Click image to view video

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission has approved more than $26 million in funding to protect and restore more than 135,000 acres of U.S. wetland areas and wildlife habitats under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Chaired by Secretary Kempthorne, the commission also approved $4.1 million in funding to add more than 4,400 other wetland acres to seven national wildlife refuges. News Release Video (FLASH format)

The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission was established on February 18, 1929 by the passage of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. It was created and authorized to consider and approve any areas of land and/or water recommended by the Secretary of the Interior for purchase or rental by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Act, and to fix the price or prices at which such areas may be purchased or rented. In addition to approving purchase and rental prices, the Commission considers the establishment of new waterfowl refuges. The staff support for the Commission is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty.

Members of the Commission are:

The Act also designates the ranking officer or an authorized representative of the State department that administers game laws, as an ex officio member to consider and vote on all questions relating to acquisition of areas in that State.

The Commission usually convenes three times per year during the months of February, June, and September, or as needed. The Division of Realty produces an annual report, which summarizes the operations od the Commission during the preceding fiscal year.

Since the Commission's establishment, over 4 million acres have been acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by fee purchase, easement, or lease with monies from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. These funds are allocated at the Secretary's discretion as delegated to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

In 1989, the Commission acquired the additional responsibility to approve project funding  under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Under this Act, the Secretary of Transportation was replaced by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as a member of the Commission. This Act provides for Federal funding to encourage partnerships to protect, enhance, restore, and manage wetlands and other habitats for migratory birds and other fish and wildlife to carry out the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The North American Wetlands Conservation Council, which was created by this legislation, submits project recommendations to the Commission for funding approval. The Council has submitted over 500 high priority projects for consideration by the Commission since its establishment. All have been approved for funding, representing a total of $244 million for the protection of wetland habitat.

• June 12, 2008
• June 14, 2006
• March 16, 2006

Secretary, Migratory Bird Conservation Commission
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: ARLSQ-622
Arlington, VA 22203-1610
(703) 358-1716