[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6273-H6276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICA'S CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2024
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 3791) to reauthorize the America's Conservation Enhancement
Act, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 3791
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America's
Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT, DISEASE, AND PREDATION
Sec. 101. Losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected
species.
Sec. 102. Black vulture livestock protection program.
Sec. 103. Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force.
Sec. 104. Protection of water, oceans, coasts, and wildlife from
invasive species.
Sec. 105. North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
Sec. 106. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act.
Sec. 107. Modification of definition of sport fishing equipment under
TSCA.
Sec. 108. Chesapeake Bay Program.
Sec. 109. Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998.
Sec. 110. Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense.
TITLE II--NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Sec. 201. National Fish Habitat Board.
Sec. 202. Fish Habitat Partnerships.
Sec. 203. Fish habitat conservation projects.
Sec. 204. Technical and scientific assistance.
Sec. 205. Accountability and reporting.
Sec. 206. Funding.
Sec. 207. Technical correction.
TITLE I--WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT, DISEASE, AND PREDATION
SEC. 101. LOSSES OF LIVESTOCK DUE TO DEPREDATION BY FEDERALLY
PROTECTED SPECIES.
Section 102(d) of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Act (7 U.S.C. 8355(d)) is amended, in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 102. BLACK VULTURE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Section 103 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(7 U.S.C. 8356) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``; black vulture
livestock protection program'' after ``common ravens'' and
conforming the table of contents accordingly;
(2) by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) as
paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(3) in each of paragraphs (2) and (3) (as so redesignated),
by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(1)'';
(4) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(a) Depredation Permits for Black Vultures and Common
Ravens.--''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Black Vulture Livestock Protection Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with
States, shall carry out, through fiscal year 2030, a black
vulture livestock protection program (referred to in this
subsection as the `program') that allows 1 public entity or
Farm Bureau organization per State to hold a statewide
depredation permit to protect commercial agriculture
livestock from black vulture predation.
``(2) Requirements.--Each public entity or Farm Bureau
organization that holds a depredation permit under the
program--
``(A) shall--
``(i) demonstrate sufficient experience and capacity to
provide government regulated services to the public, as
determined by the Secretary;
``(ii) submit a complete depredation permit application, as
determined by the Secretary, for review and approval
according to procedures of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service;
``(iii) be responsible for complying with, and ensuring
subpermittee compliance with, as applicable, all permit
conditions; and
``(iv) be responsible for collecting, managing, and
reporting required information under the permit; and
``(B) may subpermit to livestock producers to take black
vultures for the purposes of livestock protection.
``(3) Study.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, shall carry
out a study on whether prescribed take levels of black
vultures may be increased for subpermittees within a
biologically sustainable take level for the population.
``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the
Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, shall submit to the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and
the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the
status of the program, including the results of the study
required under paragraph (3).''.
SEC. 103. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TASK FORCE.
Section 104 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(16 U.S.C. 667h) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``after the completion of
the study required by subsection (c)''; and
(B) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``180 days after the
date on which the study is completed under subsection (c)''
and inserting ``90 days after the date of the enactment of
the America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of
2024. The efforts of the Task Force shall not be contingent
on the completion of the study required by subsection (c)'';
and
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``2025'' and
inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 104. PROTECTION OF WATER, OCEANS, COASTS, AND WILDLIFE
FROM INVASIVE SPECIES.
Section 10(p) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16
U.S.C. 666c-1(p)) is amended, in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 105. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT.
Section 7(c) of the North American Wetlands Conservation
Act (16 U.S.C. 4406(c)) is amended by striking ``2025'' and
inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 106. NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT
ACT.
Section 10 of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2030''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and cooperative
agreements,'' and inserting ``, cooperative agreements,
participating agreements, and similar instruments used for
providing partnership funds,'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively;
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) Funding agreements.--Federal departments, agencies,
and instrumentalities
[[Page H6274]]
may enter into a Federal funding agreement with the
Foundation for a period of not more than 10 years.''; and
(D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``, and should when possible,'' after ``may''.
SEC. 107. MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF SPORT FISHING
EQUIPMENT UNDER TSCA.
Section 108(a) of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 note) is amended by striking ``During the
5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act'' and inserting ``During the period beginning on the date
of enactment of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Reauthorization Act of 2024 and ending on September 30,
2030''.
SEC. 108. CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM.
Section 117(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1267(j)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030,
$92,000,000.''.
SEC. 109. CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE ACT OF 1998.
Section 502(c) of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998
(Public Law 105-312; 112 Stat. 2963; 134 Stat. 920) is
amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 110. CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED INVESTMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE
DEFENSE.
