Number: 1989-22
WHEREAS, there will be major challenges in 1989 to promote and protect the wildlife resources of the Nation and the habitats on which they depend; and
WHEREAS, waterfowl populations continue to decline, ever- increasing numbers of species become listed as threatened and endangered, and 350,000 acres a year of coastal and freshwater wetlands are lost; and
WHEREAS, Federal wildlife programs again face budget cuts; and
WHEREAS, Federal wildlife programs are sound and necessary investments for the Nation’s renewable natural resources, infusing millions of dollars into the national economy and providing citizens from all walks of life valuable recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation remains vigorously opposed to “raids” on programs, such as Pittman-Robertson, financed by America’s sporting community, to offset the Federal deficit; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, the National Wildlife Federation will undertake one of its most aggressive efforts ever to advance wetlands protection; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation is embarking on a major campaign to educate citizens as to the importance and value of wetlands and how they–individual Americans–can make a difference in protecting these vital resources; and
WHEREAS, wildlife conservation in 1989 will require strengthening and expanding conservation provisions of the 1990 Farm Bill, elevating and advancing State and Federal “Watchable Wildlife” (Nongame) programs and improving the legislative framework for management of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 16-19, 1989, in Arlington, Virginia calls on Congress to give high priority to funding Federal wildlife programs adequately, including its wetlands conservation programs, such as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon Congress to reject efforts made by the Administration to cap and/or divert funds from the Pittman-Robertson program;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the Administration to fulfill its promise of a national “no-net-loss” wetlands policy by requiring all Federal agencies to adopt and implement such policy; urges the EPA and the Corps of Engineers to strictly implement Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to meet the national no-net-loss goal; urges Congress to enact new and comprehensive legislation articulating the no-net-loss goal and expanding and strengthening current Federal wetlands protection legislation; and calls upon Congress to secure substantive 20 increases in appropriations for programs–regulatory and non-regulatory–protecting wetlands.