[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2193-E2194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ACT 
                                OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1856. 
This bill was unanimously reported from the Resources Committee and the 
amendment before the

[[Page E2194]]

House improves its benefits to wildlife even more.
  The bill's sponsor, the gentleman from New Jersey, has done yeoman 
service for wildlife in this country by introducing this legislation 
and expeditiously bringing it before the House. The amendment does 
three things: it promotes volunteer programs on wildlife refuges; it 
protects wildlife habitat by reauthorizing the highly successful North 
American Wetlands Conservation Act; and it improves the management of 
nongame species of wildlife by reauthorizing a program of Federal 
matching grants for such activities.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is about protecting wildlife habitat and 
enhancing the management of both game and nongame wildlife. We have 
long since reached a point where Government cannot provide all the 
know-how and resources adequately to protect our wildlife. By 
establishing a pilot program to encourage partnerships between wildlife 
refuges and private organizations, we create a win-win situation for 
wildlife. Local citizens get an opportunity to gain firsthand 
experience with wildlife while enjoying the simple pleasure of 
volunteer service. For their part, wildlife refuges get expertise from 
the local community, as well as goods and services that would not 
otherwise be available to them.
  In the 7 years of its existence, the North American Wetlands Act has 
resulted in the protection of more than 10 million acres of wetlands in 
the United States, Canada, and Mexico. $208 million in Government funds 
for this voluntary, nonregulatory program have been matched by more 
than $420 million in non-Federal funds, conserving valuable habitat for 
migratory birds and many nonmigratory species as well.
  Last, the amendment reauthorizes the Partnerships for Wildlife Act, 
which provides matching grants for nongame wildlife conservation and 
appreciation. A permanent source of funding, like we have for sportfish 
and game conservation, is sorely needed for nongame species. The States 
currently estimate their unmet needs for nongame management and 
conservation at over $300 million annually. I hope that we have the 
opportunity to give permanent funding for nongame species serious 
consideration next session. In the meantime, we will continue doing 
what we can for nongame species under the Partnerships for Wildlife 
Program.
  This is sound legislation to benefit wildlife through nonregulatory 
programs that leverage scarce Federal resources. I urge the House to 
support H.R. 1856.

                          ____________________