Section 111(e)(1) of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Act (33 U.S.C. 1267 note) is amended by striking ``2025'' and
inserting ``2030''.
TITLE II--NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
SEC. 201. NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD.
Section 203 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(16 U.S.C. 8203) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``26 members'' and inserting ``28 members'';
(B) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) 2 shall be representatives of the Department of the
Interior, including the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service and the Bureau of Land Management;''; and
(C) by striking subparagraphs (G) and (H) and inserting the
following:
``(G) 2 shall be representatives of Indian Tribes, of
whom--
``(i) 1 shall be a representative of Indian Tribes in the
State of Alaska; and
``(ii) 1 shall be a representative of Indian Tribes in
States other than the State of Alaska;
``(H) 2 shall be representatives of--
``(i) the Regional Fishery Management Councils established
by section 302(a)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(a)(1)); or
``(ii) the Marine Fisheries Commissions;''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1)(B), by striking ``all members''
and inserting ``the members present''.
SEC. 202. FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS.
Section 204 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(16 U.S.C. 8204) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``, subject to paragraph (3),'' after ``Act
and''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Limitation.--The Board shall only submit a report
required under paragraph (1) in the fiscal years in which the
Board is proposing modifications to, or new designations of,
1 or more Partnerships.''; and
(2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Designation or Modification of Partnership.--
``(1) In general.--Congress shall have the exclusive
authority to designate or modify a Partnership.
``(2) Designation or modification process.--A Partnership
designation or modification the Board recommends to Congress
shall be deemed to be approved by Congress if Congress does
not pass a joint resolution of disapproval with respect to
the designation or modification by the date that is 90 days
after the date on which the relevant congressional committees
receive such recommendation.''.
SEC. 203. FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION PROJECTS.
Section 205 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(16 U.S.C. 8205) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``for the following
fiscal year''; and
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the total cost
of all fish habitat conservation projects carried out by a
Partnership each year shall be at least 50 percent.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``Such non-Federal share of the cost of a
fish habitat conservation project'' and inserting ``The non-
Federal share described in paragraph (1)''.
SEC. 204. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE.
Section 206(a) of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Act (16 U.S.C. 8206(a)) is amended by inserting ``, the
Bureau of Land Management,'' after ``the Forest Service''.
SEC. 205. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING.
Section 209 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(16 U.S.C. 8209) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b);
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking the subsection designation and heading and
all that follows through ``Not later than'' in paragraph (1)
and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--Not later than''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as subsection (b) and
indenting appropriately; and
(3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D)
as paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5), respectively, and
indenting appropriately;
(C) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(D) by inserting after paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(4) a description of the status of fish habitats in the
United States as identified by Partnerships; and''; and
(E) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
(i) by redesignating clauses (i) through (v) as
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting
appropriately; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by
redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as clauses (i) and
(ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately.
SEC. 206. FUNDING.
Section 212(a) of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Act (16 U.S.C. 8212(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``partnerships
and'' after ``habitat'';
(B) by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''; and
(C) by inserting ``Partnership operations under section 204
and'' after ``to provide funds for'';
(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 207. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 211 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act
(16 U.S.C. 8211) is amended, in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.)'' and inserting ``Chapter 10 of title 5,
United States Code (commonly known as the `Federal Advisory
Committee Act'),''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on S. 3791, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3791, the America's Conservation
Enhancement Reauthorization Act, or the ACE Act.
This bill seeks to improve and codify a series of collaborative
conservation efforts between the Federal Government, States, and
wildlife and sportsmen organizations that have resulted in positive
results for numerous species.
S. 3791 would first reauthorize a series of successful conservation
programs, such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Program.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act, or NAWCA, is
particularly important to my home State of Arkansas. As the only
Federal grant program solely dedicated to wetlands conservation, NAWCA
has conserved over 31 million acres of wetland habitat for waterfowl.
This is critical for my State, as over 100,000 people each year visit
Arkansas for the best waterfowl hunting in the country and to hunt in
the pristine flooded timber and rice fields of the Natural State.
Title II of the bill makes important technical changes to the
National Fish Habitat Partnership program. These changes include
ensuring that Tribes, regional fishery management councils, and marine
fisheries commissions are
[[Page H6275]]
represented on the National Fish Habitat Board and can contribute to
reviewing project proposals and allocating grant dollars.
I also commend the work of the sponsor of the House companion of this
bill, Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia, who is a true champion of
our country's wildlife and sportsmen.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 3791 would reauthorize several critical wildlife and
habitat bills through 2030.
These include the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, the Chesapeake
Bay Program, and the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through
Partnerships program.
