WASHINGTON – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to advance wetlands conservation legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.). The Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act would restore and improve the popular and successful Duck Stamp program and the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act would reauthorize the NAWCA program, which provides critical support for partnership efforts to protect habitat for waterfowl, fish, and wildlife.
“As part of the Atlantic flyway, Delaware’s wetlands play a critical role in supporting the migratory cycle of thousands of waterfowl,” Senator Coons said. “Healthy, vibrant wetlands also support hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation that contribute billions of dollars each year to our local economies and enhance the quality of life of sportsmen across our state. The Federal Duck Stamp and NAWCA matching grants make these activities possible by funding efforts to conserve critical wetlands habitat across Delaware. I am thrilled that the Environment and Public Works Committee has voted to advance these bills and will continue working toward passage by the full Senate.”
The Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act would authorize the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, in consultation with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, to increase the price of the stamp from the current $15 up to $25, and consider an additional increase of up to $30 in five years. The price increase, the first since 1991, will compensate for lost purchasing power due to inflation and restore the effectiveness of the program.
Established in 1934, the Duck Stamp program has raised $750 million and preserved over five million acres of wetlands critical for waterfowl conservation. The legislation is supported by Ducks Unlimited and is also sponsored by Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act provides matching grants to organizations and individuals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects that benefit migratory birds and other wildlife. Over the last two decades, NAWCA has been highly successful in generating matching funding to protect millions of acres of habitat across North America.
NAWCA currently funds eight projects in Delaware that have conserved a total of 7,528 acres of wildlife habitat. The program has awarded more than $4 million in funds that stimulated partner contributions of more than $7.5 million. Delaware also benefits from three multi-state NAWCA projects that have conserved 45,500 acres of wildlife habitat on the Chesapeake Bay.