WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded the Senate’s progress in advancing S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act, on Tuesday with a 92-5 vote to proceed to the bill. The legislation includes 20 conservation, hunting and fishing bills, including the reauthorization of important domestic and international wildlife and habitat conservation programs, changes to conservation programs such as creating a mechanism to update the Duck Stamp and improvements to access for hunters and fisherman.
Senator Coons is a cosponsor of two of the provisions: the Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act (originally introduced as S.2156), and the North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act (originally introduced as S.2282).
“Protecting Delaware’s pristine wildlife and natural resources is all of our responsibility,” Senator Coons said. “The Sportsmen’s Act will help preserve these resources for hunting, fishing, camping, cycling and wildlife viewing – outdoor activities that contribute billions of dollars each year to our local economy. We must continue to protect these natural resources so they can be enjoyed by future generations of Delawareans.”
The North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act (NAWCA) currently funds eight projects in Delaware that have conserved a total of 7,528 acres of wildlife habitat. NAWCA has awarded more than $4 million in funds that stimulated partner contributions of more than $7.5 million. Projects include the Nanticoke River Wetlands, Williams-ASCHE Wetlands, Muller Wetlands, the North Delaware Wetlands Rehabilitation Program at Old Wilmington Marsh, the Delaware Coastal Plain Restoration Project, the Delaware Habitat Stewardship Project, the Great Cypress Swamp Restoration, and the Delaware Bayshores Land Protection and Climate Change Adaptation initiative. Delaware also benefits from three multi-state NAWCA projects that have conserved 45,500 acres of wildlife habitat on the Chesapeake Bay.
The Sportsmen’s Act is supported by more than 50 organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Rifle Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, National Wildlife Refuge Association, National Wildlife Federation, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and The Wilderness Society.
“Ducks Unlimited commends Senator Coons for supporting the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012, which will reauthorize critical conservation programs such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and allow for an increase in the Federal Duck Stamp,” said Ducks Unlimited Delaware State Chairman Clif Bakhsh of Middletown. “NAWCA and the federal Duck Stamp provide the financial resources that allow groups like DU to protect and restore waterfowl habitat across the country. DU is hopeful Senator Coons can help push this bipartisan legislation through the Senate so future generations of sportsmen and women can enjoy our wonderful natural resources.”
The Senate is expected to vote on final passage of the Sportsmen’s Act on Thursday.
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