Summary
The ACE Act contains nearly a dozen provisions including a number of long-standing priorities for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) in particular, such as reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, protection of lead fishing tackle for a period of 5 years, Congressional authorization of the National Fish Habitat Partnership, the establishment of a task force within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to combat Chronic Wasting Disease, and reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Program, among others.
The America’s Conservation Enhancement (S. 3051) was introduced by CSC Members Senators John Barrasso (WY) and Tom Carper (DE) and cosponsored by CSC Leaders Senators Martin Heinrich (NM) and John Boozman (AR). On September 16, 2020, the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act passed the Senate on unanimous consent for the second time this Congress. Roughly two weeks after Senate passage, the House passed the ACE Act on a voice vote.
The ACE Act builds off of momentum generated earlier this Congress with the passage and enactment of the Dingell Act, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act, and most recently the historic Great American Outdoors Act. The ACE Act includes approximately a dozen provisions including a number of long-standing priorities for CSF such as:
- Reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) at $60 million annually for a period of 5 years;
- Prohibition of the EPA from regulating the use of lead fishing tackle for a period of 5 years;
- Establishment of a task force within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to combat Chronic Wasting Disease;
- Congressionally authorization of the National Fish Habitat Partnership at $7.2 million annually for a period of 5 years;
- Reauthorization the Chesapeake Bay Program starting at $90 million and increasing to $92 million over a 5-year period;
- Among others
The ACE Act was signed into law on October 30, 2020 solidifying the 116th Congress as one of the most impactful for sportsmen and women in a lifetime.
