[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2123-H2124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
        NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3908) to reauthorize the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Act, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3908

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``North American Wetlands 
     Conservation Reauthorization Act''.

     SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION 
                   ACT.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the North American Wetlands Conservation 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 4401 et. seq.).

     SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

       (a) Finding.--Section 2(a)(1) (16 U.S.C. 4401(a)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``and other habitats'' and inserting 
     ``and associated habitats''.
       (b) Purposes.--Section 2(b) (16 U.S.C. 4401(b)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and other habitats for 
     migratory birds'' and inserting ``and associated habitats for 
     wetland dependent migratory birds'';
       (2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``wetland dependent'' 
     before ``migratory bird''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by inserting ``wetland dependent'' before ``migratory 
     birds''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, the United States Shorebird 
     Conservation Plan, the North American Waterbird Conservation 
     Plan, the Partners In Flight Conservation Plans,'' after 
     ``North American Waterfowl Management Plan''.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF WETLANDS CONSERVATION PROJECT.

       Section 3(9) (16 U.S.C. 4402(9)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``of a wetland 
     ecosystem and associated habitat'' after ``including water 
     rights,''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and other habitat'' 
     and inserting ``and associated habitat''.

     SEC. 5. REAUTHORIZATION.

       Section 7(c) (16 U.S.C. 4406(c)) is amended by striking 
     ``not to exceed'' and all that follows and inserting ``not to 
     exceed--
       ``(1) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
       ``(2) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       ``(3) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
       ``(4) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
       ``(5) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.''.

     SEC. 6. ALLOCATION.

       Section 8(a) (16 U.S.C. 4407(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``(but at least 50 per centum and not more 
     than 70 per centum thereof)'' and inserting ``(but at least 
     25 percent and not more than 50 percent thereof)''; and
       (B) by striking ``4 per centum'' and inserting ``4 
     percent''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``(but at least 30 per 
     centum and not more than 50 per centum thereof)'' and 
     inserting ``(but at least 50 percent and not more than 75 
     percent thereof)''.

     SEC. 7. CLARIFICATION OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF THE COST OF 
                   APPROVED WETLANDS CONSERVATION PROJECTS.

       Section 8(b) (16 U.S.C. 4407(b)) is amended by striking so 
     much as precedes the second sentence and inserting the 
     following:

[[Page H2124]]

       ``(b) Cost Sharing.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph 
     (2), as a condition of providing assistance under this Act 
     for any approved wetlands conservation project, the Secretary 
     shall require that the portion of the costs of the project 
     paid with amounts provided by non-Federal United States 
     sources is equal to at least the amount allocated under 
     subsection (a) that is used for the project.
       ``(2) Federal moneys allocated under subsection (a) may be 
     used to pay 100 percent of the costs of such projects located 
     on Federal lands and waters, including the acquisition of 
     inholdings within such lands and waters.
       ``(3)''.

