Press Releases

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.

Today, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was pleased to testify before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) legislative hearing in support of The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.2372). The Association applauds Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership in bringing S.2372 to the committee and help to advance this important legislation. The Association would also like to thank EPW members Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Duckworth (D-IL), Senator Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Padilla (D-CA), Senator Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Boozman (R-AR), Senator Cramer (R-ND), Senator Wicker (R-MS) and Senator Graham (R-SC) for their committee support and co-sponsorship of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, in addition to the other 32 bipartisan Senate co-sponsors.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically commends Congress for passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR 3684), which will support fish and wildlife resources and ecosystem resiliency while driving economic recovery and creating high quality jobs through new and reauthorized conservation programs. Last week Friday, November 5, 2021, the House passed the bill, sending this historic legislation to the President’s desk for enactment.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) commends Congress and the White House for their continued commitment to improving fish and wildlife habitat and habitat connectivity. By including critical conservation priorities within pending legislative packages, they have once again reaffirmed their commitment to empowering state and federal agencies to conserve and restore healthy habitats and species for future generations.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports introduction of the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act (H.R. 5692), which will strengthen partnerships between state and federal agencies in the fight against aquatic invasive species. Sponsored by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mark Amodei (R-NV), this bipartisan legislation would grant federal agencies the necessary authority to carry out inspection and decontamination of recreational watercraft within their jurisdictions while coordinating with state fish and wildlife agencies.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds this week’s announcement that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has opened new or expanded hunting and sport fishing opportunities across 2.1 million acres, the largest expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities in recent history. This expansion of outdoor recreation is consistent with the administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies commends the Senate for advancing high priority conservation provisions included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This week, the full Senate approved the bipartisan infrastructure package by a vote of 69-30, priming reauthorization for critical programs including the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and the Abandoned Mine Land Trust Fund while creating historic funding sources for terrestrial and aquatic species passage.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.2372) in the U.S. Senate today. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced legislation that recommends funding for conservation of those fish and wildlife species in greatest need across the country. If passed, this bill will not only help the one-third of wildlife species in the United States currently at risk of becoming threatened or endangered, but also get Americans back to work immediately, creating an estimated 33,000 jobs each year restoring natural resources and bolstering community resilience while protecting our valuable natural infrastructure.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically praises the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for advancing the Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021 (S. 1995). Yesterday, the Committee favorably reported the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Sport Fish and Boating Safety Trust Fund before its expiration at the end of the fiscal year.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies thanks the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for advancing the Wildlife Crossings Program with dedicated funding in the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3684). Last week, the Committee favorably reported the transportation package by a vote of 38-26, advancing provisions to establish and fund a habitat connectivity program for aquatic and terrestrial species.