Number: 1982-03
WHEREAS, in the 1950’s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies jointly determined that 12.5 million acres of waterfowl habitat should be preserved and managed under state and federal ownership in the interest of waterfowl; and
WHEREAS, in 1961, the Wetland Loan Act was passed by Congress to offset and prevent the serious loss of important waterfowl habitat through the acquisition of 2.5 million acres; and
WHEREAS, a $105 million interest-free loan advance to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund was authorized to be used jointly with migratory waterfowl stamp receipts for land acquisition purposes, an amount later increased to $200 million; and
WHEREAS, the loan advance is destined to expire September 30, 1983, unless extended, with $54,800,000 still unobligated; and 1,652,532 acres still remain to be protected by federal acquisition;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 18-21, 1982, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hereby again urges that the Wetlands Loan Act be extended until the year 2000 with the intent of securing the appropriation of sufficient funds to achieve wetland preservation goals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp) fees be increased to provide for the timely repayment of the loan while federal acquisitions continue; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress authorize and appropriate money to accelerate wetland acquisition in the United States.