Enchantment State News

WASHINGTON - On June 14, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced that an additional four senators—two Republicans, one Democrat, and one Independent—have joined them as cosponsors of their bipartisan legislation, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). This legislation invests in proactive, on-the-ground conservation work led by states, territories, and Tribal nations to support the long-term health of fish and wildlife and their habitats all across America.

“We are proud to welcome the growing support from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to invest in proactive conservation work well before species ever become imperiled or endangered,” said Senators Heinrich and Tillis. “As we keep building momentum, we remain determined to work in partnership to get RAWA across the finish line.”

The new cosponsors of RAWA are U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).

“There are few greater joys than exploring Maine’s great outdoors, taking in untouched landscapes, and enjoying the sounds and sights of nature,” said Senator King. “The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will provide essential resources to support America’s treasured habitats and expand conservation efforts for species, waters and lands in dire need of support. I hope we can swiftly pass this essential bipartisan legislation so our wildlife continues to prosper for generations to come. I want to thank Senators Heinrich and Tillis for working across the aisle to ensure the survival of America’s iconic wildlife.”

“Lake Erie and natural habitats across Ohio are critical to our state’s economy, supporting outdoor recreation and fishing,” said Senator Brown. “We must do all we can to protect and maintain them, so that Ohioans can enjoy our state’s natural beauty for generations to come.”

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will be a key tool for States, territories, and Tribes. The recovery work funded by RAWA will be guided by the wildlife conservation strategies and plans developed by states, territories, and Tribes. These science-based strategies would restore populations of species with the greatest conservation need. State, territorial, and Tribal wildlife agencies have identified more than 12,000 species in need of conservation assistance. Existing federal funding support is insufficient and fails to provide the resources required to meet all of these needs.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA):

• Funds conservation efforts for more than 12,000 species of wildlife and plants in need of assistance by providing $1.4 billion in dedicated annual funding for proactive, on-the-ground efforts across the country.
• Provides Tribal nations $97.5 million annually to fund proactive wildlife conservation efforts on roughly 140 million acres of land.
• Ensures wildlife recovery efforts will be guided by the Congressionally-mandated State Wildlife Action Plans, which identify specific strategies to restore the populations of species of greatest conservation need.
• Accelerates the recovery of approximately 1,600 U.S. species already listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
• Includes improvements to ensure funds are appropriately targeted to the areas of greatest need and facilitate additional investments in protecting at-risk plant species.

RAWA is supported by over 60 Tribes and 1,500 organizations representing state fish and wildlife agencies, sportsmen and women, conservation groups, and industry associations and businesses.

In addition to Heinrich and Tillis and these new cosponsors, RAWA is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

Background:  

• Heinrich and Tillis introduced the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act on March 31, 2023. U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) will be leading the legislation in the House. Senator Heinrich first introduced RAWA alongside former-U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) in 2021. The Senate bill was voted out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) in 2022.
• Heinrich and Tillis announced ten bipartisan cosponsors of the bill on May 9, 2023.
• On Earth Day, the Joint Economic Committee released an issue brief on how the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would help the United States avoid costly species recovery efforts and continue to support habitat restoration efforts, resulting in environmental and economic benefits.
• The Washington Post recently profiled some of the “uncharismatic” species—such as hellbender salamanders and Appalachian crayfish—whose habitat the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would support so they can avoid being listed under the Endangered Species Act.
• Full Bill Text

Original source can be found here.