Number: 2009-12
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Maine and its abundant biological diversity are vital to human health and the region’s economy and millions of people depend on the Gulf of Maine for food, recreation, and transportation; and
WHEREAS, it is a unique ecosystem, whose beauty and bounty enrich the lives of all who live, work and visit there; and
WHEREAS, each day, the Gulf of Maine watershed and its streams, lakes, bays, and beaches are damaged by untreated sewage, toxic pollution, invasive species, and loss of wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, the threat of climate change is one of the most serious threats to the natural and man-made environment humanity has ever confronted; and
WHEREAS, the effects of climate change are already being seen in our coastline, e.g. changes in species range and distribution and ocean acidification damage to shellfish; and
WHEREAS, a key strategy in adapting to the effects of climate change is to immediately increase the health and resiliency of ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, restoration of ecosystems and reduction of non-climate stressors are key tactics to safeguard wildlife and people from the impacts of climate change; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has urged Congress to adopt a climate change program that will provide funding for natural resource programs nationwide, including restoration of ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, the Gulf of Maine parallels the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Everglades, Louisiana Coast, and Puget Sound in the breadth and diversity of natural resources and in its dependent human populations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled April 30 – May 2, 2009, in Pittsburgh, PA, hereby recognizes the Gulf of Maine as one of America’s critically important ecosystems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation endorses the creation of a public/private partnership in the region to develop a Gulf of Maine Ecosystem Restoration Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this partnership should build on the region’s existing restoration plans and programs to identify a comprehensive future strategy and consider restoration priorities that bridge human and wildlife needs and adapt to changing climate conditions by:
upgrading aging storm water and waste water treatment systems,
combating invasive species,
cleaning up toxic sediments in rivers and harbors,
protecting and restoring wildlife habitat, including access for migratory fish, developmental habitat for marine fish species, and wetland habitat for birds,
abating nutrient loading in rainwater runoff from agricultural and residential sources, and
adopting other strategies to address problems that may be unique to the region.