     SEC. 8. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is amended 
     as follows:
       (1) In section 2(a)(10) (16 U.S.C. 4401(a)(10)), by 
     inserting ``of 1973'' after ``Species Act''.
       (2) In section 3(2) (16 U.S.C. 4402(2)), by striking 
     ``Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the United 
     States House of Representatives'' and inserting ``Committee 
     on Resources of the House of Representatives''.
       (3) In section 3(5) (16 U.S.C. 4402(5)), by inserting ``of 
     1973'' after ``Species Act''.
       (4) In section 4(a)(1)(B) (16 U.S.C. 4403(a)(1)(B)), by 
     striking ``section 3(2)(B)'' and inserting ``section 
     3(g)(2)(B)''.
       (5) In section 4(c) (16 U.S.C. 4403(c)), in the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Commission'' and 
     inserting ``Council''.
       (6) In section 5(a)(5) (16 U.S.C. 4404(a)(5)), by inserting 
     ``of 1973'' after ``Species Act''.
       (7) In section 5(f) (16 U.S.C. 4404(f)), by striking 
     ``subsection (d)'' and inserting ``subsection (e)''.
       (8) In section 10(1)(C) (16 U.S.C. 4409(1)(C)), by striking 
     ``western hemisphere pursuant to section 17 of this Act'' and 
     inserting ``Western Hemisphere pursuant to section 16''.
       (9) In section 10(1)(D) (16 U.S.C. 4409(1)(D)), by striking 
     the period and inserting ``; and''.
       (10) In section 16(a) (16 U.S.C. 4413), by striking 
     ``western hemisphere'' and inserting ``Western Hemisphere''.
       (b)(1) Section 112(1) of Public Law 101-593 (104 Stat. 
     2962) is amended by striking ``and before the period''.
       (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be effective on 
     and after the effective date of section 112(1) of Public Law 
     101-593 (104 Stat. 2962).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin 
Islands (Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, this bill, H.R. 3908, would reauthorize the 
tremendously successful North American Wetlands Conservation Act, 
NAWCA. This landmark law has been instrumental in the conservation, 
restoration and enhancement of wetland and upland habitat throughout 
the United States, Canada and Mexico.
  Wetlands are among the world's most productive environments. They are 
critical to the survival of fish and wildlife populations and vital to 
the protection of water quality. Wetlands protect ground and surface 
water, reduce severity of floods, and provide habitat for a diverse 
community of plants, animals, fish and birds. In particular, millions 
of migratory waterfowl rely on wetlands throughout their life cycle. 
Wetlands also provide untold hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities 
for millions of Americans.
  Due to their proximity to water, wetland conversion poses a constant 
threat. Indeed, development pressures have already eliminated more than 
50 percent of our Nation's original wetlands. It is essential that we 
conserve our remaining wetland habitats, and that is the fundamental 
goal of this legislation.
  NAWCA is a popular and innovative program. It has received 
substantial support from the Bush administration, the International 
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, local communities and dozens 
of conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited.
  Instead of increasing the regulatory restrictions, this act provides 
funds as an incentive to conserve and enhance wetlands. Since the first 
wetlands grants were awarded in 1991, almost 900 projects have been 
funded and over 8 million acres of wetlands and associated uplands have 
been conserved.
  In the chairman's State of Utah, a NAWCA project was responsible for 
acquiring over 1,100 acres for permanent protection and 15,400 acres of 
degraded wetlands were restored. These wetlands are invaluable not only 
to thousands of migratory birds but also to the sportsmen of the State 
of Utah.
  What is most remarkable about this program is the substantial partner 
support that it receives each year. While the Act requires a one-to-one 
match, in a typical year every NAWCA dollar is matched with well over 
$3, and this money is contributed by a host of conservation 
organizations. Such support indicates the tremendous popularity of this 
program and recognizes that wetland conservation is a national 
priority.
  During committee consideration, the funding levels for the program 
were slightly increased and greater emphasis was placed on wetland 
conservation projects in the United States. These are both positive 
improvements to the act.
  I urge an aye vote on H.R. 3908.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, this coming Saturday on May 11, bird 
conservationists across much of the Western hemisphere will celebrate 
International Migratory Bird Day.
  Established in 1993, this second Saturday in May has been set aside 
this year to appreciate the nearly 350 species of migratory birds that 
travel between nesting habitats in North America and nonbreeding 
grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, 
including my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  In this respect, I find it fitting for the House to consider today 
legislation to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation 
Act, or perhaps better known by its acronym, NAWCA.
  Madam Speaker, wetlands are among the world's most productive 
environments and remain essential habitat for many migratory birds, 
including waterfowl.
  In 1986, the United States, Canada and Mexico developed the North 
American Waterfowl Management Plan, which established a cooperative 
international management effort to reverse the declines in waterfowl 
populations and their habitats. Congress subsequently enacted NAWCA in 
1989 to implement the habitat conservation elements of that plan.
  In the intervening years, NAWCA has proven itself to be an effective 
funding mechanism to support a wide range of public/private 
conservation activities that preserve or protect wetland habitats on 
the landscape. Virtually every region of the United States and vital 
wetland habitats in Canada and Mexico have benefited from NAWCA project 
grants. The future looks bright.
  I am pleased to report that H.R. 3908, the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Reauthorization Act, is a positive step towards ensuring 
that NAWCA remains an effective conservation tool in the years ahead. 
Most importantly, the increased authorizations for appropriations in 
H.R. 3908 will help address a significant unmet demand for NAWCA 
grants.
  In addition, H.R. 3908 will also provide a higher level of financial 
support for conservation projects in the United States where the demand 
is greatest and where it is possible to generate the necessary non-
Federal matching funds. Overall, there should be an increase in non-
Federal matching funds for NAWCA grants.
  Importantly, we have acted responsibly to ensure that this change in 
allocation will not decrease the existing level of financial grant 
support for our partners in Canada and Mexico.
  In closing, NAWCA represents the type of conservation success story 
which Congress should strive to emulate in its other programs. H.R. 
3908 will maintain and build on this solid record of achievement, and I 
urge Members to support this important environmental legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3908, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.




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