Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) has approved more than $21 million in land acquisitions in 12 different National Wildlife Refuges.
The projects are supported by the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which includes proceeds from the sales of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, otherwise known as the Federal Duck Stamp. These projects will add an estimated 12,000 acres of quality waterfowl habitat to the National Wildlife Refuge System, including 4,400 acres near the Gulf Coast.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is dedicated to wildlife and nature conservation,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “The North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants, the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Federal Duck Stamp are vital resources for waterfowl and wetland conservation, and these efforts are making a difference for wildlife habitats throughout our nation’s great outdoors.”
The MBCC has also approved more than $23 million in federal grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) for conservation projects that will protect, restore and enhance more than 148,000 acres of wetlands and associated habitats across America.
Wetlands provide many ecological, economic, and social benefits such as habitat for fish, wildlife, and a variety of plants. They serve as nurseries for saltwater and freshwater fishes and shellfish of commercial and recreational importance. Wetlands also hold and slowly release flood waters, act as filters to cleanse water of impurities, and provide recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of people.
The NAWCA grants will support 24 projects in 19 states under NAWCA’s U.S. Standard Grants Program. Partners in these projects will contribute an additional $71.3 million in matching funds to leverage federal funds derived from penalties and forfeitures levied under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, interest accrued on funds under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, and excise taxes paid on small engine fuels through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish and Restoration Fund.
Passed in 1989, NAWCA provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Act was passed in part to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement that provides a strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland habitats needed by waterfowl and other migratory birds in North America.
The MBCC has also approved more than $23 million in federal grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) for conservation projects that will protect, restore and enhance more than 148,000 acres of wetlands and associated habitats across America.
Wetlands provide many ecological, economic, and social benefits such as habitat for fish, wildlife, and a variety of plants. They serve as nurseries for saltwater and freshwater fishes and shellfish of commercial and recreational importance. Wetlands also hold and slowly release flood waters, act as filters to cleanse water of impurities, and provide recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of people.
The NAWCA grants will support 24 projects in 19 states under NAWCA’s U.S. Standard Grants Program. Partners in these projects will contribute an additional $71.3 million in matching funds to leverage federal funds derived from penalties and forfeitures levied under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, interest accrued on funds under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, and excise taxes paid on small engine fuels through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish and Restoration Fund.
Passed in 1989, NAWCA provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Act was passed in part to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement that provides a strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland habitats needed by waterfowl and other migratory birds in North America.
BOUNDARY ADDITIONS AND PRICE APPROVALS
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Camden, Gates and Pasquotank Counties, North Carolina and Chesapeake and Suffolk, Virginia – Acquisition of 233 acres in fee for $1,409,000. The Service will restore and manage additional native forested wetland communities adjacent to the Pasquotank River and its ditch system.
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Humboldt Bay County, California Acquisition of 167 acres in fee for $1,238,240 – Acquisition of the property will enhance the refuge’s management capability and allow for native plant restoration. This unique habitat contains coastal dunes, scrub forest, and beachfront.
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria County, Texas Acquisition of 4,472 acres in fee for $3,532,450 – The Refuge will manage the tract as habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, neo-tropical migrants, and forests and grasslands.
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Pondicherry Division, Coos County, New Hampshire Acquisition of 510 acres in fee for $385,000. The Service will manage the 510-acre tract in conjunction with the 5,661 acres already acquired to promote and enhance habitat for waterfowl, particularly American black ducks, wading birds and other high priority migratory birds. The Refuge will offer compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Liberty County, Texas Acquisition of 161 acres in fee for $160,500 – The Service will manage the tract to protect important waterfowl habitat in the Trinity River floodplain. The Refuge will offer compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Sussex County, New Jersey and Orange County, New York Acquisition of 43 acres in fee for $123,000. Acquisition of this tract will fill a gap in the Refuge boundary and allow for consistent habitat management over a broad area. It will also support the continued natural restoration and management of contiguous native forested wetland communities adjacent to the Wallkill River. This tract will enable the Service to manage the wet meadow area as it does the adjacent wetlands to support waterfowl nesting and feeding habitat.
PRICE APPROVALS
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Jackson, Prairie, Woodruff and Monroe Counties , Arkansas Acquisition of 242 acres in fee for $871,000 The Service will restore them to their full wildlife and recreational potential, provide a larger block of contiguous forestland managed for waterfowl and other migratory birds, and restore hydrologic functions to the lower Cache River watershed.
