Courtney Votes to Protect Eastern Connecticut Fish and Wildlife as House Passes the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (H.R. 2773)—bipartisan legislation that constitutes the most significant investment in American wildlife and habitat conservation in a generation. At a time when more than one-third of all wildlife species in the U.S. are at heightened risk of extinction—and as nearly 40% of America's freshwater fish species have become rare or imperiled due to diminished water quality, over-fishing, and invasive aquatic species—the Recovering America's Wildlife Act would provide states with an additional $1.3 billion annually for proactive conservation efforts for at-risk wildlife and habitats.

Under the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, Connecticut would be projected to receive $11.4 million in 2023 specifically for wildlife protection and habitat restoration. Rep. Courtney is a co-sponsor of the bill, which passed the House today by a vote of 231-190.

"Connecticut is one of America's Heritage Fishing Areas, but if you talk to our fishermen and shellfish farmers today, you'll find out quickly that there's real concern about the health of fish and wildlife populations, and the future of the industry," said Congressman Courtney. "We used to have abundant lobster, for example, but that's almost vanished today due to things like sea change, rising temperatures, and water quality degradation. These sorts of shifts have direct and serious impacts on peoples' lives and livelihoods, and on the quality of our environment as a whole, and that's just one example—there are thousands of species and habitats at risk today, and the failure to protect them could have compounding and catastrophic results. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act is the most serious investment Congress has made in a generation to protect America's natural heritage and wildlife, and it's one that future generations will see the return on manyfold. Proud to help pass this bipartisan bill to protect eastern Connecticut's wildlife, waters, and natural habitats."

A report by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) found that one-third of all wildlife species in the U.S. are at heightened risk of extinction, and are facing numerous threats including habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, wildfires, drought, and emerging diseases. A 2019 report from the journal Science estimated that North American bird populations have declined by nearly 29% (or 3 billion) since 1970, Chronically Wasting Disease—a fatal disease to North America's deer, elk, and moose populations—has spread to 25 states, and nearly 40% of America's freshwater fish species are rare or imperiled due to over-fishing, invasive species, and diminished water quality.

States, tribes, and territories carry out most wildlife management and conservation in the U.S. through their State Wildlife Action Plans, but these plans depend on consistent, adequate federal funding. Current federal funding sources like the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Act are exceedingly inadequate. State wildlife agencies have identified more than 12,000 species in need of conservation attention—some of which contribute to water quality, fire mitigation, pest control, food, recreation, shoreline protection, and more—and it's estimated that current federal funding is less than 5% of what's necessary to conserve these species.

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would provide additional resources to states, territories and tribes for conserving, restoring, and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. Specifically, the bill would:

• Permanently Increase Funding for Wildlife and Habitat Protection—Provides an additional $1.3 billion per year to assist states, territories, and tribes in conserving, restoring, and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. The bill provides $850 million for FY 2023, $1.1 billion for FY 2024, $1.2 billion for FY 2025, and $1.3 billion for each fiscal year thereafter. 10% of funds would be purposed for a competitive grant program to spur innovative approaches and partnerships in conservation; 90% of funds would be apportioned to states and territories to carry out wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.
• Support Wildlife Conservation by Tribal Nations—Provides $97.5 million to tribal nations annually to fund proactive wildlife conservation efforts on roughly 140 acres of land.
• Clear the Backlog of Recovery Plan Development for Threatened Species—Provides $75 million for 2023-2026 to establish and implement a grant and technical assistance program at the National Fish and Wildlife Service to recover species listed as threatened or endangered under Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act by addressing the backlog in the development of recovery plans and implementing backing of activities identified in existing recovery plans.
• Help Protect Over 12,000 Species—Through these and other provisions, the bill is projected to fund conservation efforts for more than 12,000 species of wildlife and plants in need of assistance. The bill will also help accelerate the recovery of 1,600 U.S. species already listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act has drawn the support of organizations representing conservationists, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, and more from across the country, including the National Wildlife Federation, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Click here for more information on the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.

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