SRES255NOV4

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending November 4, 2005

S.RES.255 A resolution recognizing the achievements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Waterfowl Population Survey.

BRIEF

The Resolution and preamble recognizes that the best way to get a total of how many waterfowl there are in North America is to go out and count them. The US Fish and Wildlife Service gets the yearly job and with cooperation from observers on the ground, they fly about 80,000 miles counting the birds they see. The Service partners in the effort with Canadian Wildlife Service, State and provincial biologists, and private sector partners.

The USF&WS totals ducks, geese and swans and also looks over the bird’s habitat quality and quantity.

2005 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the USF&WS.

Sponsor: Senator Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent October 31, 2005

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Whereas every spring and summer teams of United States Fish and Wildlife Service pilot-biologists take to the skies to survey North America's waterfowl breeding grounds flying more than 80,000 miles a year, crisscrossing the country just above the treetops and open fields, they and observers on the ground record the number of ducks, geese, and swans and assess the quality and quantity of water-fowl breeding habitats;

Whereas the pilot biologists operate from the wide open bays and wetlands of the eastern shores of North America to some of the most remote regions of Canada and Alaska, and are documenting an important part of our wildlife heritage;

Whereas the Waterfowl Population Survey, operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005, is featured on the 2005-2006 Duck Stamp, and has been recognized by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation for its contribution to waterfowl hunting;

Whereas the Waterfowl Population Survey Program has evolved into the largest and most reliable wildlife survey effort in the world;

Whereas for more than 50 years cooperative waterfowl surveys have been performed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Canadian Wildlife Service, State and provincial biologists, and nongovernmental partners; and

Whereas survey results determine the status of North America's waterfowl populations, play an important role in setting annual waterfowl hunting regulations, and help guide the decisions of waterfowl managers throughout North America: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) recognizes the achievements and contributions of the Waterfowl Population Survey Program;

(2) expresses strong support for the continued success of the Waterfowl Population Survey Program;

(3) encourages the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in its efforts to broaden understanding and public participation in the Waterfowl Population Survey Program by increasing partnerships to continue growth and development of the Survey; and

(4) reaffirms its commitment to the Waterfowl Population Survey Program and the conservation of the rich natural heritage of the United States.

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