Press Releases

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. This bipartisan legislation would dedicate $1.3 billion in existing revenue annually from the U.S. Treasury to State Fish and Wildlife Agencies to implement their State 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. State Wildlife Action Plans are congressionally mandated plans outline proactive solutions to conserve those species in greatest need and prevent wildlife from becoming threatened or endangered. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) announced the introduction of this bipartisan bill today in Washington D.C.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the introduction of legislation to modernize the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act in the Senate. This important bipartisan legislation clarifies that the Pittman-Robertson (P-R) Fund has the flexibility to be used by state fish and wildlife agencies for outreach, communication, and education of hunters and recreational target shooters, including focused efforts on the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters and recreational shooters through R3 initiatives without increasing taxes or existing user fees. Senator Risch (ID), along with Senator Cotton (AR), Senator Jones (AL), Senator Heinrich (NM), Senator Manchin (WV), Senator Alexander (TN), Senator Fischer (NE), Senator King (ME), and Senator Boozman (AR) introduced the legislation earlier today.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies commends the support and leadership of Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK), who were joined by 209 of their colleagues on letters to the leadership of the U.S Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittees on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Interior Appropriations. The Senate and House letters, respectively, are in support of the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program which provides a critical investment to sustain our nation’s most vulnerable fish and wildlife. In the letters, Members urge the Subcommittees to provide the most robust funding possible for the Program, while also recognizing the fiscal constraints that the nation is under.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports the introduction of the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act this week in both the House and the Senate (S.754). This legislation aims to codify the National Fish Habitat Partnership, whose mission is to protect, restore and enhance the nation's fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) in the House, and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced these bipartisan bills on March 12, 2019.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was pleased to see President Trump sign into law S.47, the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (formerly known as the Natural Resources Management Act). This bipartisan legislation permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a significant tool for increasing recreational access to public lands and supporting fish and wildlife habitat. This public lands package also contains more than 100 local and regional public lands bills that aim to benefit sportsmen and women.

Last week, at the 84th North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference, state directors approved a statement entitled Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Statement on Chronic Wasting Disease Etiology during the of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies business meeting. This statement was drafted by leading experts in wildlife disease management and affirms the current scientific consensus that Chronic Wasting Disease, a 100% fatal disease of deer, elk, moose, and reindeer, is caused by a misfolded protein called a ‘prion.’

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and its members and partners are seeking nominations for the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award (Award) which recognizes outstanding efforts to increase the resilience of America’s valuable living natural resources and the many people, businesses and communities that depend on them.

Last week the conservation community lost a great conservation hero. Congressman John Dingell, Jr. was the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. history and one of the greatest advocates for conservation policy. The Dingell family has been representing Michigan in Congress since 1933, first with Dingell’s father and currently with his wife, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies supports the introduction of the Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act. This bill would enlist the assistance of the National Academies of Science, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to help identify the predominant transmission pathways for the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), evaluate current practices to manage and control the disease, and recommend prioritized research and other actions that should be taken to reduce and control the spread of CWD across the country. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), along with Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the legislation on February 7, 2019. This bill pairs with similar legislation introduced in the House earlier this week by Congressman Ralph Abraham (R-LA).

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies welcomes the recently nominated David Bernhardt as the next Secretary of the Interior.