The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds Congress for securing final passage of the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act (WILD Act, HR 5009). Today, the Senate passed the bill as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, following House passage of the package late last week.
“We thank Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership in the Senate, and Representatives Joyce (R-OH-14) and Dingell (D-MI-6) along with the many cosponsors for championing this critical legislation through the House,” said Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association. “Conservation is a truly nonpartisan priority supported by the vast majority of Americans, and we commend Congress for ensuring these programs continue.”
Once enacted, the WILD Act will reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (Partners Program), which has enabled restoration of more than six million acres of habitat by bringing together state, federal, tribal, and private partners. In addition to reauthorizing the Partners Program, the bill will reauthorize and improve administrative flexibility for the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which help conserve some of the world’s most iconic species, including rhinos, elephants, tigers, great apes, and turtles.
The Association also thanks Resident Commissioner Colon (R-PR) and Representatives Costa (D-CA-21), Carter (R-GA-1), Thompson (D-CA-4) and Garbarino (R-NY-2) for their support as original cosponsors of the WILD Act.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—the organization that represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies—promotes sound resource management and conservation, and speaks on important fish and wildlife issues. Found on the web at www.fishwildlife.org, on Facebook /AssociationofFishandWildlifeAgencies and on Twitter @fishwildlife.
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