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The program's implementation has not been static. Far from it. 

 Forgive me for running through some of the numbers again. I know 

 that others here have mentioned a few, but we believe what has 

 been accomplished thus far under the Act is impressive and we're 

 proud of it. Since September of 1990, 275 projects have been 

 approved. That means many more than that have been researched, 

 engineered, written, closely evaluated by teams of adjudicators, 

 and reviewed by the Council. The approved projects range from 

 Southern Mexico through 3 6 states to northern Canada. They serve 

 jack rabbits and jaguars, reef fish and rails, widgeons and wood 

 storks, mallards and marsh wrens. And they serve hundreds more 

 species from the coastal marshes of Delaware Bay to the Playa 

 Lakes of Texas on to the rice fields of California. Static, no. 

 We continue to see new members appointed to the Wetlands 

 Conservation Council, continue to improve the project selection 

 process and continue to look for additional non-federal partners 

 to stretch your federal money even farther. 



One of the things we have mentioned to you is the extensive 

 partnerships that have been realized as a result of this law. 

 Partnership is what you in Congress envisioned and partnership is 

 what has been delivered. We have had participation from well 

 over 225 partners in the amount of $202 million on these 

 projects. While the witnesses you have here before you today are 

 a knowledgeable and distinguished group, it is a shame that time 

 prevents you from visiting with the Native Americans, the 

 individual farmers, the youths, the corporate leaders, the small 

 town conservationists, and the many other faces that have helped 

 realize the Act's success. 



Along with building partnerships. Congress envisioned one non- 

 federal dollar to match each appropriated dollar. Today we 

 demonstrate that we have doubled the matching portion. Congress 

 has made a very wise investment with the federal dollars spent 

 under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The match 

 far in excess of what you asked for demonstrates the interest and 

 ability of partners to do more under this program should 

 additional federal funds be made available. I strongly encourage 

 you to support the bill's increased authorization ceiling. 



I close by thanking you for allowing me to testify on behalf of 

 this Act's reauthorization. It has done much, it can do more, we 

 appreciate your support. 



