24 



Central and South America and we think this would be helpful to 

 attain that goal. 



We would also like to make a brief comment on the issue of long- 

 term conservation and what that means. We do feel very com- 

 fortable with the legislative history of the Act, but I do think it is 

 worth reiterating that the best conservation is permanent con- 

 servation. And that is always the goal in this program. Whether 

 conservation restrictions or fee acquisition or leaseholds, the goal 

 is to try to tie up and protect the property in perpetuity, when pos- 

 sible. 



We also recognize that we do need some flexibility. Whether it 

 is an R&D project, it would be unfair to require perpetual restric- 

 tions, but once again, if we are going to be working with less than 

 perpetual programs, the desired goal is permanent and we should 

 always be looking in that direction. 



We do make this suggestion, to look at the record for two rea- 

 sons. We have a track record now. We have done close to 300 

 projects in this program. So we now have a much better feel of 

 what works and what does not work and I think we should look 

 at that track record. 



Second, we are all sure the money will be forthcoming, but we 

 would like to recognize that with limited resources we have to get 

 the biggest return from our dollars, and I noticed the red light. The 

 yellow light does not work, my goodness. The red light is on. 



I would like to submit my written testimony if that is appro- 

 priate. 



Mr. Studds. It certainly is. 



[The statement of Mr. Dennis can be found at the end of the 

 hearing. 



Mr. Studds. Next we will hear from Mr. Amos S. Eno, Executive 

 Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Welcome 

 back. 



STATEMENT OF AMOS ENO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL 

 FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION 



Mr. Eno. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I come to the Committee to endorse reauthorization of the North 

 American Wetlands Conservation Act. As the Chairman has said, 

 simply put, this program works. The emphasis the Act puts on 

 partnerships is both symbolically important and ultimately prag- 

 matic. There is simply not enough Federal funding to conserve and 

 restore all the critical wetland systems that need protection in this 

 country. 



Pulling in partners brings in additional private funding and 

 brings in goodwill for the cause of wetlands protection. We all have 

 to remember that 75 percent of all wetlands in this country are 

 still owned by private landowners and the most effective way of ad- 

 dressing private property concerns that are so often raised before 

 this Committee is through voluntary partnerships for wetlands con- 

 servation. 



We support Congressman Dingell's proposal to have act-funded 

 projects go to long-term projects of 25, 30 years or more. We would 

 recommend a narrow window for shorter term projects of less than 

 30 years in very limited cases where you specifically target dem- 