The bill would also codify important new programs, such as the black
vulture livestock protection program and make technical changes to the
National Fish Habitat Partnership and board.
As we know, in the Great Lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and other fish
habitats are crucial in providing ecosystem services. They enhance
water quality, offer essential habitat for fish and wildlife, mitigate
coastal storm impacts, and improve water supply. To conserve and
restore these environments, partnerships among Federal, State, and
regional entities leverage their diverse resources, expertise, and
capabilities to maximize their impacts.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act exemplifies a successful
partnership-based program, utilizing non-Federal partnerships to
protect and restore wetlands and related habitats. This is one of the
most cost-effective conservation programs out there, where more than $3
in non-Federal contributions are made for every Federal dollar
invested.
Similarly, the Chesapeake Bay Program brings together stakeholders,
academic institutions, and local governments to collaboratively restore
and preserve the Chesapeake Bay. The bay provides over $130 billion
annually in natural benefits, including improved air, water, and soil
quality as well as critical fisheries habitat.
Additionally, the National Fish Habitat Partnership unites 20
regional fish habitat partnerships to restore aquatic ecosystems'
health. Since its inception in 2006, the partnership has rehabilitated
tens of thousands of acres of freshwater habitat and over 2,000 miles
of rivers, generating more than $1 billion in economic value.
Finally, the amendments to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
authorization will help the foundation and Federal agencies better
align priorities, report on the status of programs, and help grantees
run their programs efficiently.
I am proud to support the bipartisan effort to reauthorize these
essential wildlife conservation programs. These efforts are critical
steps toward addressing the Nation's growing biodiversity crisis.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Wittman).
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for his
leadership on the committee and for his efforts to make sure that the
America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act comes before
this body and ultimately gets signed into law.
The act is better known as the ACE Reauthorization Act, and ace it
definitely is. It is the ace that we need in our hand to make sure we
are there on the side of our natural resources across this Nation.
This pivotal piece of legislation signifies our commitment to
preserving the natural beauty of our great Nation while promoting
sustainable practices for future generations. As a lifelong
outdoorsman, I am committed to ensuring all Americans have the
opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors, from the Pacific Ocean
to our wonderful national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay.
This legislation, which has been amended to contain my House Natural
Resources-passed companion language, provides authorization for some of
the most effective conservation programs in the history of this Nation.
This bill would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation
Act, which protects waterfowl, fish, and wildlife resources across this
Nation and, most importantly, preserves critical wetland habitat, which
is disappearing at an alarming rate.
It supports local economies that depend on outdoor recreation,
tourism, and agriculture. It also preserves American traditions, such
as hunting, fishing, bird-watching, family farming, and cattle
ranching.
{time} 1645
Mr. Speaker, this is one of the most successful public-private
partnerships in the history of this Nation. This program leverages more
than $2 of private money to $1 of public money. All of these dollars
come from sportsmen, whether it is through buying a duck stamp to go
hunt waterfowl or just to enjoy doing bird watching, which we know our
colleague from Virginia enjoys quite a bit of.
It is incredibly impactful for this Nation to understand that also,
on the public side, these dollars from duck stamps are matched with
sportsmen who are passionate about these resources, whether it is the
waterfowl, the shore birds, or the wetland habitats, and organizations
like Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. Those organizations work
tirelessly to raise these dollars, and all of these go to preserving
that critical habitat.
We know today in our Nation these wetland habitats are disappearing
at an alarming rate. Our ability to set aside these lands in our
national wetlands inventory through our National Wildlife Refuge System
is incredible. We use all kinds of tools to do that. Whether it is
through purchase of the property or whether it is through purchase of
development rights, conservation easements, they are really effective
tools to make sure we preserve this critical habitat.
The other part of the ACE Reauthorization Act is reauthorizing the
National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act. We know
our States do a wonderful job of focusing on critical fish habitat and
working to preserve those. This bill allows them to do even more with
Federal partners to make sure they are working in unison with local
governments and local organizations to do even more to preserve that
critical habitat.
Also, as co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I know
how crucial it is to protect our national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay is not only the largest estuary in the United States
but also a critical ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife and
provides economic benefits to millions of Americans.
In fact, I would argue many folks here in the Washington, D.C., area
on a daily basis enjoy the wonderful natural resources from the
Chesapeake Bay. If you go to a restaurant and happen to order a crab
cake or an oyster, it most likely came from the Chesapeake Bay.
I am proud that this bill also reauthorizes the Chesapeake Bay
Program, a successful Federal and State partnership that coordinates
efforts to reduce pollution in the bay.
