Copyright 1999 Federal Document Clearing House, Inc.
Federal Document Clearing House Congressional Testimony
May 03, 1999
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 1489 words
HEADLINE:
TESTIMONY May 03, 1999 DR. ALAN WENTZ, PHD. GROUP MANAGER HOUSE
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND REINVESTMENT
BODY:
Testimony Of DR. ALAN WENTZ, Ph.D. GROUP MANAGER FOR CONSERVATION, DUCKS
UNLIMITED, INC. BEFORE THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES
MAY 3, 1999 LEADER IN WETLANDS CONSERVATION I would like to thank the Chairman,
especially you Congressman Tauzin, and the other members of the Committee for
inviting me to testify on behalf of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. regarding this
important issue. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) is the world's largest, private
waterfowl habitat conservation organization with over a million supporters in
the United States. DU's mission is to fulfill the annual life cycle needs of
North American waterfowl by protecting, enhancing, restoring and managing
important wetlands and associated uplands. Since its founding in 1937, DU has
conserved more than 8.8 million acres of prime wildlife habitat in all 50
states, each of the Canadian provinces and in key areas of Mexico. Some 900
species of wildlife, including many threatened and endangered species, use DU
projects during some phase of their life cycles. We applaud the proposed
reinvestment of Outer Continental Shelf oil revenues in the conservation of our
natural resources. Enactment of this concept will leave a lasting legacy on the
landscape of America's wild and natural places. Both versions of the legislation
being heard today recognize the desire of the American people to maintain
healthy landscapes for themselves and the wildlife that is so much a part of our
heritage. The Approach is Visionary Ducks Unlimited has always recognized the
value of habitat-based conservation to the long-term health of wildlife
populations, and, in fact, to the well being of human populations as well. These
bills provide substantial amounts of funding to carry out essential habitat
conservation for an array of wildlife species in a way that has never been
feasible before. State natural resource agencies are on the front line for
conservation on the landscape level. They manage land and are very responsive to
the citizenry. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA)
provides much needed funds to states to bolster their conservation programs. An
investment in these programs is an investment in locally directed, effective,
and responsible land and wildlife stewardship. By building upon the support that
states have historically received from hunters and anglers, CARA recognizes that
a grand variety of wildlife benefits from conservation and the program will help
equip state wildlife agencies to use a variety of conservation strategies. This
kind of investment in our country's infrastructure for natural resource
management is absolutely essential to our future. State wildlife agencies have
been given many new responsibilities over the last few decades. It is time for
us to provide new sources of revenue to pay for these responsibilities. In
addition to land acquisition, which is a valuable conservation tool, CARA will
provide the resources for states to work with private landowners to find
incentive-based, non- regulatory answers to conservation problems. Ducks
Unlimited works with landowners across the North American continent and we
believe strongly in private property rights and values. Because of that we work
with voluntary land protection and management programs where landowners are
finding ways to preserve the integrity and health of their property, while
retaining ownership of the land. Our efforts include assistance in restoring
wetlands, native grasses, and natural forests for the benefit of the landowner
and wildlife. There is a very high demand for these kinds of assistance. One of
our beliefs is grounded in the fact that when you find land management practices
that benefit both wildlife and the economic interests of the landowner you can
expect those practices to continue without government or private subsidies. One
of the tools we at DU increasingly use is the voluntary conservation easement.
In fact, landowners are finding that conservation easements are, in many cases,
the best way to secure wildlife habitat and healthy landscapes into the future,
while keeping the land economically productive. DU holds conservation easements
in many states. Our focus is on "working" lands that produce agricultural crops,
timber or other products. The goal is to keep the wildlife habitat and its
private stewardship in place for the future and to do that we all must recognize
that the landowner needs to create an income stream from the land. Hopefully one
of the ways state wildlife agencies will use a portion of the funds they receive
under CARA is to facilitate creation of these types of easements. One of the
most contentious issues in conservation today is what to do about endangered
species. CARA provides resources for conservation of habitats before populations
become perilously low. History has shown that species that are hunted and have
sufficient management in place tend to be kept in abundance. On the other end of
the continuum, species that are classed as endangered also receive a lot of
management attention. But the majority of our wildlife species fall between
these two groups and we historically have not had sufficient funds to manage
these species. It is sensible to take actions that preclude the need for
implementing controversial and expensive recovery plans once a species is
listed. To paraphrase the motto of a Neotropical bird conservation
effort--"Partners in Flight"- CARA will help us keep common species common. CARA
would also provide states with funding for wildlife education and nature-based
tourism, an important aspect of conservation in today's society. Natural
resources conservation efforts that also educate the public about the values and
benefits of those resources have the greatest potential for long- term success.
The American public spends 100 billion dollars each year in wildlife-related
recreation. CARA will enhance that by helping to maintain healthy wildlife
populations and provide for appropriate access, education, and related services.
DU applauds the authors of CARA for including provisions that make the interest
earned from Title III monies available to the North American Wetlands
Conservation Act program. Habitat conservation under NAWCA has been widely
acclaimed in the conservation community. Providing additional funds to this
proven, successful program is a wise investment since an average of $2.3
non-federal dollars matches every federal dollar committed. NAWCA is one of the
most successful partnership programs ever Put into operation and new funds
invested here will continue that effort and enhance the objectives of both of
these important congressional actions. Finally, CARA is visionary in that it
recognizes that landscapes rejuvenated and enhanced for wildlife help ensure the
quality of life for Americans today and tomorrow because we all depend on the
same clean and abundant water, air, and soil. Action is Timely Right now, there
is an unprecedented climate of cooperation and interaction among bird
conservation initiatives. Never before has the conservation community been
poised to provide for the habitat needs of such a large and diverse group of
organisms. Science based, landscape driven conservation plans for all songbirds,
waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds are being put into place as we enter the
new millennium. However, not only are we finalizing solid plans for the
conservation of hundreds of species, but these plans will be integrated through
efforts like the North American Bird Conservation Initiative to maximize the
effectiveness and efficiency of every dollar spent, Since 1986, the North
American Waterfowl Management Plan, through partnerships known as joint
ventures, has been one of the great success stories in conservation history.
Through these partnerships, public and private funds are combined to achieve
results that are much greater than the sum of the parts. Following this lead,
new partnerships are forming to deliver habitat conservation that benefits all
birds. CARA will provide increased public funds to facilitate the success of
these new and important partnerships. Cooperation is Important It is our hope
that the legislation that emerges from Congress can respond to the interests of
both bills being discussed today. We believe it is healthy for the Committee to
operate in a climate of cooperation to create final legislation that can be
supported by the broadest group of organizations and individuals. We believe it
is essential that Title III of H.R. 701 should be part of the final product.
Thank you for inviting Ducks Unlimited to participate today. Ducks Unlimited
supports the concept of these bills because we, like so many others, have a deep
and abiding desire to see a healthy and thriving American landscape that
provides for the needs of wildlife and people now and for our grandchildren and
future generations.
LOAD-DATE: June 2, 1999
