Implementation Guidance 39 



it is designed to benefit threatened or endangered species under the 

 Endangered Species Act; and 



activities are located on lands managed as a National Wildlife 

 Refuge. 

 Section 906(e) deals with activities that are taken to benefit certain 

 categories of species. Thus, such actions could be those taken to restore, 

 improve and conserve habitats that support species that meet the cntena of 

 section 906(e). Many wetlands fall under this category and should be 

 included because actions taken to enhance wetlands would provide 

 benefits that are national. 



The Act indicates Congressional intent that wetlands are a significant 

 resource of national importance that deserve protection. Most of the 

 criteria contained in section 906(e) are also contained in the Act. Thus, 

 the Act contains statements relating to wetlands that complement the 

 provisions of section 906(e). Wetlands represent a habitat type that could 

 fiilfill the requirements of section 906(e). Hence, wetlands appearing on a 

 list in a Concept Plan should meet the requirements for first costs of 

 enhancement actions (including acquisitions) being Federal. 



c. The Service's Land Acquisition Program and Land 

 Acquisition Priority System 



The Service has an on-going land acquisition program that is authorized 

 by the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Fish 

 and Wildlife Act of 1956 and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. 

 Funding for acquisition of lands is authorized by the Migratory Bird 

 Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Act, Wetlands Loan Act 

 and LWCF Act. Section 302 of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act 

 allows appropriation under the LWCF Act for purchase of wetlands and 

 also removes the restriction on the use of LWCF appropriations for Service 

 acquisition of migratory waterfowl areas. 



The Service has a migratory bird land acquisition program that is funded 

 through the Duck Stamp Act and Wetlands Loan Act Priority has been 

 given to acquisition of wetlands and adjacent uplands of breeding and/or 

 wintering importance to migratory waterfowl (i.e., ducks, geese and 

 swans) The Service and Canadian Wildlife Service also cooperated to 

 prepare the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Waterfowl 

 Plan) which serves as a guide for participation by various private 

 organizations and the public in the conservation and management of 

 waterfowl, especially through the protection and wise use of wetlands. The 

 Emergency Wetlands Resources Act exempts wetland acquisitions using 

 Migratory Bird Conservation Fund appropriations from being consistent 

 with the NWPCP. 



In response to budgetary questions raised by the Department, Office of 

 Management and Budget, and Congress concerning the manner in which 



National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan 



