Number: 1978-32
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has worked persistently for the adoption and enforcement of regulations by federal and state highway administrators which effectively would halt drainage of natural wetlands into highway rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, these rights-of-way, in most instances, are acquired and maintained with substantial federal funding; and
WHEREAS, such rights-of-way also provide important nesting habitat for ground-nesting birds in the Midwestern states; and
WHEREAS, many states and highway officials allow the cutting of hay on these rights-of-way at critical nesting times by private individuals who exploit a public resource for private gain;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 16-19, 1978, in Phoenix, Ariz., hereby expresses its support for state and federal regulations which would prohibit the drainage of any natural wetland into any highway right-of-way acquired by or maintained with federal funds, and prohibit the mowing of any such right-of-way at critical nesting times for ground-nesting birds.