Heinrich, Kennedy Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Wetlands and Migratory Bird Habitats Passes Senate and Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, and U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) announced that their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) through 2030 has passed the Senate, as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“This reauthorization will continue to support our most successful public-private conservation partnership, and I'm proud to see it head to the President’s desk," said Heinrich. "The bipartisan North American Wetlands Conservation Act helps conserve New Mexico’s unique waterfowl and the wetlands they depend on for our future generations while investing in our flourishing outdoor recreation economy. The President should sign this bill immediately.”
“Louisiana’s wetlands are a big part of our state’s outdoor sportsman culture and geographical beauty. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an important step to preserve our wildlife and protect our environment’s natural defense system,” said Kennedy.
NAWCA was originally enacted in 1989 to provide federal matching grants—in partnership with funding from state and local governments, private industry, and non-profit organizations—for projects that conserve North America’s wetlands, waterfowl, and wildlife.
New Mexico has 14 NAWCA projects either completed or underway, which have conserved 22,632 acres of wildlife habitat. NAWCA funding of more than $5.7 million stimulated partner contributions of over $14 million in the state.
About NAWCA:
Wetlands secure freshwater supplies, recharge aquifers, and mitigate soil erosion and flooding. In addition, waterfowl, migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife depend on wetlands for habitat, food, and migration stopovers. This wildlife also supports a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy, including fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography. NAWCA funding has been critical to acquiring, restoring, and enhancing wetlands in all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico. In total, more than 3,300 NAWCA projects have contributed to the conservation and restoration of more than 32 million acres of wetlands all across North America.
NAWCA has provided a great return on investment, generating, on average, two additional dollars for every federal dollar. Over the program’s history, federal grants totaling more than $2.28 billion have spurred $4.53 billion for NAWCA projects through matching funds. NAWCA funds have also supported an average of 7,500 jobs each year and more than $5 billion in annual economic activity.
The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is endorsed by Ducks Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Delta Waterfowl, Boone and Crockett, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Audubon, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Outdoor Industry Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Restore America’s Estuaries.
A one-page summary of the bill is here.
The text of the bill is here.
###
