HR5539SEP15

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Week Ending September 15, 2006

H.R.5539 To reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

The 1986 conservation law that was signed by the US, Canada and Mexico aimed at improving the management of North American waterfowl populations environments in all three countries. The US version of the deal became the North American Wetlands Conservation Act enacted in 1989. This bill authorizes funding for the Act.

The Act created a Council to oversee distribution of funds as it is that any State, local or private organization can apply for a grant to support wetland conservation projects. The final decisions on grants to protect or restore wetlands and uplands is made by another group, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. Grants in Mexico are for educational purposes.

All grants must be matched by private sector funds. The average match in 2004, the bill notes, was $2.88 for every federal dollar granted. Projects usually involve, fee title ownership, conservation easements and landowner agreements ensuring long-term benefits, the bill explained.

The first grants went out in 1991 now totaling 1,230 standard grants and 268 small grants from the Migratory Bird Commission. Those grants, totaling 2,500 have invested $710 million of taxpayer dollars and $2.1 billion in matching funds. The projects have since protected 23 million acres of wetlands and uplands in the three countries.

Sponsor: Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R-CA-11^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote September 12, 2006

Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that appropriation of the amounts authorized by H.R. 5539 would result in outlays of $175 million over the 2008-2011 period. (An additional $200 million would be spent after 2011, including $75 million that would be authorized for 2012.) Enacting this legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues.”

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