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Inez Connor 202-219-3861
Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt today
announced approval by the Migratory Bird Conservation
Commission of the purchase of 2,333 acres for addition to
three national wildlife refuges.
Secretary Babbitt chairs
the Cabinet-level Commission, which also approved $5,329,913
in grants for 14 wetland conservation projects in Canada and
Mexico. The grants are being provided under the North American
Wetlands Conservation Act, which stipulates that at least 50
percent of available funding should be spent in Canada and
Mexico because of the importance of the breeding and wintering
habitat for migratory birds in those two countries. The grants
are to be matched by $8,791,885 in funds and services
contributed by public and private partners who pool their
resources and expertise in recognition of the fact these
wetlands projects also contribute to the local economy.
"I am delighted with this innovative
partnership approach that is safeguarding and improving vital
wetlands ecosystems throughout the continent," Secretary
Babbitt said. "I applaud the high degree of international
cooperation and commitment fostered by the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan and its
companion funding
source, the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.
Together, they demonstrate that what's good for the
environment is also good business and good for our future."
The additions to three national wildlife
refuges include 796 acres at Bombay Hook National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR) in Kent County, Delaware; 36 acres at the Back
Bay NWR in Virginia Beach, Virginia; and 1,501 acres at the
Roanoke River NWR in Bertie County, North Carolina.
The refuges are strategically located along
the Atlantic coast and provide important wintering and
migrating habitat for a great diversity of migratory birds,
particularly waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as other fish
and wildlife species. Funds for these acquisitions come from
the sale of Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps,
popularly called Duck Stamps, that must be purchased by all
waterfowl hunters 16 years and older, together with funds from
other wildlife-related accounts.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Fund
grants approved by the Commission include restoration of the
Chuburna Harbor dike in the State of Yucatan that was
destroyed by Hurricane Gilbert. Salt water has intruded into
the once-rich estuary zone, killing aquatic vegetation and
destroying waterfowl habitat. The area is a main wintering
site for flamingos, waterfowl, and other migratory birds. The
$67,407 grant will be doubled by partner funds. The second
grant of $140,960 in the State of Sonora will be matched by
$331,201.
In Canada, eight projects in the eastern
provinces will protect and improve a stable habitat base for
black ducks and a large variety of other waterfowl,
shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, and fish nursery areas. Grants
of $959,646 will be combined with $3,055,156 in contributions.
Four projects in the prairie pothole region, the most
productive waterfowl area in Canada, will increase the
diversity, stability, and productivity of the entire wetland
ecosystem for all breeding waterfowl and other
wetland-dependent wildlife. Partners will match the $4,161,900
grant with another $5,338,020.
Funding for the North American Wetlands
Conservation Act comes from appropriations and
wildlife-related interest and fines. Projects are recommended
to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission by a nine
member, public and private council established by legislation
in support of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and
other wetlands projects.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the
principal Federal agency responsible for conserving,
protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife
Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national
wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other
special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish
hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological
services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife
laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages
migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant
fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as
wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their
conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program
that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise
taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and
wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs
and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the
Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at:
http://midwest.fws.gov
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