Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman's (R-Ark.) bill, the America's Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act. This legislation would provide states and tribes with the necessary resources to implement habitat restoration projects vital to preventing the listing of species and to accelerate the delisting of species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

"The America's Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act is the right path forward for America's habitat management. This is a forward-thinking bill that gives states and local communities the opportunity to manage the species they know best. We're working to make historic investments in America's wildlife habitat because we know what works. Through proven solutions and strategic investment, we can ensure the longevity of our nation's incredible wildlife for generations to come. I'd like to thank Subcommittee Chairman Bentz for his work to move this legislation through his subcommittee and I look forward to supporting this bill further on its journey into law." - House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

"As Chair of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries overseeing H.R. 7408, America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act, I stand firmly in support of this transformative legislation. By allocating $320 million in grant funding and empowering states, tribes, and individuals, to implement plans and actions to help recover challenged species, we're not just preserving our nation's natural heritage, but we are also encouraging improved interaction between government entities and private conservation efforts. This bill rectifies the judicial Cottonwood vs. U.S. Forest Service decision and provides substantial resources for effective land management. This legislation enacts a path toward a more sustainable future for America's wildlife and habitats." - Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.)

Background

H.R. 7408, the America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), would make historic investments of $320 million in grant funding and give states the opportunity and support to enact their congressionally mandated wildlife action plans. Other provisions will give congressional backing to private, voluntary conservation efforts and provide a solution to the detrimental Cottonwood vs. U.S. Forest Service 9th Circuit Court decision. The bill also authorizes Good Neighbor Authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, allowing the agency to partner with states, tribes and counties to better manage their lands, placing it on par with other federal land management agencies.

To learn more, click here. To watch the press conference rolling out the legislation last week, click here.