Number: 1990-08
WHEREAS, although more than a year ago President Bush committed to a “no net loss of wetlands” policy, it remains to be seen how and when the President’s no net loss policy is to be formulated, finalized and implemented; and
WHEREAS, despite passage of the federal “Nongame Act” a decade ago, it has yet to receive a single dollar appropriated for implementation and will expire at the end of this year; and
WHEREAS, Congress will begin debating the 1990 Farm Bill, including “Title XII” (the “Conservation Title”), which — through its Swampbuster, Sodbuster, Conservation Reserve and Conservation Compliance provisions that condition receipt of most benefits (commodity price supports, agricultural credit and crop insurance) upon appropriate land stewardship practices by agricultural producers — presents tremendous opportunities to protect, restore and enhance wildlife habitats nationwide;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, urges the Administration to aggressively and expeditiously implement an effective no net loss of wetlands policy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls on Congress and the Fish and Wildlife Service to work with the conservation community in securing a stable funding source for the Nongame Act and that Congress in the interim appropriate the full $5 million authorized under the Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress protect, strengthen and expand the Swampbuster, Sodbuster, Conservation Reserve and Conservation Compliance provisions of the Conservation Title, as well as other relevant provisions of the 1990 Farm Bill.