Rehberg (MT00) - Press Release - Rehberg Sponsors Key Wildlife Conservation Legislation

Congressman Denny Rehberg, 516 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

N E W S


	July 14, 2006

Rehberg Sponsors Key Wildlife Conservation Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, in an effort to bolster access to and ensure protection of Montana’s wetland areas is sponsoring the North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2006 (NAWCA). NAWCA is a grant program aimed at protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetlands and other habitat. The bill aims to help the federal government continue working with landowners, conservation groups, and states to save and improve millions of acres of wetlands across the country.

“Access to Montana’s wetlands is crucial for our sportsmen and women,” said Rehberg. “Keeping our wetlands healthy is essential for both the wildlife that uses it and for ensuring that these recreational opportunities can continue. Programs like NAWCA not only provide money to conduct needed work on the wetlands, but encourage separate conservation partners, both public and private, to make contributions to these projects. Wetlands are a key aspect of the pristine public lands that Montana is known for.”

Since it was initially signed into law in 1989, NAWCA grants have restored nearly 23 million acres of wetlands and associated habitats in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAWCA currently has a dozen projects underway in Montana. These projects have conserved, restored, or enhanced almost 178,000 acres of wildlife habitat in Montana. About 75 percent of America’s wetlands are privately owned.

“NAWCA plays a very important role in stimulating public and private partnerships that enables these partners to protect, restore and manage wetlands habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife,” said Layne Krumwiede, regional director of Montana Ducks Unlimited. “NAWCA grants play an important role in allowing Ducks Unlimited (DU) to meets it's mission from restoring and enhancing wetlands, reducing soil erosion, and many of these projects provide recreational opportunities for the public.”

“With such a great percentage of wetlands in Montana and across the country being privately owned, it’s vital that Congress do all it can to foster cooperation with landowners and conservationists to protect these areas,” said Rehberg. “In 2004, a goal was announced of protecting and restoring 3 million acres of wetlands. I’d like to surpass that target and NAWCA is a step towards making that happen.”

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