Bipartisan Legislation will Help Conserve Wildlife and Wildlife Habitats.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A broad group of stakeholders have voiced support for America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act.
The bipartisan legislation will reauthorize or establish several important government wildlife conservation programs. The ACE Act helps conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. It addresses the threats of emerging wildlife diseases and invasive species, while also protecting livestock from predators. The EPW Committee unanimously advanced the legislation at business meeting on Dec. 17, 2019.
What They Are Saying About the Legislation:
Wyoming Stock Growers Association
“The Wyoming Stock Growers Association commends Senator Barrasso for the inclusion of critical provisions in the “America's Conservation Enhancement Act" that address the impacts of certain wildlife species on livestock. The provision for depredation payments related to the depredation of livestock by listed species targets losses that cannot be eliminated by the use of non-lethal control methods while sharing a burden that to date has been carried solely by the State of Wyoming. We applaud the establishment of a system for the direct permitting of raven “take" by livestock producers facing depredation on calves and lambs. AIn addition, the focus on CWD is timely as this devastating wildlife disease impacts the state's ability to manage its wildlife populations on both private and public lands." -Jim Magagna, Executive Vice President
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
“I write to convey the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's support of the America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act. I want to thank you for your leadership regarding wildlife related issues that affect Wyoming. I understand this bill would establish the chronic wasting disease (CWD) task force that I testified on earlier this month. The Department is committed to furthering our understanding of CWD, and greatly supports the formation of a task force to address the issue, as this is a national problem that will continue to affect all of us into the future." -Brian Nesvik, Director
National Wildlife Federation
“At a time when one-third of wildlife species are at heightened risk of extinction, Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper are again affirming that our leaders can rally behind common-sense, bipartisan investments to restore wildlife populations and conserve our outdoor heritage. The ACE Act confronts systemic challenges facing wildlife by restoring essential wildlife habitat like wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay, eradicating wildlife disease especially Chronic Wasting Disease, removing invasive species, and engaging the next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen. While we still have much more work to do, this important, bipartisan legislation shows that even though gridlock pervades much of our nation's capital, wildlife conservation stands out as a rare area for bipartisan collaboration." -Collin O'Mara, President and CEO
Ducks Unlimited
“On behalf of the 750,000 members of Ducks Unlimited, we proudly support S. 3051, America's Conservation Enhancement Act, introduced by Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper. This important wildlife package includes reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (Chesapeake WILD) Act, the Pittman-Robertson Modernization Act, and reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Program, among other provisions. Measures like these support the conservation of wetlands and waterfowl habitat for landowners, farmers, hunters, anglers and all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts across the country for years to come." -Dan Wrinn, National Director of Government Affairs
Trout Unlimited
“Trout Unlimited writes to thank you for introducing S. 3051, America's Conservation Enhancement Act, and we urge the Committee to advance it in tomorrow's mark up. This bill includes valuable provisions to conserve fish and wildlife habitat that will sustain outstanding hunting and fishing opportunities across the country. We appreciate the strong leadership demonstrated by Senators Barrasso, Carper and the bill's bipartisan co-sponsors, in advancing sportsmen's conservation issues." -Steve Moyer, Vice President for Government Affairs
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
“The Association applauds and thanks you along with members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for advancing the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (S. 3051). This bill contains pieces of legislation that are vitally important to our state fish and wildlife agency members, our conservation partners, and for sustaining our collaborative approach to fish and wildlife conservation throughout the country. The Association strongly supports S. 3051 and is pleased to see included therein the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and other highly beneficial provisions." -Kelly Helper, President
American Sportfishing Association
“Bipartisanship is a rare commodity these days in Washington, but natural resources conservation is one area that garners support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The sportfishing industry is grateful to Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper for championing this bipartisan legislation and quickly moving it out of committee." -Mike Leonard, ASA's Vice President of Government Affairs
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
“The America's Conservation Enhancement Act clearly illustrates that conservation of our fish and wildlife resources is a bipartisan priority. The legislation includes an array of key provisions for hunters, anglers, and other wildlife enthusiasts, representing a fantastic opportunity to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Chesapeake Bay Program, as well as codify the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act. America's deer hunters are also pleased to see the creation of a Chronic Wasting Disease task force to help coordinate the response to CWD, a major threat to hunting and conservation funding. Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper deserve credit for crafting such a comprehensive wildlife bill, one that can garner such wide support, and we hope that this legislation gets the Senate floor time it deserves in the near future." -Steven Kline, Chief Policy Officer
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
“We are encouraged to see S. 3051 pass out of Senate EPW committee and thank all members that voted in favor of the package. This is a good package with several bills that provide tremendous benefits for pheasant and quail habitat. For decades The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) has created vital habitat for many wildlife including pheasants and quail. Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs, also included in this package, will help us accomplish our hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts." -Howard K. Vincent, President and CEO
Organizations that have Expressed Support for the Legislation:
Wyoming Stock Growers Association
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Ducks Unlimited
National Wildlife Federation
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Trout Unlimited
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Safari Club International
The Public Lands Council
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
National Audubon Society
American Fisheries Society
American Sheep Industry Association
American Sportfishing Association
American Woodcock Society
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.)
California Waterfowl Association
Campfire Club of America
The Conservation Fund
Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports
Dallas Safari Club
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Fly Fishers International
Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
Houston Safari Club
Izaak Walton League of America
Masters of Foxhounds Foundation
National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative
National Deer Alliance
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
North American Falconers Association
North American Grouse Partnership
Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Orion: The Hunter's Institute
Pheasants Forever
Pope & Young Club
Professional Outfitters and Guides of America
Public Lands Foundation
Quail Forever
Quality Deer Management Association
Ruffed Grouse Society
The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
The Wildlife Society
Whitetails Unlimited
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Management Institute
Wildlife Mississippi
