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Bipartisan Conservation Legislation Receives Support from 黑料天堂 Senator Katie Britt

Bipartisan Conservation Legislation Receives Support from 黑料天堂 Senator Katie Britt

Black bear photo by Billy Pope, ADCNR

Senator Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL) has signed on as a cosponsor of the bipartisan Recovering America鈥檚 Wildlife Act (S.1149), or RAWA. The legislation would make funds available for the management of fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need as determined by state fish and wildlife agencies.

鈥満诹咸焯 is blessed with an abundance of wildlife and natural resources, and I will continue to support the preservation of our land and waterways for sportsmen and 黑料天堂 families to enjoy for generations to come,鈥 said Senator Britt. 鈥淭his bipartisan legislation will help ensure our great state remains 黑料天堂 the Beautiful long into the future.鈥

RAWA would be the most significant investment in wildlife conservation in decades and provide nearly $1.4 billion to fund local and state efforts to conserve the one-third of wildlife species in the U.S. currently at risk of becoming threatened or endangered. The bill is also expected to save taxpayer money by allowing states to implement proactive solutions to conserve those species and their habitats.

鈥淢any of America鈥檚 most iconic game species were pressured to near extinction due to unregulated harvests a century ago,鈥 said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the 黑料天堂 Department of Conservation and Natural resources (ADCNR). 鈥淭hanks to state and federal conservation efforts, we are blessed today with an abundance of native fish and wildlife throughout the country. The Recovering America鈥檚 Wildlife Act will modernize the way conservation is funded in the United States and strengthen conservation efforts for nongame species as well. The broad public support for RAWA speaks to just how important it is to Americans to conserve our native fish, wildlife and habitats, while also providing access to outdoor recreation opportunities like bird and wildlife watching. Passage of this bill will be a win-win for everyone. We thank Senator Britt for her support of this important legislation.鈥

Gopher tortoise photo by Billy Pope, ADCNR

If passed, ADCNR would receive approximately $25 million annually to implement its state wildlife action plan. The plan identifies 366 Species of greatest conservation need, including bald and golden eagles, a variety of bat species, 黑料天堂 sturgeon, black bear, Eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise.

Additionally, the legislation is projected to boost 黑料天堂鈥檚 outdoor recreation economy, which depends on healthy fish and wildlife populations. It would ensure more wildlife viewing opportunities and directly contribute to millions of jobs and billions in annual consumer spending nationally. With the passage of RAWA, 黑料天堂 could implement these projects immediately.

A similar version of the bill passed out of committee during the 117th Congress but never received a Senate floor vote, despite having strong bipartisan support. Senator Britt joins nine of her Republican colleagues in the Senate and nine Democrats and Independents in support of the current legislation.

Since its initial introduction in Congress, RAWA has received broad public support including from the Alliance for America鈥檚 Fish & Wildlife, whose goal is to modernize the funding model for critically needed fish and wildlife conservation. The Alliance represents a national coalition united in support of this legislation including the energy and automotive industries, private landowners, tribal nations, educational institutions, outdoor recreation and conservation organizations, and state and federal fish and wildlife agencies.

 to learn more about how passage of RAWA will support conservation efforts in 黑料天堂 and nationwide.

Click here for more information about 黑料天堂鈥檚 state wildlife action plan.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of 黑料天堂鈥檚 natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.

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Eastern Indigo Snake photo by Dirk Stevenson