[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 71 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1034-E1035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION 
                          REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce legislation today 
to extend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Joining with me 
in this effort are Representatives Nick Rahall, Wayne T. Gilchrest, 
Thelma Drake, Mark Kennedy, John D. Dingell and Curt Weldon.
  First enacted in 1989, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act 
or NAWCA has become one of the most popular and effective conservation 
programs in the history of this Nation. Since the first Wetland Grant 
was a warded 15 years ago, more than 1,500 conservation projects have 
been funded involving more than 3,200 partners. As a result, more than 
23 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat has been protected, 
restored or enhanced in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
  Wetlands are among the world's most productive environments. They are 
critical to the survival of not only thousands of species of marine 
fish and invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and wildlife 
populations but also to the people who live along our coasts. In 
essence, they are horizontal levees. Without these wetlands and coastal 
barriers, the impact of last year's huge hurricanes in the Gulf of 
Mexico would have been far worse in terms of loss of human life and 
wildlife habitat and the destruction of private property. According to 
the U.S. Geological Survey, for every 2.7 miles a hurricane travels 
across marshes and wetlands the storm surge is reduced by one foot.
  Wetlands protect ground and surface water, purify water by removing 
sediments and nutrients, reduce the severity of flooding, prevent 
erosion and provide habitat for a diverse community of plants, animals, 
fish and birds. In particular, millions of migratory birds depend on 
wetlands throughout their life cycles as breeding, staging and resting 
grounds. Sadly, more than half of our Nation's original colonial 
wetlands have been lost. The fundamental goal of the North American 
Wetlands Conservation Act is to conserve remaining wetland habitat. It 
is a program that is working and it is a sound investment of U.S. 
taxpayer funds.

  In my own Congressional District in California, there have been a 
number of approved NAWCA projects. A recent example is the $1 million 
grant issued to the North San Joaquin Valley Wetland Habitat Project to 
protect, restore and enhance over 36,000 acres of wetlands, riparian 
and upland habitats. The prime sponsor of this project is the 
California Waterfowl Association. This organization is working, with 
local landowners to ensure that critical habitat can provide maximum 
benefits to migratory birds and a host of other wildlife species. Under 
their leadership, the California Waterfowl Association and its non-
governmental partners will contribute $2.3 million towards the success 
of this grant.
  Since the inception of this program, the amount of private non-
governmental matching money has been remarkable. In fact, it now

[[Page E1035]]

stands in excess of $2.1 billion. This unique public-private wetland 
conservation partnership effort is a classic case of how government 
should work and because of these proactive conservation grants dozens 
of species are witnessing a renaissance in the growth in their 
population numbers.
  It is, therefore, not surprising that this program has been 
enthusiastically supported by nearly every conservation organization in 
America including Ducks Unlimited, the Congressional Sportsmen's 
Foundation, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, California 
Waterfowl Association, National Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, 
the National Rifle Association, Pheasants Forever and the 
Wildlife Management Institute.

  For the past 5 years, Congress has appropriated about $40 million 
each year for the North American Wetlands Conservation Program. In its 
budget submission, the Bush administration recommend an allocation of 
$41.6 million and under current law the maximum amount that can be 
appropriated in FY'07 is $75 million. Under the terms of this 
legislation, the North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization 
Act of 2006, existing funding levels would be extended for an 
additional 5 years.
  Mr. Speaker, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act has been 
remarkably effective and successful in conserving wetlands. This 
program has earned an extension and I compliment my colleagues for 
joining with me in this effort.
  I am confident that this important legislation will be warmly 
embraced by the Administration and President Bush who has stated that 
``The North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act shows 
our concern for the environment and our respect for future generations 
of Americans''. I look forward to giving the President the opportunity 
to sign this important conservation measure into law this year.

                          ____________________