Press Releases

The Association was excited by last week’s announcement of a $1 billion America the Beautiful Challenge from the Biden-Harris Administration. This grant program will provide support for locally led ecosystem restoration projects that invest in watershed restoration, resilience, equitable access, workforce development, corridors and connectivity, and collaborative conservation, consistent with the America the Beautiful Initiative.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports introduction of the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which will authorize historic funding to combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Today, Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Hoeven (R-ND), along with 7 additional bipartisan cosponsors, introduced companion legislation to the House-passed version of the bill (HR 5608). If enacted, the bill would authorize up to $70 million annually to fund vital research into CWD and support management actions carried out by state and tribal wildlife agencies and their partners.

Today, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was excited to witness the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee markup to advance the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.2372). The Association applauds Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership in bringing S.2372 up for a vote in the full committee and looks forward to working with members of the committee to advance this important legislation that has 32 bipartisan cosponsors toward final passage in the Senate.

Yesterday, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was pleased to witness the House Committee on Natural Resources markup to advance bills that protect our rivers and restore our wildlife populations, including Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (H.R. 2773). The Association applauds Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) for their leadership in bringing H.R. 2773 up for a full committee markup and looks forward to working with members of the committee to advance this important legislation that has 151 bipartisan cosponsors toward final passage in the House.

Today, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies was pleased to testify before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) legislative hearing in support of The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (S.2372). The Association applauds Chairman Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Capito (R-WV) for their leadership in bringing S.2372 to the committee and help to advance this important legislation. The Association would also like to thank EPW members Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Duckworth (D-IL), Senator Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Padilla (D-CA), Senator Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Boozman (R-AR), Senator Cramer (R-ND), Senator Wicker (R-MS) and Senator Graham (R-SC) for their committee support and co-sponsorship of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, in addition to the other 32 bipartisan Senate co-sponsors.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies enthusiastically commends Congress for passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR 3684), which will support fish and wildlife resources and ecosystem resiliency while driving economic recovery and creating high quality jobs through new and reauthorized conservation programs. Last week Friday, November 5, 2021, the House passed the bill, sending this historic legislation to the President’s desk for enactment.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) commends Congress and the White House for their continued commitment to improving fish and wildlife habitat and habitat connectivity. By including critical conservation priorities within pending legislative packages, they have once again reaffirmed their commitment to empowering state and federal agencies to conserve and restore healthy habitats and species for future generations.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies strongly supports introduction of the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act (H.R. 5692), which will strengthen partnerships between state and federal agencies in the fight against aquatic invasive species. Sponsored by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mark Amodei (R-NV), this bipartisan legislation would grant federal agencies the necessary authority to carry out inspection and decontamination of recreational watercraft within their jurisdictions while coordinating with state fish and wildlife agencies.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies applauds this week’s announcement that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has opened new or expanded hunting and sport fishing opportunities across 2.1 million acres, the largest expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities in recent history. This expansion of outdoor recreation is consistent with the administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies commends the Senate for advancing high priority conservation provisions included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This week, the full Senate approved the bipartisan infrastructure package by a vote of 69-30, priming reauthorization for critical programs including the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and the Abandoned Mine Land Trust Fund while creating historic funding sources for terrestrial and aquatic species passage.