[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1010-S1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CHAFEE (for himself, Mr. Kempthorne, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bond, 
        Mr. Reid, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Warner, Mr. Smith of 
        New Hampshire, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Allard, Mr. 
        Graham, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Thomas, 
        Mr. Reed, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Stevens, 
        and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 1677. A bill to reauthorize the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Act and the Partnerships for Wildlife Act; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  1998

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am proud to introduce a bill to 
reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), a law 
that has played a major role in conservation of wetland habitats across 
this continent. I am joined by many members of the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.

  This tremendous showing of bipartisan support is nothing less than a 
celebration of one of the great success stories in wildlife 
conservation. This is a story about the recovery of more than 30 
species of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl and migratory birds from 
their lowest population numbers just 12 years ago, to some of their 
highest population numbers this year.
  To appreciate why NAWCA is such a success, it is necessary to review 
its background. In the early 1980s populations of duck and other 
waterfowl plummeted precipitously. The numbers were stark: between the 
1970s and 1985, breeding populations of ducks dropped an average of 31 
percent, with some species declining by as much as 61 percent. This 
decline was due to several factors, including over-hunting, loss of 
habitat, and an extended drought in many parts of the country.
  In 1986, the U.S. and Canada worked cooperatively to develop the 
North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Mexico joined the Plan in 
1994, so that the entire continent now participates in this effort. The 
Plan established ambitious goals and innovative strategies for 
conserving waterfowl habitat. Under the leadership of former Senator 
George Mitchell of Maine, Congress provided a funding mechanism for the 
Plan when it passed the North American Wetlands Conservation Act in 
1989.
  I believe that NAWCA has been successful for three reasons. First, 
NAWCA focuses on the real key to wildlife conservation: the habitat 
itself. Populations of birds and other wildlife will fluctuate 
naturally over time, but if the habitat is not there, the species don't 
have a chance. Under NAWCA, approximately 3.7 million acres of wetlands 
and associated wetlands have been acquired, enhanced or restored.
  Second, the law sets up voluntary partnerships, without the heavy 
hand of government regulations. These partnerships involve federal, 
state and

[[Page S1011]]

local government agencies, businesses, conservation organizations, and 
private individuals. Under NAWCA, funding has been provided for about 
260 projects, with more than 700 partners--across 45 states--plus 
Mexico and Canada.
  Third, NAWCA leverages federal dollars with state, local and private 
dollars. Since its passage, the Act has provided more than $200 million 
in Federal funds, that have been matched by more than $420 million in 
state and private funds.
  The benefits of NAWCA and other wetlands protection programs --
combined with a few years of heavy rainfall--have been enormous. 
Populations of ducks and other waterfowl have, in large measure, 
rebounded to the levels of the 1970s. Every year since 1995 has been 
billed as a ``banner year,'' and each year the numbers are even greater 
than the previous one. This past year's fall migration totaled 92 
million ducks, the highest since 1972, and surveys counted 42 million 
breeding ducks, the highest level since the surveys began in 1955.
  Also, wetlands losses, while still occurring, have declined 
dramatically: the rate of loss has slowed by 60 percent below that 
experienced in the 1970s and 1980s. This is a result of regulatory 
protections under the Clean Water Act and, perhaps even more, voluntary 
programs like NAWCA and the Wetlands Reserve Program in the Farm Bill.
  But our conservation successes are no reason for complacency. More 
can and should be done. Each year, good projects must be turned down 
because there is not enough funding. In addition, abundant rainfall has 
helped the waterfowl populations rebound, but it is up to us to 
maintain these population increases when the rainfall abates. Lastly, 
the pressure to develop wetlands continues to grow each year. By the 
year 2020, more than half the U.S. population will live in coastal 
plains. Laws like NAWCA will become ever more important in protecting 
these areas.
  Support for NAWCA has always crossed party lines. In 1996, 78 
Senators signed a letter supporting the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Act. The need for a healthy environment is a need that 
transcends politics. With support for laws like NAWCA, we can meet 
today's challenges and protect the environment for the benefit of our 
children, and future generations after them.
  The bill we are introducing also reauthorizes the Partnerships for 
Wildlife Act. This law was first enacted in 1992 to encourage 
partnerships among the Service, state agencies, and private 
organizations and individuals to undertake projects to conserve non-
game wildlife species. It is modeled after NAWCA, and is the only 
Federal grants program for the sole purpose of benefiting non-game 
species--species that are not hunted, fished, or trapped. Projects 
funded under the Act have covered numerous species across 40 States, 
and have entailed management programs, research, education and 
outreach. Since 1994, Federal funding for grants has totaled $4.2 
million. States leverage each Federal dollar with one State dollar and 
one additional private-sector dollar.
  The bill would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation 
Act through the year 2003, at a level of $30 million per year. It would 
also reauthorize the Partnerships for Wildlife Act through the year 
2003, at a level of $6.25 million per year. These amounts are the same 
in the current laws, which expire at the end of 1998.
  I urge my colleagues to fully support this bill. Thank you, Mr. 
President.
                                 ______