Why It Matters: The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is one of the most important wetlands and migratory bird conservation funding programs in the nation. Since its inception 35 years ago, NAWCA has contributed more than $2 billion in funding that has been matched with $5.6 billion in non-federal funds to bolster wetlands habitat, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing water quality.
Highlights:
- On March 21, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Sens. Martin Heinrich and John Kennedy introduced 4048, a bill to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
- Joining CSC Members Sens. Heinrich and Kennedy in introducing S. 4048 was CSC Co-Chair Sen. Boozman, along with 9 other bipartisan cosponsors, many of which are members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.
- This legislation is a top priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and CSF is grateful to see this legislation introduced.
Recently, Senators Heinrich and Kennedy introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for a period of five years and raises the authorization funding level from $60 million per year to $65 million annually.
Unfortunately, America has lost roughly 50% of its wetlands since the 1700s. However, NAWCA provides strategic investments to conserving and restoring degraded wetlands across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In total, there have been over 3,300 NAWCA projects that have contributed to the conservation of nearly 32 million acres of wetlands in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. NAWCA is a voluntary program that leverages public-private partnerships to better conserve and restore our nation’s wetlands.
“The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is one of the most cost-effective conservation investments we can make. Often matched at a rate of 3:1, this important program is a great example of how federal investments into conservation can be leveraged with private contributions to secure a significant return on investment to bolster on-the-ground conservation,” said Jeff Crane, President and CEO, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “CSF thanks past Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Sen. Heinrich and CSC Member Sen. Kennedy for introducing this legislation, and for their commitment to conservation.”
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation thanks Sens. Heinrich and Kennedy as well as the other bipartisan cosponsors for introducing this legislation and looks forward to working with these offices to increase funding for this important program.
