Number: 2014-04
WHEREAS, one of the founders of the National Wildlife Federation, Ding Darling, was the creator of the first Duck Stamp (Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp); and
WHEREAS, this nation’s wetlands provide productive habitat for fish and wildlife, and contain biologically rich ecosystems, support numerous recreational activities, provide commercial fishery and fur resources, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, trap pollutants and sediments, and control erosion; and
WHEREAS, about 50 percent of this nation’s original wetlands have been destroyed and thousands of acres of wetlands are lost each year; and
WHEREAS, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act of 1934 provided a funding source to preserve and protect wetlands; and
WHEREAS, the acquisitions obtained with Duck Stamp funds increase availability of areas for public access; and
WHEREAS the fee for a Duck Stamp has not increased since 1991; and
WHEREAS land prices for wetlands and wetland habitat have increased 250% since 1991; and
WHEREAS, the purchasing power of the Duck Stamp is lower than any time in its history; and
WHEREAS, authority to increase the price of the Duck Stamp is held by the U.S. Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled May 1-3, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland, reaffirms its commitment to the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and its founder and calls upon Congress that the National Wildlife Federation supports increasing the price of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges Congress to provide additional legislation to establish a regular review process of the fee for the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp not more than every five years to ensure the fee is commensurate with changes in land and wetland values; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports transferring authority to increase the price of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission.