ACE Act Supports Popular, Cost-Effective Conservation Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Natural Resources Committee should pass the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, a bipartisan bill that supports efforts to restore waterways and preserve critical wildlife habitat across America. The Senate unanimously passed a similar bill earlier this year, offering Congress an opportunity to get a popular, cost-effective bill across the finish line this session.

"Roughly a third of all species in the United States are at risk," said Andrew Wilkins, director of land conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation. "We're pleased that the committee is marking up the America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act, which supports collaborative efforts to restore habitat for wildlife on our lands and in our waters. We encourage the committee to provide strong funding for this strong piece of legislation."

Key provisions of the ACE Act will:

• Increase funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act;
• Provide grants for states and Tribal nations so they can compensate livestock producers for losses due to predation by federally protected species such as grizzly bears;
• Reauthorize the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which supports collaborative efforts to restore and conserve aquatic ecosystems;
• Reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Initiative and the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense Program;
• Reauthorize the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, which helps protect water, oceans, coasts, and wildlife from threats posed by invasive species;
• Encourage partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties for promoting fish conservation; and
• Reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Act.