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Testimony by Ducks Unlimited 



given to the U.S. House of Representatives 



Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources 



June 8, 1994 



Although a few people would tell you it happens quite often, many 

 would agree that it isn't often enough that Congress creates a 

 new program that deserves rave reviews. Not just raves from 

 those that receive a new benefit, but raves from everyone 

 involved and affected. The Congress with this Committee's help 

 created one of those winners five years ago and rates 

 congratulations for it. 



Ducks Unlimited has been an enthusiastic supporter of the North 

 American Wetlands Conservation Act since it was considered by 

 your committee at its genesis. I come before you to add my voice 

 to those calling for reauthorization and an increase in the 

 funding ceiling. You are hearing today about a program that has 

 accomplished perhaps even more in the first five years than what 

 was envisioned. A program that is fulfilling that vision in a 

 financially responsible way for the federal government and for 

 the many other participants. A program that was ahead of its 

 time in encouraging an ecosystem approach and targeting scarce 

 dollars to address the growing need for areas where interrelated 

 wildlife species feed, flourish, and reproduce. That is what the 

 Wetlands Conservation Act is about. All those things. 



I have had the privilege of working with this Act from the time 

 you finished your work with it. Matt Connolly, Executive Vice 

 President of Ducks Unlimited was appointed by the Interior 

 Secretary to be one of the charter members of the North American 

 Wetlands Conservation Council and at that Council's first meeting 

 Matt was elected Chairman. I serve as one of Matt's staff to the 

 Council. At the beginning I saw the implementers from both the 

 private and public sectors join together and struggle to design 

 details of the program so that it would be open, fair and above 

 all based on biological integrity. In terms of our annual quest 

 for appropriations and non-federal matches there is always a 

 temptation to recommend projects under a program based on 

 political expediency that would gain immediate Congressional 

 support or to focus area that was in vogue and would guarantee 

 environmental headlines. But the Wetlands Conservation Council 

 has remained faithful to the fundamental notion that this program 

 will be its own best salesman if the projects are selected based 

 on the best scientific criteria and the most acute needs. 



