February 9, 2024
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds introduction of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024, which will reauthorize core conservation programs and bolster natural resource management across the nation. Today, on February 9, the bill was introduced by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
“We thank Chairman Carper (D-Del) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for championing this critical legislation,” said Chuck Sykes, Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and President of the Association. “Reauthorizing these programs is essential for responsible stewardship of our natural resources, enabling state agencies to continue ensuring healthy habitats, abundant species populations, and expanded opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists.”
The bill will reauthorize some of the most successful conservation programs in history including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), through which partners have leveraged federal funds to implement restoration projects on almost 32 million acres of habitat. The National Fish Habitat Partnership, modeled after NAWCA and built on more than a decade of success prior to codification, will also be reauthorized in addition to the Chesapeake Bay Program.
“State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners continue to prove that when Congress invests in conservation, Americans see results,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “We are encouraged to see strong bipartisan support for the bill and recognition that these conservation and restoration efforts are vital to our nation’s future.”
The Association also thanks Senators Cardin (D-MD), Boozman (R-AR), Padilla (D-CA), Wicker (R-MS), Whitehouse (D-RI), Mullin (R-OK), and Van Hollen (D-MD) for their support as original cosponsors, and urges swift, unanimous passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024.
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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.