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Sacramento County, California Acquisition of 104 acres in fee for $400,000- The Service will secure an essential corridor of wintering habitat for taundra swans, white-fronted geese, and a variety of ducks.
Tulare Basin Wildlife Management Area, Kern and Tulare Counties, California Acquisition of 1,250 acres in easement for $2,505,000 The Service will secure habitat protection within the individual ownerships and create a larger block of contiguous habitat with compatible land uses. This effort helps secure a corridor of habitats for migratory birds and resident wildlife within the Tulare lake Watershed.
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Coos County, New Hampshire Acquisition of 914 acres in fee for $1,000,000 The Service will use the property to achieve Refuge biological and public use objectives, including public hunting.
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, Union and Morehouse Parishes, Louisiana Acquisition of 3,875 acres in fee for $9,690,000- The Service plans to manage a portion of the farmed tract for moist soil and reforest the remainder in bottomland hardwoods. The Service plans to reconnect the hydrology on the wooded tract with the surrounding floodplain.
PRICE RE-APPROVAL
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Adams County, Mississippi The Service seeks to extend a five-year lease of $15,565/yr. on a 502-acre tract consisting of bottomland hardwood and cypress sloughs. The tract is part of the waterfowl sanctuary area.
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Camden, Gates and Pasquotank Counties, North Carolina and Chesapeake and Suffolk, Virginia – Acquisition of 233 acres in fee for $1,409,000. The Service will restore and manage additional native forested wetland communities adjacent to the Pasquotank River and its ditch system.
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Humboldt Bay County, California Acquisition of 167 acres in fee for $1,238,240 – Acquisition of the property will enhance the refuge’s management capability and allow for native plant restoration. This unique habitat contains coastal dunes, scrub forest, and beachfront.
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria County, Texas Acquisition of 4,472 acres in fee for $3,532,450 – The Refuge will manage the tract as habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, neo-tropical migrants, and forests and grasslands.
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Pondicherry Division, Coos County, New Hampshire Acquisition of 510 acres in fee for $385,000. The Service will manage the 510-acre tract in conjunction with the 5,661 acres already acquired to promote and enhance habitat for waterfowl, particularly American black ducks, wading birds and other high priority migratory birds. The Refuge will offer compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Liberty County, Texas Acquisition of 161 acres in fee for $160,500 – The Service will manage the tract to protect important waterfowl habitat in the Trinity River floodplain. The Refuge will offer compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Sussex County, New Jersey and Orange County, New York Acquisition of 43 acres in fee for $123,000. Acquisition of this tract will fill a gap in the Refuge boundary and allow for consistent habitat management over a broad area. It will also support the continued natural restoration and management of contiguous native forested wetland communities adjacent to the Wallkill River. This tract will enable the Service to manage the wet meadow area as it does the adjacent wetlands to support waterfowl nesting and feeding habitat.
PRICE APPROVALS
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Jackson, Prairie, Woodruff and Monroe Counties , Arkansas Acquisition of 242 acres in fee for $871,000 The Service will restore them to their full wildlife and recreational potential, provide a larger block of contiguous forestland managed for waterfowl and other migratory birds, and restore hydrologic functions to the lower Cache River watershed.
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Sacramento County, California Acquisition of 104 acres in fee for $400,000- The Service will secure an essential corridor of wintering habitat for taundra swans, white-fronted geese, and a variety of ducks.
Tulare Basin Wildlife Management Area, Kern and Tulare Counties, California Acquisition of 1,250 acres in easement for $2,505,000 The Service will secure habitat protection within the individual ownerships and create a larger block of contiguous habitat with compatible land uses. This effort helps secure a corridor of habitats for migratory birds and resident wildlife within the Tulare lake Watershed.
Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Coos County, New Hampshire Acquisition of 914 acres in fee for $1,000,000 The Service will use the property to achieve Refuge biological and public use objectives, including public hunting.
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, Union and Morehouse Parishes, Louisiana Acquisition of 3,875 acres in fee for $9,690,000- The Service plans to manage a portion of the farmed tract for moist soil and reforest the remainder in bottomland hardwoods. The Service plans to reconnect the hydrology on the wooded tract with the surrounding floodplain.
PRICE RE-APPROVAL
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Adams County, Mississippi The Service seeks to extend a five-year lease of $15,565/yr. on a 502-acre tract consisting of bottomland hardwood and cypress sloughs. The tract is part of the waterfowl sanctuary area.
