April 22, 2021 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) was reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Representative Debbie Dingell (MI) and CSC Member Representative Jeff Fortenberry (NE). Reintroduction of RAWA is a critical step in advancing the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) commitment to the future of America’s diverse fish and wildlife species.
As a leading member of the Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife, the coalition spearheading Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation continues to work strategically to navigate this legislation through Congress.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will provide nearly $1.4 billion annually for conservation projects in every state and territory, and on tribal lands. Specifically, the funds authorized by RAWA will increase state fish and wildlife agencies’ capacity to implement State Wildlife Action Plans through which states have collectively defined strategies to conserve nearly 12,000 fish, wildlife, and plant species identified as “at-risk.”
“As legislative Co-Chair of the Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife, I am grateful for the leadership of Representatives Dingell and Fortenberry,” said CSF President Jeff Crane. “The reintroduction of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act represents one of the most significant investments in fish and wildlife conservation in the last two decades. This bipartisan legislation is crucial for ensuring an abundant and healthy future for our nation’s fish and wildlife.”
Last Congress, CSF, working in partnership with the CSC, secured House passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act as part of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. This achievement marked a historic step toward providing state fish and wildlife agencies the funding they desperately need to conserve at-risk species before more costly measures are necessary. CSF will look to build off this success in the 117th Congress.
“As we celebrate Earth Day and continue our work to combat the biodiversity crisis, bold solutions are needed to safeguard our nation’s wildlife from further decline,” said CSC Co-Chair Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12). “The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act represents a strong commitment to addressing the current biodiversity crisis using innovative, state-based management that will protect our nation’s environmental heritage for years to come.”
“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is smart upstream policy to promote continuity of habitat and prevent the costly downstream emergency room procedures of the Endangered Species Act––enhancing opportunity for birders, hikers, hunters, anglers, and the burgeoning field of ecotourism,” said CSC member Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and co-sponsor of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA).
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act now awaits further action in the House of Representatives. CSF is working to build bipartisan support for this historic investment.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
