of wetlands and to stem the decline in populations of waterfowl and other migratory 

 birds. 



Wetlands are among the most productive habitats on earth serving as breeding, 

 nursing, and wintering grounds for an array of fish and wildlife. In the last two cen- 

 turies, some wetlands in the lower 48 States have been lost. As a result, certain 

 waterfowl and other migratory birds in Canada, Mexico, and the United States have 

 declined. To aid in recovery of waterfowl populations, the United States and Canada 

 signed the North American Waterfowl Management Plan in 1986. This plan is a 

 strategy to increase continental waterfowl populations by restoring and protecting 

 waterfowl habitats. To achieve this, the plan relies upon partnerships of public 

 agencies and private organizations, called joint ventures, to fund ana implement 

 wetland conservation projects. 



The Act seeks to promote public-private partnerships to protect, enhance, restore, 

 and manage wetland ecosystems for migratory birds and other wetland-dependent 

 species in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Since the Act's inception, 275 

 wetland projects in 36 States, Canada, and Mexico have been funded. 



To date, such partnerships have invested over $300 million to protect, restore, and 

 enhance more than 1.2 million acres of wetlands, providing vital habitat for a rich 

 diversity of wildlife species. The plan is recognized in the United States as a model 

 for wetlands management and conservation partnerships. 



The hearing today will give us the opportunitv to receive testimony from our wit- 

 nesses on the need for reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation 

 Act, and whether there are additional improvements that need to be made in the 

 Act. I would like to extend a special welcome to Secretary Babbitt and our distin- 

 guished colleague. Congressman Dingell, a devoted waterfowl conservationist. I look 

 forward to hearing their testimony. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Studds. The gentleman from Maryland. 



STATEMENT OF HON. WAYNE T. GILCHREST, A U.S. 

 REPRESENTATIVE FROM MARYLAND 



Mr. GiLCHREST. Just a quick comment, Mr. Chairman. I want to 

 thank you for holding this hearing. 



Mr. Dingell, I want to thank you and Mr. Conte. I knew him very 

 briefly when I came here and I think he was an extraordinary indi- 

 vidual, but I do want to thank you for all the future generations 

 that will not know the name Mr. Dingell but for the things that 

 you have done to preserve an extraordinary phenomenon in the life 

 of the planet's migratory birds. 



On the Eastern Shore, without a doubt, the only time you see 

 them is in the fall, when they are coming down. The first time you 

 see them is always in the evening at sunset and you can hear them 

 honking, the Canada geese. It is a very beautiful experience, and 

 for us to preserve that, it is very important for us and for those 

 who will come before us, so I thank you for your effort. 



Mr. Studds. As you can see, Mr. Chairman, we are blessed with 

 genuine conservatives on the Republican side. 



May I further observe everyone has now been thanked at least 

 twice and mention was made of our late and beloved colleague, 

 Silvio Conte. Very few things that fly and honk do not owe their 

 lives to the two of you. I may add a considerable number of them 

 owe their demise to the two of you. 



Mr. Dingell, welcome. 



STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN D. DINGELL, A U.S. 

 REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN 



Mr. Dingell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I think after the kind words that have been said by the members 

 of the Subcommittee, I would be well served to keep quiet, because 