Mr. Speaker, if there is a poster child for a Federal role under the
Constitution, it is the Chesapeake Bay Program because it truly is an
interstate program. It is about getting all the States to work together
to make sure we are in unison in improving water quality in the
Chesapeake Bay. This is, indeed, that constitutional direction on
interstate cooperation that is allowed under the Constitution to
achieve what is critical not just to this Nation but also to our
natural resources.
The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Act is also a
critical part of this. It supports efforts to improve the conditions of
habitats and enhance public access to the bay and its rivers. We know
what an incredibly important economic engine the Chesapeake Bay is.
This enhances the ability for folks to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay, to
learn more about it, and to have those opportunities there that not
only create richness in life for the people who enjoy the bay but also
for the communities that seek their livelihood from the bay.
The Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense Act,
another part of the ACE Reauthorization Act, helps local entities
rehabilitate
[[Page H6276]]
fish and wildlife habitats throughout the bay watershed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the
gentleman from Virginia.
Mr. WITTMAN. This ACE Reauthorization Act is truly a testament to our
commitment to future generations and to the treasure of the natural
resources that this Nation has at its avail. It ensures that our
children and grandchildren will inherit a world that is as rich in
biodiversity and natural beauty as the one we cherish today.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support America's Conservation
Enhancement Reauthorization Act.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am
prepared to close and reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
While we are on the topic of conservation, I thank my colleagues for
working with Democrats not just on this conservation bill but also on
the WILD Act, which I am pleased to hear will be included in the NDAA
this month.
Like the bill before us today, the WILD Act is a bipartisan effort to
maximize conservation impacts through partnerships; specifically, the
Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which help conserve iconic
wildlife species, including elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, and
turtles, and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which supports
habitat restoration efforts across the United States, including the
territories.
I am pleased to be the Democratic co-lead of the WILD Act, and I
thank my Republican colleague, Representative Joyce of Ohio, for his
partnership.
I hope all of us can continue finding ways to work together on
conservation and other issues, just like we are doing today with the
ACE Reauthorization Act.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for
yielding me time again.
It is incredibly valuable, I think, for folks across the Nation to
understand that America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act
is really one of those efforts where we take a lot of separate bills
which by themselves do a lot of good, and we bring them together to do
even a greater good. With that, we also are able to look at how these
programs relate to each other. Our effort at this level is to make sure
that we coordinate and that we look at how do we utilize resources.
These bills are critically important because it is not just about
utilizing Federal resources. In fact, I would argue, with these bills
it is actually more about leveraging the opportunities and the
resources we have at the State and local levels because these bills are
incredibly important to localities across the Nation. They are
incredibly important to the experience that we all have as Americans in
enjoying these natural resources. That is why the ACE Reauthorization
Act, I think, has such far-reaching impacts on our Nation.
It is great that today we can come together in a bipartisan way and
say we are in favor of this. This is one of the places where we know
working together we can get things done that are in the best interests
of our communities and the best interests of our States and
Commonwealths across the Nation.
We understand, too, that as much as sometimes people focus on the
things that we disagree on, there are some pretty significant things
that we agree on.
Today is one of those days where we look at this, and we say these
bills are all about a greater good. They are really about enhancing the
quality of life in our communities. They are about achieving things
that we look to do in common with each other. We look for the private
sector to leverage the dollars that are there, people that want to
participate in these programs that have really been shown to be a
success across the spectrum through the years and that leverage
resources.
We look today at the challenges we face in the Nation about a deficit
in resources that come in versus the resources that go out. This is one
of those programs where it really is a success story about how we take
a small amount of Federal dollars that come from sportsmen that
voluntarily pay for these dollars, and they leverage it with private
dollars. What a great example of a successful program.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
By passing S. 3791, Congress will ensure that vital conservation work
that has benefited countless at-risk species can be improved and
continue on into the future.
When we think about conservation, the word ``conservation'' denotes
that it is usage of our resources, it is good stewardship, and these
programs promote good stewardship. They not only promote good
stewardship, it gets a lot of skin in the game, not just from the
Federal Government and the general public, but from all of these
conservation organizations and private funds that go into true
conservation work to create the wildlife habitat that benefits so many
species.
We know that it not only benefits species that we like to hunt and
fish for, but it also benefits us because clean air and clean water and
a healthy, safe environment benefits everyone. That is what these
programs promote.
This bill has brought together a diverse group of sportsmen and
conservation organizations who see the benefit of the programs included
in this bill, as my friend from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) has already
stated. These organizations are groups we have all heard of like Ducks
Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and the Congressional Sportsmen's
Foundation. Many of us are members of the Congressional Sportsmen's
Caucus, the American Sportfishing Association, and the Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
Again, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 3791, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________