[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2256-S2257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Vitter, Ms. Landrieu, 
        Mr. Cochran, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, and Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 2282. A bill to extend the authorization of appropriations to 
carry out approved wetlands conservation projects under the North 
American Wetlands Conservation Act through fiscal year 2017; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce the 
reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, NAWCA. 
This bill has overwhelming bipartisan support, and I am pleased to have 
Senators Boxer, Vitter, Landrieu, Cochran, Johnson, and Klobuchar as 
original cosponsors.
  In fact, this is a conservation program that has long enjoyed support 
on both sides of the aisle. Back in 2006, I worked with my colleagues 
to pass the last reauthorization of this program by unanimous consent 
and was pleased that President Bush signed the bill into law.
  This bill also has the support of many conservation and hunting 
groups including: Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and 
Wildlife Agencies, Boone and Crockett Club, Bowhunting Preservation 
Alliance, Catch-A-Dream Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen's 
Foundation, Conservation Force, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl, 
Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League of America, Mule Deer Foundation, 
National Assembly of

[[Page S2257]]

Sportsmen's Caucuses, National Rifle Association, National Trappers 
Association, National Wild Turkey Foundation, North American Bear 
Foundation, North American Grouse Partnership, Orion-The Hunters' 
Institute, Pheasants Forever, Pope and Young Club, Public Lands 
Foundation, Quail Forever, Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky 
Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Safari Club 
International, Texas Wildlife Association, The Conservation Fund, 
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Whitetails Unlimited, 
Wildlife Forever, and Wildlife Management Institute
  NAWCA was first enacted in 1989 and incentivizes non-federal 
contributions to maintain and restore wetland habitat throughout North 
America. Since its inception, each Federal dollar has been matched, on 
average, by $3.20 in state and private funds. Not only do these funds 
help to support waterfowl populations that were once nearing all time 
lows, these voluntary projects also support nearly 7,500 new jobs 
annually.
  The success of this program lies in the fact that these projects are 
not top down regulations coming from the Federal Government. These 
projects involve multiple partners from private organizations and the 
Federal Government who work together voluntarily to protect and restore 
millions of acres of wetlands.
  In my home State of Oklahoma, NAWCA currently has 12 projects either 
completed or underway. These projects have conserved 26,869 acres of 
wildlife habitat and leveraged $11.3 million in partner contributions. 
These projects benefit outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing, as well 
as boosting local economies.
  NAWCA is a great example of how environmental conservation should be 
achieved. This program should put to rest the notion that voluntary 
efforts aren't successful. I would argue that these voluntary programs 
have been more successful and more cost effective than other mandatory 
Federal regulations.
  I look forward to this reauthorization moving quickly through the 
Senate. Thank you.

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