Sens. Hagan, Murkowski Announce Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act

In a show of cooperation, Sens. Kay Hagan (NC) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) have introduced a bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, which includes the reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

Both senators had previously introduced their own individual sportsmen’s packages in this Congress.

“We are happy to see Senators Hagan and Murkowski working together to put the spotlight on our nation’s hunting heritage,” DU CEO Dale Hall said. “Outdoor recreation and conservation are strong economic drivers in the United States and DU is happy to see the industries getting deserved recognition in the halls of Congress.”

The bipartisan act (S.1996) is a compilation of bills that focus on wildlife habitat conservation, including the reauthorization of NAWCA, and increasing public-land access for sportsmen and women.

“NAWCA in particular is a vital conservation program that conserves habitat and enhances the waterfowl and wildlife populations necessary for hunters, anglers and all citizens to enjoy. It is the perfect example of a smart federal grant program because it leverages private funds to match federal dollars,” Hall said.

NAWCA conserves North America’s waterfowl, fish and other wildlife resources while producing a variety of environmental and economic benefits. NAWCA partnership grants play an important role in meeting the DU mission, from restoring wetlands that have been altered, and enhancing water quality and availability, to reducing soil erosion and the likelihood of floods. Every federal dollar provided by NAWCA must be matched by at least one dollar from non-federal sources. The program is so successful it leverages, on average, $3.20 from private sources for every federal dollar.

According to a Southwick Associates study, outdoor recreation, natural resource conservation and historic preservation provide a minimum $1.7 trillion in economic impact in the United States. Additionally, the industries provide more than $200 million in federal, state and local tax revenue, and support 12.8 million jobs.

Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. DU got its start in 1937 during the Dust Bowl when North America’s drought-plagued waterfowl populations had plunged to unprecedented lows. Determined not to sit idly by as the continent’s waterfowl dwindled beyond recovery, a small group of sportsmen joined together to form an organization that became known as Ducks Unlimited. Its mission: habitat conservation. Thanks to decades of abiding by that single mission, Ducks Unlimited is now the world’s largest and most effective private waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization. DU is able to multilaterally deliver its work through a series of partnerships with private individuals, landowners, agencies, scientific communities and other entities.