January 20, 2022
Yesterday, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was pleased to witness the House Committee on Natural Resources markup to advance bills that protect our rivers and restore our wildlife populations, including Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (H.R. 2773). The Association applauds Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) for their leadership in bringing H.R. 2773 up for a full committee markup and looks forward to working with members of the committee to advance this important legislation that has 151 bipartisan cosponsors toward final passage in the House.
State fish and wildlife agencies have identified over 12,000 species in need of proactive conservation to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, reintroduced by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) on Earth Day 2021, is a solution to this critical problem.
This bipartisan legislation will dedicate $1.3 billion annually to state fish and wildlife agencies to implement their science-based wildlife action plans and an additional $97.5 million for tribal fish and wildlife managers to conserve fish and wildlife on tribal lands and waters. This funding will allow state fish and wildlife agencies to implement proactive solutions to conserve those species in greatest need and prevent wildlife from becoming threatened or endangered without increasing taxes. The Association would like to thank Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) for their leadership on this bill.
“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act embodies the bipartisan spirit that has gotten the bill to this point thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Dingell and Congressman Fortenberry as well as the Senate sponsors. This spirit of cooperation and a focus on shared goals was responsible for carrying the bill through a positive vote in committee today and we look forward to working with our congressional leaders to get this bill across the finish line this year” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “The bill would help expedite the recovery of thousands of at-risk species through proactive, collaborative conservation, and the economic value of that conservation to states and to taxpayers can’t be overstated either.”
“This Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is the single most impactful wildlife conservation bill in a generation,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “This important bill benefits our nature, outdoor recreation, our overall health, clean air and water and our economy.”