Contacts
Elizabeth Slown, 505-248-6909
The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved the
acquisition of more than 1,735 acres of important migratory
bird habitat on units of the National Wildlife Refuge System
in nine states – including 50 acres of wetland habitat within
the established boundaries of Trinity River NWR in Liberty
County, Texas.
The Cabinet-level commission, chaired by Assistant
Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Craig Manson,
approved funds of $3 million to acquire the land. All
acquisitions had been previously approved by the affected
states.
"The land acquisitions approved by the Migratory Bird
Conservation Commission will protect important habitat,
ensuring that the National Wildlife Refuge System continues to
provide vital nesting, breeding, feeding and resting places
for migratory bird populations," said Steven Williams,
Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages
the refuge system. "By working with state, public and private
partners, the Commission continues to make sure that the 95
million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System remains the
world's premier network of public lands dedicated to wildlife
conservation."
Other National Wildlife Refuge System acquisitions approved
by the Conservation Commission are:
Maryland: Acquisition of 500 acres of marsh and other
wetland habitat to protect wintering areas for migratory
waterfowl within the boundaries of Blackwater NWR in
Dorchester County.
Arkansas: Acquisition of 50 acres of wetlands to protect
waterfowl habitat in Bald Knob NWR in the White
County.
Washington: Purchase of 331 acres of waterfowl habitat in
Klickitat County within the approved boundaries of Conboy Lake
NWR.
Tennessee: Purchase of 161 acres of waterfowl habitat in
Lower Hatchie NWR, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties.
California: Purchase of a total of 119 acres of wetlands in
the approved border of North Central Valley Wildlife
Management Area, Colusa NWR, Colusa County.
New Jersey: Purchase of 78 acres within the boundaries of
Wallkill River NWR, Sussex County.
Wyoming: Lease of 320 acres of riparian habitat within the
previously approved boundaries of Cokeville NWR, Lincoln
County.
South Carolina: Exchange and purchase of 227 acres of
waterfowl habitat to be added to Savannah NWR in Jasper
County.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission also approved 30
grants that will foster wetland restoration, protection and
enhancement projects in Mexico and the United States under the
auspices of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
Grant funds of nearly $21 million will be combined with $128
million in partnership money. The commission acts as overseer
for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
During the commission’s meeting on March 14, Williams
acknowledged the historic occasion of the Refuge System’s 99th
birthday that day, and noted the significance of efforts to
honor the upcoming centennial anniversary of the refuge system
in 2003.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 established the
Migratory Bird Conservation Commission to approve land to be
purchased for the National Wildlife Refuge System with monies
from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. The fund is
supported by revenue collected from Federal Duck Stamp sales,
import duties collected on arms and ammunition, right-of-way
payments to the refuge system, and receipts from national
wildlife refuge entry fees.
The commission meets three times a year to approve funding
proposals. Commission members are Interior Secretary Norton,
Senators Thad Cochran and John Breaux; Representatives. John
Dingell and Curt Weldon; Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman;
and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine
Todd Whitman.
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 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which
encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of
small wetlands and other special management areas. It also
operates 70 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.
- FWS -
For more information about the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, visit our home page at
http://www.fws.gov
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