41 



Unquestionably, the Act has been a tremendous success. Since first funded in 1990, over 

 275 projects have been approved. One hundred and five million Federal NAWCA dollars have 

 been approximately doubled by 202 million partner funds, well in excess of the required one to 

 one match. This exemplary program offers outstanding returns on the Federal investment in 

 wetland ecosystem conservation. Whether the projects are large or small, east or west, pothole 

 or estuary, there are many willing partners who share a common commitment to secure, restore 

 and enhance wetland ecosystems. The following projects provide excellent examples of this 

 diversity: 



(a) California Central Valley Easements project that matched a $1.28 million Act 

 request with $2.57 million from the California Department of Fish and Game and the 

 California Waterfowl Association to acquire conservation easements on 2,700 acres of 

 wetland habitat providing benefits to threatened and endangered species, waterfowl and 

 vast numbers of non-game birds. This project is located in the Central Valley Habitat 

 Joint Venture area where wetland acreage has been reduced by 93% yet it remains the 

 principal wintering area for 60% of Pacific Flyway Waterfowl; 



(b) The Maple River project in Gratiot County, Michigan which matched an Act 

 request for $35,000 with $125,000 matching funds from the Michigan Department of 

 Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited. This project acquired 580 acres of wetlands 

 to benefit breeding and migratory waterfowl, wading birds, songbirds and a variety of 

 furbearers; 



(c) Maurice River II project located in the Delaware Bay Estuary, Cumberland County, 

 New Jersey which matched a $1.1 million grant request with a $2.4 million commitment 

 from partners including the New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, the New 

 Jersey Green Acres program. The Nature Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust and the 

 Environmental Protection Agency. This important project secured and restored habitat 

 in an area that contains one of the hemisphere's most important shorebird concentration 

 areas, represents the state's most important habitat for bald eagles and neotropical 

 migrants, contains the world's largest population of a globally endangered sensitive 

 vetch, and is a premier waterfowl habitat containing the state's largest expanse of wild 

 rice marsh. 



These are only a few examples demonstrating the outstanding return on Federal 

 investment, both in terms of its leverage potential, as well as wetland ecosystems secured, 

 restored and enhanced. 



I would like to take this opportunity to dispel some comments that some critics have 

 made in the past. The Act and its administration is not just about ducks. The Act focuses on 

 wetland ecosystems and fish and wildlife resources that depend on them. Waterfowl are indeed 

 a beneficiary of this program but so are many other migratory birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, 

 shellfish, and rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals. In addition, 

 wetlands provide a range of abiotic benefits including storm water retention, ground water 



