[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 30, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11188-S11189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Act [NAWCA] has been very

[[Page S11189]]

successful in its stated goal of providing for long-term conservation 
of dozens of species of migratory birds and their habitats through the 
coordinated action of governments, private organizations, and 
landowners.
  In Idaho, a typical NAWCA project benefits mallards, pintails, 
cinnamon teal, gadwall, long-billed curlews, peregrine falcons, bald 
eagles, sandhill cranes, river otter, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and 
many species of native fish. But one species in particular benefits in 
Idaho from NAWCA. The Trumpeter Swan has made a real comeback because 
of conservation under NAWCA.
  Trumpeter Swans were once widespread and abundant across North 
America. But by 1900 they were reduced to near extinction by 
subsistence and commercial hunting. In fact, outside of Alaska, only 
one small remnant of fewer than 200 survived in remote sites in Eastern 
Idaho and nearby habitats in the Rocky Mountains. Most wintered in the 
high elevation wilderness west of Yellowstone National Park.
  Although never officially listed as threatened or endangered, many 
agencies and private individuals have worked for decades to restore 
this population, which today numbers about 2,500 and nests from south 
eastern Idaho north to the Canadian Northwest Territories.
  Restoration of this beautiful bird has required habitat protection 
and improvement, law enforcement to prevent illegal shooting, and years 
of research and management on Trumpeter Swans to restore a secure 
distribution. In eastern Idaho, this effort has involved conservation 
groups, including the Trumpeter Swan Society; irrigators, Indian 
tribes, private landowners, and businesses all working with the Federal 
Agencies, Idaho state parks and Idaho Fish and Game Department in 
cooperative efforts to ensure that the swans thrive.
  The wintering population in the vicinity of the Harriman State Park 
and the famous Henry's Fork has risen to about 1,000 birds. These are 
northern birds that come south to winter in Eastern Idaho with our own 
resident birds. There is a real need to further distribute these swans 
further south in the winter to reduce crowding, protect the habitats, 
and to scatter the population better.
  Juvenile Swans do not learn ancestral migratory routes to more 
southern wintering areas in the absence of adults that can lead them to 
new areas. While we are steadily improving the habitat in the more 
southern parts of the State at sites like Bear Lake NWR, we will have 
to reestablish the migratory instinct.
  From the Teton River Basin Wetlands and the Thousand Springs/Chilly 
Slough Projects [1-4], to the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge the 
NAWCA has helped the Trumpeter Swan in Idaho, and provided places to 
nest and distribute the winter population. These six projects have 
brought a $5.5 million investment to Idaho that will help the swans and 
dozens of other species.
  Non-profit organizations provide important assistance to NAWCA 
efforts. Ducks Unlimited [DU], in particular, has contributed more 
money and effort to NAWCA than any other non-government entity. In the 
last few years they have contributed over $81 million. Bear Lake NWR 
alone has received over $1 million from DU and NAWCA.
  The future looks bright for Rocky Mountain trumpeters if we can 
manage their habitats and provide secure wintering areas. A century 
ago, we almost lost Trumpeter Swans. The 21st century looks much 
brighter as a result of proactive, cooperative efforts to protect the 
swans and their habitat. As Trumpeters return to the wetlands that we 
conserve through programs like the North American Wetland Conservation 
Fund, they are an inspiring reminder of the progress that is 
possible.

                          ____________________