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Recovering Wildlife bipartisan conservation plan introduced

Recovering Wildlife bipartisan conservation plan introduced

By Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife

U.S. Senators James Risch (R-ID) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), along with Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced bipartisan legislation (S.3223) July 17 that recommends funding for conservation of those fish and wildlife species in greatest need across the country.

The Senate bill complements House bill (H.R. 4647) introduced in December 2017 by Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE-1) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), which has gained bipartisan sponsorship of 75 co-sponsor members.

The Senate version of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act bill recommends that Congress authorize $1.3 billion in existing revenue from mineral and energy development on federal lands to the conservation of America's wildlife, fisheries and their associated habitats to the existing Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program.

Under the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program, monies would be allocated directly to the states to manage our nation's most vulnerable species and the natural areas they call home.

Proposed initially by leaders of the energy, outdoor recreation retail, manufacturing and automotive sectors and well as other conservation groups, it complements existing natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation programs. The legislation will not require taxpayers or businesses to pay more, but instead allows all Americans to become investors in fish and wildlife conservation.

“This legislation puts states back in control of conservation efforts and affords them greater flexibility to meet their state-specific needs, while also protecting the legacy of hunting and the value the industry brings to wildlife conservation,” said Senator Risch, co-chair of the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus. “Additionally, by engaging in these proactive, voluntary conservation actions, we will save millions of tax dollars that are otherwise spent on restoring threatened and endangered species.”

According to Greg Hill, president and chief operating officer, Hess Corporation, “the Blue Ribbon Panel recommended a proactive approach to conservation funding. The funding model that forms the basis for this legislation is better for taxpayers and businesses and, most importantly, better for the long-term conservation of fish and wildlife species in danger.”

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane said, “America’s hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and boaters have been the primary funders of state-based conservation efforts to this day. This legislation will complement the contributions of sportsmen and women to ensure healthy fish and wildlife populations for future generations to enjoy.”

Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said “this bill is an important step in the right direction. We look forward to working with the Senate to strengthen it further by adding the dedicated funding necessary to save the full diversity of wildlife species through collaborative conservation, just as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (Pittman-Robertson) helped fuel the recovery of wildlife from pronghorn, elk, and bighorn sheep to waterfowl and ducks.”

“Outdoor Industry Association fully supports the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) which aims to bolster fish and wildlife habitat conservation,” said Amy Roberts, executive director for the Outdoor Industry Association. “We urge the Senate to approve the Act and applaud the hard work and leadership by Senators Risch (R-ID), Manchin (D-WV), Alexander (R-TN), and Heitkamp (D-ND) to sponsor and push it, as we could soon have a more proactive model for conservation of our nation’s fish and wildlife.”

--The Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife formed in 2017 to secure funding for much needed conservation of our most precious natural resources, our fish and wildlife. The Alliance consists of members in the outdoor recreation retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and automotive industries, private landowners, educational institutions, sportsmen’s and other conservation organizations, and state and federal fish and wildlife agencies representing more than a trillion dollars of economic impact, millions of non-exportable jobs, and tens of millions of members and consumers across the country, all who rely on healthy fish and wildlife populations.

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