House passes North American Wetlands Conservation Act

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 5539, which reauthorizes the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). NAWCA, first enacted in 1989, has become one of the most popular and effective conservation programs. Since the first wetland grant was awarded 15 years ago, more than 1,500 conservation projects have been funded involving more than 3,200 partners. As a result, more than 23 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat has been protected, restored or enhanced in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “Wetlands are critical to the health of our environment, thousands of wild species and human safety,” Resources Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-Calif.) said. “The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina reminded us of the importance of wetlands, which act as horizontal levees that protect American communities, private property and families from the unpredictable whims of nature.” Wetlands are among the world’s most productive environments. Without these wetlands and coastal barriers, the impact of last year’s hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico would have been far worse in terms of human life, wildlife habitat and the destruction of private property. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, for every 2.7 miles a hurricane travels across marshes and wetlands, the storm surge is reduced by one foot....