partnership program and look forward to continuing our critical restoration and conservation work across the country.”
The bill also includes measures to combat Chronic Wasting Disease and reauthorizes funding for livestock depredation compensation and prevention, as well as the Chesapeake Bay program.
The Association extends its deepest gratitude to the members who cosponsored this legislation: Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE), Sen. Capito (R- WV). Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Sen. Padilla (D- CA) Sen. Mullin (R- OK), Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI), and Sen. Cassidy (R-LA).
###
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.